Weight, Don’t Tell Me: Chevrolet Rounds Out ZR2 Family With HD Variant

As is the wont of most brands, Chevrolet has decided to wring every single ounce of goodwill from a popular trim. Having first shown up on the midsize Colorado about five years ago, the ZR2 name quickly migrated to the Silverado half-ton and is now being applied to the mighty Silverado HD.

And it’s heavy. Real heavy.

At least this is far more than a cynical marketing exercise. For example, GM has gone through the trouble of fettling the excellent Multimatic DSSV dampers for application on a heavy-duty truck, making sure this thing has the mouth to match its trousers. A 1.5-inch lift kit provides extra ground clearance, 35-inch Goodyear Wranglers on 18-inch wheels chew through the landscape, and larger skid plates are standing by in case the driver bashes into stuff. Also on board are specific upper and lower control arms up front plus unique steering knuckles, all of which should help deal with off-road abuse and the stresses of that factory lift.

The standard kit under the hood is a 6.6-liter gasser, making 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. A diesel mill of equal displacement is optional, belting out 470 ponies and 975 lb-ft of Detroit twist. Chevy says about two-thirds of Silverado HD shoppers select the oil burner, though they expect approximately three-quarters of ZR2 buyers to live the diesel lifestyle. A 10-speed automatic is on deck for both.

Like other ZR2 trucks, a Bison package will be available. Layered on top of the ZR2 trim, it adds the likes of extra skid plates, unique steel bumpers, provisions for a winch, and a smattering of appearance items. Ground clearance in the Bison jumps by 0.2 inches over the ZR2, to 11.8 inches. This increases breakover angle to 22.6 degrees, though the departure angle is equal to the ZR2 at 25.7 degrees. Interestingly, the winch-ready gear reduces the angle of attack to 29.8 degrees from 32.5 in the standard ZR2.

This all adds up to weight. A lot of it. Diesel-powered Bison models will press into off-road trails to the tune of 8,495 pounds – plus fuel, passengers, and gear. With a 2,811-pound payload, it is not a stretch to imagine five tons of Chevy bounding its way over planet Earth. Note that gasoline-powered Silverado HDs are roughly 700 pounds lighter than a diesel, while Bison gear adds about 400 pounds.

The Silverado HD receives a sorely needed interior overhaul, cribbing much from the half-ton and being better off for it. Gone are the old-school tech and woefully small displays in most examples, though Work Truck and Custom trims retain last year’s interior for now. GM is taking the same approach with its half-tons as well.

Production of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2 and ZR2 Bison begins later this summer at Flint Assembly in Michigan.

[Image: Chevrolet]

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