UPDATED: Bilstein shocks, NEW MICHELINS no more Contis

UPDATE 6/23/20: After a few attempts, a good tire shop with the latest, greatest balancer could not get the Continentals to run right...for me. First the steering wheel shook at around 60 mph. They got that go away but they couldn't get the vibration/shake out of the tires/steering wheel at 70-85 mph. I'm OCD about it and drive mostly highways -- other guys might have tolerated it.

The solution suggested by the shop but I was already there: Michelin Defender LTXs. I'd always run Michelins because I always want the best tire I can find, but wanted to try a more aggressive A/T tire that looked better and could handle highways fine, and maybe would last longer than a Michelin. The Conti TerrainContact A/T also has great reviews on Tire Rack. Didn't work out this time, so I'm back to Michelins.

Contis -- Looked more aggressive, very low highway noise (maybe less than the Michelins), bigger tire at the same size so looked better that way too. No complaints just couldn't get them to work.

Michelins -- More tame-looking, a little smaller (normal size - Conti A/Ts are a little bigger than normal), maybe a little more road noise than the Contis (seriously), but NO issues = smooth driving at speed. The Michelins throw more small rocks up into the wheel wells, a minor annoyance.

Hope this helps anyone considering either tire....

_____

hey guys, first post here. First of all I want to say thanks a bunch for all the knowledge, wisdom and experiences you all have taken the time to post on this forum. Incredibly helpful, and also incredibly dangerous...on the wallet! But you already know that so....

Anyhow I have a '16 1794 and wanted to lift the front a little/decrease the rake -- not totally level because I tow a boat. I also wanted bigger tires on the 20" rims -- I had the stock 275/55R20s on the Dick Cepek wheels I took off my old Sequoia that had 240K miles. Wanted bigger tires for the visual and for a slightly softer ride, which was my big goal with this whole thing because I have a lower back that flares up -- under the knife for it a while back.

Anyhow:

I bought Bilstein shocks with 12K miles on them from a guy who I believe is a member here because I found out he knows it's a dangerous place too lol (thanks Phillip!). Got the okay to buy 'em from a mechanic buddy of mine -- 6112s up front (1.3 setting), 5100s on the back.

Had them professionally installed. With the stock shocks the truck was level or close to it (I didn't measure that exact), but when the Bilsteins were installed it was 1/4" low on the driver's side. Honestly it might have been the same before the install (1/4" is tiny) and I would have let it go after the Bilstein install. But since I have the big gas tank that was almost empty and got some CoachBuilder shims in the deal, the shop recommended putting 1 of those on the driver's side -- no charge so how could I refuse.

Driving impressions after a week+:

- Everything seems better with a more-level truck except for maybe a little mpg. Looks better, feels better, rides better. Yep some of it's the "new' shocks and tires, not just the more-level stance, just giving you my impression.

- The Bilsteins make the truck feel a lot more solid...maybe "heavier" but not in a bad way. I've read here that Bilsteins make the truck feel "planted" to the road and it does. Not as much bounce and softness, but also NOT stiff, though bear in mind these shocks did not need to break in.

- The truck takes bumps and potholes way better now, which like I said was one of my goals because of my lower back. I'd been feeling the bumps and potholes way too much.

- I am not a shock expert by any means, but can say that whenever my next truck happens it will have Bilsteins or similar aftermarket shocks on it. No doubt. Haven't towed with it yet but I can't wait. I should add that I always buy used vehicles....

Now to the tires:

- I wanted to go up a size -- to 275/60R20s. Mostly for more air/a little softer ride, but also for looks. Actually I strongly considered going down to 18s for much more air but can't afford the wheels I want.

- I did way too much research on tires. I've been a Michelin guy, usually the best in my experience (sometimes they wear too fast), but I wanted to try something different -- mostly an A/T tire that also looked better.

- I am a 90% highway/road and 10% everything else guy so I needed that kind of tire. I considered the Michelin LTX (what I had before), a Pirelli Scorpion A/T and the Continental TerrainContact A/T.

- Really the Michelin was my backup if I got red-flagged out of the other 2. After way too much interwebz research, finally asked my mechanic/body bud which one he'd get between the Conti and Pirelli and he said Conti. Done. That tire also has great reviews on TireRack.

- So far the tire is exactly as reviewed, though no rain to speak of since I got them. They're solid, comfy, look good and they're quiet on the highway which was a big concern for me because I'm a little OCD about noises.

- From a video by the Campus Automotive guy on YT it looks like this Conti tire is taller than other similarly-sized tires. So even though this tire I guess should fit no problem with stock suspension (and I believe it will), the front tire forward wind "flaps" had to go, and fully turning the wheel (like when reversing out of a driveway) will get some loud rubbing on the actual mudflap. Not a big deal.

- Never had an issue with Michelins on those rims but the shop had the truck for a couple days because the Contis didn't want to stay put location-wise on the back wheels. The shop finally had to mount them with no tire lube (whatever it's called) so they wouldn't slip. So far so good.

I think that's everything I can think of. Please lmk if you have any questions about any of this.

