First Generation Colorado/ Canyon... No love for them?

[Viggen]

I have begun to seriously think about one as a DD and weekend wheeler/ camp machine. It is funny how once you start thinking about a car, you seem to see more of them around. Started doing some research. Old torsion bar front end (nothing really wrong with that), 5.3 (what I am looking for), good amount of room inside, good bed length, and styling that has grown on me. I have shopped Tacomas but for what you get, WAY WAY WAY more money than they are worth. The Frontier is a good option but I am not a fan of them for long term ownership (chain follower/ tensioner issues/ trans issues). I always overlooked the Colorado until a few days ago. I was thinking about a full size but, again, spent some time wheeling/ accessing fire roads (real, old unmaintained fire roads meant for local volunteers to access private land) in a Sierra over the holiday and came away with the 'how the hell can you see anything' conclusion.

I need room for my wife, child seat, Beagle. Crew cab would fit perfectly. I need to be able to run green (beginner) and some blues (moderate) trails, pull around 15 mpg city, and would love to run 33s.


Anyone read me in on these. There are a few fan sites I have checked into but getting straight answers is a bit difficult to find. I know that there are a few on here. How do you like them?

 

[Clawhammer]

I have no personal experience but my old man does electrical installation in sometimes rural or downright backwoods locations out of a work truck. Because of the roads (or lack thereof) and the equipment he carries, he's a little rough on trucks. In the last 15 or 20 years, he's going through 2 Jeep Cherokees, a Dakota and a Colorado. The Jeeps took the abuse pretty well while the Colorado did not hold up very well (or the Dakota for that matter). YMMV.

 

[Bikemobile]

I have always liked the 5.3 crewcab colorado combo. I looked for them, read lots of reviews and decided that I could get a fullsize for the same money with more room and longevity.

People say that they get the same gas mileage as a full size and are not much quicker. I do think they look great and are a great combo of width, length and power. My suggestion would be to test drive the 3.5 version vs the 5.3. You might be just as happy with the 3.5 and have more choices on the used market.

The 2nd gen 4.7 v8 in the 2008+ dakotas has great power and good mpg's. A 2008+ dakota crewcab might be worth a look. Unless you absolutely hate chrysler stuff like most people do. The 4.7 in my 2008 jeep grand cherokee was awesome. The 4.7 in my 2002 dodge dakota crew was great too.

 

[Viggen]

I have always liked the 5.3 crewcab colorado combo. I looked for them, read lots of reviews and decided that I could get a fullsize for the same money with more room and longevity.

People say that they get the same gas mileage as a full size and are not much quicker. I do think they look great and are a great combo of width, length and power. My suggestion would be to test drive the 3.5 version vs the 5.3. You might be just as happy with the 3.5 and have more choices on the used market.

The 2nd gen 4.7 v8 in the 2008+ dakotas has great power and good mpg's. A 2008+ dakota crewcab might be worth a look. Unless you absolutely hate chrysler stuff like most people do. The 4.7 in my 2008 jeep grand cherokee was awesome. The 4.7 in my 2002 dodge dakota crew was great too.

The Sierra I was spending time in was a short bed/ extended cab. WAY more room than I need and kind of a hassle to easily navigate. Not just on a trail but also around town, my living in the Northern of Virginia...

Just say no to Chryco. Sorry, I just cannot do it.

 

[Crazy Schooner]

I' own an 06 Canyon with the 3.5L and 5 Speed manual. Gave it the usual easy engine stuff like CAI, ported throttle body and long tube headers + dyno tune. I ran a ton of sizes on the truck and found 33x12.50R15's Duratracs the best combo of size + weight for general highway driving. Off road with either 295/70/18, 325/65/18, or 285/75/18 MT tires the truck can bog down a bit if your in 4hi, but 4lo it was fine to just drive around. Gotta watch out for the front drive shafts though, I never had an issue when I owned the truck for a couple years but some people online had them fail on them. I got the front drivehaft upgraded at a local shop and it's been fine since. I would recommend one for light wheeling, and general daily driving; just dont go to crazy on the wheeling part unless you like to change hubs at least once every 1-2 years.

I stopped driving the 06 due to power concerns though, I ended up buying a 2012 Colorado V8 (extended cab) and even though this particular unit came with highway gears (3.42) and an automatic I find its still got plenty of power. Big thing as well with a V8 Colorado is the fact it has the larger AAM 860 rear axle and not the little AAM 800 the Inline models came with. So much better gearing options down the road. Also general mileage on the highway can vary from 21-24 mpg to best I've seen 28mpg with the 3.42 gears.

Keep in mind this truck has very little aftermarket support, so basic stuff like lifts are limited and pricey. However I like the size of the truck for getting around anywhere here in the city, so I just live with the lack of aftermarket.

 

[Viggen]

Is the 5.3 in the V8 trucks a fuel management unit?

 

[4x4x4doors]

The 5.3 is rare. The combo with 4x4 and crew cab is exceptionally rare. Sellers appreciate the rarity.
For kid seat plus dog, don't even bother with considering extended or regular cab. Ain't gonna work, don't waste your time looking.

Mine is a 2008 crew Z71 with 3.7. Bought new as a leftover in March 2009. Currently has miles in upper 80s. The 3.7 I5 (2007 and newer) drives pretty well and should deliver what you're asking for without problem. Drive it before you dismiss it.

33s will be stretch for the gearing. You're looking at some sort of lift to make them fit. The body mount at the rear of front wheel opening will be your catch point. I've run 32-11.50x15 on the stock setup since about 3K miles.

