There are three different front suspension options on the 2014 to 2018 Silverado and Sierra 1500 series four-wheel drive trucks. You can tell the difference by looking at the lower control arms. We have a chart listed here to help you find the style that your truck has. The reason that you can’t mix and match between the suspensions is due to different ball joint sizes.
There is also the Magnetic Ride Control option (MagnaRide) On those trucks you can’t change the front struts but can still use a spindle.
There are also two different rear suspension options, with magnetic ride control (MagnaRide) or without MagnaRide. If your truck has MagnaRide you can not replace the rear shocks. For those trucks you can only use a shackle along with a set of shock relocators.
If your new Silverado or Sierra has the upgraded Magnetic Ride Control suspension option, the you are a bit more restricted in your lowering options. In the front the choice will be a set of lowering knuckles for 2” of drop. You can’t change out the strut because the MagnaRide front strut is electronically controlled.
In the back of a truck optioned with GM’s MagnaRide suspension you are once again limited by the electronic shocks. If you change the ride height the onboard computer will get incorrect readings, so you need to keep the ride height as close to factory as you can. We have found that a shock extender bracket that keeps the rear shock at a similar location to factory. Combine the shock extenders with a set of lowering shackles.
