Suspension upgrade 2016 Colorado

buckland

buckland

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Well ...the short of it is the diesel Colorado flies like the wind ... outrageously good MPG ... but the suspension stinks. I was ignorant enough to assume the shocks would be as good as my old Tacoma. Nope... porpoising ..... the leaf springs in back way too soft... bottomed out on pot holes. Man what a lousy first trip. I put Air Lifts on before going but (has anybody else had this experience?) ...aired up to 15 lbs and put camper on. Then I put air in gauge said 60 lbs.... trouble was they did't fill and lift the bed.... they stayed small. I have since been told I have to inflate to 80 lbs ...then put camper on... and adjust.... not like the Firestone air bags I used to have. I have the camper off now as I reassess the situation. I am hopeful that they will do their job right next time if I do the above.

That isn't the real question I have though. It is shocks: It is a new truck line ... the diesel is 650 LBs heavier than the gas engine. (tho better mileage and a LOT more power). The problem is I have wimpy shocks. I was expecting them to be like the OME shocks on the Taco. Nope. So moving on and not griping I need to get new shocks all around. I am looking at Old Man Emu, Bilstein, Boss... (others?). I want heavy duty ...but I have the camper off 6 months of the year. I am told (I am ignorant on this but learning up) that I should buy adjustable shocks. No need for onboard as it is only 2 times a year.

Getting shocks for a new line of truck is difficult as the aftermarket hasn't caught up. All you highly knowledgable folks out there please let me know your thoughts. It is appreciated.
BTW... I am planning on a bucket list trip to Alaska next summer to see my nephew get married in Homer where he captains a boat. I want to arrive with a smile as I am coming from New England... long haul!
 

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As always ... you come through with help! Much appreciated. I have been searching but hadn't come up with any other than the Eiback. I see that 3 are all up there around the $1700 mark though they come with the coil over spring for front. The Eibacks are shock only. I have to look for the GM coil specs as I have a diesel and it weighs nearly 700 lbs more in front.....wondering if the stock coil spring would be already beefier then what was put out for the gasoline versions and so substantial in itself. As advised before by another member.... "do it right...once" .... I want to be sure as it is a huge expense... (albeit essential). Thanks again for your leads.
 
The gas engine has considerably more power (305/181 hp) than the diesel. The diesel has about 59% of the power of the gas engine; however the diesel has considerably more torque. The gas engine has about 73% of the torque of the diesel.

You might check with the dealership to see what options are available on your truck and the corresponding spring. For my truck (Ford) there are about five different front springs available, and the gas engine gets a softer spring than the diesel, all other things being equal.
 
buckland said:
Well ...the short of it is the diesel Colorado flies like the wind ... outrageously good MPG ... but the suspension stinks. I was ignorant enough to assume the shocks would be as good as my old Tacoma. Nope... porpoising ..... the leaf springs in back way too soft... bottomed out on pot holes. Man what a lousy first trip. I put Air Lifts on before going but (has anybody else had this experience?) ...aired up to 15 lbs and put camper on. Then I put air in gauge said 60 lbs.... trouble was they did't fill and lift the bed.... they stayed small. I have since been told I have to inflate to 80 lbs ...then put camper on... and adjust.... not like the Firestone air bags I used to have. I have the camper off now as I reassess the situation. I am hopeful that they will do their job right next time if I do the above.

That isn't the real question I have though. It is shocks: It is a new truck line ... the diesel is 650 LBs heavier than the gas engine. (tho better mileage and a LOT more power). The problem is I have wimpy shocks. I was expecting them to be like the OME shocks on the Taco. Nope. So moving on and not griping I need to get new shocks all around. I am looking at Old Man Emu, Bilstein, Boss... (others?). I want heavy duty ...but I have the camper off 6 months of the year. I am told (I am ignorant on this but learning up) that I should buy adjustable shocks. No need for onboard as it is only 2 times a year.

Getting shocks for a new line of truck is difficult as the aftermarket hasn't caught up. All you highly knowledgable folks out there please let me know your thoughts. It is appreciated.
BTW... I am planning on a bucket list trip to Alaska next summer to see my nephew get married in Homer where he captains a boat. I want to arrive with a smile as I am coming from New England... long haul!
Click to expand...
Can you post some MPG numebrs for us to drool over?

