ZR2 on the Rubicon, to Sourdough Hill

Much earlier in the year, I posted about snow condition on the Rubicon and mentioned my new (to me) 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. It’s taken a few months, okay nine months, to get it where I wanted it.

The truck came looking like a 70’s era muscle car with way too much rake. Most people add a ‘leveling kit’ to bring the front up to level the truck. This will be my winter daily driver, taking me to the ski slopes many times a week. I was not going to build this truck up to go wheeling. I didn’t need a lift that would rob me of gas mileage.

So, I removed the 1 1/8″ lift block from the rear. (Send all the negative emails you want.) I also removed the rear seat and build a storage box. The last early upgrade was a ‘Flip-Bak’ bed cover. It’s worked out okay, but with any kind of load in the bad I get a squat. And that is way worse than rake. Later, I swapped the step, rocker guards for something that would slide along a rock, if needed.

I knew I’d be adding weight for better snow traction over winter (details coming below) so I ordered up a CCE lift shackle. I didn’t want the 1 1/8″ lift I removed; I wanted 1/2″. So, I ordered the 1″ lift shackle, thinking it was 1″ longer. Yes, I knew you only get half the amount of added length in lift. Well, CCE is smarter thasn me and the lift shackles were 2″ longer than stock. Too long. I redrilled, painted and then installed the shackles.

While I was ordering parts, I ordered the U-bolt flip kit. By removing the 1 1/8″ lift block, the U-bolts were now hanging way too low. I actually hit two of them running the Middle Fork Trail earlier in the year. I know because they were a little difficult to remove. I love my DeWalt power tools! Of course, by removing the 1 1/8″ lift block, the U-bolts were now too long.

So, flip the U-bolts, actually I got a new set with the kit. Now the U-bolts are too long. I cut the first pair down by 1 1/2″. I didn’t want to take too much. Once bolted in place, my ratcheting box end wrench didn’t want to come off the nut too easily. The second pair of U-bolts I cut down by 1 3/4″ and it went much smoother. No, I did not go back and recut the first pair.

It sits so much better now. Even with the weights for winter; three 5-gallon plastic gas cans filled with sand. Note all the wood made to make hauling stuff easier. On the left is a ski rack. I also made cross boards to be able to load a full sheet of plywood iff needed. The three weights will be strapped in place once winter hits. The chain holds the tailgate level with the cross boards.

Last Friday, I had another meeting with the Lake Tahoe Basin management Unit. We’re talking about a system that will ensure that all OHV gates within the Basin open on time, every time. Making progress. More to get done.

While at the lake, I decided to take a ride up to Sourdough Hill. People often ask how hard is the trail, really. So, I decided to take the ZR2 in and test it. The section between rolling dips 23 and 24 gets a little tricky.

I decided to try in four low but not engage the lockers.

Bad choice.

I had to stack a few rocks and take more than one run at it.

I got through but not without a war scar!

The Richardson Lake Trail to Sourdough Hill had a few trees down but people had been driving around them all summer. I don’t think it’s a big deal, it should actually slow people down..

Poser shot with the view looking west from Sourdough Hill.

Back at staging airing up. It’ll buff out! Right?

On the way back into Reno, the Bull fire had started to grow.

Reno has had the now the Bull, Hawk, Bug, Stallion and others this summer.

Let’s hope we’re done.

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Rubicon Ronin