Restoring proper ride height with an Add-A-Leaf lift spring on the Colorado ZR2 Bison

Whether is gearing up and managing the load while overlanding or looking for more lift to clear bigger tires, this is an easy and cost effective solution. With the addition of the King Shocks and the different valving, the need for more load control in the back has increased along with the amount of gear I am carrying.
Peak Suspension has made a 2015 - 2021 Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon Add-A-Leaf lift to increase capacity and bring the back end of truck back to level.
This is a basic installation which will require 1.5-2 hour of garage time with basic tools.
Peak Suspension Add-A-Leaf: www.peaksuspension.com/collec...
In the video, I cover how I completed the installation on my ZR2 Bison with the means and skills I have. See what I did and figure it out for yourself or when in doubt get it installed by a professional.

[@jonathanblack3351]

Done. My Deaver Add a leaf is in. Thanks again for you awesome DIY Chevy Colorado videos!

[@exhaustinglife]

I'm glad it helped out. Thanks for tuning in.

[@biggpete52]

I just ordered one for my zr2, thank you for the video 🙏🏽

[@exhaustinglife]

No problem. They are a good alternative to a complete spring pack if you are on a budget or there just isn't one in stock.

[@1smokan]

Another great one! Thank you!

[@exhaustinglife]

Thanks for watching

[@Island8282]

detailed, informative, concise. awesome review & install video!

[@exhaustinglife]

I appreciate it and I try.

[@samiargos]

Another great video! thanks!

[@exhaustinglife]

Thanks. Tried to keep this one quick and easy

[@luci_rado1175]

As always I enjoy the videos. Definitely makes me want to make sure once I do my system to take my time and do it right. More enjoyment when doing it yourself then taking it into a shop.

[@wadeduvall7026]

I definitely need to do this and watching your videos gives me confidence I can do it assuming I have jack stands tall enough! I have about 300 lbs on my bed at all times and the ride isn't quite as good.

[@exhaustinglife]

I try to cover all the details and while some are long, I try to show 99% of the work. Additionally I try to keep the editorial down to a minimum but I plan to review the installs again in a purely editorial long term review on the big mods.

[@wadeduvall7026]

@@exhaustinglife I'm a big fan of your channel (and I also follow you on Colorado Fans) and its some of the best detailed DIY content. Did you consider replacing the bump stop while you were down there?

[@exhaustinglife]

@@wadeduvall7026 I have a set but not so happy about the need to use my own u-bolts. Waiting on a solution but will probably just install them with my own bolts. They will be a necessity for more aggressive driving.

[@rexchristianfontanoza5054]

Question: I've seem some leaf springs on the zr2 with that top plate and a lot of the after market leaf packs without it. What is that top plate exactly for? Is it critical?

[@exhaustinglife]

I can only speculate as I have not asked a pack designer, but speaking as an engineer, I would say it helps distribute the load from just the head of the nut to a wider surface and that it might be a function of the softer spring pack in the ZR2

[@madcratebuilder]

Ran the AAL for about a year before upgrading to Deavers, they are a very affordable solution to extra weight in the rear.

[@exhaustinglife]

Still waiting on my Deavers but its held me back from several events / trails and I could not wait any longer.

[@madcratebuilder]

@@exhaustinglife Can't wait to hear your experience with the Deaver leafs. I would have argued that a rear leaf could not effect overall handling as much as I experienced.

[@mattfinn6370]

Who makes that tool kit I saw in the background at the beginning of the video?

[@exhaustinglife]

Thanks for watching. it is probably the most comprehensive tool kit for tis size. It the Robby Gordon Speed Tools Race kit - speedtoolsinc.com/product/speed-tools-mobile-tool-case/ IF you watch most of my videos you will see its the primary too kit i use for all my installations.

[@mattfinn6370]

@@exhaustinglife, thanks for the quick response and the link. Best advice I’ve gotten is using your trail tool kit to do installs/repairs is the best way to find out what you need BEFORE you need it.

[@exhaustinglife]

@@mattfinn6370 absolutely correct.

[@Bisonmaczr2]

Great video. Is there a way to install AAL without raising height of the back of the truck? Need to fit in the garage still and already tight margins squeezing my truck in LOL.

[@exhaustinglife]

I mentioned it in the video briefly and for a ZR2 just don't re use the factory block. That should give you the extra spring rate without the ride height

[@timricks1149]

Great informative video. I have the same peak add-a-leaf on my Zr2. Are those different tires.? Been waiting on the 35inch tire replacement video after you installed the AEV fender flares

[@exhaustinglife]

Yes these are the new 35's. I talked about them when I installed the Highmark fender flares but, I didn't get a chance to do a full review and feature.

[@wynnpringle2686]

Nice! Slightly unrelated, did you do anything to reinforce your canopy to handle all of that weight on top of it?

[@exhaustinglife]

The ARE Z-series topper hold 220 lbs and I am within that specification, but they have an HD that holder over 500 lbs

[@lomosaltatho3008]

I just did this mod and now I’m getting a stabilitrak error. Are you getting that on yours?

[@exhaustinglife]

No. Check again to see if you pinched a wheel speed sensor wire ( they are the only 2 wires from the frame down to the axle.) I mention it several times in the install that you should be careful not to pull the wires too tight. Make sure your final ride height with any other modifications does not pull on the wheel speed sensors. Let me know what you find.

[@lomosaltatho3008]

@@exhaustinglife I drove it a few miles and it reset. Thanks for the reply.

[@lomosaltatho3008]

@@exhaustinglife they are all good. No pinched wires.

[@adrianflack6933]

Although I think peak makes quality products, I personally wouldn’t recommend them. I had a awful experience with Nick and his customer service was atrocious.

[@exhaustinglife]

I don't know your story but its been a rough couple years for companies and its not an excuse but I can understand some of the anomalies created by it. This was intended to be a product review and installation guide and applies to any similar products. Sorry to hear about your issue but the product none the less works as advertised and comes in a reasonably good value.

[@adrianflack6933]

@@exhaustinglife This wasn't a dig on your review, nor even the products themselves. I just wanted to add my experience in the comments so that those who might see may want to source such products from another vendor. I understand the issues many companies are dealing with on the supply side, and have been very tolerant of companies that have clearly communicated their difficulties. Peak on the other hand handled my case exceptionally poorly (probably worst customer service I've experienced in my adult life) Which was a huge let down because prior to actually ordering from them I was a huge fan of their work.

[@exhaustinglife]

@@adrianflack6933 I understand and do appreciate the clarification however the world of "online reviews" are very much so out of context. I am leaving your comments up because they deserve to be heard but also want to shed light on the counterpoint. As person who professionally works in the world of customer / consumer communications I am very aware that the negative reviews far outweigh the positive under the premise that a good experience is the expectation and the chances of someone going out of the way to do more than one click a thumbs up is slim. In many cases these negative comments are meant instead of informing the consumer or potential customer of a situation, are weaponized to cause harm or as retribution toward the vendor which to me lacks the value of a review intended for the potential consumer. While your experience definitely left you without the desire to return to Peak or deal with NIck, I cant say I have experienced the same or similar and certainly that doesn't mean my experience discredits yours or others. I do appreciate your time in participating in this discussion as is it an important one and in many ways in line with why I do my videos.