Crusader ZR2 Duramax Build
- Thread starter CrusaderZR2
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Had a great time at the 4 Wheel Parts Overlander Meet this past weekend in Coppell, TX. They are going to be making it a monthly meet as this one had 52 Vehicles at the meet! so if any of you are interested follow and like their FB page for updates (4WP Overlander) And maybe we can get to one of these meets and go to trail or something right after! Here are a couple pictures I took!
Awesome News!
I have placed the order for my new tent! I am working with Crusader Overland to bring in a tent that has not been seen in the industry to date! This is going to be a Game changer. Stay tuned to see what it is Once it arrives, and as soon as we get it we will be opening up pre orders as well. This is a huge void in the industry that is about to be filled. especially for those of us with trucks
I have placed the order for my new tent! I am working with Crusader Overland to bring in a tent that has not been seen in the industry to date! This is going to be a Game changer. Stay tuned to see what it is Once it arrives, and as soon as we get it we will be opening up pre orders as well. This is a huge void in the industry that is about to be filled. especially for those of us with trucks
Also I started a Blog for those of you that would like to read and follow.
anobscureodyssey.blogspot.com
An Obscure Odyssey
Follow along as my doggo Sadie and I travel North America finding new adventures and destinations.
anobscureodyssey.blogspot.com
Pathfinder I
Do you ever flex in 4Lo? Have any pics?
I tried a spacer lift on my Tacoma for about a month before I ripped it out because I hated the lack of suspension travel. Do you flex often? I'm looking into switching my Tacoma for a ZR2, but I see a lack of suspension upgradability with the new Colorados, whereas with my 3rd gen Tacoma there are a plethora of non-spacer lift options.
I tried a spacer lift on my Tacoma for about a month before I ripped it out because I hated the lack of suspension travel. Do you flex often? I'm looking into switching my Tacoma for a ZR2, but I see a lack of suspension upgradability with the new Colorados, whereas with my 3rd gen Tacoma there are a plethora of non-spacer lift options.
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
If your looking for articulation in the front suspension aka flex you should look into vehicles that have a solid axle , ifs suspensions arent know for crazy flex no matter what you do, if you heart is set on ifs then you can disconnect the sway bar and get a little bit more travel or do it the right way get a long travel a arms and get a few inches more.
Enthusiast III
Nice ZR2. I had one of the old S10 ZR2’s that I loved. Only downside was the lack of room and the gas mileage
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Pathfinder I
That's not accurate. I don't have a solid axle but I flex fine in my Tacoma. I put a 2.5" OME lift on mine with a 3leaf AAL. The flex/suspension travel is great. A spacer lift preloads your suspension, which decreases the amount of potential travel your shocks can move, which is why spacer lifts are known to be a bad option for offroading etc. That's why I'm surprised to see many people referencing the ZR2 as a solid offroading platform after they've put a spacer lift on it. I'm just looking for info here, I want to understand more.
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
Im not sure what your definition of travel is then, i dont have a zr2 i do however have the z71 duramax and a 3 inch lift all around using spacers up front and shackles in rear. Ive offroaded in fairly large rock gardens and havent had anything hit, or rub and i havent noticed one tire off the ground at anytime, the ride on the highway is no different. The only time my tires have been off the ground is the one time i high centered on a steep small hill and when i jack the truck up. If you only do spacers and dont also do the diff drop, steering rack drop and the swaybar drop yes you will eventually run into problems, the cvs will wear quicker, the cv length and angle will limit the suspensions ability to take advantage of the spacers, the sway bars will bind, and tie rods will not be able to reach their full potential and all of these would have undo stress at all times. So in a way yes if you just put the spacers on its crap. On the otherhand if you did it the right way you just lowered stuff that will be able to hit sticks and rocks easier and may break.
Boostpowered
Rank VI
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Zoom in and you can see the difference in my control arm positions the rock on drivers side was about 1 ft higher than the passenger side rock if that helps you see the flex.
View attachment 124549
Same position on the rocks from driver side. Note the tire isnt stuffed into the wheel well with the 1 ft difference and the truck is still relatively level
View attachment 124551
View attachment 124549
Same position on the rocks from driver side. Note the tire isnt stuffed into the wheel well with the 1 ft difference and the truck is still relatively level
View attachment 124551
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My
On another note I have plenty of updates that I can post later. I'm on lunch in my class. So after class I'll be able to update everyone on the build.View attachment 124552
We have multiple options for lifts. The most common being the PEAK suspension coilover conversion kit which is relatively cheap. And basically is just an adjustable front spring swap, and a rear add a leaf to level everything out. And is what I will be moving to eventually. We have body lifts, BDS lift, kings lifts, many others. I wheel with Toyotas all the time and they are always impressed with this truck. Most even admit it is more capable. But I'm not trying to start a debate about that. The reason you see so much more for the Toyota is because it's not a brand new platform. Even though yours is a 3rd Gen and it's newer, they still have a much larger fan base, and aftermarket support system. The Colorado has just now started leaning this way in the aftermarket and is just now getting people on board with making products for it. As for flex my truck has no issues at all. However, flex is all relative. A jeep or anything with solid axles will always be more capable of flexing than IFS. It's just part of the game. But I'm not going on trails where I need to have crazy flex so I'm fine with how my truck performs. And love the fuel mileage range I get out of it as well. My spacer lift doesn't seem to affect the travel or preload of the suspension but I'm new to this kind of thing. So I'm not sure. I am used to building Race cars, not an off-road rig. This is my first off road rig that I am modifying very slightly. I'm not going for the best, just what fits why I'm using the truck. Which is daily, to tow every now and again and take me offroading and camping every now and again.
On another note I have plenty of updates that I can post later. I'm on lunch in my class. So after class I'll be able to update everyone on the build.View attachment 124552
Pathfinder I
I appreciate that info, thanks. I know one of the biggest appeals of the ZR2 compared to a Tacoma is the dual locking diffs stock. I also really like the look of the ZR2 with the bed light bar. Would love the Bison but that jacks up the price significantly. No matter what, I'd want 33s to make me feel better about the low hanging rear shock mounts. Definitely not a fan of that design choice. So I'll look into those few options you mentioned for suspension lifts. I assume I'll still need to cut some fender to fit them without rubbing while flexing.
madcratebuilder
Rank V
Pathfinder I
Pathfinder I
madcratebuilder
Rank V
Pathfinder I
They are sold out on the first batch already. Little over $300 plus I figure about $300 labor for install. I have had 589 shock skids since they first came out, hit them on logs and maybe 1 or 2 times on a rock. The relocation kit well remove any worry about damaging the oem mount. It well also void the shock warranty. A small percentage have had leaks at the shaft seals, it's a uncommon but known problem. I still have 8 months of warranty left and I'll wait until it's up the do this kit.
ZR2 Rear Shock Relocation Kit
Moves the rear shocks to the outside of the frame, and raises them up to keep them out of harms way. Fits 2017+ Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison Does not fit non-ZR2 trucks Sold in pairs Maintains the shocks factory length and angles Moves the shocks closer to the tires Raises the lower shock mounts...
589fab.com
