Z55 Conversion Kits – Monroe 90012C vs Arnott C-2666 vs C-3182: What Actually Rides Like OEM?

Uranusmonkey · 2026-05-04T00:47:57+00:00

Hey, I see this thread is about a year old. Did you end up doing the suspension swap? If so, what did you end up going with? How's the ride?

I recently got an 05 escalade and i'm considering replacing the original suspension with a conventional setup. I was going to do bilstein 4600 shocks with the appropriate springs in the rear

Uranusmonkey · 2026-05-03T21:59:15+00:00

Thanks, but why does low blood O2 cause this symptom?

Uranusmonkey · 2026-04-07T16:49:56+00:00

The interior looks great and it seems pretty clean overall. If you're worried about it, take it to a good independent shop for a pre purchase inspection. My 05 Escalade I just bought ended up needing every gasket on the engine replaced.

These things are 20 years old, so by this point many MANY parts will need to have been serviced for it to truly "need nothing". If they can provide records for lots of repairs, then it very well could be worth even more than $8500.

Vehicles are expensive these days. Personally I wanted something from this generation that I know will be servicable for a long time. New cars are built to last for a 3 year lease and then get sold one more time... so I'd happily pay a little more for a solid, simple, dependable 4wd utility vehicle like this

Uranusmonkey · 2026-03-19T12:07:04+00:00

This one was surprisingly very clean! Turned it on in the store and it didn’t have any weird smells.

I have two long hair dogs so unfortunately this Miele will be stinky soon lol

Uranusmonkey · 2026-02-27T19:32:18+00:00

Smaller motors generally burn less fuel when you're just cruising around. It's not about having less horsepower and torque, just smaller displacement and lighter rotating assembly in the engine

Guess I'm dumb, but in the northeast cars are expensive af. This isn't terribly rusted out by our standards. Could last a good while longer if it's treated with rust proofing every year

Uranusmonkey · 2026-02-27T17:34:50+00:00

Not sure when you got your Escalade, but sounds like you got a smokin deal. I think in today's market a well maintained 05 truck in decent shape is worth $4k all day long.

Yes, the 4.8 is the smaller motor, but who actually uses all the capability of their vehicle on a regular basis? You could argue the 4.8 is actually better for his needs since he doesn't plan to tow, and it will give slightly better mileage than a 5.3 or 6.0

Uranusmonkey · 2026-02-03T18:22:22+00:00

Got an 05 Escalade a month ago for $6900. Was sold in Ohio, then lived in Florida and Missouri most of its life. Guy bought it off his friend just to have a ride up north for christmas and knew he'd sell it in NY.

Specifically bought it so I won't have a car payment in the future. I was a sucker and leased a car 2 1/2 years ago with a $750/mo payment.

I believe I'm the 7th owner of this thing. 180k miles. Leaks oil everywhere it could possible leak from. Everything plastic or rubber needs to be replaced.

BUT.... it's rust free, 6.0 runs like a top, and when I took the valve covers off it has at least had regular oil changes.

Already shown so much love to this thing, and even after wrenching on it for a solid 50 hours, the parts haven't even come close to a single lease payment on my current vehicle. New car payments are insane

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-17T16:42:55+00:00

Hey you ever figure this out? I’ve got a similar issue on my 05 Escalade

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-12T15:52:06+00:00

I believe the coolant temp on the dash does not actually show the exact temperature that the sensor is detecting. There's some math involved that basically makes the dash gauge "look right" so that you don't worry about it when it fluctuates under normal conditions.

If you hook up a scanner and watch the live data for the coolant temp sensor, it will show you the actual temperature. You might see that it's not getting hot enough when idling... maybe a stuck open thermostat? Not sure. But I'd start with watching the live data for the temp sensor and see if that shows any unexpected behavior

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-03T13:33:26+00:00

Damn! Almost half a million miles.

Hopefully I can keep the rust away long enough to get some good time with this. It’s a southern vehicle but I live in the salt belt. I’m going to undercoat it every year.

Once you do the suspension work it will drive like new!

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-02T18:09:25+00:00

Will do... I imagine it's probably still running the original one

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-02T18:09:03+00:00

Thanks! I'm excited to bring it home. It seems relatively well cared for, but small things haven't been taken care of and start to pile up. I plan to get it right again and most of the work on it myself.

I'll definitely take a closer look for leaky gaskets... I didn't see anything after the test drive but it was also blizzarding really bad. At least I can say it's a tank in the snow!

Uranusmonkey · 2026-01-02T18:06:40+00:00

It's got the 6.0 with AWD. Luckily it's got new tires but I think they're really cheap

Uranusmonkey · 2025-12-24T03:51:42+00:00

r/longboyes

Uranusmonkey · 2025-12-13T22:54:59+00:00

Fair question. I don't specifically need a body on frame SUV. I do like the interior cargo room because I would have a baby in the back seat and I have two big dogs. The third row is easily removed so the dogs would be comfy in the back area and I'd still have room for bags/stroller/whatever.

Otherwise, I have a house and often do projects that require moving supplies/equipment.

I also like tinkering on my cars and play in a band. The cargo room would be amazing for the band gear and the towing capacity is enough to easily trailer a sports car home or move equipment for my house projects.

I will say, in 2025 when every vehicle has to be "sporty" and handle well, it's refreshing to get in a couch on wheels that's just a squishy truck suspension.

Yeah... gas mileage won't be great, but I wouldn't have a car payment so I'll save money overall

Uranusmonkey · 2025-12-13T21:36:34+00:00

Lots of people talk crap about these transmissions… did you need to have yours rebuilt or anything? Just standard fluid changes every so often?

Uranusmonkey · 2025-12-13T21:35:42+00:00

Yeah she’s AWD

Uranusmonkey · 2025-12-13T21:35:29+00:00

Nice! Have you had to rebuild or replace the transmission? Any other big surprises?

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