NE1 know GM S10 Suspension? En tray

[SVT5LITER]

I believe I'm in need of replacing the front shocks on the '01 Blazer. It has OEM Bilsteins, and I'm looking to stay with a Bilstein. It has Z85 suspension, no ZM6 in the codes. The Bilsteins have a tag of "T3R" on them I noticed, which all the dealer can tell me is they're "increased capacity". I seem to have the same front anti-roll/sway bar as a ZR2 I found out (just throwing that in there for good measure). I know there's 2 variations of the Bilstein shock that I'm after, one being "Heavy Duty" (MO) and the other a "Sport" (HO). It is my understanding that the 'sport' to be a little stiffer.

My questions are these:
* Which version (Heavy Duty or Sport) does my Z85 have do you figure?
* Which version did the ZR2's have? (guessing the sports?)
* Will either version work on the Blazer?

I'm guessing I should maybe stick with what version Bilstein it came with since it obviously is part of the Z85 suspension and matches the springs.
Just to state it, the 2 shocks I'm talking about carry a Bilstein PN of B46-1412-MO and B46-1412-HO

Anyone got anything on this?
The Blazer forum isn't coming thru for me on this so far.

[Outrun]

Just get whatever is cheapest and will ride the nicest.

[Fernanernie]

Your non-ZR2 uses the Heavy Duty. ZR-2s use the Sport. Either version will work, providing you don't have the wide stance, but you'd be best getting the HD's. Do not get the B46-1852s (wide stance)

[SVT5LITER]

Your non-ZR2 uses the Heavy Duty. ZR-2s use the Sport. Either version will work, providing you don't have the wide stance, but you'd be best getting the HD's. Do not get the B46-1852s (wide stance)

Nope, no wide stance, just a Z85 4-door.

[Scorpner]

I believe I'm in need of replacing the front shocks on the '01 Blazer. It has OEM Bilsteins, and I'm looking to stay with a Bilstein. It has Z85 suspension, no ZM6 in the codes. The Bilsteins have a tag of "T3R" on them I noticed, which all the dealer can tell me is they're "increased capacity". I seem to have the same front anti-roll/sway bar as a ZR2 I found out (just throwing that in there for good measure). I know there's 2 variations of the Bilstein shock that I'm after, one being "Heavy Duty" (MO) and the other a "Sport" (HO). It is my understanding that the 'sport' to be a little stiffer.

My questions are these:
* Which version (Heavy Duty or Sport) does my Z85 have do you figure?
* Which version did the ZR2's have? (guessing the sports?)
* Will either version work on the Blazer?

I'm guessing I should maybe stick with what version Bilstein it came with since it obviously is part of the Z85 suspension and matches the springs.
Just to state it, the 2 shocks I'm talking about carry a Bilstein PN of B46-1412-MO and B46-1412-HO

Anyone got anything on this?
The Blazer forum isn't coming thru for me on this so far.

I don't know much about S-10's but I know they share parts with the Thirdgens I cruise around in. Swapping around springs and sway bars is common, with shocks being replaced with aftermarket that doesn't really address the difference in the rest of the suspension. Sometimes V6 and V8 shocks are listed the same so I don't see having a whole lot of choice in it realistically sometimes unless you had the originals rebuilt. Thirdgens do have higher performance shocks that are stiffer but more importantly handle abuse much longer per session without failing which is important for the track but not necessary for most people on the road.

BTW, I sent you a PM.

Edit: I wasn't saying that the two would share suspension parts directly, but probably have similar set ups especially being produced around the same time frame. Some people say that the spindles are the same but I've never checked into it though.

[Turbohwagon]

[Fernanernie]

+

[SVT5LITER]

Check. Moog even.

[xjfish]

Just get whatever is cheapest and will ride the nicest.

x2

[SVT5LITER]

I don't know much about S-10's but I know they share parts with the Thirdgens I cruise around in. Swapping around springs and sway bars is common, with shocks being replaced with aftermarket that doesn't really address the difference in the rest of the suspension. Sometimes V6 and V8 shocks are listed the same so I don't see having a whole lot of choice in it realistically sometimes unless you had the originals rebuilt. Thirdgens do have higher performance shocks that are stiffer but more importantly handle abuse much longer per session without failing which is important for the track but not necessary for most people on the road.

