Last updated: September 2026 Written by the LiftKitGuide Team, truck suspension installers and editors
A Chevrolet Colorado suspension lift kit runs from a $80 to $300 leveling spacer to $1,300 to $3,500 for a 4 to 6 inch knuckle kit. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit for 2015-2022 Colorado and Canyon lists at $1,299.95 and fits 285/65R18 tires on aftermarket 18-inch wheels. The ZR2 and Trail Boss need different kits.
Key takeaways
- The 2015-2022 Chevrolet Colorado uses independent front suspension with coilover struts and rear leaf springs, so tall lifts use new knuckles and rear blocks.
- Rough Country’s 6-inch kit excludes the Trail Boss (1-inch factory lift) and ZR2 (2-inch factory lift with Multimatic DSSV dampers), per the manufacturer.
- The 6-inch kit requires aftermarket 18-inch wheels with a 6×120 bolt pattern, and recommended tires include 285/65R18 and 285/55R20.
- BDS sells a separate 4-inch kit for the 2017-2022 Colorado ZR2 and a 5.5-inch kit for 2015-2022 4WD trucks.
- The 2023 and newer Colorado is a new truck, and 2015-2022 kits do not fit it.
On this page
This page covers fitment by year and trim, lift heights and tires, brands, what breaks, cost and the install. The same kits fit the GMC Canyon of the same years.
Which Colorado models fit which lift kits?
The right lift kit depends on your Colorado’s generation and trim, because factory ride heights and shocks differ. Match these before you shop:
- 2015-2022 Colorado (WT, LT, Z71): fit standard leveling kits and 4 to 6 inch knuckle kits.
- Trail Boss: already has about 1 inch of factory lift, so most 6-inch kits exclude it.
- 2017-2022 ZR2: has a 2-inch factory lift, wider track and Multimatic DSSV dampers, so it needs ZR2-specific kits like the BDS 4-inch.
- 2023 and newer Colorado: redesigned truck with new mounts, so it needs 2023-and-newer kits.
Check the badge and the door sticker, and confirm on the brand’s fitment tool. A GMC Canyon of the same year uses the same kits as the matching Colorado.
How much lift should you put on a Colorado?
A daily-driven Colorado works best with a 2-inch level or a 2 to 3 inch coilover lift, which fits 31 to 32 inch tires and keeps factory wheels. A 6-inch knuckle lift is for owners who want 33-inch tires and a tall stance, and who are fine buying new wheels.
For a daily driver, a 2-inch strut spacer level is the better choice because it costs under $500 installed, keeps CV angles close to stock, and fits 265/70R17 tires. Read leveling kit vs lift kit if you are on the fence.
| Lift type | Lift height | Typical parts | Realistic max tire | Parts price | Shop labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leveling spacer | 2 in. front | Strut spacers | 265/70R17 (31.6 in.) | $80-$300 | 2-3 hrs |
| Coilover lift | 2-3 in. | Adjustable struts, rear shocks, add-a-leaf | 265/75R17 (32.6 in.) | $900-$2,500 | 4-6 hrs |
| 4-5.5 in. knuckle lift | 4-5.5 in. | Knuckles, crossmembers, rear blocks, shocks | 33 in. with trimming | $1,500-$3,500 | 8-12 hrs |
| 6 in. knuckle lift | 6 in. | Knuckles, crossmembers, rear blocks, skid | 285/65R18 (32.6 in.) or 33 in. | $1,300-$2,000 | 8-12 hrs |
What size tires fit a lifted Chevy Colorado?
A 6-inch lifted 2015-2022 Colorado fits 285/65R18 or 285/55R20 tires, and some owners run 33-inch tires with trimming. Rough Country’s fitment notes say factory wheels will not work and aftermarket 18-inch wheels with a 6×120 bolt pattern are required. A 2-inch level fits 265/70R17 tires, about 31.6 inches.
Stock tires on most 2015-2022 Colorados measure about 30 to 31 inches. The 3.6L V6 handles 32s fine, but 33s with factory gears feel slow, and the 2.8L Duramax diesel handles the extra size better thanks to its torque.
Which Chevrolet Colorado lift kits are worth buying?
The right Colorado lift kit depends on trim and how you drive. Prices are typical 2026 street prices.
| Brand and kit | Lift height | Price range | What’s included | Best for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough Country 2 in. level | 2 in. | $80-$300 | Strut spacers | Budget level | Big tires |
| Bilstein 5100 / Old Man Emu | 2-3 in. | $900-$2,000 | Adjustable struts, rear shocks, leaf option | Ride quality, trails | 33-inch tires |
| Rough Country 6 in. | 6 in. | $1,300-$2,000 | Knuckles, crossmember, rear blocks, skid, N3 shocks | 33-inch look | ZR2, Trail Boss |
| BDS 5.5 in. | 5.5 in. | $1,800-$3,500 | Knuckles, crossmembers, NX2 or Fox shocks | Long-term daily drivers | Tight budgets |
| BDS 4 in. ZR2 | 4 in. | $2,000-$3,500 | ZR2-specific brackets and parts | ZR2 owners | Non-ZR2 trucks |
For a ZR2, leave the DSSV dampers alone unless you need 33s. The factory ZR2 suspension is already one of the best in its class.
