The list of heavy-duty off-road pickups has just grown by two. Chevrolet is launching two versions of its ZR2 package on the Silverado HD for 2024, joining the Ford Super Duty Tremor and the Ram Rebel HD.
Chevrolet will offer the truck in 2500 guise and only as a crew cab. The ZR2 HD starts with a 1.5-inch lift kit for extra ground clearance. New control arms and new steering knuckles were fitted to help the truck cope with the lift, and 35-inch tall Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires mounted on 18-inch rims are there to take advantage of the extra height and wheel arch space.
Then there are the shocks. Like in the 1500 and Colorado ZR2 trucks, the ZR2 HD has spool valve dampers from Canadian race shop Multimatic. The trick damper design has been proven in pavement and dirt racing in both cars and trucks. It has also been used on ZR2 trucks since the line was first launched. The spool valves inside allow much more precise tuning than conventional shocks, leading to better body control and a better ride, even over rocks.
A larger steel skid plate helps protect the transfer case. There is also a big aluminum front skid plate. Finishing up the mechanical upgrades is an electronic locking rear differential. Unlike the other ZR2 models, there is no locking front diff.
The ZR2 also gets cosmetic changes, including new fender flares with integrated mud flaps. The truck will also have a ZR2-family nose with the "flow-tie" hollowed-out Chevrolet badge.
If all of that isn't enough, Chevy is also giving the HD truck the ZR2 Bison treatment. This loads the ZR2 with parts from American Expedition Vehicles, including special wheels and steel bumpers with recovery points. More skid plates and Bison badges round out the changes.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 will come standard with GM's 401-hp 6.6L gas V8. The 470-hp and 975 lb-ft 6.6L Duramax diesel will be on the options list. Either way, you're getting a 10-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.
The ZR2 has a max payload of 3,397 lbs. Max towing does suffer, with the 18,500 lb max about 3,000 lbs less, but this truck is still capable of doing work and crushing rocks on the trail.
Production of the go-anywhere HD pickup starts later this summer. Expect pricing closer to that production start and to see the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 at showrooms in the third quarter of 2023.
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