New Kit Cuts Chevy Colorado ZR2's Fenders For Bigger Tires

The thought of cutting on a $40k truck is enough to stop most people dead in their tracks, but at least one US-based outfit is confident some folks will be bold enough to do it, for nothing but the sake of being able to fit larger tires.

American Expedition Vehicles - "AEV" for short - is a legend in the world of custom off-road trucks, and its latest product is a kit to help owners of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 fit tires up to 33 inches in diameter without having to worry about rubbing.

Tire selection means everything to the avid off-roader, and swapping out the factory rubber for a taller set of tires is one of the quickest ways to unlock more traction, clearance, and insulation from bumps and dips - not to mention a more imposing appearance. The Colorado ZR2 has something of a problem, though: even with a suspension lift kit installed, under full articulation, larger-than-stock tires can make contact with the body.

To address the issue, AEV's new 33" Tire Clearance Kit comes equipped with trim templates to show you or your body shop just where to cut, and black front and rear closeout panels and support brackets to cover those cuts up for a clean, like-factory appearance.

The kit represents the "right" way to modify both the Colorado ZR2 and AEV's own ZR2 Bison for 33-inch tires, and AEV points out that with tires of that size, even trucks with a lift or suspension leveling kit can and do rub without it.

Still, a brand new Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 starts at $41,600, and the ZR2 Bison at $49,945. With prices like that, we don't know too many off-road truck fans who would be chomping at the bit to let even a practiced hand start cutting into the bodywork.