For the shocks, Deaver springs should be your first stop? Their leaf springs for my Titan cost only $900 and are fantastic.
 
Thanks... the w/o camper mileage is around 31 mpg (diesel is 1 cent cheaper than gas where I live too) with the camper on and loaded on a back road trip we got 21 mpg.... that said ... we weren't on hi way with the camper. My next rip will be a long drive on interstate so will have better long drive numbers later. The torque is nuts. Compared to the Tacoma I had for 15 years it is crazy. I loved my Taco. But with this acceleration and mileage ...comfort in the cab... tech availability ... all I need is to sort out the suspension. I have gotten good leads. What I am trying to find out now is whether the stock (DIESEL) springs up front are sufficient... meaning the diesel is 700 lbs. heavier than the gas model... so if they have HD coil springs ...I could perhaps get by with four HD adjustable shocks ( I have air bags). If that is less than ideal I will get new leaf spring pack... the folks at Alcan said "We can build you a custom set of springs for $650.00" so that seems good if I go that route.
I just gotta decide what to do.... it is a BIG amount of $ to me and I don't want to make a mistake. So I am hoping for good advice from a lot of knowledgable folks and then I'll 'jump off the dock'
 
Ace! said:
The gas engine has considerably more power (305/181 hp) than the diesel. The diesel has about 59% of the power of the gas engine; however the diesel has considerably more torque. The gas engine has about 73% of the torque of the diesel.
Click to expand...
Proof once again that we buy horsepower but we drive torque.

The ability to accelerate under almost any conditions and with almost any load is my favorite part of having a diesel truck.

Foy
 
So I guess my question is: (Showing my ignorance) ... how does one buy a heavy duty shock to match the weight being carried? How do the numbers translate into ride? I know I need beefy HD shocks... But I don't want a monster truck.
 
buckland said:
So I guess my question is: (Showing my ignorance) ... how does one buy a heavy duty shock to match the weight being carried? How do the numbers translate into ride? I know I need beefy HD shocks... But I don't want a monster truck.
Click to expand...
Tough question for sure. However, it might help you if you realize it isn't about the weight being carried. It's about the strength of the springs. To visualize this, imagine driving without ANY shocks (ever seen a car going down the road with a wheel hopping up and down like mad?) Here is a youtube video of that! LINK

The job of the shock is to dampen the movement of the "unsprung" weight of the suspension against the forces generated by the springs and any deflections caused by the road surface.

So, if you are getting CUSTOM valved shocks, you can tell the builder what the spring rate is that you have. I'm sure the good folks at Deaver could supply you with that info.

Otherwise, you buy a SET of shocks/springs that are designed to work together.

I hope that helps.

Vic
 
I am learning slowly. Thanks for the clear description. It is my hope that the stock spring pack and Air Lifts would be sufficient but I have my doubts. My first thought ids to get shocks....if that isn't enough then new rear leaf packs. Alcan said they have already designed a pack for the this model truck.... $650.... then shipping and install.... would go with that if it is necessary...
Does anyone have and can recommend Eibacks? Icons? Bilsteins? OME? Boss? Kings?
 
Well .... I added (in the other Colorado string) a 3 ½ " riser on the base of camper. It is 3/16" above rail. I have been on very rough roads and lots of bouncing and it stayed firmly in place (I have a rubber mat as well in bed). Cab over was same as my taco at that point. Shocks are very bad hoping to get maybe Boss adjustable or OME.. Yup was level.


Sent from my iPad using Wander The West
 
When I replaced the old shocks on my Landcruiser. I bought Rancho but when I held the oem up to the new Ranchos I returned the aftermarkets and bought OEM. The difference in build was actually shocking. No idea who Toyota sources their shocks from but they are really beefy.

I've often wondered if the more pricy after market stuff was a result of marginal oem stuff used on the Domestic trucks?
 
Buckland if this makes you feel any better. I was getting gas for my boat earlier today and spoke with a fellow in a Colorado. He worked for a local utility contractor. He said they had several in their fleet and most are nearing 70k miles at least. He said they have all been very trouble free. Especially compared to the other small trucks they used in the past 10 years. That's a good recommendation. Fleet users are hard on trucks. I know I worked for a utility for almost 30 years and drove a service truck.
 
