Chevy Colorado Duramax Comes Out Tops in Treacherous-Terrain Conquering Capability

The off-road truck game has been elevated to epic proportions over the past few years, with differentials, suspension elements, and technical aids all beefing up the world's most durable trucks with every update. Here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis we have long played favorites with the Colorado ZR2: our very own delightfully home-grown warrior is fit for boulder-climbing and mud-terrain style prowess. Boasting lifted suspension, Multimatic spool valve dampers, underbody skid plates, and increased track width, it arrives on the lot prepared for frozen tundras, rock-strewn mountain roads, and raging rivers. 

Thankfully for those out there who need just that much more from their off-road selection, the Barrett-Jackson auction company provides exactly what they are searching for with the extremely-customized 2019 Chevy Colorado LT. This model saw its beginnings as a Colorado LT sporting the optional 2.8-Liter turbo-diesel LWN 3-cylinder that belongs to the tried-and-true Duramax club. An intensive overhaul offered a full Baja Kits pre-runner setup with long-travel upper and lower control arms and Chromoly axle shafts. 

These are joined by five-inch Fox Racing coil overs, front and rear Eaton electronic locking differentials, and 17-inch XD Series Beadlock wheels with 37-inch Falken Wild Peak M/T tires. Going anywhere with a heavily-equipped off-road model used to offer hardly any of the luxuries of the present day's number: this pickup includes a Tuff Stuff rooftop tent, an onboard generator, ARB refrigerator, M Racks roof rack, and RotopaX liquid storage containers with mounting plates. 

Rounding everything out is high-cut and flared fenders, Bodyguard front and rear off-road bumpers as well as a 3-inch cat-back exhaust and protective roof rails. If anyone in layman's land attempted this at home, it would take more than a fair amount of time, and so we expect a high number of truck lovers expressing interest. There are so many highlights that render this truck far above average that any experienced desert runner and backwoods mountaineer will be immediately salivating when they closely investigate. 

The Baja Kits pre-runner assembly included the Nitro Gear and axle 4.56 gears, extra durable BedRug carpeted bed liners, a 3-inch exhaust, and  sPOD to manage all of the electrical add-ons. Mecum is an online-bidding forum that allows those ready to roll into some of the world's finest-crafted machinery look from the comfort of their home and bid on these ultra-powerful and tough custom vehicles. 

2020 ZR2 Bison Deemed as “Stevens Pass Snowfall Conqueror” by Herald-Net

Typical customers here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis have been just like customers across the rest of the nation: 100% crazy for trucks! The 2020 Colorado mid-size pickup is available in a variety of configurations, with choice of extended-cab or crew versions, 3 different bed lengths, 3 engine choices, and the Work Truck, LT, Z71, and ZR2 trim levels. The ZR2 is the quintessential off-road model, and the Bison version is equipped with several awesome assets that give it an edge for the most extreme of conditions.

Mary Lowry of Everett, Washington's Herald-Net publication test drove the ZR2 when her area of Snohomish County was experiencing heavy snow and took the truck to a forest service road near Stevens Pass to put its off-road chops to the test. She was driving the 4WD short-box crew cab model, also equipped with the 2.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine and standard six-speed automatic transmission. This proper and off-road-ready setup cranks out 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and boasts a hefty 7,700 lb towing ability.

The Bison performance special edition is the first time that Chevy has collaborated with Michigan-based AEV, which is widely known as the premier entity for off-road additions. The Bison model features a flow-through Chevy lettered grille bar, AEV front and rear bumper, fog lamps, wheel moldings, front and rear floor liners, embroidered headrests, AEV 17-inch wheels, boron steel skid plates for the fuel tank, rear differential, and transfer case. There's even an AEV air snorkel, that can supply filtered air to the engine when plowing through extreme dust.

Mary also highlighted the great comfort factor that she enjoyed by means of a six-way power driver seat, heated front seats with power lumbar adjustment, a rear folding bench seat, heated tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, wireless device charging, 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay capability, and OnStar services with available Wi-Fi. New for 2020 are key fob operated tailgate lock control and Tire Fill Alert, a real lifesaver during winter months when you don't want pressure to fluctuate dangerously.

Even with all of the extra additives on board to assure that the Bison is the ruler of all off-road domains, the highway ride was still surprisingly smooth, minus a bit of the instability and grippiness that Mary expected from the ZR2. “The fun begins when the pavement ends” when you're at the wheel of the Bison, and the skid plates and rock sliders are some of the most important components when it comes to the protection of the vital elements of the truck that are the first to suffer when pushed to the limit. We guarantee that pushing said limits has never been more fun, and any snow-covered pass standing in your way will be conquered with ease!