What breaks or needs changing on a lifted Colorado?
A lifted Colorado puts more angle on the CV axles and more load on the rear leaf springs. Watch these items:
- CV axles. Even knuckle kits add some angle. Replace torn boots before the lift.
- Rear axle wrap. Tall rear blocks let the axle twist under throttle, which a traction bar helps.
- Brake lines. Check front and rear lines at full droop.
- Speedometer. Bigger tires make it read low. A tuner or dealer can correct it.
- Gearing. Factory gears struggle with 33s on the V6. A regear costs $1,500 to $2,500.
Safety note: A lift changes brake line slack, steering geometry and suspension load. Get a professional alignment the same day.
Does a lift hurt a Colorado that tows?
A 2 to 3 inch lift has little effect on a Colorado that tows, while a 6-inch lift makes towing noticeably harder. The tow rating does not change, because the frame, hitch and axles stay the same. What changes is how the truck behaves with a trailer behind it.
- Hitch height. A 6-inch lift raises the receiver about 3 to 4 inches, so you need a drop hitch to keep the trailer level.
- Stability. A higher center of gravity and taller sidewalls make the truck lean more in crosswinds.
- Power. Bigger tires reduce effective gearing, which the V6 feels on grades.
- Rear springs. Tall blocks on factory leaf springs can let the rear squat more under tongue weight.
For a Colorado that pulls a camper or boat, stay at 2 to 3 inches and keep tires at 31 to 32 inches.
How much does a Chevrolet Colorado suspension lift kit cost installed?
A Colorado leveling kit costs $250 to $500 installed, a coilover lift costs $1,400 to $3,000 installed, and a 6-inch knuckle lift costs $2,500 to $4,000 installed before wheels and tires. Labor runs $100 to $175 per hour, based on typical US shop labor rates in 2026. See our suspension lift kit installation cost guide for how shops quote this work. Comparing mid-size trucks? Our Nissan Frontier 6 inch lift guide covers a similar knuckle kit.
How do you install a 6-inch lift on a Colorado?
A 6-inch knuckle lift on a 2015-2022 Colorado 4WD takes two people one long day with jack stands, a torque wrench, a drill and a cutoff tool. Follow your kit’s instructions exactly.
- Measure ride height and soak all suspension bolts with penetrating oil.
- Raise the truck, support the frame on jack stands, and remove the wheels.
- Remove the sway bar links, tie rod ends, brake calipers and CV axle nuts, then separate the ball joints.
- Remove the factory knuckles and front differential mounts as instructed.
- Install the new crossmember parts and lower the differential into its new position.
- Install the new knuckles, reconnect the CV axles, tie rods and brakes, and torque to spec.
- In the rear, install the lift blocks and new U-bolts one side at a time.
- Install the skid plate and shocks, check brake lines at full droop, and get an alignment the same day.
Safety note: This job involves brakes, steering and suspension load. If you are unsure, pay a shop.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 6 inch lift fit a Colorado ZR2?
No. Rough Country’s 6-inch kit for 2015-2022 Colorado and Canyon excludes the ZR2, which has a 2-inch factory lift, wider track and Multimatic DSSV dampers. ZR2 owners use ZR2-specific kits, such as the BDS 4-inch lift for 2017-2022 ZR2 trucks.
What size tires fit a 2 inch leveled Colorado?
265/70R17 tires fit. A 2-inch leveling kit on a 2015-2022 Colorado clears 265/70R17 tires, about 31.6 inches tall, on factory wheels. Some owners fit 265/75R16 tires. Bigger 32 and 33 inch tires need a coilover lift or a knuckle lift and usually trimming.
Will a 2015-2022 Colorado lift kit fit a 2023 Colorado?
No. The 2023 and newer Colorado is a redesigned truck with new suspension mounts, and kits built for 2015-2022 trucks will not fit. Buy kits that list 2023 and newer fitment, and match them to your trim, since the Trail Boss and ZR2 sit higher from the factory.
Can I keep factory wheels with a 6 inch Colorado lift?
No. Rough Country requires aftermarket 18-inch wheels with a 6×120 bolt pattern for its 6-inch Colorado kit, because the new knuckles place parts closer to the wheel. Recommended tires include 285/65R18 and 285/55R20. Test fit wheels before mounting tires.
Does a lift kit fit the GMC Canyon too?
Yes. The 2015-2022 GMC Canyon shares its suspension with the 2015-2022 Chevrolet Colorado, and most kits list both trucks. Canyon trims with factory lift, like the AT4 on newer trucks, may need specific kits. Check the brand’s fitment tool with your exact trim.
The bottom line
The best Chevrolet Colorado suspension lift kit for most owners is a 2-inch level or a 2 to 3 inch coilover lift on 31 to 32 inch tires. Choose a 6-inch knuckle kit only if you want 33s, new wheels and a tall stance, and skip it entirely on a ZR2.
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