Colorado ZR2 vs Chevy K10: Which Is the Better Off-Road Ride?
It’s new school versus old school in this off-road shootout.
Ask any dyed in the wool enthusiast which is better off-road – a new truck or an old truck, and they’ll go retro. Nine times out of ten, anyway. The reason is simple – most guys prefer things like solid axles and manually locking hubs. Not to mention the distinct lack of technology that old trucks carry. After all, the less stuff that you have that can break, the better. Right?
On the other hand, new purpose built off-roaders like the Colorado ZR2 have some pretty nifty features that make them very capable. Things like those fancy Multimatic DSSV shocks. So which one is really better? The Fast Lane Truck just happened to have their sweet 1985 Chevy K10 on hand when they were also granted some wheel time with a Colorado ZR2, so why not find out?
The K10 is about as old school as it gets. Solid axles, leaf springs, a four inch lift, 35″ tires, and a carbed small block Chevy are all it needs to conquer trails. On the other hand, the ZR2 gets by with those aforementioned high tech shocks, a Duramax diesel, and electronic locking differentials. All that tech costs money, however, and this example comes with a sky high $45,000 price tag.
The classic Chevy truck has blocks in the back, so as you would imagine, it also provides a bouncy ride. That simplicity is, of course, durable as well. We have no doubt the ZR2 will prove to be durable as well, but it returns a much better ride and better flexibility over a variety of surfaces. Plus, you don’t have to get dirty to fight with the hubs to lock/unlock them. Simply turn a nob, push a button, and you’re good to go.
So which one is best? That depends on your personal preference, really. The Colorado ZR2 comes with tons of gee whiz tech, convenient features, and modern ride quality. The K10 rides like an old truck and shifts like one too, but it’s decidedly cool and simple. We say buy one of each, and then you’ve got the best of both worlds.
