HOW TO: Chevy Colorado ZR2 Diff Drop Install (Peak Suspension Kit)

Have you leveled your Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon (ZR2 or not)? The front half-shafts / axles are now at a higher angle which could cause premature wear and tear. Peak Suspension offers a simple bolt on kit to lower the front differential by an inch. I install the kit in the video and walk you through it. It was an easy install and uses basic hand tools. This improved my front axle angles by a few degrees as measured in the video.
Before this install, I added a 589 Fab 1" level kit. This helped correct the angels to make it closer to stock.
Peak Suspension Diff Drop Kit:
www.peaksuspension.com/produc...
Check me out on Instagram: / boosted.apex

[@DltptkddldnldpsirkdlTek]

1. Loosen the bolt on the back of the dipper. Don't ever separate it 2. Loosen the two bolts in front of the dipper. 3. Remove the front passenger side bolt, put the drop in, and tighten the bolt loosely. 4. Remove the driver's side bolt, put the drop in, and tighten the bolt. This bolt is the hardest to fit. It is difficult to do it alone, so if you put the bolt under the car and someone pushes the bolt's starting point with a negative drive in front of the car, the bolt will go in. This person worked hard alone. Well done.

[@matt13ross]

Thanks!

[@DltptkddldnldpsirkdlTek]

@@matt13ross When the rear bolt is fitted, the hexagonal L wrench is inserted into the bushing hole and is easily inserted.

[@jaredmcarthur9325]

Master mechanic Matthew (MMM) back at it again with another fire video 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@matt13ross]

You say set it on fire for next video?

[@ShaunsJeep]

Man i love ur videos.

[@matt13ross]

Thanks!

[@godemperorhoover2131]

I have a 2019 ZR2 Midnight Edition, brand new, stock, I will get those angles before the end of the week.

[@matt13ross]

Awesome looking forward to it!

[@godemperorhoover2131]

@@matt13ross looks to be about 6.5 to 7 degrees

[@matt13ross]

Todd Hoover seems pretty low? Maybe?

[@americannative2717]

Thanks for posting. Great video. I was actually about to install a 1" leveling kit. Did you do an add a leaf to the rear as well?

[@matt13ross]

Nope, I left the rear alone. I’m not planning on lifting it any higher, but bigger tires will be coming.

[@americannative2717]

@@matt13ross Just did mine this past weekend. Looks great...

[@americannative2717]

I dont know what your looking at as far as tires but Walmart has Cooper Evolution 285 70 r17 on sale for $150 each. Thats a crazy price for that tire. www.walmart.com/ip/Cooper-EVOLUTION-M-T-All-Season-LT285-70R17-121-118Q-Tire/642343550 i was considering buying these and just leaving my stock tires for a rainy day.

[@matt13ross]

I’m not quite ready for tires yet but that’s a good deal!

[@Mjr1348]

Thanks for the vid. 👍🏻. Just wondering why you went with the spacers over the peak /Eibach springs ?

[@matt13ross]

I didn’t want to take the strut apart. I figured if I was going that far I’d rather wait and install a full long travel kit. The spacer was quick/cheap/dirty.

[@rsherman8709]

Good video! I hoped it would level the shafts a bit more. From pics I have seen, there is stress on the diff bushings afterwords. I believe this stress is caused when you connect that back bolt. Something is obviously causing the diff to twist, but where? I would suggest that you wear some clear glasses when working under the truck.. I once had a rock or something drop into my eye and it scratched it pretty good... not fun at all.

[@matt13ross]

This is about as much as you could get without a lift, I’d say and helps the front wind stuff slightly. I don’t always wear glasses though I should! I’m using them more often and always when grinding and cutting etc.

[@johndoe-pl1uy]

Did you have to install a skid plat drop as well? I noticed on the peak suspension website right after the dif drop kit they have a skid plate drop kit to use if you install a dif drop.

[@matt13ross]

They didn’t have that out at the time I installed this. I used some washers

[@awsalbayati9111]

Thanks for the video! Any issues/shakes while driving so far? You still recommending this? I'm about to install Peak suspension front springs (2.25" lift) and rear leaf (1" lift) with this Diff Drop. Trying to fit 33s without trimming. Let me know if I'm doing it wrong.

[@matt13ross]

No issues at all. It drives just like stock but with more peace of mind.

