The Colorado ZR2 is one of the most capable pickups in the mid-size segment. Coming as standard with 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac rubber shoes, this dune-bashing truck can accommodate 33-inch tires within its flared fenders.
Be that as it may, two additional inches may be troublesome in certain driving scenarios. At full articulation, the off-road suspension system with DSSV dampers can’t prevent contact without a lift kit. This upgrade doesn’t come cheap, though, which brings us to a tire clearance kit developed specifically for the Colorado ZR2.
Designed by off-road specialist American Expedition Vehicles, the $129 package “includes both templates and trim templates for you to know exactly how much to cut and where.” A set of closeout panels and support brackets are also provided to finish off the sections of the front and rear fender flares that have been trimmed.
And yes, it costs $129 whereas a lift kit from BDS Suspension would set you back $2,000 or thereabouts. Oh, and by the way, American Expedition Vehicles highlights that the extra clearance “will benefit customers with a leveling kit already installed.”
The only thing you need to take into consideration before purchasing this upgrade is the offset and backspacing. AEV recommends 17- by 8-inch wheels with a 25-mm offset and 5.5-inch backspacing. A small spacer may also be needed depending on the width of the tire. As for the trimming, an air saw should do the job effortlessly.
You’ll also need a few common hand tools to remove and reinstall things like the Torx bolts from inside the wheel wells. American Expedition Vehicles claims that installation difficulty is “moderate” and that 3 to 4 hours are sufficient from start to finish.
At the time of reporting, the Colorado ZR2 Crew Cab Short Box for the 2021 model year is available from $44,395 excluding destination charge. For the Bison package developed by American Expedition Vehicles, prepare to pony up $5,750 on top of that.
Designed by off-road specialist American Expedition Vehicles, the $129 package “includes both templates and trim templates for you to know exactly how much to cut and where.” A set of closeout panels and support brackets are also provided to finish off the sections of the front and rear fender flares that have been trimmed.
And yes, it costs $129 whereas a lift kit from BDS Suspension would set you back $2,000 or thereabouts. Oh, and by the way, American Expedition Vehicles highlights that the extra clearance “will benefit customers with a leveling kit already installed.”
The only thing you need to take into consideration before purchasing this upgrade is the offset and backspacing. AEV recommends 17- by 8-inch wheels with a 25-mm offset and 5.5-inch backspacing. A small spacer may also be needed depending on the width of the tire. As for the trimming, an air saw should do the job effortlessly.
You’ll also need a few common hand tools to remove and reinstall things like the Torx bolts from inside the wheel wells. American Expedition Vehicles claims that installation difficulty is “moderate” and that 3 to 4 hours are sufficient from start to finish.
At the time of reporting, the Colorado ZR2 Crew Cab Short Box for the 2021 model year is available from $44,395 excluding destination charge. For the Bison package developed by American Expedition Vehicles, prepare to pony up $5,750 on top of that.