2nd Gen Chevy Colorado Overland Build

[Kevinista]

I've been putting so much research into making my truck "overland ready", sometimes there is to much to research lol. If anyone has any helpful suggestions, please let me know. (and I know "you don't need anything to go overlanding") I put together a video discussing some of the the things I'd like to do 1st to my truck.

 

[RJCanyon]

Well you are in luck, this platform has a very good aftermarket and is getting better everyday. any questions you have feel free to ask me, come over and check out the Coloradofans forums as well!!!

armor is vital on these trucks

EDIT: I watched the video, if you want 35" tires check out the AEV high mark fender flares, they are for the ZR2 but if you are crafty you could make them work, new wheel are also required for proper fitment

AEV HighMark Fender Flares for Colorado ZR2 and Bison

Get the AEV Highmark Fender Flares for your Colorado ZR2 and Bison. These durable fender flares open up the front and rear wheel wells substantially.

www.aev-conversions.com

I had to trim for 32", 33"s will need a good amount of trimming but certainly can be done

 

[Kevinista]

Well you are in luck, this platform has a very good aftermarket and is getting better everyday. any questions you have feel free to ask me, come over and check out the Coloradofans forums as well!!!

armor is vital on these trucks

EDIT: I watched the video, if you want 35" tires check out the AEV high mark fender flares, they are for the ZR2 but if you are crafty you could make them work, new wheel are also required for proper fitment

AEV HighMark Fender Flares for Colorado ZR2 and Bison

Get the AEV Highmark Fender Flares for your Colorado ZR2 and Bison. These durable fender flares open up the front and rear wheel wells substantially.

www.aev-conversions.com

I had to trim for 32", 33"s will need a good amount of trimming but certainly can be done

Thank you for the helpful advice! Do you happen to have a video of how you trimmed your fenders?

 

[RJCanyon]

Thank you for the helpful advice! Do you happen to have a video of how you trimmed your fenders?

I unfortunately don't have a video, i'm running a 265/70R17 and it was only minor trimming of the front "waffle" to move the fender liner and I took a 45 degree cut to the pinch weld. I could have gotten away without trimming the pinch weld in all honesty but on my driver side it was REALLY close so i just did it anyways.
I also have a pretty aggressive tread, If I ran an all terrain tire in 265 id likely not have to trim at all.

A better option though would be a fender relocation bracket like this:

Fender Liner Relocation Bracket | Pair | 15-20 colorado / canyon

These relocation brackets allow you to run larger tires by moving the front fender liners approximately 1" forward while still retaining a factory look. Allows clearance of front fender liner for up to 33" tire with 2.5"-3" lift. Fitment: 2015-2020 Chevy Colorado (Does NOT fit ZR2) 2015-2020 GMC...

coloradocanyonenthusiasts.com

 

[madcratebuilder]

YouTube has several videos on fender trimming. for up to a 34" you trim the rear of the front well and the front of the rear well, rear is real easy, front involves some cutting and adding new screws. A good off road shop can do it for a few hundred bucks, DIY is easy if you have cutting tools.
Adding taller tires you need to think about re-gearing, 4.10 or 4.56's on 34" or larger

 

[Boostpowered]

Something I've noticed is everyone with a mild lift and larger tires on colorados is they do the lift, drop axle, steering and sway bar but the reason your tires are rubbing when turning going uphill is that the front bump stops aren't being dropped to compensate for the new geometry. With full load on these trucks the bumps should just barely be touching the lower control arm. They aren't really bumpstops in the traditional sense they are jounce shocks and gm trucks are designed with them touching because they keep your wheel from getting stuffed to far into the well and gives a better ride over rough stuff.
If you don't believe me go to the dealership and look at any stock height truck on the lot, Silverados are the same way.

 

[Kevinista]

I unfortunately don't have a video, i'm running a 265/70R17 and it was only minor trimming of the front "waffle" to move the fender liner and I took a 45 degree cut to the pinch weld. I could have gotten away without trimming the pinch weld in all honesty but on my driver side it was REALLY close so i just did it anyways.
I also have a pretty aggressive tread, If I ran an all terrain tire in 265 id likely not have to trim at all.

A better option though would be a fender relocation bracket like this:

Fender Liner Relocation Bracket | Pair | 15-20 colorado / canyon

These relocation brackets allow you to run larger tires by moving the front fender liners approximately 1" forward while still retaining a factory look. Allows clearance of front fender liner for up to 33" tire with 2.5"-3" lift. Fitment: 2015-2020 Chevy Colorado (Does NOT fit ZR2) 2015-2020 GMC...

coloradocanyonenthusiasts.com

Cool, I've never seen that modification!

 

[Kevinista]

YouTube has several videos on fender trimming. for up to a 34" you trim the rear of the front well and the front of the rear well, rear is real easy, front involves some cutting and adding new screws. A good off road shop can do it for a few hundred bucks, DIY is easy if you have cutting tools.
Adding taller tires you need to think about re-gearing, 4.10 or 4.56's on 34" or larger

Well I've seen one video where the guy fit 37's with a fender trim but it cost him $2500 for the work, so if you can give me a specific shop that will do it for a couple hundred bucks that would be GREAT!

 

[Kevinista]

Something I've noticed is everyone with a mild lift and larger tires on colorados is they do the lift, drop axle, steering and sway bar but the reason your tires are rubbing when turning going uphill is that the front bump stops aren't being dropped to compensate for the new geometry. With full load on these trucks the bumps should just barely be touching the lower control arm. They aren't really bumpstops in the traditional sense they are jounce shocks and gm trucks are designed with them touching because they keep your wheel from getting stuffed to far into the well and gives a better ride over rough stuff.
If you don't believe me go to the dealership and look at any stock height truck on the lot, Silverados are the same way.

That is something very important to think about. I wonder if there is aftermarket bumpstops for lifts?

 

[RJCanyon]

That is something very important to think about. I wonder if there is aftermarket bumpstops for lifts?

Fox and King have a great selection of universal bump stops, obviously all would require cutting and welding

Locked off road makes a great bolt on kit for the rear bump stop if you have an extra $700 laying around

 

[madcratebuilder]

Well I've seen one video where the guy fit 37's with a fender trim but it cost him $2500 for the work, so if you can give me a specific shop that will do it for a couple hundred bucks that would be GREAT!

Cutting for 37's is major surgery, trimming for 33's to 35's is much less involved. If you don't DIY check with local 4X4 shops. $2.5k for a fender trim, even for 37's is a rip off, that 20hrs labor and it goesn't take 20hrs to do the job.

For bump stops the Timbren Off Road bump stops are a great addition. I was able to remove my front sway bar with out a change in hiway driving and it's much better off road.