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Colorados/Canyons - tell me about them

AJMBLAZER

AJMBLAZER

Better to be lucky than good.
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So my brother surprised me and wants to get a truck. Has no need for a fullsize but wants a small 4x4. We get GM and Ford Family discounts but he's leaning towards the GM's over the Rangers because of the crewcab option. Asked me about them but I can't honestly say I know much about them other than what's on their website and what I've seen in the few 4x4 mags over the last few years.


Anybody got a Canyon or Colorado? Thoughts/impressions?
Gas mileage?
Specs?
Anybody know which axles are under it?
Is the G80 Eaton locker any better than it used to be or do I recommend he get an open diff and we put a NoSlip/Lock Right in it?
Interior room vs say a small SUV (consider only to the rear of the rear seats, the bed takes the place of the SUV's cargo area)?
Any troubles with them?
 
My dad has the gmc envoy denali 2wd which is the same platform as the canyon. Id say is roomy for a mid/small size truck. The only thing I didn't like about it was the heated seat button is right next to the door handle, and I accidently turn them on every time I get into the truck when I close the door. The 5.3 in it kicks ass though. Enough room for adults in the back, but not a whole lot if your big. Im 6', 175 so I fit in every suv.
 
The gas mileage with the v8 in the 2wd envoy/denali is 18-19 every tank. (Its my pops driving, id probably get 13mpgs if it were mine)
 
Ummm, Colorados and Canyons don't have the V8's and don't really share much of their drivetrain, powertrain, suspension, or anything with the Envoys/TrailBlazers.

Thanks though.
 
I'd recommend a stroll through the Canyon/Colorado sites to see what's up. If you are ordering special, the 5.3L with 4X4, ought to be nasty.
And yes, if you are ordering, get the open diff. Any diff. kit you install aftermarket, will be better than "GOV-LOCK"
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Ummm, Colorados and Canyons don't have the V8's and don't really share much of their drivetrain, powertrain, suspension, or anything with the Envoys/TrailBlazers.

Thanks though.
Click to expand...
They share the 4X4 drivetrain with the H3, and the 5.3L is coming soon(AKA H3 ALFA)....................
Anything bigger would void the warranty.:haha:
 
That's what I figured on the Grenade Lock. I keep seeing folks with the newer GM's saying it's better than it used to be buy I'm always leary of them.
Think the NoSlip would fit as the rear axle appears to be the 7.625" 28 spline 10 bolt.



Looks like the 5.3L will be be available next year but I think that's more than he has in mind. Just a driver and slight toy. I doubt it will ever have anything other than stock sized tires on it.
 
I never really like them when I worked at the Chevy dealer. Seats are really flat and suck to sit on. 5 cyl. is worthless, at least up here at altitude.
Rear seat room on crew cab is very small but so are most of the compact/midsize trucks. The higher end models with the Z71 suspension and other options make them pretty pricey for not much truck in my eyes. I would seriously consider getting a fullsize that's a year or two old to save a couple $$$ and you actually get a "truck". That's just my $.02
I would go drive some trucks and get some seat time and make my decision that way.

P.S. I drive a '90 V30 crew cab so my opinions might be slightly biased on what a real truck should be :D
 
I had a regular cab 2wd 5-banger/5-speed colorado. Only options it had was a cd player and cruise control. I absolutely loved that truck. It was light, plenty of power, barked a tire shifting into 4th. I'm 6'1" and had to move the seat up a couple of notches for hitting the clutch pedal. Also got 24mpg traveling about 75mph down the interstate. As for the crew cabs, I know they are a total different world. I wouldn't own a crew cab without a v8.
 
well, my "shop" lifted a canyon for one of my best friends...it's a 4cyl and he's running 34LTB's. it's also a 5spd and it does awesome offroad(it's soooo light) anyways, here are some pics...it's got the stock 4.10's now, but we're installing a full width 10bolt(out of my truck)with an auburn and 4.56's in the back and H3 4.56gears up front(same diff)

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oh yeah, also...my dad works for GM and they're coming out with a small v8 in them in the next year or two...FYI...
 
All aluminum 5.3L V8. It's in the latest Four Wheeler and 4-Wheel & Off-Road. Probably overkill for him though.
 
Ma's Boyfriend has one and its fairly capable off road pulled a stuck 1500 out in a cornfield and gets around pretty well. Inline 5 has good power decent gas mileage with a light foot. He has a 4 door its pretty roomy in the interior (I'm a big guy 6'2' lbs) its not uncomfortable at all imho. Dont think he would be disappointed with the Colorado at all just a little bigger S-10. He has no problems spinning the tires.

Buddy grandpa said that he saw stock Colorado's (inline 5 and a s speed)running a 13 at the drag strip. Not bad for a stock hickup truck. I know my S-10 o-60's at half the speed of smell.
 
The motor pool here has the crew cabs and we flog the weeee outa them. They're OK, but you can't see crap out of the center mirror. The back seats are in the way.
 
Been driving an 07 Colorado CC LS Z71 2wd for a week now at work. Nice interior, rides good, and has okay power- not enough for my tastes, though.

Cost more than my 07 Silverado Classic LS extended cab, has half the power, and gets roughly the same mileage (18-ish for the Colorado, 16-ish for the 5.3 1500.)

Not a bad truck, but there is no way I would take it over my Silverado, even if it were cheaper.

Never sat in back, though I have sat in back of an H3 (seats and layout look similar) and there isn't much room for adults. About the same- perhaps a bit less than my extended cab, but less comfortable.

The Colorado has 25K on it and has been in for a couple of small problems. My Silverado has the same and has never given me one ounce of trouble (knock on wood.)

Not sure about long term reliablility. My gut says it won't be quite as good as the fullsize, but IDK.

I prefer fullsize trucks, and V8's, but to each their own. If I were purchasing a smaller truck it would be a Taco, based on my experience owning several Toyota mini trucks through the years.

I don't think a stock Colorado would run a 13 if you put nitro in the tank. If that's the case my Silverado must be deep in the tens...
 
Been reading/lurking/asking questions at a Colorado/Canyon enthusiast forum and man...think I'm going to tell him to either wait for the diesels (if ever), get a half ton, or just skip them all around. Just not terribly impressed.
 
I don't think a stock Colorado would run a 13 if you put nitro in the tank. If that's the case my Silverado must be deep in the tens...[/quote]

Im just sayin what I was told passin along information just what he said.
 
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