2004 Chevrolet Colorado Performance Parts & Accessories Installation

10. Out back it couldn't have been easier with a front and rear leaf-spring shackle to add lift to the factory leaf springs.

11. With the new Rancho RS5000 shocks bolted in place, you can also see the bumpstop drop-down bracket.

12. Notice the huge difference in the new 20-inch Helo and Nitto package compared to the stock 15-inch cast look (Helo HE831 Vibe wheels pictured here).

13. After a disappointing quick test fitment, the +15mm-offset Helo HE831 wheels did not clear the lifted upper control arm ball joint bases. We tracked down a new set of Helo HE830 wheels with a +23mm offset, which unfortunately still did not clear. That left one option: cut. Check out the cool flame-tread pattern on the new Nitto Dune Grappler tires.

14. We busted out the grinder and removed about 1/8 inch off the ball joint base. After a 1/4-inch six-lug spacer, the new Helo wheels and Nitto Dune Grappler tires cleared and rolled nicely. This was our experience. We don't recommend cutting the parts to make them fit, but we had to do it to get the truck home.

15. One of the nice features about going to Godfather Customs in Decatur, Georgia, for your lifting and lowering is the availability of computerized alignments on site.

16. On the ground, the new 4-inch Rancho lift easily boosted the Colorado into a new custom-truck realm.

17. Wrapping those good-looking Helo 20-inch Syndrome wheels are the latest high-performance on- and off-road tires from Nitto: Dune Grapplers. Sized LT285/55R20, the tires measure 32.3 inches in overall diameter and have an 11.2-inch section width. The stock 265/75R15 tires equal 30.6 inches in diameter and 10.4 inches in section width. Due to this difference, even with the lift kit, we had to trim the plastic valance at an angle so the tires didn't rub at full lock. This trimming process is a common modification when performing lift kits and adding larger tires.

18. Next up on the Fantastic Four treatment was the exhaust system installation from MagnaFlow. Before we lowered the lift with the Colorado firmly on it, we removed the factory exhaust by simply cutting the rear pipe exiting the muffler with a Sawzall and unbolting the head pipe from the flange. The new MagnaFlow kit features a beautiful stainless muffler, mandrel-bent pipe, and double-wall polished stainless steel exhaust tip.

19. With the head pipe bolted up to the stock flange, the MagnaFlow muffler was slid in place and tightened down.

20. Next up, we slid the rear pipe over the axle and installed the polished tip. Every hanger mounting point was in the right place, and the kit literally went on in less than 20 minutes.

21. A surprisingly throaty exhaust note can now be heard from the MagnaFlow exhaust, and the polished tip adds good looks to the truck.

22. Here you can see the all-stock 3.5L I-5 engine that was built more for decent gas mileage than raw horsepower. We're going to give it some more ponies with the installation of an AEM Brute Force Intake that will perfectly complement the just-added MagnaFlow exhaust.

23. With the parts laid out, you can see that AEM includes everything needed, including: the new Dry Flow filter that never needs oiling, polished intake tube, head shield, and the necessary hoses to make it 50-state CARB-legal.

24. After we popped off the filter box lid, we removed the three mounting bolts for the factory box and the hose clamps, and we disconnected the MAF sensor.