The folks who are coming to Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis
looking at trucks are looking to find the ideal rig for big jobs. We’re talking
mountains of dirt, shuttling lumber back and forth all day, and surveying areas
offering challenging terrain. The 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD is poised
to arrive on the scene boasting an excellent means of making it through the
tough stuff while spending much-deserved time off kicking up dirt.
The ZR2 joins the tough-as-nails heavy-duty lineup, exclusively
available on the 2500 HD model configured with the Crew Cab body style and
standard-size cargo bed. There'll be no mistaking it when it comes rambling in
your direction, with this gigantic grill featuring all new “flowtie.” There are
now also different moldings around its wheel arches, red front tow hooks, and
unique CR2 badging that identify it as a segment-leading off-road conquering
machine.
A few items of the awesome standard equipment are 4-wheel
drive and an Allision 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s also the choice
of the 6.6-liter V8 or Duramax diesel for power. The first option cranks out
401 horsepower, with the ideally smooth diesel weighing in at 470 horses. With
the gas engine, you’ll be able to nail down a 16,000-pound towing capacity, with
the diesel topping out at 18,500 lbs. No matter which powertrain resides under
the hood, each Silverado 2500HD ZR2 sports the benefit of add-ons crafted just
for the task of tackling ruts, dirt, and other challenges provided by the trail.
35-inch Goodyear Wrangler territory M/T tires are fittingly
mounted on black 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, which make their proud presence
known as the first factory-installed 35-inch tires on a Silverado. They go hand
in hand quite well with what is likely the easiest-to-spot ZR2 feature: the Multimatic
DSSV spool-valve dampers. These superhumanly capable shocks boast three
separate spool valves to weather extreme off-road abuse and assist with staying
well-composed on the road.
The ZR2’s suspension is lifted 1.5 inches to content with
the pointed and consistently protruding terrain types driving surfaces offer
up, and there’s also a set of revised front upper and lower control arms along
with brand-new steering knuckles. Whether it’s intentionally driven over or
not, the brutish obstacles that would make a limp rag doll out of some rigs are
lurking out there in the wild, and the aluminum skid plate up front along with
steel plating are poised and ready to guard the valuable transfer case.
The locking rear differential is the ultimate tool for
managing traction, and every ZR2 has an Off-Road drive mode to roll up its
sleeves properly and conquer terrain that would render the family sedan a total
loss! Every collaboration that trucks have with AEV Outfitters has turned out
to be pure gold, as this Montana-based aftermarket miracle-working team now
heads up some operations in the Motor City. The Bison version of the 2500HD ZR2
brings steel-stamped front and rear bumpers with recovery points and winch
accommodation in case the extreme fun ever leads to becoming stuck.
The Bison also is poised to attack the wild with a slightly
steeper breakover angle than the standard ZR2, with the AEV model peaking at
29.8 degrees. There’s a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to complement the
13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, which also provides the awesome modern
marvel of the surround-view camera system. The fine and very hard-working
personnel on staff at the GM assembly plant in Flint, Michigan will begin later
this summer, prepping and fine-honing a solid and sensational outback-taming
machine!