[@peteg7446]

Thanks for the video. I just installed mine. But, does your tranfercase now lightly touch the skid plate? There a small square piece on the bottom of the case that touches now on mine 😳

[@matt13ross]

I actually flipped the skid plates so the one towards the rear mounts under the front instead of vice versa. It have a little more clearance which was enough.

[@peteg7446]

Boosted Apex ah... good idea, I was going to grad 2 1/4inch washers and use them to make space.

[@matt13ross]

That was my second option and I may still do that. The skid plates are designed to go the original way so it doesn’t fit quite as nice now.

[@devynheimbeck7100]

Another option that would likely work is adding the 589 fab skid bracket support. I caved in my skid bracket and it's not cheap to fix. Definitely worth the money and it should give you enough clearance for the diff drop.

[@matt13ross]

I’m gonna look into that

[@waltersteffensthezr2man431]

Quick question do you think the skid plate was up against the differential after you put the spacers in or was there a little bit of room still just curious?

[@matt13ross]

Yup, it was touching.

[@waltersteffensthezr2man431]

@@matt13ross okay thanks!!

[@michaellandreth1955]

My diff touches the skid plate even with the spacer for the skid plate..

[@MeestahChuklesOne4]

Did you have a knocking or clacking noise prior to installing this? I have a 2.5” lift w/the Peak control arms and it’s rattles like a sonofagun.

[@matt13ross]

Nope. No noises before or after!

[@MeestahChuklesOne4]

Just figured out today that it's definitely my CV joints because I have the lift w/out the drop kit. Gonna use your video to install so thanks! Lol

[@matt13ross]

JustAnotherBasic that’ll do it! Lol. Suggestion, use a ratchet strap to help get everything in place.

[@scotw67]

“Environment sauce” 😂😂

[@matt13ross]

LOL

[@mauricelanneedebetrancourt8703]

How in the world did you get that center bolt back in. I can't get it in place at all!

[@matt13ross]

It wasn’t easy! Try using a ratchet strap to pull it into place.

[@mauricelanneedebetrancourt8703]

Ratchet strap! Took me 15 min to put it in place. I truly hope I will never have to take it apart again! Thanks for the video!

[@matt13ross]

Great news! Glad it worked!

[@ammon123456]

@@matt13ross ha, wish I saw this comment before I fiddled around with it for 30 minutes. Ratchet strap made it a cinch!

[@slyder4life]

anybody know if there is a how to vid for installing peak adjustable coilovers? thanks!

[@matt13ross]

I’m not sure about that, sorry!

[@slyder4life]

@@matt13ross no worries, i think i got it. thanks for the vid!!!

[@dioriosigns2446]

hi im getting ready to install. not a problem

[@matt13ross]

jim diorio signs which parts?

[@JimboSlicee]

Frustrated after hours of trying to get that back bolt lined up after getting the front axle bolts in. Had to put the stock ones back in as I couldn’t push the back thing pushed forward enough to get the bolt in. Grrrrr.

[@matt13ross]

Did you try a ratchet strap to pull it into place?

[@devynheimbeck7100]

Do you know the torque specs on the diff bolts?

[@matt13ross]

Couple bursts of the impact gun 😁

[@matt13ross]

Google told me the following: Differential Carrier Assembly Mounting Bracket to Frame Bolts - 160 N.m or 118 ft. lbs

[@devynheimbeck7100]

@@matt13ross Thanks! I got it all installed after much huffing and puffing. My mind definitely skipped over your fast forwarded struggle to line up the back bolt.

[@matt13ross]

Yup. Plenty of huffing and puffing here too!

[@stevegrimeszz]

The compromise for def, it’s the amount of plastic they use.

[@matt13ross]

Tons of plastic!!!

[@SRodee]

I find mine on tap at truck stops pretty easily. Loads of Loves have it

[@milicamaran1131]

Hey nice kitchen rug

[@matt13ross]

I’ll let my interior designer know

[@John.ThirteenPoint6969]

I’d fire them, jus sayin lol

[@John.ThirteenPoint6969]

I prefer my CV’s angled #yeeyeecrankdemkeys

[@matt13ross]

Lmao

[@OscyJack-]

Half shafts are cheap, diffs aren't :). Skip the drop, or lift the body instead ;)

[@matt13ross]

Meh it was fine!

[@OscyJack-]

@@matt13ross it's always fine til it isn't

[@matt13ross]

Well, it was fine for years. I've since sold it.