Chevrolet Colorado Lift Kit Guide: Leveling Kits to Full Systems

Lifting a Chevrolet Colorado starts with two questions: which generation do you have, and which trim. A WT, LT or Z71 does not take the same front parts as a Trail Boss, and a ZR2 is different again. This guide sorts leveling kits, rear blocks and shackles, coilovers and staged systems by generation and trim.

The four ways to lift a Colorado

Front leveling kits. These are spacers that sit on top of the front strut. They raise the front to match the rear and keep your factory shocks and springs. ReadyLIFT says the 2015-2022 Colorado has about 1.5 inches of factory rake, so a 1.25 to 2 inch spacer takes most or all of it out. See our leveling kit vs lift kit guide.

Rear blocks, shackles and add-a-leafs. The Colorado uses leaf springs in the rear. A lift block goes between the axle and the spring. A lift shackle replaces the rear spring shackle. An add-a-leaf adds a leaf to the pack. The listings we carry add 0.5 to 2 inches, often paired with a front spacer.

Coilover kits. A coilover kit replaces the front strut assembly with a longer shock and spring that can be height adjusted. ICON lists its Colorado front coilovers at 1.75 to 2.5 inches of lift on 2023-2026 trucks.

Staged suspension systems. ICON and Eibach sell matched systems with front coilovers or lift springs and new rear shocks. ICON's higher stages add upper control arms.

Colorado lift options by generation

1st gen (2004-2012)

Many first-gen Colorados use front torsion bars, while some 2WD trucks use front coil springs. NVMOS carries the ReadyLIFT 2.25" Front Leveling Kit with Forged Torsion Key, 2004-2012, which works with the factory bars on torsion bar trucks only, and the ReadyLIFT 2.25"F / 1.5"R SST Lift Kit for 4WD 2004-2012 trucks. The listing says 2WD coil spring trucks need a different kit. That listing gives the model years only in its title, so confirm the year on the product page.

2nd gen (2015-2022)

For a simple level, the ReadyLIFT 1.25" Front Leveling Kit lists 2015-2022 Colorado and Canyon trucks including the ZR2. ReadyLIFT lists no rubbing up to 265/65-17 tires. The title says 2014, but the description says 2015-2022, so confirm on the product page. The CCE 1.25" Leveling Kit, 2015-22 also includes the ZR2 and comes with two front upper strut spacers machined from 6061 aluminum, plus new upper hardware. If you want a bit more, the ReadyLIFT 2" Leveling Kit, 2015-2022 adds sway bar spacers but does not fit ZR2 or diesel trucks.

For the rear, the ICON 1" Lift Block Kit, 2015-2022 includes cast-iron blocks, U-bolts and hardware. The Eibach 1.0" Rear Lift Block Kit, 2015-2026 uses billet aluminum blocks with extended U-bolts and a steel centering pin, and its 2015-2022 Colorado 4WD fitment excludes the ZR2. The CCE 1 inch rear lift shackle is titled 2015+, but its description lists 2015-2021, so confirm the year before ordering.

For a bigger lift, the ReadyLIFT 3.5" SST Lift Kit, 2015-2022 gives 3.5 inches front and 1 inch rear with tubular upper control arms, differential and sway bar drops, and rear blocks. It is for gas trucks only, excludes ZR2, AT4 and diesel, and works only with stock struts. For new damping, the ICON Stage 1 Suspension System, 2015-2022 adds 2.5 front coilovers and 2.0 rear shocks with 1.75-3 inches of adjustable lift. ICON says it gives a 25% increase in wheel travel. The Eibach Pro-Truck-Lift Stage 1, 2015-2022 is four shocks and two front springs rated at +2.0 inches front. Its Colorado fitment excludes the ZR2, and Eibach says not to install it with a factory 1 inch leveling spacer.

3rd gen (2023 and newer)

On the 3rd gen, the trim matters more than the year. Listings split the truck into three groups:

• WT, LT and Z71. ICON says these trims have a narrower track width and sells separate parts for them.
• Trail Boss. Usually grouped with the GMC Canyon AT4, Elevation and Denali. ICON says these have a wider track.
• ZR2. Usually grouped with the GMC Canyon AT4X, and often excluded from the other kits.

