[Atstevenha]

I have been looking at a bunch of videos and most people said Chevy new DSSV might slag to much and the cooling efficiency might have decreased our towing rate from 7700 to 5000lbs. I was wondering if these fixes would help me in the higher ranges of 7000+. I would love to tow around 7000 without a struggle. I would only be hauling 2500-3000lbs if I do offroad. Thanks

1. Airbnb in the rear
2. AFM trans oil cooler
3. AFM upgraded fans
4. Tune from Duramaxtuners.com

Thanks,
Steven

 

[Burgess159]

I don't know anything about the cooling system on the ZR2's being different from the regular Colorados or Canyons, but that doesn't mean anything as I don't know much about the ZR2's However, I do know that the offroad suspension on the ZR2's is obviously built for offroading, so it is much more spongy and not able to handle the weight as well. Putting airbags that can be inflated when you need to tow and deflated when you want to use your suspension for the trails would make sense to me with towing heavier loads. I mean, the engine and transmission are the same, and so is the frame (I think?) so you should be able to handle a heavier load if you could beef up the rear end.

Have to ask someone else about the cooling stuff though. As for the tuning from DT, that will definitely help you; more power and torque is always better but again, the main issue I feel is the suspension.

 

[Atstevenha]

Thanks man yeah I have confirm it could be only the spongy suspension which is amazing. I just need to confirm if airbags will be ok for the full 7700lbs now. =) I would love this bad boy to death. It's so all in one. Forget full size trucks

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

The super soft flexy rear suspension that makes the truck so great is what is killing the tow rating. Zr2 was not an option for me for that reason. Not sure why they made it diesel if it can't tow. But, that's for a different thread.

Also, air bags would help, but wouldn't fix it without a swaybar, which defeats the purpose of the suspension setup.

I can't tell you how to safely tow well over a ton more than your truck is rated for.

 

[Atstevenha]

Sway bar is easily installed and removed? Any companies that make airbag/swaybar kits for us

 

[socalcolorado]

https://www.airliftcompany.com/

Im looking into these for my CCLB

 

[Atstevenha]

They haven't got back to me yet, im sure they will make something quick along the way for it.

 

[Rockcrawlerdude]

Without measuring for sure, I'd bet zr2 has more down travel than an airbag can accommodate. I wouldn't be surprised if you either lost travel from the bags or rip the bags. I've seen those trucks flex and they're droopy.

If you did find airbags in lengths that worked you would want to run the left and right bags independently so they don't transfer air side to side, which would keep them stiffer.

Add a leafs are an option but you're limiting your rear suspension. Honestly if you want to tow you really want to limit your rear suspension anyway. You want the rear end solid not loosey goosey. I've had airbags on other tow rigs but I have add a leafs on my colorado.

Long travel rear suspension and towing don't go together well. The zr2 is too "floaty" from the factory to tow heavy stuff.

Stiffening up the rear suspension is what you want to do if you want to tow, soft suspension is what you want for offroad.