Thanks for taking the time to document all of this for the rest of us ZR2 owners. I had this at the top of my xmas list but I think I'll hold out with hopes that the negative reviews will result in a V 2.0.
AEV had several errors with instructions and file names to d/l. Once you get that figured out it's not to bad. I spent a hour per wheel, 2 hours if you count all the time making sure it had the right file and the instructions corrected. I have 33.3's on OEM wheels and a ton of room. Thanks for making the video and congrats on being the first one.
Thanks for being the guinea pig on this kit. I think it looks pretty good. I also think that if the flares and rocker panels were Rhino Lined it would look perfect.
Thanks for trying out this kit and letting us see the results. I did the 420 motors fender trim, where you cut more of the fender, but don’t cut the flare at all. So it actually looks pretty close to stock imo. But like you said, that bracket to get some strength back is good.
Appreciate what you went through with the install. Was Extremely Apprehensive about the $$$$ Now I know WHY!!!! Subscribed because of your detail for all of your mods! Keep it Up!
I hacked mine up without the trim kit, it looks fine. Most people aren't even going to notice. I'll hack mine up even more when I move to 35's. I actually think the AEV trim kit looks a little weird. I dig the videos, keep it up.
Glad you posted this. I'm currently running stock wheels with 275/70 with a level kit and 1.5" spacers... Minimal rubbing if you pull into a parking lot that isn't level. I like the stance a lot better with the spacers, but I'm afraid it wouldn't work if I went up to 285/70, even with the AEV kit... and after watching your video, I'm thinking it's probably not worth the effort.
can't believe they make you print, cut the templates. I'm in same boat, love the highmark flare idea but hate bulky flares with bolt holes. I did the eibach leveling spring and clear 285/70/17 ridge grapplers with no rubbing even under compression but its very close at full lock. maybe this will make aev fix their instruction problem
@@matt13ross yep stock wheels. Any offset they would rub for sure. Looking forward to seeing your new wheels and tires soon. Got the flo pro with muffler arriving Monday. Ya know, to install on my Canadian friends truck ;)
Subscribed, I have an 2018 3.6 and starting mods are intake, exhaust, tune. Looking at adding 33’s and new rims. Thank you for the content and inspiration!
I could not agree more what a PITA is was to figure out the instructions and templates. Below was my post install follow up. Follow up to those who have not installed/performed the 33" trim kit. The instructions are a very general guideline that had some typos or mistakes in them. For the front fenders (I have a ZR2, so a little different than the Bison as the install goes) you will find the following: Front Fenders II. Cutting & Drilling Fender pg.2 Instructions say: Use templates LH: AEV30356AA & RH: AEV30357AA Actual templates LH: AEV30357AB & RH: AVE30356AB IV. Cutting Fender Flare & Spat pg. 3 Instructions say (ZR2): These are the flare templates: Use templates LH: AEV30352AA & RH: AEV30353AA Actual templates LH AEV30353AB & RH: AEV30352AB These are the spat templates: There is no mention of the spats in the instructions, the instructions for trimming the spat are on the spat template Use templates LH: AEV30358AA & RH: AEV30359AA Actual templates LH: AEV30358AA & AEV30359AA I am assuming that the templates that end in "AB" are ZR2, "AA" are Bison. Also watch because the templates for RH & LH are not referenced correctly in the instructions (see above). When it come to the rear it doesn't get any better. The templates for the rear flare trim are labeled incorrectly. Template AEV30392AA says Rear RH, but it is actually for the Rear LH. The same goes for template AEV30393AA Rear LH is actually for the Rear RH. It took me a good 15-20 minutes to figure out I was trying to use the RH on the LH. Once you figure it out it's fine. You should have 3 templates for each wheel well. For those of us with a ZR2's it is easy to miss one of the templates for the front fender trim because on the AEV website they are labeled "Bison Front Fender Trim Template 2 / RH" # AEV30352AB and "Bison Front Fender Trim Template 2 / LH" # AEV30353AB" again you will see reference to "AB". As a non Bison owner I did not even think to click either of these links since they say Bison. That also to me about an hour of researching. Granted this was at 8pm so no one to call and ask for help. The reason I write this long update is to caution anyone looking to purchase or install this kit. Make sure you print everything and closely review the instructions (I now us guys hate instructions) but this is the one time you will need to review them prior to starting. Double check your templates to ensure you are working with the one you should be working with. This is my first experience with anything AEV and I am happy with the results and looking forward to installing 285"s without a rub issue but when it comes to their documentation they leave a lot to be desired and will have me looking at their competition for alternatives. Not impressed with how hard to follow the instructions were and the critical mistakes that cost a lot of time researching and not installing.