Leveling kits: the CCE 1" Leveling Kit, 2023+ fits all trims including the ZR2 and AT4X. The CCE Colorado 2" Leveling Kit, 2023+ and the CCE 1.5 inch kit add preload spacers and exclude the ZR2 and AT4X. The CCE 2" Leveling Kit for 2023+ ZR2 / AT4X is made only for those two trims, and CCE says it installs without taking the strut apart. The ReadyLIFT 1.5" Front Leveling Kit, 2023-2025 excludes the ZR2 and AT4X and notes that GMC models see 1 inch of lift.

Spacer lifts: CCE sells 2 inch front, 1 inch rear kits for WT, LT, Z71 and Trail Boss trucks with rear shackles or a Deaver add-a-leaf, plus a separate version for the ZR2. The ReadyLIFT 2.5" SST Lift Kit for Trail Boss, 2023-2026 and the ReadyLIFT 2" SST Lift Kit for ZR2 / AT4X, 2023-2026 both include a front strut spacer, a 2 inch rear block kit, a differential spacer and a skid plate. The ReadyLIFT 3" SST Lift Kit, 2023-2026 Colorado adds tubular upper control arms for 3 inches front and 1 inch rear. It excludes the Trail Boss, ZR2 and every Canyon.

Systems: ICON lists Stage 1 through Stage 6 in two families, one for the WT, LT and Z71 and one for the Trail Boss and Canyon AT4, Denali and Elevation. Both Stage 1 kits give 1.75-2.5 inches of front lift and work with stock upper control arms. Stages 2 and up come with your choice of billet or tubular upper control arms. Eibach offers its Pro-Truck-Lift Stage 1 for the 2023-2026 Colorado WT, LT and Z71 4WD and a separate version for the Trail Boss and Canyon Elevation, AT4 and Denali 4WD, both at +1.5 inches front. If you only want the front coilovers, the ICON 2.5 Series Coilover Kit for WT, LT and Z71 and the ICON 2.5 Series Coilover Kit for Canyon, Trail Boss and ZR2 each adjust from 1.75 to 2.5 inches.

Shop Chevrolet Colorado parts →

Side-by-side: what the listings say

Lift figures and exclusions come from each listing. Check the product page before you order.

Rear shocks and rear lift

Match the rear shock to your lift height.

• The ICON Rear 2.5 VS Piggyback Reservoir Shocks, 2015-2022 are sold as a pair for 0-2 inches of lift. ICON says the internal Bump Zone adds about 20% more damping force near the end of travel.
• The ICON Rear 2.5 VS Piggyback Reservoir Shocks, 2023-2026 are a pair for 0-1 inch of lift. ICON also lists versions with adjustable compression.
• The ICON Rear 2.0 Aluminum Series Internal Reservoir Shock, 2015-2026 covers both newer generations with 0-2 inches of lift. ICON recommends its 2.5 Series for severe terrain.
• Eibach sells Pro-Truck Sport and Reservoir rear shocks for 2023-2026 trucks, listed separately for 0-1.0 and 0-1.5 inches of lift.

For 2nd gen trucks used hard off road, the CCE Rear Shock Relocation, 2015-22 was developed with Kaizen Offroad, and CCE says it adds clearance and wheel travel when used with a 12 inch rear shock. The listing says it does not work with OE shocks, and non-ZR2 trucks need at least 2 inches of spacers or an equivalent wheel offset and spacer setup. If that last part is unclear, read our wheel offset and backspacing guide. For the 3rd gen ZR2 and AT4X, the CCE 1" Rear Lift Shackle for 2023+ ZR2 / AT4X is laser cut from 3/16 inch steel and sold in pairs.

Alignment, tires and warranty

Alignment. Plan on an alignment after any front leveling kit or lift. ReadyLIFT and Eibach both say to align the truck after install, and ReadyLIFT also recommends checking headlight aim.

Tires and wheels. ReadyLIFT lists its 2nd gen leveling kits with a max wheel of 8 inches wide and 5.5 inches of backspacing. Its 3 inch SST and 2 inch ZR2 kits list up to 285/75R17 on wheels up to plus 18 offset. Check the numbers for your kit before you buy wheels.

Warranty. Lifting your truck may affect factory coverage on related parts, so talk to your dealer first. Each brand also has its own product warranty. For example, the Eibach listings state 2 years on the Stage 1 kits and 5 years on the rear block kit. See our vendor warranty policies page for each brand's terms.

Some states limit bumper or headlight height, so check your state's rules.

