So your truck came stock with factory front and rear lockers and a 4 to 1 transfer case? And last I checked, you can walk into any 4wd shop or look online and find a number of lifts for the Colorado/Canyon right on the shelf, far from what I would call rare or hard to get.
I just saw this post. I don't know how I missed it earlier.
I never said or suggested it came stock like a Hummer H3 Alpha with front and rear locker and a 4:1 transfer case. All I said was my truck is essentially a Hummer H3 Alpha. I spent the past 7 years building it piece by piece. I spent alot of time designing parts to integrate together and scouring junk yards for parts. LKQ was helpful with their online parts inventory. I spent alot of time ensuring my truck looked stock and had a certain "sleeper" quality. I know I could have simply went out and bought a H3 Alpha from the dealership, but then I'd be cookie cutter just like everyone else.
I respectfully disagree regarding the suggestion that the 3 major Colorado lift kits companies (Skyjacker/Rancho/Ruff Country) constitute aftermarket support. Call Novak Adapters and tell them you want to swap a Dana 20 into a IFS Colorado and you'll see how quick the aftermarket support fades. Novak ended up being very helpful with my project, but I was the first one they had heard of doing what I planned. I worked with JB Fab to design and build a one off Dana 20 twin stick cable shifter that would clear the body and 4l60e transmission pan without a body lift. I was the first to modify the Hummer H3 cast iron front differential and integrate it into a Colorado. I had no idea if everything was going to work together but grabbed a tape measure and went to work.
I was able to buy a few pieces that were designed specifically for the Colorado, but most were custom designed by myself or fabricated for a H3 and integrated into my build. I definitely did't go to a 4wd shop to buy off the shelf parts.
I do not want to sound disrespectful and
PLEASE do not take my words to be arrogant. I am honestly telling you that it was not easy to piece everything together for my truck because some of it had never been done before or since.
As far as I know, I have the only 1st Generation Colorado setup in this configuration on the planet earth. I call that pretty rare.
I have plans on the drawing board for further fabrication, but I got to fix a few little annoying things first. I gotta pull my Dana 20 for the third time to modify the rear poppet spring. I am still experiencing issues with it popping out of gear at highway speeds while coasting downhill under no load. It has only done it 3 times, but thats 3 times too many for me. Right now I'm still using a bungee cord to ensure it stays in gear. I HATE crap like that, but I don't have the time to pull the case again.
I am aware of a guy in Idaho that will probably put me to shame. He is a true fabricator and managed to keep the IFS and swap in a NP205. He had to fabricate a whole new torsion bar crossmember that allowed clearance for that huge transfer case. He has a true one of a kind truck. I'm pretty sure he is using a 6.0 V8 too. He contacted me to buy some leftover parts I had and I was amazed at what he had envisioned. When he finishes his build he will be very rare for sure.
I was just tired of the same old boring stuff. I want guys to build something that has never been done and see if it works. Standing out of the crowd while remaining unassuming can be difficult. Its fun to be underestimated.
. All of the owners I spoke with seemed to be good people who enjoy their trucks, even with the negative press they often get. Maybe at some point when the 20 inch rims and chrome packages dissipate, perceptions might hopefully change.