Mine has been an "extra" vehicle since we bought it. It got pressed into commuter duty a couple of times for a month or so at a time when I was still working. (Commute was one way 47 miles, I270 to Beltway to Wilson Bridge which should mean something to you.) Generally 19-21 mpg but I have a light foot.

We've also run it to AK and back once, to Pacific Coast CA and back once, to NV towing my Little Guy and back once, to North Rim towing LG and back once in addition to multiple Potomac SF and OBX runs. Had it to Rausch Creek once or twice, GWNF several times and Uwharrie. The limiting factor for Uwharrie and RC was breakover angle.

Has been reliable. Repairs have been brake changeouts all 4 wheels; both front wheel bearings (roughly 70K - PS and 83K - DS); resistor pack for the HVAC blower.

The resistor pack seems to be a common problem ($40 fix/30 minutes in the driveway).

Common complaints seem to be uncomfortable seats which I've never seen but different strokes for different folks. The seatback for the rear could be more comfortable if reclined a bit but is not adjustable. I've had folks in the back seat for the trip DC to OBX and that's the only complaint I've heard.

3.5 engines had a lot (but hardly universal) of problems with valves. GM extended the warranty to address. Seems they would fail by 60K or not at all. The extended warranty has passed for all now (I think).

Wheel size up to and including 2008 was 15 inches. 2009 was 16 to accommodate larger brakes.

Lifts are available (I don't run one); very limited aftermarket support other than that.

Differences for the Z71 package were the flares, 31 inch original tire size, and the G80 in the rear. (Mine has worked well and is better than what I saw in my S10s/ZR2s over the years.)

IMO: 355Nation is a more useful forum than ColoradoFans. YMMV

There are several Colorados on this site that are done nicely.

 

[4x4x4doors]

While typing my missive, you asked about the 5.3 being Fuel Management Unit. I assume you mean cylinder deactivation which I *think* the answer is no.
I also see 33s in the post above. Hmmm, still think that's stretching it.

 

[Viggen]

While typing my missive, you asked about the 5.3 being Fuel Management Unit. I assume you mean cylinder deactivation which I *think* the answer is no.
I also see 33s in the post above. Hmmm, still think that's stretching it.

Wow, thanks for all the information. I think with wheelbase, 33s would be a great size for all around trail duty. I spent some time on 355 and the general consensus is that the weak point is the front diff.

Also spent some time trying to find bits like bumpers, etc... As you said, not a lot available. It's amazing how American stuff, of which millions were made, garner zero attention while lower production foreign stuff gets a ton of innovation.

What really hold these trucks back? Is it build quality? Long term longevity? On paper, this should be far more popular than a Taco.

 

[cdthiker]

I got the chance to get my hands on one of the entended cabs five speeds with the inline 3.5 in it. Took it out from the dealership for a 24 hour test drive. The truck was nice enough in town and did highway speed just fine. It was peppy enough*. Peppy enough for the inner and outter loop ? sure but it would not be my first choice.
Like you I was looking at small trucks and the toyota tax was just beating me up. In my 24 hour test drive I took it up some mild " trails" in the mountains of Wyoming and this is where anything about the truck that I had liked started to slip away. The 4x4 system like on other cheveys I have driven was.... clunky. The handling was crap and the truck did over all poorly. I am talking about some dirt fire roads with hills not even off roading really.
The truck had 70 k on it and who knows if that was the truck or if it was the last owner. The transmission was nice and smooth on the truck but that was about the only thing. I have two good buddies that each have one. He is on his first and she is on her second. All three of them with the in line got over 200 k on them.
I ended up walking with a new regular cab Taco the next day because the price and fit were just better for me. I really wanted to like the little chevy but it just didnt preform.

 

[Viggen]

The 5.3 is active management and VVT on later models.

Anything is peppy fit the beltway. You are hardly ever moving anyway...

 

[BPD53]

I have built a 2010 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab Z71 V8 and have used it with good results. I purchased that truck for what I wanted it too be. I have found it to be perfect for east coast wheeling. I have plenty of power and never needed more.

I have dug deep and found the aftermarket to be fairly adequate to suit my needs. I have a few issues after 5 years of use.

Cons:
1. Full size fuel economy without the room
2. Rear suspension is pretty soft. Makes overland gear tough to carry.
3. Transmission needed a tune
4. Stabilitrak/Torque Management SUCKS
5. Engine bay is tight. Not much room for larger battery or compressor.
6. Steering rack bushing really sucked
7. Fuel range is kinda weak. 15 mpg with 19 gallons....do the math.
8. Transfer case lacks mods...no aftermarket 4:1 kits.
9. The G80 locker is a joke!
10. The GM 10 bolt has a rep for weakness....I have been fine with it.


Pros:
1. Plenty of power
2. Basic tune is awesome. Delete stabilitrak and torque management.
3. Just the right size for tight trails.
4. Front and rear lockers available.
5. Parts are everywhere and pretty cheap. Every junkyard has Colorado parts
6. It is different. Anyone can build a Jeep.
7. Good tow vehicle for my needs.
8. Hummer H3 shares some issues/parts.....good and bad
9. I have had good reliability.


I must say that a Tacoma is a better truck. I have had several Jeeps and a Tacoma in the past. I like the Tacoma suspension better as well as the aftermarket support. I am glad I built a Colorado instead of anything else. I enjoy being different.

I hope you enjoy a Colorado as much as I have. You will benefit from joining 355nation. I could not have built my rig without the guys on 355nation. They really know the Colorado.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions on the Colorado. Good luck.