2017 suburban LT with Max trailering package that adds z87 rear air shocks. Driver's shock is leaking air at 60k, and gm has them backordered with no promised date. I've seen arnott's eibach replacement shock, but it is $280ea compared to the OEM @ $120ea. It is also lifetime warranty.

I currently have the maxi fuse pulled so the compressor isn't running off and on all the time.

Has anyone swapped to standard bilsteins in the rear and left the compressor unpowered?

Can you install Firestone airbags and plumb them to the factory compressor and have them autolevel? I suppose that would work as long as whatever is sensing ride height is outside of the shock. Does anyone know?

Basically trying to figure out a game plan. Any input is appreciated.

 

Airbag pressures are probably different from the shocks air pressures so it may under or overfill and not get level correct. My '11 has auto level air shocks and the shocks are also electronic in mine. I had a suspension message in mine a few years ago, Electronics failed in shock, I got one off of Amazon with the GM part #. Check Rock Auto also to see if they have one. Internet searching with a part number may find one for you, check some online GM dealers also.
Due to the systems complexity I'd try to find a OEM shock so you don't have to deal with error codes and other issues.