BDS I believe is your best bet

h and welcome to the forum, post a couple pictures of your ZR2

 

By the way I don’t have the spacers or leveling kit on the truck yet but I put it in the discription anyway because I’m gonna put them on this weekend

 

Did you end up installing the leveling kit? And did you leave the factory lift from the ZR2 package or upgrade the lift?

 

Cool man- I saved some cash installing the level kit myself too. I used the video by “fondupot” (his YouTube and screen name here) as a reference. Even though all I did was swap out the struts his video was helpful.
first side took about 3 times as long as the second.

 

What are your goals? Lift kit is like saying bigger tires. How big?

Your options include a leveling kit (~1"), Eibach lift coils (~1.25"), Peak Suspension coilover conversion(adjustable 0-2.25"), then up to BDS drop bracket lift (4"), then you can combine BDS with coils or coilover for a bit more. Rear is adding a bigger block, Add-a-leaf kits, OME leafpack, Deaver leafpack, or full custom leafpack from Deaver or Alcan.

 

Looks good as is. I also want to get some of the rake out of the truck but just not sure doing it right is worth it...For towing, the stock set up is probably best, but few buy the ZR2 as tow rigs.

 

I tow my boat all the time and I leveled it with the 589 kit and I bought the ZR2 cause it was already 2 inches higher then the other models. Well that and the smooth ride and cool factor, even though I saw 2 other ZR2's yesterday

 

+1 for 5678ta comments why do you want a lift? What are you going to use the truck for? Is this a personal beautification project, or will the truck do some serious 4x4 stuff. You can get a simple 3-4" block lift for the body for under $1,000, or you can go with a suspension lift. BDS has one of the better suspension lifts, but they are expensive and I think you have to change wheels to a 20". On the other side of the equation, Rough Country is a pretty standard and economical body lift kit. Do you want to change shocks? That alone could run you several thousand dollars!

You have a ZR2. I wish I had one, and its already lifted somewhat. The GM 1" front leveler kit might be perfect for you. It is factory. I'm not sure I would want to do a lot with a ZR2--in theory, its been done already.

 

I’m using this truck as a daily so I’m not doing any off-road. I’m thinking about doing the 4 inch bds lift kit. Any suggestions?

 

I also ordered this bumper and I’ll have it on the truck maybe this weekend or next here’s a picture of it

 

Where did you order this bumper from? I really like it and I would love to order one!

 

If you're not doing any offroading, and the lift is for appearance only, I'd leave alone except for a GM Factory Lift Kit. With BDS, you'll need new shocks, and the DSSV shocks you currently have are better than anything BDS will put on, and you'll need new wheels, a considerable investment. With new wheels, tires, and really good shocks, you'd be looking at $5,000 for just looking good. Plus labor, alignment,

Yeah, do nothing. You already have a bitching ride.

 

As far as I know the BDS lift uses the zr2 shocks by repositioning them.
But if you're "stingy" with money, the cost of the lift is the smallest portion compared to the install (if required), wheels and tires.

 

Personally if I had a zr2 I’d do the peak coil over conversion and an add a leaf or 1” block out back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I’m thinking about getting these...

 

I stand corrected. I do not fully understand what relocating the factory shocks does for the truck, although perhaps it is necessary with the lift. I do know you need 20" wheels and thus new tires.

 

Not to be a jerk, but your 0 for 2.....the lift doesnt require 20 inch wheels....

 

It says it’ll lift it nearly 2 inches

 

The 589 shock relocation kit is NOT a lift. The rear lower shock mounts are the lowest point on the truck, and they're considered a liability off road. That kit moves the shock mounts up, out, and forward in order to get the lower mounts up out of harm's way while retaining the ZR2's DSSV shocks and related geometry, travel, etc. Stock height is retained. This is intentional and desirable. The ZR2 is made to handle well on road and off road, at very high and very low speeds. The low CG is part of that solution. Said another way, it's not supposed to be lifted. There are products available to allow fitment of up to 35" tires on stock suspension.

As for mall crawling on a budget... If you get a 2" body lift and a 2" suspension lift, you can probably get there visually without introducing too many issues functionally. I'm not sure what the ramifications are in terms of linkages, lines, radiator mounts, and such, but no one (no one) said this was a good idea. I've seen people accomplish this with literal hockey pucks. I think the mall crawler on the cheap brand you're looking for on the suspension side is Rough Country. 2" probably won't be too difficult. If you want to get all 4" from a RC kit, do a search on here. A guy recently installed one, and ended up chewing on his U-joint and leaf springs due to axle wrap from the cheap block lift.

 

No matter what, I would keep the DSSV shocks, Myself I never liked the jacked up look, since you already have the level installed I would trim and relocate the oem flares and run 34's on stock wheels or go with the AEV flares with 35's and more cutting.

the "relocate flares" is in the How To Section

oh, what bumper is that?

 

Chevy Colorado / ZR2 | Hybrid Front Bumper

The RRW stealth bumper hides right within your OEM bumper cover, its the most stealth looking bumper that holds a winch and light bar. This is great if you're not looking to upgrade a large bulky full bumper, but just need the functions of a winch and lights.

www.relationsracewheels.com

 

That’s the link to the bumper. it’s a bumper I found online it’s around 1,050 with taxes and delivery. It has a light bar mount and a winch mount with tow hooks. It also exposes the whole front of the tire so you can run bigger tires.

 

That link to the bumper doesn’t work. Do you have a different one?

 

I love the BDS kit. The ride is great and it cost me ~$3400 for the kit and install. You do not need 20" wheels but you do have to watch the back spacing and width combination.

 

What brand tires and size are you running with the kit?

 

nice truck that looks sweet!

 

NVM

 

Wheels: Method Race 312 - 17x8.5 | 0 offset 4.75" spacing
Tires: Toyo Open Country R/T - 35x12.5
Sorry for the late response

The factory shocks are position sensitive so relocating keeps the factory ride and assures they perform as intended

 

Maybe consider too the AEV Highmark flares.
They are a bit involved to install, but cheap compared to a properly set up, full-on suspension, and they do a good job of protecting the Colorado from spray off the tires, which they are otherwise notorious at getting filthy.

The below photo is all stock suspension, stock wheels, no lift, no level, no spacers
Tires are Cooper AT/X III 285/75R17 which measure to a 34" tire.
Plenty of clearances and no rubbing at full articulation.
The benefits are that you get to keep your all-stock suspension, which is quite good from the factory, and even if/when you do complete suspension work due to wearing out the OEM components or want to upgrade the suspension, they are still there protecting the body and allowing clearances for the larger tires.

IMG_8359 by M J, on Flickr

 

I have read that you shouldn’t put a lift on the ZR2 due to the engineering of the multimatic shocks. What do you all think about this? Not a big deal?

 

Hundley05 hasn't posted in over
4 years, so I doubt you'll get an answer from him!