Deciding Between ZR2 and Trail Boss LT - Help

[Achilles]

Hello Everyone,
I am looking to purchase a 2025 Silverado 1500 (3.0 Duramax) and wanted to get some real insight from owners.

The use of this truck will be primarily for daily driving and some weekends in the mountains. (nothing hardcore). I was sold on a Trail Boss - LT fully loaded and was about to pull the trigger when I saw the ZR2s. The Locking Dif and upgraded tech made this seem like an easy option. The only thing I do not like about the ZR2 is the interior color (IDK how all black is not an option, but that is another story lol).

My question is in terms of reliability or known issues, is there anything I should consider between the two? It seems to me there are lifter issues but I will be going with the 3.0 Diesel so that should not be a problem to my knowledge. I saw a few transmission failures with the ZR2 but not sure if those are outliers.

I appreciate the insight and looking forward to joining the squad!

 

[HansCovington]

ZR2 is the better deal if you have the cash, based on the suspension alone. I've had 3 trucks with the Multimatic DSSV shocks and they're absolutely insane. Much better off-road capability AND on-road handling. Plus you get the locking diffs as you mentioned and various other bells/whistles.

And the 3.0 LZ0 diesel has been awesome. No regrets not getting the V8.

 

[RackemupCP]

For daily driver considerations (at least for last year 2024) The ZR2 has cooled seats which the TB did not. That may have changed. Plus trail bosses are everywhere...

 

[Achilles]

ZR2 is the better deal if you have the cash, based on the suspension alone. I've had 3 trucks with the Multimatic DSSV shocks and they're absolutely insane. Much better off-road capability AND on-road handling. Plus you get the locking diffs as you mentioned and various other bells/whistles.

And the 3.0 LZ0 diesel has been awesome. No regrets not getting the V8.

I appreciate the insight, you might have just sold me haha. (I am an easy sell right now lol)
Yeah the jump in price is not significant when the trail boss is fully loaded.

In all honestly I just cant get past the interior color of the ZR2 the limegreen/yellow stictching really throws me off. Its not that I think its ugly but I am just not a huge fan if you know what I mean. Especially since I would like to murder out the ZR2.

Thoughts?

 

[8ball_99]

So when I bought my 22 1500 ZR2. I was actually shopping AT4 and Trailboss. I ended up getting a ZR2 because if you add a lot of options on to the other two. It really isn't much difference in price to just get a ZR2. Most things come standard and if you want a HUD or camera mirror i don't think those were even a option on a trailboss.

So basically I think it comes down to options. If you want less options other trim probably makes more sense. If you want all the options that come on a ZR2 or Highcountry. It usually works out better to just get the higher trim.

 

[Achilles]

For daily driver considerations (at least for last year 2024) The ZR2 has cooled seats which the TB did not. That may have changed. Plus trail bosses are everywhere...

Yeah from the tech side I was like how does the TB not have cooled seats or HUD even fully optioned out. Looks like ZR2 is the way.

 

[Achilles]

So when I bought my 22 1500 ZR2. I was actually shopping AT4 and Trailboss. I ended up getting a ZR2 because if you add a lot of options on to the other two. It really isn't much difference in price to just get a ZR2. Most things come standard and if you want a HUD or camera mirror i don't think those were even a option on a trailboss.

So basically I think it comes down to options. If you want less options other trim probably makes more sense. If you want all the options that come on a ZR2 or Highcountry. It usually works out better to just get the higher trim.

Agreed 100% I also was cross shopping the AT4 but I do not think it had the Locking Diff (AT4x Does) and was basically the same price as the ZR2. I was only leaning TB for the all black interior but the ZR2 seems like the better choice so I think that is what I will roll with.

 

[DNZR2]

After my 2022 ZR2 was totaled, I was deciding between another ZR2 and a TrailBoss LT much like you. After driving both and going over the differences already discussed I went back to the ZR2 simply because it has more features and a better ride for not much more money.

 

[ZR2BIZON]

I'm like you. I like my interiors how I like my coffee, black.

My High Country's leather is more prone to scratches than the Z and after you get the keys you don't even notice the yellow. I actually like the gray now.
There's a thread on coloring the stitching if you look.

 

[Achilles]

I'm like you. I like my interiors how I like my coffee, black.

My High Country's leather is more prone to scratches than the Z and after you get the keys you don't even notice the yellow. I actually like the gray now.
There's a thread on coloring the stitching if you look.

Thanks for this insight. Defiantly going to check out that thread as that might just take care of my main concern.

 

[Achilles]

After my 2022 ZR2 was totaled, I was deciding between another ZR2 and a TrailBoss LT much like you. After driving both and going over the differences already discussed I went back to the ZR2 simply because it has more features and a better ride for not much more money.

Definitely Seems like the right choice! I appreciate you sharing.

 

[Achilles]

I'm like you. I like my interiors how I like my coffee, black.

My High Country's leather is more prone to scratches than the Z and after you get the keys you don't even notice the yellow. I actually like the gray now.
There's a thread on coloring the stitching if you look.

Also, is the ZR2 leather more scratch resistant? I'd heard a buddy of my mentioned that, I am assuming it just comes down to Chevy using a firmer leather in the ZR2 right?

 

[DNZR2]

@ZR2BIZON Thanks for reminding me I forgot the stitching was yellow

 

[8ball_99]

Agreed 100% I also was cross shopping the AT4 but I do not think it had the Locking Diff (AT4x Does) and was basically the same price as the ZR2. I was only leaning TB for the all black interior but the ZR2 seems like the better choice so I think that is what I will roll with.

So it's been a min, but I actually did a build on a AT4 and it was basically the same price as a ZR2. I think it was 1,300 cheaper, maybe. A Trailboss was about 4,500 cheaper. But the TB didn't have a lot of the options. Like vented seats, HUD, Camera mirror. Ofcourse neither had the lockers and suspension of a ZR2.

Personally I like the grey interior. Not as hot in the summer and doesn't show dirt and dust as bad as jet black. Just like black paint exterior. To me black interior always shows dirt.

 

[AXE]

There is no comparison, the ZR2 is a top performing truck on and off road. 6.2L for performance and diesel for fuel mileage.

The stitching can be dyed a different color. I did mine red. If you like dark colors a charcoal grey or black would be easy.

GM and reliability cannot be used in the same sentence. In 35 years of owning Chevy's, I've never been to the dealer as much with the 22, 23, and 24 I own. Probably not much better down the street, unless you step into a Honda dealer. So go ahead and jump in cause it's a fun truck, but expect some headaches.

 

[Grinks22]

I went from a ‘22 traiboss to a ‘22 ZR2 and it was definitely worth the money. The ride quality alone is worth the extra cash. Add the extra tech and better styling and it’s a no brainer. Loving the baby max so far too, minus the one emission hiccup that hasn’t came back.

Totally agree on not noticing the yellow stitching once you start driving the truck and I like the gray interior as well, not as doom and gloom as all black can be.

 

[wutang61]

The ZR2 is an off-road High Country. A Trail Boss is an LT.

You have real leather in a ZR2. Not what they call leather on the LT. Let alone everything else. It’s a different class of truck.

 

[Achilles]

It’s been decided I am sold on a ZR2. I appreciate all the help Everyone!

 

[DNZR2]

It’s been decided I am sold on a ZR2. I appreciate all the help Everyone!

We love helping someone else spend their money . We expect to see pictures when you pick it up.

 

[Achilles]

We love helping someone else spend their money . We expect to see pictures when you pick it up.

And I love justifying spending my money
Definitely posting some pictures, the only proper way to close out the thread!