• JP Magazine
  • Dirt Sports + Off-Road
  • 4-Wheel & Off-Road
  • Four Wheeler
  • Get A Print Subscription
  • Get A Digital Subscription
  • Gift Subscriptions
  • Subscriber Services
  • Back Issues
  • Personalized Covers

2011 Chevy Colorado Gets Wheels Tires Lockers Suspension - arb Air Locker Compressor - Photo 38968875

Back to Article
Share this
  • ARB’s smallest compressor has an integrated tank and fits almost anywhere.
ARB’s smallest compressor has an integrated tank and fits almost anywhere.
Stock, the V-8 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 is a fast, capable performer that weighs much less than a JK Unlimited. StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction and sway control is not intrusive and can be easily turned off completely. Chrome clad wheels aren’t our favorites. Why does GM include them on the Z71 package? The Colorado is going to make the perfect backcountry explorer. GM’s aluminum block 5.3L Vortec V-8 cranks out 300 hp and was getting 20 mpg on the highway before we pulled it into the shop. It looks busy, but the underhood is clean, with hoses and wires routed well. Our first modification was the addition of the Eaton ELocker in the AAM 860 10-bolt rearend. The ELocker comes with everything needed for a clean installation. It’s open until engaged, when it becomes a spool. We originally planned to use quality Daystar switches, but space limitations had us ultimately using Dorman switches. John Williams installed the ELocker and reported no issues. We didn’t change out the OE 4.10 gears. The Eaton ELocker is simple to install in the V-8 Colorado’s AAM 860 10-bolt rearend and has only two wires running to a switch.  GM uses LubeLocker-style gaskets on their differentials. There’s no scraping, clean up, or waiting for new sealant to cure before adding oil. We reused the gaskets and they sealed perfectly, front and rear. There aren’t many differential choices for the AAM 760 IFS frontend, but luckily one of those choices is an ARB Air Locker. The ARB Air Locker has proven itself off-road around the planet for decades. We opted for ARB’s smallest compressor and an ARB Heavy Duty air line kit to complete the package. Make sure the ARB air line clears the ring gear. GM includes a front axle disconnect on the Colorado. It’s nice to have the frontend disconnected on the pavement.
There’s room in front of the radiator overflow and washer bottle to mount the ARB compressor and our Warn contactor winch box. ARB’s smallest compressor has an integrated tank and fits almost anywhere. The ARB Heavy Duty Air Line Kit comes with a strong rubber hose and all fittings necessary. As designed, you use ARB push-in air line fittings and plastic line between the end of the HD hose and the solenoid. As we had enough HD hose on the Colorado to reach the compressor, we decided to see if we could install that hose directly to the solenoid. Our local hose dealer just happened to have a 90 degree elbow with the correct threads on each end. Nick Panos of 12 Volt Solutions made sure the installation was correct. The diminutive ARB compressor fit perfectly between the bottles and air cleaner. There was still plenty of room for our Warn 9.0Rc contactor winch box. We’ll detail the winch installation in another installment. In the back, leaf spring drop down brackets are simple and effective. Longer shackles complete the rear. OE driveline angle is maintained. We have no driveline vibration.
As mentioned, Rancho’s CNC-machined extended steering knuckles are a work of art. Make sure you check Rancho’s part numbers for the right application. Earlier Colorado and Canyon pickups use different knuckles than our late model. OE upper and lower A-arms and torsion bars are retained. Steering knuckles, front brake lines, rear shackles, and OE shocks are the only parts replaced by the Rancho kit. Rancho includes extended, DOT-approved braided stainless front brake lines. John Williams of Impulse Off-Road loaned us a lift and his help. Look at the size of that knuckle. Rancho’s ReaLIFT non-drop torsion bar relocation technology is a simple solution that works. Factory ride is retained. Here’s the completed front. The crossmember is braced. Note the included front differential skidplate.
The front air dam was removed before we started, but the bumper still needed to be trimmed a bit to clear the tires. The 285/75R16D Pro Comp Extreme Mud Terrain tires were supplied by 4Wheel Drive Hardware and mounted on 16x8 Pro Comp Series 1028 polished-alloy faux beadlock wheels. We don’t care about the faux beadlocks, but the outer bead is BEEFY to accommodate the fake bolts. The wheels have 4.5 inches of backspacing, required with the Rancho kit. The 2011 Colorado Z71 came with 17-inch wheels, but we wanted more flotation off-road so went with 16s. We looked in the Pro Comp catalog to order wheels. The #1028-6838 is a 6 on 5.5-inch bolt pattern wheel that we thought would work. The Colorado has a 3.95-inch hub bore size. We were surprised when the wheels showed up and the center bores were too small (Pro Comp doesn’t list their wheel’s center bore size). It turned out that on the next page, a few wheels away, was another 16-inch, 6 on 5.5-inch bolt circle wheel, #1028-6883. This one had a 4.25-inch center bore and was correct. The 6883s were on backorder, but a black version of the same wheel, #7028-6883 was available. While we waited for the black wheels to arrive, Stewart at Drivetrain Unlimited milled the center bores of the 6838s for us. Buyer beware. Order correctly. Pro Comp Extreme Mud Terrain tires are built with three tough sidewall plies and a nylon overwrap. The tread design isn’t too noisy on the highway.
Back to Article
< 1 - 9 of >

Related Galleries

Connect With Us

Newsletter Sign Up

Subscribe to the Magazine

Sponsored Content