4Wheel & Off-Road Homepage

Chevrolet Truck Suspension Competition - Chevy Runaround


Chevy Runaround Results

We used numerical values to answer a series of questions about the suspensions. The testing we did was designed to simulate the way a typical Chevy truck owner would use his truck, not to see what Chevy IFS kit is the best hard-core trail kit. With the results we acquired over the three-day program, we were able to come up with a number of categories to help you better decide which kit might be best for you.

Best Bang For Your Buck

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Superlift Front View

We were going to tell you that we took the total scores of each suspension and cross-referenced them with the price of each kit (as tested) using some special formula and equation, but once we started looking at numbers, this was a no-brainer. At a total testing price of $2,147 and coming in second place by fewer points than you have fingers, the Superlift kit absolutely was the best bang for the buck that you could get. And since the overall winner of the Chevy Runaround was a drop bracket and new upper A-arm kit, we can definitely say that this was the number one knuckle kit in our test program.Winner: Superlift with 1,029 points total and coming in at $2,147

Best Hauler

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Rough Country Rear Passenger View

The whole reason we buy trucks is to have a bed to haul tools, toys, or other equipment, right? At the 4 Wheel Parts Center in Azusa, California, we filled up a Shur Trax water bag for each truck in the program. The Shur Trax water bag holds more than 400 pounds of water-enough to simulate a loaded-down truck bed, and enough to change the way each truck drove. We were looking to find what truck handled best on the highway and backroads with a utilized truck bed. Trucks were made with suspensions designed to haul big loads and we wanted to make sure that the winner of this section was staying as close to its roots as possible.
Winner: Rough Country with 305 points
Runner-up: RCD with 284 points
Second Runner-up: Superlift with 282 points

Best in Sand/High Speed

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Cst Front Passenger View Far

We spent the final day of the program at the sand dunes, getting a feel for how these trucks handled being thrown in the sandbox and at higher off-road speeds. The sand is somewhat soft and forgiving, but can be very dangerous if care is not taken. We did all sand testing with 12 pounds of pressure in the tires.
Winner: CST with 340 points
Runner-up: Superlift with 326 points
Second Runner-up: RCD with 311 points

Best Light Trail Duty

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Cst Front View Trail In Water

Some fire-road and dirt-trail driving gave us good feedback about how these trucks handle in the dirt. Though they are by no means hard-core trail rigs, the trucks handled the light wheeling we did with them very well, and were actually pretty fun to drive on the fire roads. The good on-road abilities of these trucks and suspensions gave them similar characteristics when whipping around rough dirt roads. The best dirt performer was going to have a nimble feel to it, while being able to absorb some big holes, ruts, rocks, and roots that were in the path.
Winner: CST with 250 points
Runner-up: Superlift with 245 points
Second Runner-up: RCD with 226 points

Best Priced

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Trail Master Front View

Simple enough: We looked at the price of each kit as tested. In the specs for each suspension, you'll be able to find the base price of each kit and the price of each kit as tested. We used the price as tested to come up with the best bargains in the suspension pack.
Winner: Trail Master at $1,485 (base price of $1,485)
Runner-up: Skyjacker at $1,888 (base price of $1,438-the best base price)
Second Runner-up: Superlift at $2,147 (base price of $1,725)

Most Off-Road Worthy Undercarriage

 1999 2006 Chevrolet Extra Cab Truck Rancho Undercarriage

At the beginning of the program, we all met at the 4 Wheel Parts Center in Asuza, California, to examine how each suspension looked on the undercarriage. We looked at what components were utilized, the quality of them, the way they were put together, and what possibly hung too low. Judges and suspension reps noted their likes and dislikes, and we factored the complexity of each kit into the score as well.
Winner: Rancho with 192 points
Runner-up: Rough Country with 189 points
Second Runner-up: RCD with 183 points


Prev  | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | Next
Why Pay MSRP? Get free new car and truck invoice pricing quotes today

Related Photos

Related Articles

 
September 2008 Whoops!
Three super stuck trucks!... more
 
September 2008 New Products
The hot new parts you must have!... more
 
September 2008 4x4 Tech Questions - Nuts & Bolts
See what our readers are asking about now!... more
 
Web Exclusive! 2008 Ultimate Adventure - Trail Day 4
All good things must come to an end, the final day of Ultimate Adventure 2008.... more

Off Road Blog

 
Ultimate OEM buggy run
In the past few years each OEM has built a very appealing off road buggy of some sort. the Ford EX... more
 
Jeep Grand Wagoneer SJ 4x4 5.9L
87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer SJ Its not very often we run across treasures like this. On a visit to... more
 
Clampy on 44's
All I wanted to do was clean up the shop. ... more
 
OHV CA
No work for me! ... more

Off Road Forum

 
84 Chevy excessive engine vibration!!!!! Need help..
I've had an 84 Chevy 4x4 w/what i think is a 454 for the last 5 yrs. I used it as a daily driver... more
 
help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey guys i need your opinion on this.my dad has a 2002 Chevy 1500 4x4.hes wanting to get a either 6... more
 
4l80 trans swap
I have a 94 chevy king cab 2500 4x4.replaced the 4l 60 witha 4l80.need help with a drive shaft.the... more
 
every body vote!!!
every body vote for jtusmc's 2002 Chevrolet silverado!!!!its in the readers rides section heres the... more