Chev Colorado/GMC Canyon

[YJ Dave]

Is anybody building one? A buddy of mine is looking to do some work on his Colorado and is looking for idea's to get started with.

As of now he is thinking along the lines of 33 or 32 inch tires. And maybe a rack of some sort.

Any pictures of build Colorado/Canyons?

[YJ Dave]

BTW he is looking to build his truck for general camping and exploring use.

[Nullifier]

I'd start with one of these ute beds!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/nullifierx/coloradoute1.jpg

[YJ Dave]

That would be cool, but My budy is running a quad cab.

[BCJC]

woohoo! yeah, tell him to come join here and i'll have some company finally. what kind of coly/canyon is it, reg/ext/crew cab, 4x4, does he have the g80 locker? a simple and cheap mod i did was to crank my torsion bars about an inch, and add shackles (or an add-a-leaf would do) and that will clear 33x10.50's no problem! there are also suspension lifts out by skyjacker, rancho, and cst. a really great site i use is www.coloradofans.com , and of course i'll be glad to answer any questions he has!


jackson

[Dave]

I noticed one of these trucks on the highway the other day and thought it looked like great platform. I was wondering how aftermarket support was.

[BCJC]

so far with 65k (km) my truck has been great. aftermarket support has been weak, but is definitely growing. the canyon/colorado are actually the second best selling mid sized pick up next to the tacoma, so those numbers will help. i'll be honest, i've always wanted a toyota, but couldn't justify the price, when my truck was signifigantly cheaper. pros: great motor with decent power and great mileage, reasonable price, the 07's now have a 160k km warranty, stock rear locker. cons: low stock clearance, weak aftermarket. but, these trucks are super popular in thailand, here's a nice one:
http://www.pantown.com/data/6617/board3/38-20050911140307.jpg

[Dave]

I'm thinking the one I saw had a small lift otherwise I'm not sure I would have noticed it and it looked to have decent ground clearance for a stock-ish mid-sized. They're all over the place here but for some reason this one caught my eye.

[YJ Dave]

BCJC any pics of your truck?

[calamaridog]

Rancho, Skyjacker, and CST all appear to make drop bracket lift kits and he could run a 33" tire. Gearing would then become a problem however.

[BCJC]

honestly, i believe a lift of some kind is required on these trucks if you intend to offroad at all, but once you get one, i think they're super capable. i know 4.10 gears are available stock, and i upgraded my 3.42's to 4.11's with my 33's and it works great (i have a 5spd though). heres a couple pics of my truck
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/bcjcgnar/2006_0724truck0023-1.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/bcjcgnar/2006_0702truck0067.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/bcjcgnar/2006_05193rd0218.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m297/bcjcgnar/DSCF1100.jpg

[YJ Dave]

BCJC what lift are you running? Your truck looks good.

[BCJC]

thanks dave, i've cranked my torsion bars and added shackles for about a 1.5" lift, and that allowed me to clear 33" tires, so i'm about 2.5" over stock height. however, i'm planning on getting the skyjacker 4" lift with a s.o.a. conversion in the rear eventually.

[calamaridog]

It looks good. I'm assuming you couldn't go larger than 33" due to the fenderwell size no matter what lift you use?

[BCJC]

i do know a couple guys have cleared 35's by adding a 3" body lift to their suspension lifts, but that's a little overkill for me.
http://coloradofans.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=13694

[calamaridog]

I don't care for the high center of gravity in that picture:yikes:

I think you are onto something by doing the 4.11's and the 33" tires though. Very cool.

A drop bracket set up should be cool for some moderate wheeling, especially if you do a shock upgrade:cheers:


One additional item to consider is the new powertrain warrenty offered by GM which makes the Colorado platform even more attractive.

[YJ Dave]

35's with 7 inches of lift!

I would be to tempted to bring out the sawzall, and make more clearance.

Is there any way to remove the inner fender?

[BCJC]

yeah, i'm sure with some cutting it could easily enough be done. i believe the problem is the cab mount, but apparently it can safely be trimmed a few inches, as it is designed as a crush zone for the wheel in an accident. i personally don't have any plans to go much bigger than a 33, but would enjoy some more lift with better articulation in the front!

[YJ Dave]

I'll have to take a good look under my buddies truck the next time I see him. I was thinking that 33's would look great under one of these trucks.

[BCJC]

hey yjdave, tell your buddy to sign up on here, it's a cold and lonely chevy world! i would love to chat and confer with another owner (or their jeep drivin' public relations guy;) ) about modding a gmt 355 <--that's the company code for the colorado/canyon/isuzu.
:beer:
jackson

[4Rescue]

I'd start with one of these ute beds!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/nullifierx/coloradoute1.jpg
Those were everywhere in Australia, bloody great flatbeds with fold up bedsides. I Love those things!

[rrl762]

Greetings everyone,

I am the buddy YJ DAVE has been referring to.

I have to admit I am totally an uneducated newbie. I am sure that will quickly become apparent.

Looking for any help or information you may have and quick to learn.

Like some others mentioned I got the Colorado because of the price and couldn't justify the expense of the Tacoma.

I would like to get some more offroad use out of the vehicle.

With the weather we have been having here in Colorado recently I wish I had done this sooner.


Thanks again


It's good to meet you all!

[calamaridog]

Welcome!

I look forward to seeing what you do with your truck. I know there are other supension options being made by the desert racing crowd also.

What are the specifications of your truck, what do you like about it, and what are your plans with it?

[YJ Dave]

We have been talking about a MT in a 32-33" tire size to try to keep the budget in the real world.

Which desert race company's have been coming out with products?

[BCJC]

hi rrl762, glad to see you on here! i'm also a colorado/canyon owner, and am pleased with my truck after 3 years of use. what kind of colorado do you own, 4x4, cab type, factory locker, etc.? i'd be happy to help you if i can, and i'll refer this website again as it's been a huge source of info to me.
www.coloradofans.com

[calamaridog]

CST makes this 5" kit that I've seen on a local truck.

http://www.cstsuspension.com/products/sfID1/7/sfID2/10/sfID3/32/productID/147

Some other companies have kits but apparently they are only for 2wd.

I will look out for other stuff. I can't seem to find what I was thinking of.

[BCJC]

currently skyjacker and rancho make 4" kits. i've heard of 2 issues with cv wear on the cst kit, and skyjacker seems to be working out well for a number of people. i personally have future plans for the skyjacker in front and a SOA conversion in rear.