2008 GMC Canyon Upgrades

[MOPWR2U]

I am trying to build a reasonably capable trail rig that can serve dual duty, both as my wife's daily driver, and as a vehicle that can be used for back country exploration. It will take me a while to complete this project, but I will try to post updates as they occur.

Here is the base vehicle we started with, a 2008 GMC Canyon Crew Cab 4x4 with the Z71 off road package.

I really like the Canyon / Colorado pickup as a base vehicle. The truck is economical and gets as much as 24.5 mpg in stock trim. The truck is smooth and quiet, and comfortably seats four adults. The truck is just the right size for off road exploration, it is narrow enough that it can fit down the backroads without getting scratched to death by oak brush. It also has more than adequate storage space in the bed for tools, recovery gear, spare parts, and extra water and gasoline. Hopefully this will work out well.

MOPWR2U

 

[MOPWR2U]

Stage 1 included a tool set, a first aid kit, and some recovery tools.

 

[MOPWR2U]

The truck worked reasonably well in stock trim, but was limited by a lack of ground clearance.

 

[MOPWR2U]

Stage II included the installation of a Rancho 4" suspension lift, and 285/75R-16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs with kevlar, mounted on ProComp 16x8 wheels.

To my surprise the street driveability of the truck remained excellent, and in many aspects was better than stock. My wife is still very happy using this truck as her daily driver.

 

[MOPWR2U]

Stage III was completed just today, a set of 4.10:1 ring and pinion gears from Randy's Ring and Pinion.

The lower gearing has exactly corrected the speedometer error caused by the oversized tires, and made a very noticeable improvement in performance. The truck seems to get moving a whole lot easier than with the stock 3.73:1 gears, and holds high gear better on mountain grades.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

nice accessories! somebody around here is running around with one of them jacked right up and has a solid front axle too, kinda extreme! I should get some pictures one day...

 

[Zembonez]

Very cool!

 

[daddy]

Nice work! Any time you do more work on that rig, feel free to post up a detailed report! We love how-to's!

 

[Alljackedup408]

sweet! next thing needed is a sweet bumper and a nice winch.

 

[mr_bots]

Nice work! When you gonna slip a 5.3 in there?