Trying to not do anything else to my truck...except next are the 2018-19 headlights/harness, and maybe lower-pro black running boards. Would love to get rid of all the chrome on the nose but that's lower down on the list -- honestly doesn't look too terrible with the silver color of the truck.

Thanks again fellas!

- Jay

Sorry not the greatest pic, will take a better one soon

 

I have those same tires and they flat spot like crazy over night especially when its under 40 deg.Not so much now that its warm.Mine also need to be re-balanced.Shame that its 2020 and tires these days should not flat spot overnight.Nice truck by the way.

 

Dang that doesn't sound good, thanks for the warning. What size and ply are your tires?

 

P 275-65-18

 

Ok thank you

 

Hi Jay. Nice write up.

 

Thanks for the write up Jay. You're truck looks great. I've been thinking about getting 6112s for my truck as my shocks are now at the end of their life so I am very curious about how much less you feel the bumps as this has always been something that annoyed me on certain roads. I have been actually thinking I would only put the 6112s at the lowest 0.75 setting to get a small front end lift while minimizing the spring pre-load to preserve softness. Any thoughts?

Also, how do you compare the Contis to Michelin LTX ms2 tires as they are my current set?

Thanks - Rich

 

hey Rich, I bet bumps are felt differently by everyone depending on their OCD level but...the bumps are still there, they just don't have as much of a felt impact - and remember my shocks were already broken in. It's not like I'm riding on a cloud or whatever, but the bumps aren't jarring anymore. Reminder I also went up a tire size = more air. That's supposed to help too, and that's why I thought about going to 18s, to maximize that if I could.

Not sure I can compare the tires yet. I thought the LTXs performed well and wore well, they just didn't look aggressive (a minor-ish thing) and I wanted to try more of an A/T tire. I hate taking a chance with tires though because they're so expensive and important - that's why I did all that research. But ultimately who knows - it's a little just biting the bullet. But so far performance on dry roads and road noise they are equal in my opinion.

 

Thanks. I don't mind bumps to some degree but what i am trying to improve upon is to have less of an unsettling sensation that the entire truck has been upset from pot holes, etc. and the suspension eats more of the bump yet still trying to keep good handling in turns. I fully realize am ask looking for a very specific compromise asd it isn't easy to achieve but I do think it can be done.

I think the 6112s will provide a good bit of that from what i have been seeing. Thanks again. Put some more pics up when you can. - R

 

Better pic from this eve. On flat ground, to my eye the truck looks almost level at the 1.3 on the Bilsteins

 

Nice write up. I’m about to install the 6112s at 1.3 and 5160 stock height. Would you happen to have measurements (hub-fender) after the install? I recently purchased a ‘14 CM with a spacer lift and I’m curious of how the 6112s at 1.3 will compare to my truck’s current stance. Thanks.

 

Following this thread

 

Here's the update I put up top just in case you scroll down to the bottom of threads like I do:

UPDATE 6/23/20: After a few attempts, a good tire shop with the latest, greatest balancer could not get the Continentals to run right...for me. First the steering wheel shook at around 60 mph. They got that go away but they couldn't get the vibration/shake out of the tires/steering wheel at 70-85 mph. I'm OCD about it and drive mostly highways -- other guys might have tolerated it.

The solution suggested by the shop but I was already there: Michelin Defender LTXs. I'd always run Michelins because I always want the best tire I can find, but wanted to try a more aggressive A/T tire that looked better and could handle highways fine, and maybe would last longer than a Michelin. The Conti TerrainContact A/T also has great reviews on Tire Rack. Didn't work out this time, so I'm back to Michelins.

Contis -- Looked more aggressive, very low highway noise (maybe less than the Michelins), bigger tire at the same size so looked better that way too. No complains, just couldn't get them to work.

Michelins -- More tame-looking, a little smaller (normal size vs Conti A/Ts which are a little bigger), maybe a little more road noise than the Contis (seriously), but NO issues = smooth driving at speed. The Michelins also cause more small rocks to hit the wheel wells.

Hope this helps anyone considering either tire....

 

They didn’t have any other tires besides Conti and Michelin?

 

They have any tire you want but I had criteria that I outlined in the first post, notably a tire for lots of highway driving. I also have experience with other tire brands that I'd never own again (came on cars) and read the online reviews.

 

Been on Michelin M/S then M/S2 and now the Michelin LTX Defenders for about 17 plus years. They are excellent on the road driving in all conditions. They are quiet and do well in snow and sand. They last an incredibly long mileage and are swapped for new at the 5 year recommendation even though they have plenty of tread. They are round and stay round making for smooth driving. They balance easy with less weights, too.

Had two different sets of expensive crappy, but ‘cool’ and ‘badass’ looking ‘off road tires’ for about a year each when my truck was fairly new and they wore like poop. Never would balance properly. Bald spots in weird places. Loud inside the cab, too. Bad tires can ruin a front end and be very expensive. Never again! Stoked on Michelin LTX.

 

I have cool looking tires now because I’m a poser, but Michelin LTX MS2 (and now Defender) are by far and away the best highway truck tires.

 

Appreciate the feedback guys!

Sorry @60av8tor I missed your post. If you still need the measurements pls DM me....