If you’re an off-road enthusiast with an otherwise demanding job, you ought to know that you can officially combine your work life with your personal life by checking out the newest heavy-duty Chevy Silverado for sale. For the first time, Chevy is bringing the popular off-roading ZR2 and ZR2 Bison trims to the heavy-duty 2024 Silverado 2500, which means that drivers who need the capabilities to tow equipment and haul goods on job sites during the week and want to go camping, exploring, and hill-climbing on the weekends can have it all in one vehicle.
Bringing the off-road trims people already love about the Silverado 1500 and Colorado to the heavy-duty Silverado 2500 just makes sense. We aren’t sure why it didn’t happen sooner, but at least it’s here now, and we’re excited to show it to our customers. Here is what you need to know about the two new off-road variants of the Silverado 2500…
Cab & Engine Configurations
First things first, it’s important to note that the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison are only available in the crew cab configuration. That means you can fit five or six passengers in the cab. This is a fair deal, though, since most off-road destinations are best enjoyed with friends and family.
As for powertrains, a 6.6L V8 comes standard, while a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 is available. The former sees a power output of 401 hp and torque of 464 lb-ft, while the latter sees your power output jump up to 470 hp. The torque on the diesel engine, however, is where things get impressive: 975 lb-ft. If you’re looking for effortless, rapid acceleration, even when towing, you’ll love putting the pedal to the metal with the Silverado 2500’s diesel engine.
A Closer Look at the ZR2
The ZR2 Bison really builds on the ZR2, so we’ll first go into the foundational version of these two off-roading trims…
Special Dampers
The ZR2 boasts DSSV dampers that boost off-road capability while maintaining smooth ride dynamics. Oh, and did we mention they’ve been race-proven? These dampers have shown us what they’re capable of in desert off-road racing events, and the verdict is in: if you want excellent command on paved, sand, or dirt roads, your suspension doesn’t get much better than with these dampers.
Protective Elements
When you leave clean, paved roads, you take on some risk that gravel and other debris will kick up and harm the undercarriage of your vehicle—but not so in the ZR2. It gets a massive steel transfer case and a front aluminum skid plate; these protect critical components on the underside of your pickup so you can explore rock-littered paths with freedom.
Phenomenal Traction
Are you looking for maximum traction? You’ll get it with the rear e-locker. This electronic locker lets you flip a switch and send both wheels spinning at the same time. Should you catch a bump that sends one wheel up in the air, the other will still get excellent traction to help you stay in command.
Mammoth Tires
All of this off-roading beauty sits on top of huge 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Mud Terrain tires. You can roll over mud, dirt, sand, and just about any type of terrain, knowing your hefty tires will channel particulates away from your vehicle so you stay in contact with the ground.
Dedicated Off-Road Mode
The ZR2 also borrows a popular feature from the Colorado and Silverado 1500: Off-Road mode. Once activated, it makes adjustments to things like traction control, throttle progression, and anti-lock braking for improved command in off-road environments. Plus, you can drive as fast as you want while still taking advantage of the locking rear axle to enjoy optimal traction when accelerating.
Towing for Work & Recreation
The ZR2 can tow up to 18,500 lbs when equipped with a diesel engine. That should be more than enough power for the equipment you need to get work done on the job site and for the vessels you take to the lake or campground. This is arguably one of the reasons why having an off-road heavy-duty Silverado is so exciting, for towing a boat or camper and driving off-road are two activities that tend to go hand in hand—and now they can be done with fewer restrictions.
A Closer Look at the ZR2 Bison
The ZR2 Bison is the tougher and rougher sibling of the ZR2. In fact, it was designed in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles, one of the top manufacturers of off-road vehicle parts. If you are serious about off-roading, consider moving up to the ZR2 Bison; it has all that the ZR2 does, as well as the following…
High-Cut Approach Stamped-Steel Bumper
Want to approach big boulders and steep slopes without a care in the world? Then you need a high-cut approach bumper, and the ZR2 Bison has it. Giving you superior clearance at the front of your vehicle, this bumper empowers you to go over hilly terrain with less apprehension. And if something does brush up against it, its stamped-steel design is ready to handle it.
Stamped-Steel Rear Bumper and Recovery Points
When you depart steep slopes, you won’t need to worry about damaging the rear bumper, either. It also boasts a stamped-steel design, as do the recovery points, so if a buddy has to haul you out of a sticky situation, they’ll attach their tow straps or chains to these hefty items for a secure latch. (We know—you’re an excellent off-roader who will never need rescue—but, just in case…)
Additional Steel Parts
The ZR2 Bison is essentially covered in steel armor to remove your travel limitations. If you see a gorgeous vista or secret waterfall you want to drive to, but some tricky terrain stands between you and it, the idea behind the ZR2 Bison is that you can just forge on without worrying about harming critical components of your vehicle. That’s why there are steel underbody skid plates over the front of the vehicle, the transfer case, the steering rack, and the exhaust. Let those little rocks and splashes of water do what they will; you’re protected.
Find Your Off-Road Heavy Duty Truck at LaFontaine Chevrolet Plymouth
Are you ready to see what you can do when you combine the powers of the heavy-duty Silverado 2500 with the off-road readiness of the ZR2 trims? Visit us at LaFontaine Chevrolet of Plymouth. We can’t wait to show you this exciting vehicle in person.
We’ve taken these two thrilling trims for test drives and know they’ll satisfy avid off-road enthusiasts. If you want a pickup truck that’s ready for your work week and your weekend adventures alike, this is that pickup. The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison trims have already been highly popular on other Chevrolet models, and having them on the capable heavy-duty Silverado 2500 is really big news.
One of our team members can glean information about your driving habits and goals so they can pair you with the more preferable of the two ZR2 trims. Hence, if you aren’t sure which is right for your planned adventures, we can help you figure that out. When you’re ready to make your purchase, one of our finance experts will be glad to sit down with you and go over your options. We’re here to help you make tangible the fun you’ll have in your new Silverado 2500 ZR2 or ZR2 Bison.
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