AEV kit transforms Silverado ZR2 into turn-key off-roader

Chevrolet may have taken its sweet time offering a ZR2 package for the Silverado, but it wasn’t wasting any when partnering with American Expeditionary Vehicles (AEV) to prep a host of off-road parts that increase the formidable full-sizer’s capability and durability. Like the package assembled for the fantastic Colorado ZR2, the AEV Bison package for the Silverado ZR2 will include new stamped steel bumpers, unique wheels, underbody skid plates, and rocker panel protection.

Leading off the changes that make up the Bison package is a stamped, three-piece steel front bumper includes vertical tow hooks and integrated step pads. It also increases the approach angle by 0.7 degrees to an estimated 32.5 and is ready to accept a winch. The rear bumper is also stamped steel and slightly improves the departure angle to 23.4 degrees (up from 23.3).

Under the truck, five 3mm-thick—that’s almost 1/8-inch—hot-stamped boron steel skid plates stretch from the bumper to cover the front differential, the transfer case, the fuel tank, and the rear differential. The stampings are press-hardened to protect the vital parts of the drivetrain and are e-coated and then powder-coated for longevity.

A set of 18-inch AEV wheels are fitted with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires that will work in concert with the locking front and rear differentials to provide sure-footed scrambling over slippery and rocky trails.

Chevrolet and AEV have kept the badging to a minimum, with Bison decals on the bedsides and AEV emblems on the floormats and headrests. All of these upgrades will be available as soon as production kicks off in early 2023, with an MSRP of $78,490, including destination.

We’ve heaped praise on the Colorado ZR2 Bison when we got to test it off-road as well as on, and we also came away impressed with the full-size Silverado ZR2 when we drove it in the desert and on some unmaintained roads. Multimatic’s DSSV dampers and Chevy’s off-road-tuned suspension do a fantastic job of keeping the truck composed while soaking up impacts, and the 6.2-liter V-8 provides ample power through its 10-speed automatic transmission. These well-integrated bits of armor will only serve to improve what was already a great foundation for an adventure vehicle.

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