🛠️ Member Build Q's ZR2 Mods

[DNZR2]

Congratulations.

 

[TKO-ZR2]

Back in September 2024 this truck (2022 ZR2) left us stranded for the second time 4 hours from home. I'd been looking for an excuse to get a Baby Max ZR2 because of the amount of traveling we do. We got towed to Northside Chevrolet in San Antonio, the same dealership we were towed to the first time we were stranded. Needless to say, Northside had two Baby Max ZR2s in stock, both equipped identically. After waiting five days with no ETA on a Fuel Pump Control Module, I started negotiating for a new ZR2. Northside treated me very well, and I purchased a Sterling Gray Metallic Baby Max ZR2. The only thing this one doesn't have it the multiflex tailgate.

I say all this in this thread because with the new truck comes new mods.

I started moding it fairly quickly, but failed to document most of them with pictures and posts in the forum. I'll list what I have done and try to get some pictures snapped and start documenting future mods.

The new truck came with the GM Bead Lock rims, Rock Guards along with removable steps and the hard tonneau cover.

To date I have added:
Ceramic windshield and all windows tint, PPF Hood and Front Bumper, Ceramic Coated full truck, Blacked out chrome Flow Tie, full BedRug, Ultimate9 Battery Monitor, OCDPlug Screen Protector, LED License Plate Lights, Lasfit LED Reverse Light Bulbs, Bed Stake Pocket Covers. McGard Tailgate Lock, Mangoal Front and Rear Dash Cam, Diesel Fill Cap, Hitch Cover. BoostAuto Mods: High Beam to Spot Mirror Mod, All Lights Mod (6 High Mod), Auto Fogs Mod, Dual Function (Third Brake Light Bed Cargo & Reverse) Wiring Harness. Kaos Designs: Anti Glare Hood Scoop Kit, Sill Plate Protection , Anti Glare Dash Kit. SmartStopStart. GM/Baja Designs ditch light and harness. GM/Kicker Subwoofer wired into Bose subwoofer channel, Kicker control knob. Desert Does It Seat Jackers and Seat Multimount.

Yesterday, I installed the PodHoles rear step lights and changed out the Dar Essentials ZR2 emblems for the eBay dark ZR2 emblems with the red number 2. And either this weekend or next week I plan to install the Peak Suspension 2.25" Lift, Peak Sway Bar Drop Brackets and Dirt King Upper Control Arms.

nice. i done the same thing: traded the 6.2 for a baby max after the 6.2 left me stranded (blown engine).

GREAT thread, thanks for posting all the pics and ideas. i'm off to aruba for a week to enjoy the warm weather . . . and, now, to plan everything i'm going to do to mine when we return.

out of everything you did to the old one, was there anything that you wish you wouldn't have done?

did you have any issues with any of the lighting mods you made? was installation fairly easy? it's crazy how cheap those are.

i gotta get the hell off this forum, you guys are doing nothing but costing me money in upgades. already have plans of sending my headrests and dash/glove compartment door (if they can do the dash door) to 42 stitches to get the ZR2 emblems embroidered on just from reading another thread and now yours this morning. my issue on this is my truck is NOT a bison, but i really like the bison emblem with the mountain range above it, so thinking i'm going with the bison logo on the headrests and dash door.

one thing i'd be interested in seeing (and doing) if you come up with something is replacing the cheezy chrome "DURAMAX" emblem on the hood with something that stands out a bit better.

thanks for your posts!!

 

[The_Q]

Installed the Peak 2.25” lift, Dirt King upper control arms and Peak sway bar drop brackets on the 2024.

 

[TKO-ZR2]

Installed the Peak 2.25” lift, Dirt King upper control arms and Peak sway bar drop brackets on the 2024.

@The_Q did you have any issues with the light wiring upgrades when you installed those? I ordered

Thought I'd update this with the mods I've done since I started this thread.

I had the headrests embroidered with the ZR2 logo by 42 Stitches. Jim is very reasonable and you can't beat his turnaround time.
View attachment 1003View attachment 1004

I also did four light mods from Boost Auto Parts.
I did their Auto Fog Light Mod, All Lights Mod (6 High Mod), Dual Function (Third Brake Light Bed Cargo & Reverse) Wiring Harness and High Beam to Spot Mirror Mod All these mods were super easy to install and keep the auto high beam feature functional.

I installed the AutoStop Eliminator and no longer have to remember to turn the "feature" off everytime I start the truck.

I've added the Kicker 46CXARCT Wired Remote Base controller to the Kicker sub. Someone had posted that if you add this controller and set the two dip switches on the amp to the same as all the others you can better control the the sub's bass.

And last, for now anyway, I installed theOCDplug.com infotainment screen protector.

Did you have any issues with the light mods? I installed all of those you indicated above and all of them on the front work just fine. However, the third brake bed cargo light doesn't come on in reverse after installing that one. I'm confident I got connection and have double/triple/quadruple checked the plugs and pins used. I finally got aggravated and walked away before screwing something up, so I'm planning to revisit it when I have time and check everything on the connections and make sure I used the correct plugs/pins once more. Just wondering if you had any issues when you did yours. Thanks!

 

[The_Q]

@The_Q did you have any issues with the light wiring upgrades when you installed those? I ordered

Did you have any issues with the light mods? I installed all of those you indicated above and all of them on the front work just fine. However, the third brake bed cargo light doesn't come on in reverse after installing that one. I'm confident I got connection and have double/triple/quadruple checked the plugs and pins used. I finally got aggravated and walked away before screwing something up, so I'm planning to revisit it when I have time and check everything on the connections and make sure I used the correct plugs/pins once more. Just wondering if you had any issues when you did yours. Thanks!

No issues at all with the BoostAuto mods. They all worked correctly the first try. I did notice that you have to be careful you select the right install video for the refresh model.

 

[TKO-ZR2]

No issues at all with the BoostAuto mods. They all worked correctly the first try. I did notice that you have to be careful you select the right install video for the refresh model.

thanks, i'll double check those connections when i get a chance. i'm fairly certain i picked up the correct wires and connected the jumper properly after rewatching the video a bit ago. the only other issue i can think of would be one of the t-taps aren't getting connection with the wire.

i did drive the truck this morning just to see the high beams. they're great with the spot lights shining off to either side and lighting up the side of the road even better than before!