z-71 package

Here is a 2018 2WD "off road suspension package" Colorado. Chevy continues to confuse me with this option.
linky

Those Z71 Rancho shocks arent that great and are pretty stiff. I chose non-Z71 on my 2012 and added Bilstein 5100s. It rides noticeably better than my brothers Z71.

2016 includes: Z71 Package, Off-Road, (Requires 4WD model.), includes twin tube Rancho brand shocks, (JHD) Hill Descent Control, (NZZ) underbody shields. Also includes brushed metal Z71 door sill plate, unique Z71 gauge cluster, unique finish interior trim plates, unique lower bumper appearance, unique grille design with Z71 badge and Z71 pickup box decals

I have had 2 Silverados with the Z71 package. My last Z71 truck was a 2007 1500 2WD which had skid plates, aftermarket shocks, the stickers and a locking differential (part of the package?). Chevy currently also offers the Z71 package with the Colorado in 2WD and 4WD but I'm not sure what has changed over the years. To me, the older Z71 offerings were nothing more than a marketing gimmick.

monkey44 wrote:
It's a 2016 ... Chev 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10, SB, Dbl Cab w/ 265 AT tires. It's a dealer leftover - new, never been sold - mini-miles on it.

We're more curious about highway handling, towing 22' trailer. We'll probably go drive it, but it's quite a distance to get there, so trying to get some info before we go thru all that hassle and time.

Installed Options
Z71 PACKAGE, OFF-ROAD $480.00
WHEELS, 20" 5-SPOKE POLISHED ALUMINUM $1,695.00
TIRES, LT265/60R20E ALL-TERRAIN, BLACKWALL $200.00
SEATS, FRONT 40/20/40 SPLIT-BENCH, 3-PASSENGER. $1,195.00
LT CONVENIENCE PACKAGE $1,550.00
TRAILERING EQUIPMENT $555.00
LED LIGHTING, CARGO BOX WITH SWITCH ON CENTER SWITCH BANK $125.00
MIRRORS, OUTSIDE HEATED POWER-ADJUSTABLE VERTICAL TRAILERING, UPPER GLASS, MANUAL-FOLDING AND EXTENDING, BLACK. $310.00

It will tow it fine. On a 2016 The Z71 gets you skid plates and Rancho shocks, front stabilzer bar, and also requires the tire upgrade you listed. It also gets you the overpriced z71 decal or badge if you ever had to replace it, and you may or may not get The Z71 logos on the dash cluster with the Silverado. The only difference between the one your considering and my 15 GMC 2500 with z71 is I have the stock 17" aluminum wheels with the LT 265 tires. If you were to measure both you would find the overall diameter of the 20" wheel with 265 is only 1" higher than the 17" wheel with 265's. That makes the ride height maybe 1/2" higher.

Now on a 2018 Z71 gets you.....for $680, and I believe was the same for 17.....

35mm twin tube gas-charged shocks
A 33.6mm front stabilizer bar
Underbody transfer case shield
Z71® badge and decals
Unique gauge cluster, lower bumper appearance, interior trim plates and grill design
Brushed metal Z71 door sill plate
Hill descent control
Trailering Package, fog lamps, 17” Bright Machined wheels and all-terrain tires on LT
18” Bright Machined wheels and all-terrain tires on LTZ

Have them check the shark fin antenna. They all leak until they're replaced with the revised gasket and sealant and I'm not sure when they started using the new ones . You won't find water in the cab much, maybe a drop On the inside of the windshield after a hard rain, but they all leak and when they do the Sirius and On star reception will suffer. Most won't offer that up either until you bring it up. When I had mine in for what I thought was a windshield leak and told a salesman I know it was in the shop, he looked the other way and laughed while he said On star. They know those were an issue.

On a 16 leftover I'd also have them check for TSB's for the steering gear and the drag link bushing. The 16 should have the digital assist steering and they had issues with that steering gear on some depending on the manufacture date. If it has the issue you'll know it at about 15K to 20K miles when the steering gets loose, you'll feel it. Why wait, make checking into it a condition of the sale.

It's a 2016 ... Chev 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10, SB, Dbl Cab w/ 265 AT tires. It's a dealer leftover - new, never been sold - mini-miles on it.

We're more curious about highway handling, towing 22' trailer. We'll probably go drive it, but it's quite a distance to get there, so trying to get some info before we go thru all that hassle and time.

Installed Options
Z71 PACKAGE, OFF-ROAD $480.00
WHEELS, 20" 5-SPOKE POLISHED ALUMINUM $1,695.00
TIRES, LT265/60R20E ALL-TERRAIN, BLACKWALL $200.00
SEATS, FRONT 40/20/40 SPLIT-BENCH, 3-PASSENGER. $1,195.00
LT CONVENIENCE PACKAGE $1,550.00
TRAILERING EQUIPMENT $555.00
LED LIGHTING, CARGO BOX WITH SWITCH ON CENTER SWITCH BANK $125.00
MIRRORS, OUTSIDE HEATED POWER-ADJUSTABLE VERTICAL TRAILERING, UPPER GLASS, MANUAL-FOLDING AND EXTENDING, BLACK. $310.00

monkey44 wrote:
Can anyone explain what a Z-71 Off-road package is / does??? I rode in one once and it seems higher than stock in the front, and a little stiffer than a stock Chevy 4x4 2500HD.

The package is on a 2500HD 4x4 Dbl Cab Sh Bed w/6.0 and 4:10... And if the ride is not cruise-worthy on highways, is it easy to swap out to stock...

Our daughter is replacing her truck, and hauls trailers, 22' flatbed, with equipment ... nothing real heavy. We found one she likes, but is concerned about the Z-71 and what it means ... thx

What year is the truck?

Does it have a 4x4 shifter on the floor? Being a 2500 it may... But if not and it has buttons, that means a motor in in the transfer case. Problematic IMO. Plastic worm gear strips. And this also allows a full time 4x4 option, so a transfer case with clutches in it...

z71 has an off road package and an apperance package. Or both I believe.

Since you say it sits higher it may have bigger wheels, and off road rancho shocks..

My truck in sig has the z85 handling and trailering suspension package. Is low slung truck in 4x4..8 ft bed, long wheel base. Very stable towing...

Depends on the year, but normally includes heavy-duty shocks, usually gas, skidplates and decals. Not an expensive or important package. Mostly available on 4WD trucks, but there were a couple of years available on 2WD also.