What NVMOS carries

• ReadyLIFT 1.25" Front Leveling Kit, 2015-2022: includes ZR2, no cutting needed
• ReadyLIFT 2" Leveling Kit, 2015-2022: billet spacers, not for ZR2 or diesel
• ReadyLIFT 3.5" SST Lift Kit, 2015-2022: 3.5" front, 1" rear, tubular upper arms
• ICON Stage 1 Suspension System, 2015-2022: 1.75-3" adjustable coilovers and rear shocks
• Eibach Pro-Truck-Lift Stage 1, 2015-2022: four shocks and two front springs
• ICON Rear 2.5 VS Piggyback Shocks, 2015-2022: pair, for 0-2" of lift
• Eibach 1.0" Rear Lift Block Kit, 2015-2026: billet aluminum blocks with U-bolts
• CCE 1" Leveling Kit, 2023+: fits all trims including ZR2 and AT4X
• CCE 2" Leveling Kit, 2023+ ZR2 / AT4X: made only for ZR2 and AT4X
• ReadyLIFT 2.5" SST Lift Kit, 2023-2026 Trail Boss: includes skid plate and rear blocks
• ReadyLIFT 2" SST Lift Kit, 2023-2026 ZR2 / AT4X: bolt-on, no cutting or welding
• ReadyLIFT 3" SST Lift Kit, 2023-2026 Colorado: not for Trail Boss, ZR2 or Canyon
• ICON Stage 1 Suspension System, 2023-2026 WT, LT, Z71: 1.75-2.5" front, stock upper arms
• ICON Stage 1 Suspension System, 2023-2026 Trail Boss: 9" of front wheel travel per ICON
• ICON Rear 2.5 VS Piggyback Shocks, 2023-2026: pair, for 0-1" of lift

Browse by category: Chevrolet Colorado, leveling kits, 0-2" lift kits, 3-3.5" lift kits, Colorado & Canyon Enthusiasts, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, ReadyLIFT and Eibach. You can also shop by vehicle, check current lead times and read our vendor warranty policies.

Shop leveling kits →

Frequently asked questions

Will a leveling kit fit my Colorado ZR2?

It depends on the kit and the generation. On 2015-2022 trucks, the ReadyLIFT 1.25 inch kit and the CCE 1.25 inch kit list the ZR2, while the ReadyLIFT 2 inch kit does not. On 2023 and newer trucks, the CCE 1 inch kit includes the ZR2 and AT4X, the CCE 2 inch ZR2/AT4X kit is made only for those trims, and the CCE 1.5 inch, CCE 2 inch and ReadyLIFT 1.5 inch kits exclude them.

Does a Colorado lift kit also fit the GMC Canyon?

Often, but not always. Many listings name both trucks. The ReadyLIFT 3 inch SST for 2023-2026 says it will not work on the Canyon because of different upper control arms, and the ICON WT, LT and Z71 parts name only the Colorado. Go by the fitment list on each product page.

Do I need an alignment after leveling or lifting my Colorado?

Plan on one. Front leveling kits and lift kits change suspension angles, and several listings, including ReadyLIFT and Eibach, say to align the truck after install. ReadyLIFT also recommends checking headlight aim.

What is the difference between a leveling kit and a lift kit on a Colorado?

A leveling kit raises only the front to take out the factory rake. ReadyLIFT puts the 2nd gen rake at about 1.5 inches. A lift kit raises both ends, usually with front spacers or coilovers plus rear blocks, shackles or an add-a-leaf, and full systems add new shocks and sometimes upper control arms.

Do I need new rear shocks if I add rear lift?

Not always, but match the shock to the lift height. ICON lists its 2015-2022 rear shocks for 0-2 inches of lift and its 2023-2026 rear 2.5 shocks for 0-1 inch. Eibach sells separate rear shocks for 0-1.0 and 0-1.5 inches of lift on 2023-2026 trucks.

What size tire fits a leveled or lifted Colorado?

Each listing states its own number. ReadyLIFT lists up to 275/70-17 for its 2 inch leveling kit on 2015-2022 trucks and up to 285/75R17 on plus 18 offset wheels for its 3 inch SST on 2023-2026 trucks. Wheel offset and backspacing matter as much as lift height.

Will lifting my Colorado affect the warranty?

It can affect coverage on related parts. Ask your dealer before you install. Each suspension brand also has its own product warranty terms, which you can find on our vendor warranty policies page.

Not sure what fits your truck? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.