Pushing the Limits of the Colorado Platform

If you’ve ever seen a bright yellow Chevrolet Colorado crawling over rock ledges with a genuine school bus stop sign swinging out, chances are it belongs to Philip Laba. His 2018 Colorado Z71, affectionately known as The Magic School Bus, is far from your average mid-size pickup. What started as a simple way to haul mountain bikes has evolved over seven years into a full-fledged adventure rig capable of camping, crawling, and tackling thousands of miles of backcountry road.

Philip’s approach wasn’t one of instant gratification. As a college student and engineering mind, he approached each modification with research and restraint, balancing capability with budget. The current result? Over $41,000 invested in modifications, and a truck that’s still evolving.

At the heart of the build is the factory 3.6L V-6, tuned with a Trifecta Advantage+ flash to squeeze out a bit more power. The drivetrain remains mostly OEM, with the exception of an Adams custom rear driveshaft with a Spicer 1350 snap-fit U-joint. The factory locking differentials and 4.10 gearing, borrowed from the ZR2 platform, keep it planted in low-traction conditions.

Suspension-wise, the Colorado runs King 2.5-inch coilovers with compression adjusters up front, paired with 600-lb springs. The rear is supported by Deaver M66 Expedition Pack leaf springs and matched King shocks. The suspension swap includes ZR2 coilovers and a full ZR2 component integration. Dirt King limit straps and locking alignment pins round out the front, while a custom rear limit strap bracket fabricated by Weapons Grade Fabrication keeps the suspension secure.

Frame integrity is boosted with 589 Fabrication frame stiffeners and subframe support, and underbody protection is extensive—AEV skid plates on major components, Relentless Fab on the engine, Rago for shock skids, and All-Pro Off-Road for rock sliders.

The exterior is just as calculated. A Relentless Hybrid front bumper houses a Warn Evo 8-S winch and Baja Designs amber Squadrons. The rear bumper is a custom swing-out from Weapons Grade Fabrication. High-clearance is handled by AEV HighMark fender flares, allowing for ample fitment of 35×12.5R17 Falken Wildpeak R/Ts mounted on Tremor 104 Aftershock wheels. Lighting continues with a Diode Dynamics 30-inch bar up front, Baja Designs rock lights, and amber Squadrons on the rear corners.

Storage and camping gear also get their due. A Cali Raised low-profile bed rack supports a Darche 1400 soft shell rooftop tent, with Valhalla Off-Road molle panels and Roam Adventure Co. cases mounted via Sherpa systems. Inside the bed lives a YETI 45-qt cooler, a MORRFlate quad hose system, and an 8-gallon rain basin. The rig even features a switch-activated stop sign that swings out like the real thing—a nod to the theme, and a show-stopping feature at events.

Inside, the OEM seats and gauges remain, but the cabin gets major aesthetic upgrades. The custom Alcantara starlight headliner and visors bring some luxury to the trail. Rear seat delete panels from Blue Ridge Overland house molle panels, and an Auxbeam 8-button switch panel controls lighting and accessories.

Philip hasn’t just modded this truck to look the part—he has tested it. The Colorado has made it through Hell’s Revenge in Moab, Firebreak Trail in Oregon, Holcomb Valley in SoCal—plus over 7,000 miles in back-to-back multi-week road trips around the western United States. Phillip has future plans to take on Black Bear, Imogene, and the Rubicon next.

But what makes this build stand out isn’t just the mods—it’s the mentality. Philip has learned that chasing deals and cutting corners only leads to frustration. He has learned to plan, to invest once in quality components, and to build with purpose in mind. It’s not just about looking cool. It’s about capability, longevity, and making it your own.

That approach, and the fact that this platform hasn’t been widely supported in the aftermarket, makes The Magic School Bus a one-of-a-kind rig. And while there are plenty of ideas on deck—portal axles, long-travel, flatbed swaps—it already does what it was built to do. This truck goes the distance, grabs attention, and represents the potential of an often-overlooked platform.

UPGRADES

The Magic School Bus

Owner:

Philip Laba

Location: Moorpark, CA

Year/Make/Model: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Z71

Color: OEM Wheatland Yellow

Engine & Drivetrain: Engine: 3.6L V-6 with Trifecta Advantage+ tune, Transmission: OEM M5T, Transfer Case: OEM, Driveshaft: Adams, Spicer 1350 U-joint,                         Axles: OEM with ZR2 lockers, Gearing: 4.10 front and rear

Suspension & Frame: Front: King 2.5 coilovers with 600-lb springs, compression adjusters, Rear: Deaver M66 Expedition leaf pack, King shocks with adjusters, Limit Straps: Dirt King, Frame Stiffeners: 589 Fabrication, Skids: AEV, Relentless, Rago, All-Pro Off-Road

Wheels & Tires: Wheels: 17×8.5 Tremor 104 Aftershock wheels, Tires: 35×12.5R17 Falken Wildpeak R/T tires

Armor & Exterior: Front Bumper: Relentless Hybrid with Warn Evo 8-S winch, Rear Bumper: Custom swing-out by Weapons Grade Fabrication, Fender Flares: AEV HighMark, Lights: Diode Dynamics, Baja Designs, OEM Coplus amber LED headlights, Bed & Roof: Valhalla molle, Cali Raised rack, Darche RTT, Prinsu roof rack

Interior: Headliner: Custom Alcantara starlight,        Rear: Blue Ridge Overland seat delete, molle panels, Auxbeam 8-switch panel, Interior Paint: Color-matched accents, black pillars

Notable Features: Stop sign activation switch,          Multi-week, cross-state road trips, Trails: Hell’s Revenge, Firebreak, Holcomb Valley, Events: GM Calico Run, Rodeo X Rigs