When Chevrolet decided to beef up its already formidable Baja-inspired Colorado ZR2, it turned to American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) for help. The result was the wonderfully insane Colorado ZR2 Bison, which started as a concept and is now a production model. Awesome. But AEV didn't stop there. It couldn't resist doing another take on the ZR2 Bison, and this is the result.
Meet the Colorado ZR2 Bison Tray Bed concept. Yes, it's only a concept for now, but according to AEV's Facebook page, it will appear at this month's Overland Expo West in Arizona for the outdoor and off-roading world to check out. AEV claims it wants to gauge consumer interest and show off new prototype high clearance fender flares that have been in the works.
Think of the ZR2 Bison Tray Bed as the perfect truck for hardcore overlanding. It's certainly more of a niche market but, hey, it hasn't really been done before. Aside from a GMPP leveling kit and a GMPP steel driveshaft, there are no other suspension changes compared to the production ZR2 Bison. The biggest change is, obviously, the Tray Bed conversion. AEV recently took the concept/prototype to the Altar Desert in Mexico for a three-day expedition.
These incredibly badass photos are a product of that. According to AEV, the truck "performed flawlessly." Again, it's too early to know whether this conversion kit will make production or whether it'll be something Chevy dealers will keep in stock. Time will tell.
And like all ZR2 Bisons, this one is equipped with tons of off-road ready equipment like 17-inch AEV off-road wheels, AEV front and rear fascias, improved fog lamps, an optional snorkel intake, and protective skid plates for the differential, transfer case, and fuel tank. Buyers can choose either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 2.8-liter diesel.
Pricing for the Bison package is at least another $5,750 on top of the 2019 Colorado ZR2's starting price of $42,995.