Constructing Your Own Budget ZR2

The Colorado ZR2 is an extraordinary off-road pickup, and if you believe that smaller is better for your off-road adventures, it may be the best off-road truck you can buy. But it also starts at $50,700, and while it can be argued that you are still getting plenty of truck for your money, it’s still a lot of money. So, you may be curious about what it would take to start lower on the model line and build your way up to a ZR2 level of capability. Realtruck.com set out to do just that, and McFarland Chevrolet offers some of their suggestions.  

For 2026, all Colorados, including the base WT and Custom, come standard with the same 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 as the ZR2, producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. All Colorados also have the 4-door cab and short bed, so that is covered as well. Of course, you will want 4-wheel drive.

The first order of business when preparing your truck for intense off-road use is the suspension. The ZR2 includes a two-inch suspension lift. For a lower-tier Colorado, you can get close with a 1.5-inch Suspension Lift Kit available through the McFarland Chevrolet’s Accessories Center. Realtruck also notes the Icon 0 – 4″ adjustable coilover lift kit and the Eibach PRO-TRUCK 2″-3″ adjustable lift kit, which offer similar ride-height increases. They may not match the ZR2’s DSSV (Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve) performance dampers, but they will certainly improve off-road performance.   

You will also need tires suited to the task. The ZR2 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with 33-inch mud-terrain tires for off-road traction. RealTruck recommends a set of Toyo Open Country M/Ts or Nitto Ridge Grapplers, which can be matched to your existing wheel size. And to some degree, the smaller the wheel, the better, to allow for plenty of sidewall protection. RealTruck recommends “an off-road proven alloy, like the Method Matte Black 703, or, for added traction, a beadlock-capable wheel which physically clamps the tire bead to the rim, like the Black Rhino Silver Primm Beadlock.” 

A higher ride height will help avoid contact between the terrain and the truck’s underside, but it won’t entirely prevent it, so a set of skid plates is advisable to protect key components. McFarland carries Colorado-specific skid plates for the front, steering gear, and transfer case, as well as a single kit that covers them all. Aftermarket bumpers can further protect your vehicle and improve approach and departure angles. Realtruck recommends the Westin Pro-Mod front bumper and Westin Pro-Series rear bumper, as well as N-Fab rock rails to protect your truck’s flanks. McFarland can also supply you with off-road lights, a front winch, and recovery hooks to help you avoid trouble or get you out of it.  

These items add up, to be sure, but deep off-roading requires equipment that is robust, effective, and durable, without significantly compromising the truck’s non-off-road aspects. 

So, if you have an itch for off-roading, don’t let the ZR2 price deter you. Come to McFarland Chevrolet to see the entire Colorado model line, then visit our accessories department for a build that’s entirely your own.