You got a good heart Squatch. That does reassure. I just got home from the dealer...they have been decent folk so far... they are going to discuss it with the tech folks at GM. i gave them the weight card documentation and told them it just shouldn't be happening. I have to go away for a month...when I get back I will put the camper back on and take them for a test drive. In the end I will still replace the Shocks with adjustable one if I can get them. Thanks again for the words.
 
I decided to move on...why put that energy out to the dealer....my goal is to have truck that makes me smile and carries the load. So far I'm half way there.... I found a guy in Montana that has a diesel Colorado and he put a FWC pop up on it. He took it it to Boise Spring Works... they took off the bottom heavy leaf and put on 3 or 4 more to create a ride that waltzes both with weight on and off... that and new shocks...he was clear sailing .... I am hoping to match his ride. I would have the perfect truck as I can't live with looking back at Toyotas carrying the weight I can't. ( that said I can feel the diesel purr at 30 mpg!)
 
We just spent 6 days Northern CA coast. Range and good mileage is a blessing when exploring up that way. Sounds like you have a pretty solid suspension plan.
 
The solution will have to be a new leaf pack and new shocks.... at this time I don't see the ones I want as I only want to do this once. So sadly the camper will stay off the truck this year. Less a matter of ride comfort more a matter of safety.

BTW: restore got back to me ...2 weeks too late ...as i had bought the Airlifts instead...Firestone website did not mention y truck and calls were not replied... that said....Firestone double checked and the NEW airbags for the 2016 Colorado is out despite what heir website says... the part number is 2587 ... so there ya have it... if the air lifts fail (again) I will just take a deep breath and buy the firestone.
 
For those lucky Diesel Colorado folks of the future..... I have settled on a solution. I have air lifts (would have used Ride Rites but did not know they started for my truck...web site lag)... Will get (hopefully) BOSS 12 way adjustable HD shocks. ..... Leaf springs: .... came close to "add-a-leaf" option (but did that on the Taco and the ride was way too stiff w/o camper)....so ... I decided to go with the change in leaf pack. Boise Idaho (Ya ..I'm from New England) Boise Spring Works did a diesel Colorado 2016 with a progressive spring pack added (4 leaves) after removing the main real thick main leaf..... that way they explained I will maintain the ride.... add only 1/2" inch in height and be able to remove the camper 6 months and not be riding rough. Now for the sacrifice: I will add the shocks and the 2" front lift and then drive to Idaho with the camper on (I have the air lift supports) to their place.... get the new progressive pack and .... happily (I hope) head to my destination... Homer Alaska for my nephews wedding.... (wife flying to WA to avoid it all)...there we get the ferry to AK. I hope the whole thing works.... as I have to drive from Alaska to New England.... great mileage on the diesel but want a suspension stress free ride (wife flies.... hey what is this?!)..... plans...I love plans... this will all take place shocks first (ASAP) then June 2017 western HO!
 
If you had two seemingly opposed opinions for what is best for carrying the camper 6 months of the year (6 months off) ... all I can think is to ask those that might have done one or the other or both. Basically it is either an add-leaf or progressive spring pack.

here are two quotes of what is offered:

Boise Spring Works:
Adding an add-a-leaf will over stiffen the leaf pack. Fine when the camper is on but will be
too stiff w/o the camper. Progressive leaf springs (removing the main and adding four smaller ones) will
be able to handle the full range of weight… when the camper is on or when it is not. This only adds 1/2” over stock height.

Auto Springs:
You must be talking about Boise Spring. We are Auto Spring.. You called
the wrong company. Removing the bottom overload leaf and installing 4
short leaves that are always in affect will ruin your factory soft ride
and that is what Boise Spring does..Our full length add a leaf does not
screw up your nice ride. We sell our add a leaf kits to Chevy/GM dealers
all across the US

Any tried opinions? Otherwise I will have to flip a coin!
( I tried and failed to contact the FWC guy who has a Colorado diesel and had the Boise spring pack put on)
 
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