Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon Shocks & Lift Guide (Mesa, AZ)
The Colorado and Canyon are two of the most capable mid-size trucks you can buy, and out here in the East Valley we build them every week — from mild daily-driver levels to full desert-ready setups. This guide walks through what's actually specific about the platform, the shock and lift options we trust, and how to pick the right one for how you drive.
These twins share a chassis, so everything here applies to both the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Whether you're on a work-truck WT, a Trail Boss, or a factory ZR2, the same suspension logic holds — and we'll be straight with you about it, because we install these on customer trucks and run them on our own.
Why Get It Installed at Underdog?
- 400+ Five-Star Google Reviews
- 38+ Years of Off-Road Experience
- Authorized ICON, FOX, Bilstein, OME & King Installer
- No Spacer Lifts — Ever
- Alignment Included on Every Install
What's Specific About the Colorado & Canyon
The Colorado and Canyon use an independent front suspension (IFS) with coil-over front struts, paired with a solid rear axle on leaf springs. That layout drives every decision you'll make about lifting one. Up front, you're working with control arms and struts; out back, you're working with leaf packs and shocks. It's a proven, comfortable setup — but it means a "lift" on this truck isn't one part, it's a matched front-and-rear package.
Because the front is IFS, geometry matters. Small levels and mild lifts can run on quality struts alone, but once you start reaching for more height up front, the factory upper control arms can run out of clearance and pull your alignment out of the healthy range. That's where aftermarket upper control arms (UCAs) come in — they restore proper geometry, give the CV axles a better operating angle, and let you dial the alignment back in correctly. We'll tell you honestly whether your target height needs them.
One more platform note worth knowing: the ZR2 trims leave the factory with Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, which are a genuinely excellent stock shock. If you're on a ZR2, you're starting from a much higher baseline than a WT or Trail Boss, and your upgrade path looks different — often more about height, tires, and armor than replacing already-great dampers. On the non-ZR2 trucks, the factory shocks are the first thing most owners outgrow.
Shock & Lift Options by Tier
Here's how we group the setups we install on Colorados and Canyons, from a clean daily-driver level up to a full desert build. We list these by tier, not by price — because the right answer depends on how you drive, not just what you spend. All heights are general ranges; your exact fitment depends on trim, tires, and goals.
| Setup | Tier | Front Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 5100 Level | Entry | ~1.5–2" | Clean daily-driver level, better tire clearance |
| OME / Old Man Emu Kit | Value | ~1.5–2.5" | Loaded, comfortable ride with real off-road manners |
| Fox 2.0 IFP Level | Mid | ~2" | Firmer damping, better fade resistance on trails |
| ICON Stage Kit (2.0/2.5) | Mid | ~2–3" | Tunable coilovers, matched rear, everyday capability |
| Fox 2.5 Coilover Kit | Overland | ~2–3" | Weekend warriors carrying gear and running washboard |
| ICON w/ UCAs + Rear Package | Overland | ~3" | Corrected geometry, 33s, loaded overland rigs |
| Fox 2.5 Reservoir Kit | Premium | ~2.5–3" | Sustained desert speed, heat management |
| King 2.5 Coilover Setup | Premium | ~2.5–3" | Serious high-speed desert running, rebuildable |
Note: ZR2 owners already have Multimatic DSSV dampers from the factory — we'll steer you toward height, armor, and tire changes rather than swapping out shocks that are already excellent.
Our Take on Each Setup
Bilstein 5100 Level Entry
The honest starting point for a lot of owners.
Full breakdown
The 5100 is a monotube shock that lets you set a modest front level, clearing a slightly bigger tire and losing the factory rake without a huge outlay. Ride quality is firm but controlled and it's a big step up from worn factory dampers. It won't transform how the truck handles hard off-road, but for a daily-driven Colorado or Canyon that sees dirt roads and the occasional trail, it's a smart, no-nonsense first move.
OME / Old Man Emu Value
Comfort-first, built for real loads.
Full breakdown
Old Man Emu builds matched spring-and-shock packages that are tuned for the weight you actually carry. If your truck lives with a camper shell, tools, or overland gear in back, an OME kit keeps the ride composed instead of bouncy. It's not the flashiest option, but it's one of the best-riding value setups on the platform, and as an authorized OME installer we set them up correctly the first time.
