What RPO ZR2 is...

[Tink]

The Regular Production Option ZR2 was a special Off-Road/Suspension package that made it's debut in 1994 on the S10s and Sonoma (Highrider) pickup trucks. In 1996 it was expanded to the 2-Door Blazer (dubbed BlaZeR2).

The following factory-installed features are what made the ZR2 standout from other 4x4 trucks offered in the S-Series class.

Ladder Type Frame with Modified Mounting Points
100mm wider track (3.9 inches wider than regular S-10)
Increased Ground Clearance (Approx 3" over Regular S-Series 4x4)
Enhanced front (7.25" ring gear) and rear (8.5" ring gear) axles w/ 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio
Larger wheel and axle bearings
31 x 10.50" BFG A/T Tires (Pickup), 31 x 10.50" BFG Longtrails (Blazer)
Fender Flares
Spectra Gray on the Chevrolet Models, despite body color. Body color on all GMC Models.
46mm gas pressurized Bilstein Monotube shocks
Rear Track Bar (Pickup), Front Anti-Sway Bar (Blazer)
Skid Plates - Aluminum skid plates (1994-1998), Composite skid plates (1999-2005).
Front/Rear Disc brakes (1998-2005) , Disc/Drum brakes (1994-1997)
Full Size Spare TireZR2 Timeline:

1994 - ZR2 package is introduced with the Regular Cab 2nd Generation S-Series Pickups
1995 - ZR2 package expanded to Extended Cab S-Series Pickups
1996 - ZR2 package extended to 2-Door Blazer models. 3rd door was offered on extended cab models.
1997 - Disc brakes are now standard on the Front and Rear wheels. Interior updated along with front grill and headlights.
1999 - GM replaces the Aluminum Skid Plates with Composite Skid Plates. Side mirrors are updated. (much stronger)
Last model year the ZR2 option was offered on a regular cab pickup.
2003 - (sometime during production year) ZR2's start shipping with General Ameritrac tires instead of the classic BFG's.


GM discontinues S-Series Pickups, this is the last year that the ZR2 is available on a pickup
A ZR2 Jimmy surfaces in Canada. This came as a surprise because it was unavailable in the USA. A GMC ZR2 Jimmy (2-Door) was available in Canada only circa 2003, very few are known to exist. No ZR2 Jimmys are known to have been manufactured prior to 2003.
2004 - ZR2 only available on Blazer models. In a shocking move, for the first time the ZR2 is offered with a 2WD model.
2005 - This is the last year for ZR2 Blazers (USA) /Jimmys (Canada)

GM discontinues ALL remaining S-Series models, ZR2 is phased out.


Info from the old ZR2.com, ZR2USA and wikipedia

[Mikz86TA]

Great info! Now this is what we need on the ZR2 section.

[zq8sonomaguy]

I thought the Jimmys were offered with a Highrider package, like the Sonomas

[Slacker1357]

even the GMC's have ZR2 on 'em. same thing different ride. only I think the GMC looks a little more badass than chevy, tis why I wanted one, money and availability tis why I have a '01 blaZeR2

[Peco]

The Jimmy ZR2 IIRC are only offered in Canada, not in the US. And YES the Sonoma is only offer in the Highrider package in the states and there is no Jimmy ZR2 or Highrider package here.

[Peco]

2004 - ZR2 only available on Blazer models. In a shocking move, for the first time the ZR2 is offered with a 2WD model.I think the only reason they made a 2WD is because all the left over part they need to use.

[Slacker1357]

I think the only reason they made a 2WD is because all the left over part they need to use.
X2, probably because they were feeling lazy or parts cost. Or some city folk that can't drive in snow but want to look like they can. Its like buying a lifted truck only to drop it

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

From the way I understand it, the Highrider is a ZR2. It was called a highrider in the earlier years, but it was still designated as the ZR2 widestance package. In later years, they dropped the highrider name b/c they realized how cool ZR2 sounded. Kinda like Z71 or whatnot.

As far the difference in looks between the chey/gmc, especially on the ZR2, isn't it just the front clip, trim, and whether or not the fender flares were painted?

The Jimmy ZR2 IIRC are only offered in Canada, not in the US. And YES the Sonoma is only offer in the Highrider package in the states and there is no Jimmy ZR2 or Highrider package here.

[Slacker1357]

From the way I understand it, the Highrider is a ZR2. It was called a highrider in the earlier years, but it was still designated as the ZR2 widestance package. In later years, they dropped the highrider name b/c they realized how cool ZR2 sounded. Kinda like Z71 or whatnot.

As far the difference in looks between the chey/gmc, especially on the ZR2, isn't it just the front clip, trim, and whether or not the fender flares were painted?

I would have to agree with ya there. But I still like the GMC's look better though. even if it is just the grille. I like blackened better than shinny gold chevron and chrome strip.

[Peco]

From the way I understand it, the Highrider is a ZR2. It was called a highrider in the earlier years, but it was still designated as the ZR2 widestance package. In later years, they dropped the highrider name b/c they realized how cool ZR2 sounded. Kinda like Z71 or whatnot.

As far the difference in looks between the chey/gmc, especially on the ZR2, isn't it just the front clip, trim, and whether or not the fender flares were painted?
Yes, but what I was trying to say was there is no SUV form of the Jimmy in a widestance package here in the States where there is in Canada. Canadan has the Jimmy Highrider.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Ok, I got ya now. Strange how they decide to do things like that.

[Slacker1357]

the camericans... cadidiots... leaf flag... canadians... got it now... brought some of those GMC's over here and began driving them here. I have seen a few true canadian Z's here in the Western NY area. Hard as hell to see them, and I have seen them with local plates, meaning they've been sold here. Hard to get vehicle, worth more to a diehard Z lover. personally i would spend any excessive amount of money on one of these vehicles, but it would be good to just say "hey I've got a hard to get vehicle"

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Or you could fool most just by doing a front end change to the Jimmy style, painting your fender flares, and debadging yours. I know it wouldn't REALLY be the same in the end, but it would still be kinda fun.

[Slacker1357]

Bingo! you got it. It just would not be the same.
but yes it may be fun

[Riff Raff]

From the way I understand it, the Highrider is a ZR2. It was called a highrider in the earlier years, but it was still designated as the ZR2 widestance package. In later years, they dropped the highrider name b/c they realized how cool ZR2 sounded. Kinda like Z71 or whatnot.

As far the difference in looks between the chey/gmc, especially on the ZR2, isn't it just the front clip, trim, and whether or not the fender flares were painted?


Yes,the "Highrider" is the same truck with the difference being the grill, and fender flares painted to match the truck.Didn't care for that so I bought the Chevy and I love it. It rides like a Caddy and handles like a sports car.:D

[warp9pnt9]

ZR2 Timeline:

1997 - Disc brakes are now standard on the Front and Rear wheels. Interior updated along with front grill and headlights.



Hum, I have a 1997 and the rear brakes are definitely drum. :rolleyes:

Are there any 1997s with rear disc brakes (excluding those with conversions). :p

1997 seems like a strange year, they changed so many things half way through the production year, it's like 20 vehicles in one, and you never quite know what you got, differs month to month. :eek:

So it wouldn't surprise me much if rear discs were included.