The Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 received a considerable facelift for the 2023 model year. Now, Chevrolet is putting all of its eggs in the ZR2 basket by announcing that a new Silverado HD ZR2 will be added to the lineup in the year 2024. Off-road kits have witnessed a meteoric rise in demand over the past decade, prompting automakers to install them on a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from sporty utes to heavy-duty pickup trucks. The level of difficulty of these products ranges from simple decals and paint to fully loaded hard-core trail machines.
On the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado, the venerable ZR2 off-road package was made available once again by Chevrolet. The Silverado received an upgrade to its already robust ZR2 trim for the 2022 model year, and the Colorado ZR2 received a considerable facelift for the 2023 model year. Now, Chevrolet is putting all of its eggs in the ZR2 basket by announcing that a new Silverado HD ZR2 will be added to the lineup in the year 2024.
To our regret, that is the sum total of the information that Chevrolet provided during the unveiling of the brand new 2024 Silverado HD. So, given what we know about the Colorado and the Silverado ZR2, as well as what are anticipated to be the Silverado HD ZR2’s most significant competitors (the Ford Super Duty Tremor and the Ram Power Wagon), it is simple for us to break down what we anticipate from the impending Silverado HD ZR2.
Silverado HD ZR2 Innovative Suspension Technology
There’s no getting around the fact that heavy-duty pickup trucks are, well, heavy. We merely mention this to set reasonable expectations and to bring to everyone’s attention the fact that the Silverado HD ZR2 is not expected to be the same desert whoop-bashing juggernaut as its Colorado and Silverado 1500 siblings.
The outstanding Multimatic DSSV dampers are one thing that it almost certainly has in common with the other vehicle. In point of fact, covert photographs that appear to prove the existence of DSSV dampers have been discovered. We do not anticipate finding bigger control arms like those found on the competition’s vehicles because the Silverado HD is required to have a higher load-carrying capability. However, Chevy may surprise us in this regard.
In terms of damper technology, Chevrolet will swiftly outpace its rivals by equipping the Silverado HD ZR2 with Multimatic DSSV dampers. This will occur because Multimatic is the industry leader. While Ram equips its Power Wagon with a Bilstein monotube shock, Ford equips its Super Duty Tremor with unbranded twin-tube dampers that have been “specially modified.” In spite of the fact that each of these choices are excellent in their own right, the Multimatic DSSVs are head and shoulders above the competition.
Axles Locked, This Time for Real Now
The G80 Gov Lock automatic locking rear differential has been standard equipment on the Chevrolet Silverado HD for many years now. The G80 functions adequately in its original settings. To be sure, it does have a number of drawbacks, which is something that is obvious to anybody who has ever taken their truck off-road. When we take a look at the Colorado and the Silverado ZR2, we find that both of these vehicles have selectable front and rear electronic locking differentials as standard equipment.
We are going to play it safe and predict that the Silverado HD ZR2 will most likely come equipped with a limited-slip front differential as well as a selectable electronic locking rear differential. This is despite the fact that it is one of our most sincere wishes that the Silverado HD ZR2 would receive the same treatment.
The Ford Super Duty Tremor has a configuration that is very similar to this one. The front doors of the Ram Power Wagon now have an electronic locking mechanism. However, because Ram does not provide an option for a diesel engine, the company finds it far simpler to maintain the locking front axle functioning.
Off-Road Tires with a Knobby Texture
When it comes to Chevy’s ZR2, the tire size and selection have always been at the top of our list of complaints. From the time it was released in 2017 until the updated model was released in 2023, the Colorado ZR2 came standard with an off-road tire measuring 31 inches and manufactured by Goodyear.
To better compete with the Silverado ZR2, the Colorado received 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires in 2023. These tires are also seen on the 2022 Silverado ZR2. In light of this information, our anticipation is that the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 will likewise come standard with a version of the Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tire that has a diameter of around 33 inches.
However, what we would really like to see is that same tire but with a diameter that is closer to 35 inches. Changing to tires with a diameter of 35 inches would deliver a considerable improvement in off-road capability while also delivering the necessary level of appearance for such a massive pickup. Ford’s Super Duty Tremor already comes with 35-inch tall Goodyear tires, but the Ram Power Wagon is fitted with a smaller 33-inch tall Goodyear, which is closer to what we honestly expect from the Silverado HD ZR2 set of tires.
Options for Powerful Engines Available
Under the hood, we are hoping for a choice between Chevrolet’s 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 (401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque) and Duramax’s 6.6-liter diesel V-8 (470 hp and 975 lb-ft). There is also no evidence to suggest that none of these engine choices will be available for the Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 when it is released.
The Ford Super Duty Tremor can be purchased with either a gasoline V-8 engine or a Power Stroke diesel engine from Ford. However, since the Power Wagon’s inception, Ram has only offered it with a gasoline V-8 engine. When asked why the Cummins diesel isn’t an option, the company cites the total size and weight of the Cummins engine as the reason.
Rugged Exterior Styling
The Chevrolet Silverado HD will get a subtle makeover for 2024, consisting of new headlamps and a new grille in front of the vehicle’s grille. The only thing that is discernible from the teaser image for the ZR2 is that the new off-roader will be equipped with a distinctive Chevy Flowtie badge.
It is reasonable to assume that Chevrolet will provide the 2019 Silverado HD ZR2 with a high-clearance front bumper, adequate skidplating, optional steel rock rails, and, of course, bright red tow hooks as standard equipment.
How and when can I get one of these?
Chevy has stated that production of the new 2024 Silverado HD will begin in the first half of 2023, and that the ZR2 variant will be made available later on in the production cycle. We anticipate that the ZR2 will be offered exclusively on the three-quarter-ton 2500HD model, and that it will be positioned either close to or above the top-tier High Country, with an initial price tag that is greater than $75,000. If a 3500HD ZR2 ends up being produced, you can count on the price going up as well.