Chevy Silverado One-Day Transformation: 4x4 Garage Adds a Lift, Tires, and Exhaust

When you work with quality parts and people who know what they're doing, you don't need long to make a huge change to your vehicle's looks and performance. On a recent episode of 4x4 Garage, host Christian Hazel let the gang at Wood's Off Road in San Marcos, California, loose on a 2022 Chevy Z-71 Silverado 1500 pickup truck. Our goal was to transform the vehicle from a completely stock grocery-getter to a cool 4x4 pickup boasting killer looks, an awesome rumble, and better on- and off-road performance.

To that end, we assembled a collection of good aftermarket components from Superlift, Flowmaster, and Yokohama, and brought them along in the Silverado's bed so shop owner Johnny Wood and technician Shayne Wardle could get down to business. Here's a quick overview and some behind-the-scenes images from the video shoot, but be sure to watch this episode of 4x4 Garage to see the full transformation and discover how this 2022 Chevy Z-71 Silverado 1500 performs out in the desert!

Superlift 6-Inch Suspension

There's a lot to be said for purchasing from a reputable manufacturer that thinks ahead and includes everything you need to get the job done. That's not always the case with GM-compatible independent front suspension systems (IFS)—we've endured a bagful of horror stories involving the need to scrounge for a widget here and there and enlarging holes with a die grinder just to get a vehicle back down off the rack. That wasn't the case at all with this Superlift 6-inch lift. All the parts and pieces were included along with detailed instructions. The install went smoothly and much quicker than any of us anticipated.

Maintaining Stock Steering Geometry

Flowmaster After-Cat Exhaust

The Flowmaster American Thunder after-cat exhaust system we selected is constructed of mandrel-bent stainless-steel. It features a large 3-inch tube from the factory Y-pipe into a Flowmaster FlowFX performance muffler that delivers a moderately aggressive sound. From the muffler, twin 2.5-inch tubes meet the factory Silverado's in-bumper tailpipe bezels, which is an awesome feature.

Clearance To Spare

Yokohama Geolandar X-AT Tires

We've been fans of Yokohama tires for decades. The company has a well-earned reputation for manufacturing long-lasting rubber that rolls around smoothly on the street and grabs like the dickens in the dirt. Yokohama's new Geolander X-AT tire takes the all-terrain action a step further, increasing off-road performance with slightly chunkier tread lugs featuring wider spacing and an improved rubber compound. This tire also incorporates computer-aided design features like asymmetrical tread size and shape, siping, and improved construction methods to make a tire that is remarkably quiet and smooth during daily commuting duties. In short, the X-AT delivers the best of both worlds. Note that the Superlift steering knuckles require a wheel with less backspacing for fitment, so we selected a good-looking set of Pro Comp wheels from our local 4 Wheel Parts store.

Project Wrap-Up and Testing

Finally, we loaded the trucks up and headed out to the deserts of Johnson Valley, California, to put some of our new toys to the test. Be sure to watch the episode to see how they do in the dirt!

4x4 Garage Video Series! Ultimate Adventure Chevy Colorado Build

On episode 6 of 4x4 Garage, Christian Hazel makes the trip to Tennessee to spend some time with Ian Johnson from Four Wheeler in his personal shop to build a custom Cab Truck for this year's Ultimate Adventure. Starting with a stripped-down cab, Christian helps Ian build a custom chassis and prep some 1-ton axles for the rolling chassis. Want to see more? Subscribe to the MotorTrend YouTube channel today!