That's extra fuckin' around I'm just not interested in I just wanna do front shocks I already tried a ZR2 bar, and hey.. mine came OEM with one already! so I wasted time and money there. Swapping out Z85 suspension if not lifting or lowering would just be silliness

[Scorpner]

Well, that's just damn boring.

I get what you're saying and I guess I didn’t read your post very well either. You just want to replace it with what it had originally but you're not sure which one it was.

For that you could try asking Bilstein where the part number is on the shocks you have. It may be hidden from view when installed, or it could be one of GMs fabulous proprietary endeavors. I don’t know if you pulled them or not to look BTW.

The thing is over the years the same RPO codes meant different things while different codes some times meant the same or similar parts were installed. I wouldn’t go strictly by RPO’s. One of the links below shows that bar on many different S-10’s and that follows with what I know about other GM cars too.
I did a quick search and found this :

http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16176

http://www.texassseries.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t974827-what_shocks_should_i_get_.html

This would be my gut reaction if you're concerned at all about ride over handling, but the choice is ultimately yours:

Serge PETIT
01-12-2010, 03:34 AM
I have equiped my 2000 Blazer LT 4x4 with the Bilstein HD (sport version are to stif . I am totaly satisfied with that mod ; It's the same difference than between the night and the day !
Very easy to install.
:smooch:

Or try sending this guy a PM:

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showpost.php?p=309610&postcount=8

List of part numbers, could possibly cross reference the GM number to the Bilstein number?

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f17/zq8-part-numbers-on-gm-partsdirect-com-104793/

The following three might say the ZR2 had neither?

http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/archive/bil_easy25_apps.pdf

S-10 Blazer 4WD (Except ZR2) 82-05
HD F4-B46-1412-M0 F4-B46-1413-M0
SP F4-B46-1412-H0 F4-B46-1413-H0

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-F4B461412M0/Application/?query=Year|1989|Make|CHEVROLET|Model|S10+BLAZER&prefilter=1

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-F4B461412M0/Application/?query=Year|1989|Make|CHEVROLET|Model|S10+BLAZER&prefilter=1

Application Notes Standard suspension models. Will not fit ZR2 suspension.

There’s also that local place that could maybe identify them or take them apart to see what’s on there now.

I also agree about the ball joints, etc. AND also bushings. I mention this in case you get to that point as I had problems with Energy Suspensions fitting while I bought a set of A-Arms where the guy told me he used Procomp and they fit perfectly. Same goes for sway bar and other bushings obviously.

[SVT5LITER]

Terry, you are the link master, aren't you
The boringness matches the truck's performance, so yeah
I haven't pulled the shocks, no. Was just looking at 'em at the time of hub replacement to see if I could get any info off 'em. I don't have the time nor space to pull 'em and let it sit while I bring the shocks somewhere to get rebuilt. These have to come out, and another set have to go right back in asap so it's up and driving again.

I see what you mean by the RPO's being different too over the years. I've noticed that while looking through some lists of 'em. Got a little confusing. The offroadwarehouse link is a little more clear though, as to neither PN being on a ZR2. So then I choose from sport or heavy duty I guess, which I'm thinking HD

Lower ball joints were just done. Upper are fine. Control arm bushings I'm trying to determine. They're cracked, but it's tough to tell if there's actual 'play' in 'em. Sway bar bushings appear to be fine.

[Scorpner]

Looking now I didn't realize how many I posted.
I got curious and started looking since I'm kind of familiar with it but I agree there isn't anything definite to go by.

It's going to be enough pulling that apart and getting it back on the road right away. I guess you could buy both and if you notice a difference then use which ever ones and return the others. Even though I'm guessing the HD's are going to be a better ride.

[SVT5LITER]

Do the job at least twice?? Not interested
I'll prolly just order the Heavy Duty units and hope that's what I have now. I just want the truck to ride like it used to. When the water bed ride gets sorted out (which I'm betting is front shocks) then I get to sort out the loose steering wheel/slop issue that presented itself last year. In doing some quick research, it looks like there's all kinds of bullshit to try out/replace for that too (no I'm not putting a Jeep shaft in).

[Scorpner]

No, I was thinking of having both sets and checking them against the original. Kind of the same thing you did with the center link IIRC.

You know about the adjustment screw on top of the steering box right? Basically loosen the outer nut and tighten the inner allen screw just enough to take up the slack, takes a few minutes to do. You can tell if there's slop between the steering shaft and the output from the box itself.