Fox 2.0 IFP Level Mid
More control when the road gets rough.
Full breakdown
Fox's 2.0 internal-floating-piston shocks add firmer, more consistent damping than an entry level. On graded dirt and washboard they resist fade and keep the tires planted better. This is the sweet spot for someone who wants the truck to feel more capable and composed without stepping all the way into a full coilover build.
ICON Stage Kit Mid
Our go-to balanced build.
Full breakdown
ICON's staged kits pair tunable front coilovers with a matched rear, so the truck is dialed as a system rather than a mix of parts. You get a clean 2–3" of height, room for 33s on most trims, and a ride that's comfortable on the highway and genuinely capable in the dirt. As an authorized ICON installer, this is one of the setups we recommend most for daily-driven Colorados and Canyons.
Fox 2.5 Coilover Overland
For loaded rigs that run hard.
Full breakdown
Step up to the 2.5-inch body and you get more oil volume, better heat capacity, and finer tuning. This is the tier for owners who carry weight and still want to move at pace on desert two-track. Paired with the right rear package, it soaks up impacts the smaller shocks start to feel. At this height we'll usually talk to you about upper control arms to keep the front geometry right.
ICON + UCAs + Rear Overland
Geometry done right at 3 inches.
Full breakdown
Once you're reaching for a full 3" up front, the factory upper control arms can bind and cap your alignment. Aftermarket UCAs restore proper travel, improve the CV axle angle, and let us align the truck back into spec. Add a matched rear package and you've got a corrected, durable overland platform that rides right instead of fighting itself. This is the "do it once, do it right" build.
Fox 2.5 Reservoir Premium
When desert heat is the enemy.
Full breakdown
Adding a remote reservoir gives the shock more oil and dedicated cooling, which matters when you're running Arizona washes at speed for miles at a time. Sustained high-speed work builds heat, and heat is what makes lesser shocks fade. If your weekends look like open desert rather than technical crawling, the reservoir upgrade earns its keep.
King 2.5 Coilover Premium
The top of the desert food chain.
Full breakdown
King's rebuildable coilovers are built for serious high-speed desert running and are fully serviceable, so they can be revalved and refreshed rather than tossed. This is overkill for a truck that mostly sees pavement — but for a dedicated desert rig, it's the setup that keeps performing. As an authorized King installer, we'll tune it to your weight and driving style.
Colorado & Canyon Suspension FAQ
Do I need upper control arms?
For a mild level or a small lift, usually no. Once you're reaching for around 3" of front height, aftermarket UCAs become the right call — they restore geometry, improve the CV axle angle, and let us align the truck properly. We'll tell you honestly based on your target height.
Will a lift hurt my ride quality?
Done wrong, yes. Done right — with matched front and rear components and a proper alignment — a quality lift usually rides as good as or better than stock. The key is using tuned shocks and springs for your truck's weight, not just adding height.
Do you ever use spacer lifts?
Never. No spacer lifts, ever. Spacers preload factory struts, worsen ride and geometry, and stress parts that weren't designed for it. We build every Colorado and Canyon with real, purpose-built components.
What tire size can I run?
Most owners land on 265/70 to 285/70 (roughly 32–33") depending on trim and lift height. Wider or taller often means trimming and the right wheel offset. Bring us your goals and we'll spec a fitment that clears without rubbing.
I have a ZR2 — should I swap the shocks?
Usually not first. The ZR2's factory Multimatic DSSV dampers are excellent, so we typically steer ZR2 owners toward height, tires, and armor before touching the shocks. If you're chasing a specific goal, we'll talk it through.
Is alignment included?
Always. Every suspension install at Underdog includes an alignment — it's not an add-on. A lift changes your geometry, and driving it out of spec wears tires and steering parts fast. We send it back to you dialed in.
Build Your Colorado or Canyon the Right Way
Rated 5.0 from 400+ Google reviews. We install ICON, FOX, Bilstein, OME and King on mid-size trucks every week — and we'll build yours to match how you actually drive, alignment included.
Not sure where to start? See our lift kit installation page or stop by the Mesa, AZ off-road shop.