From its frame to its sheetmetal, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is all-new from the ground up. Also new is the truck’s suspension system – which in some models features unique carbon composite rear springs. Here’s a closer look at the 2019 Silverado suspension.
The Foundation
It all starts at the frame: the 2019 Silverado features a stronger and lighter frame that allowed engineers to create an all-new chassis, delivering improved ride, handling and reduced mass.
2019 Silverado 1500 frame
At the front, the independent short-long arm suspension now features new forged aluminum upper control arms that provide better wheel alignment and weigh less than the stamped components that they replace. At the rear, the 2019 Silverado suspension continues with a live rear axle setup, but it has been reengineered. Even more importantly, some models will be equipped with carbon composite second-stage springs, which are similar to the technology that is used in the Corvette.
Carbon Composite Springs
A carbon composite spring deliver two primary advantages over a traditional metal spring: they are lighter and they can be tuned to perform better.
Lighter
In the case of the 2019 Silverado, the carbon composite springs save 12 pounds of weight per side, or 24 pounds per vehicle. That contributes to the significant decrease in curb weight of the 2019 Silverado, which is up to 450 pounds lighter over the previous K2 platform model.
Better Performance
What’s more, the carbon composite springs allow engineers to tune and optimize the dynamic properties more precisely over a traditional metal spring. And though anyone outside GM/Chevy engineers have yet to drive the trucks and experience the 2019 Silverado suspension system, GM product chief Mark Reuss has stated that it will be “a lot of fun to drive”.
It’s currently unclear which 2019 Silverado models will feature the carbon composite springs. We expect to find out much more about the new Silverado, including the 2019 Silverado suspension, after GMC announces its all-new 2019 Sierra on March 1. Until then, stay tuned to GM Authority for around-the-clock Silverado news coverage.
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Comments
I would expect them on al, half ton trucks.
Savings of 24 pounds is very much a big deal when they are counting ounces.
These springs have proven themselves over the years and should do fine here.
According to Mark Reuss, it will be on “some” models.
I’d go with it being like the aluminum control arms on GMT-900 and K2 where they were left to the larger models (crew cab short and long box, some double cabs depending on build). The heavier ones if you will, will get them.
I would imagine those vehicles with the max trailer package and the trailboss versions will have all steel springs.
Curious to how far GM pushed a set of those composite leafs in those 7 million miles.
Maybe Alex can do a little digging and get back to us?
I imagine that it will miss out the WT and Custom modle trims and be an option on the LT and standard on LTZ up. It should not be a supper exspensive part, few buisnesses will want to pay for such a feature, and they could save some bucks. I imagine it will be on the LT option as it wont be much of a selling point for weigh loss if the only lightweigh truck is the high country. The LT has been a very popular trim.
At first they may limit it but in time they will put it out there if there are no issues.
Show me an easier way to chop 24 pounds that cheap and easy.
Being that carbon composite springs can be tuned to perform better then traditional steel springs. We should expect more then one variation.
Upscale – ride quality
Performance – off road/street
HD – Payload/towing (unloaded ride quality?)
This could get interesting!
When you look the engineering GM did just on the truck bed alone, they far outpaced everything else on the market.
The overall styling is exclusive, and not easily copied. The look is clean and lean, yet space has increased.
And 450 lbs lighter!
This type of progress is more like what we would see in the aerospace industry.
Every automotive company is innovative and have talented engineers who are able to copy anything but won’t as they have to adhere to their brands design language…If we want to go with weight, GM got 450lbs lighter but Ford used “aerospace” aluminum and lost 700lbs…If we want bed strength, GM admitted half of all Silverado’s don’t leave the lot without a GM bedliner and for the other half who leave without one, the majority buy one from the aftermarket…The Ram includes a free bedliner which is pretty innovative without needing to change type of steel in the bed…Praise GM all you want, just be sure to praise other automakers efforts as well…
Being innovative is a waist of time and money! Companies develop new ways of doing things only to watch other companies take that technology make a few changes and call it their own technology.
Exclusive content is something a automotive company can’t keep to themselves, other companies either just copy it or the govt mandates it to be installed on every vehicle.
The Chevy Malibu was the first factory car to have a remote start, and shortly after that every car company has it as either a option or standard. So my point is why be the first company to market because the alternative is just wait until a company comes out with new technology then reverse engineer it to fit your application.
I wish a company could keep it’s technology exclusive to themselves
The Ford was 300+ lbs. heavier to start with. As far as driving off the lot with a bedliner installed, yea, they’ve tried to get me to finance one for five years. Foolish!
I hope these new composite leaf springs don’t squeak like my passenger side does on my 2015 Silverado. GM’s fix is to only apply some grease, which only last around 6 weeks and you have to have the leaf springs re-greased. GM refuses to replace the leaf springs. The dealership stated that the TSB only calls out to re-greaae the leaf springs if the customer experiences any type of noise.
Will Canadian buyers Need to pay a carbon tax on these springs?
Only if you go airborne in your truck!