I can confirm everything Landon wrote here, take the time to mark the instructions and templates with the correct file name and side. When you get the instructions straight it's a fairly easy job.
That was entertaining to watch, thank you! I've been watching almost your entire zr2 playlist tonight. I can't wait until you break and decide to do the high mark flares later hahaha
Great video pal. I'm beginning to wonder if this was just a ploy by AEV to get everyone to buy the high marks after these look si janky. I'm gonna cut my flares on a bandsaw and soend some time with a de-burr tool. Hopefully they won't look geto then. Kinda ticked that I already cut metal on my brand new truck. You would think that a company like AEV would spend more time creating a solid product with good instructions.
Probably should've just went with the highmark flares. That's what I did with my truck at least because once you go 33s you end up going 34s, and then 35s ect. Buy once cry once
After seeing this I’m holding off... that’s janky and in my book bad design... AEV.. needs to just design a new flare with all that molded in ?? I’d buy that first. Great video ! Good to see a detailed install.
Thanks for the honest review. I also don't want the Highmarks but for me it is mainly a cost thing (when considering the kit, more expensive tires, and really it'll need a regear at that point with a speedo recal). What is your opinion on the final install with respect to sealing the well area -- would this help or hurt vs. stock for those of us living in the snow belt that see slush and salt on the roads? Thanks!
I do see salt where I live. That being said, other than the potential for rust where you cut the factory metal, I don't see an increase or decrease in protection from salt/slush. I get it about the bigger tires. I only want 33s because I don't plan on re-gearing, at least at this point in time.
@@matt13ross A year ish later - any additional info on how the kit held together? Winter crud accumulation? Planning for this in the spring now, thanks.
I put a 1.5 level kit on my 22 zr2 and run 33 x 10.5 with no cutting no rubbing..not chit...don't cut your truck run the factory rims and don't trip on spacers. You go to 35s and you need to gear for that. 33. Is the max or run a 285/70...don't cut your truck up yall
AEV dropped the ball big time with this kit. I bought the kit but after watching this, I don't even think I want to mess with it. My 32's have taken me up any trail I wanted to go and don't rub at full flex. 33's would give me what, a half inch more clearance? It just doesn't seem worth the headache.
Hey man, just curious if you have tested to see if your rear back part that you opted to not trim has rubbed at all with those new wheels/tires? I am having a shop install this soon and may have them skip out on that as well...
So is the trimming in the back more for the 35’s? Everything I’ve read for 33’s just had that bit of trimming in the front, and not as much as that for that matter.
So I see you got a Colorado zr2, I got a regular Colorado wt, I’ve been wanting to put some 33s on it. I saw that you said with the aev fender flair kit you’d be able to fit 35s or with the trim kit you can fit some 33s. Since I got a Colorado wt, would I still need to put a leveling kit and the trim kit to put some 33s
I mounted 283/70 17 on Method wheels. I knew they would rub when I install them. I did the 420 Motors fender trim on the front. The rear wheels didn’t seem to rub. I did some rock crawling and tore off the left side rear fender flare. Decided to get there AEV trim kit. I figured by now they would have the bugs worked out of the kit. The only bug they had worked out was they printed the templates for you. Still miss labeled the template. Still horrible instructions. Without your video I don’t think I would’ve been able to do the rear finder trim. Don’t plan on doing the front fender kit. Not impressed with AEV.
I’m disappointed with what I’m seeing as AEV is the literal company Chevy went to for the Bison. Chalk it up to this kit not really being a hard part? Maybe they, being experts, designed the instructions, or lack thereof l, for experts? I’ll wager they offer better instructions with included templates soon. I will say I’m expecting great skid plates from AEV when they arrive. My diff skid is absolutely perfect. I will also order an AEV rear Bison bumper. I’ve seen quality in their actual parts.
The AEV Skids are an A+ but the instructions assume a lot. Some of us need it broken down Barney style. Not all of us have a full garage. I install a lot of stuff in my parking lot. Some included drill hole templates would have been nice as well. I missed my hole on the transfercase crossmember, pissed me off. I’m not going to do this kit because of the instructions. I’ll do the @420Motors trim if anything or just run 275 or 265/70.
