Difference in a Silverado Z60 and Z71
by Josh Zeliger
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a large pick-up truck, adept at towing and hauling. They can be customized and can be fitted with a number of engines--4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter engine and a hybrid model. Chevrolet offers the Silverado with three suspension packages, the standard Z85, and the Z83, Z71 and Z60.
Z71
The Z71 suspension is designed for off-road driving. It comes with 46-millimeter twin-tube, gas-charged shocks, a skid plate to protect the truck's underbelly, and a sensitive automatic rear-locking differential for added grip in muddy, and all-terrain environments. Chevrolet also offers a Z71 appearance package that includes 18 inch aluminum wheels, painted body color wheels and door handles, body color grille with a chrome insert, and improved shocks.
Z60
Silverados with the Z60 suspension are said to focus on "street performance". The Z60 package includes 20 inch tires, and sits around an inch lower in the front, and two inches lower in the back than standard Silverados, because of the sport suspension. This model is designed to improve cornering and holding capabilities on the road.
Performance
Both the Z60 and Z71 suspensions improve handling and steering slightly over the standard Z85 and Z83 models. The Z71 package offers a better overall ride quality as the improved shocks make for more controlled body movements. The Z60 is a stiffer drive in comparison.
