Peter Storck
The Colorado ZR2 Baja Front Bumper comes in Classic and Baja models. The Baja includes a bull bar, or what CBI calls the Center Grill Protection (CGP).
Words and Photos by Peter Storck
If you read our recent “Off-Road Bumpers Explained” article (4WDrive Volume 23 Number 3), you’ll know there are several options available to protect the front end of your rig. After some contemplation, we decided to ramp up the armour on a Chevy Colorado ZR2 to provide more capabilities on the trail, and also stop worrying about potential damage from stubborn off-road obstacles and conditions.
We opted for the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Baja Front Bumper (2015-2021) from CBI Offroad Fab. While it’s available in two models - the Classic and Baja in steel or aluminum (plus powder-coated or bare finishes) - we chose the Baja powder-coated steel option, which included a bull bar, or what CBI calls the Center Grill Protection (CGP), just for some added protection.
The bumper was delivered mounted on a pallet, packaged very well to protect its finish and included all of the necessary hardware for mounting. At first glance, we immediately liked the cutouts to accommodate fog lights or a light bar as well as the compression trim that closes the “flex gap” between the bumper and the vehicle body. Installation was straightforward thanks to the online mounting guide video and there were even step-by-step instructions on how to equip the bumper with an array of accessories.
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Peter Storck
The bumper arrived well-packaged for optimal protection during delivery.
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Peter Storck
The bumper during installation on the Colorado ZR2.
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Peter Storck
We took the bumper through its paces over a number of months in the Cariboo and northern regions of BC.
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Peter Storck
Dredging through the muck. No conditions seemed to be too challenging - so far.
Once it was installed, we tested the bumper for a few months on- and off-road in all kinds of weather (including winter) and conditions throughout the Cariboo and regions of Northern BC. We scraped it over rocks, pushed over some small trees, dug into cross ditches, and even managed to intimidate a few crazy drivers in downtown Vancouver traffic. While it has proven to be tough and reliable for our off-road needs, we realized the lights and winches on the bumper were difficult to access once it was mounted, thus making servicing a little tricky. But it does protect these accessories from damage as well as theft - very handy if you live in the city.
So far, the bumper has held up very well and retained its good looks - aside from a dent on one side after sliding into an avoidable, stubborn obstacle on the trails in a rainstorm. Nevertheless, ‘taking one for the team’ is all part of the duty of an aftermarket bumper, and this one from CBI has probably saved us from a lot of expensive front-end bodywork.
Price: $1,299.99 – $1,899.99 USD