Post by fishsticks on Jun 20, 2011 0:24:29 GMT -5
I see all of the detailed build threads on the sites around here and feel pretty lazy for not joining in. So let's fix that. Here's how I made a TrailBlazer that started with 8" of ground clearance climb over stuff.
I owned a 71 K5 a ways back that I wheeled a little bit, but I didn't have it for very long. So this is my first build. All of this was done in my driveway, and some of this stuff was a "Hmm, will this work? Let's try." kinda deal. So far so good.
Front End:
-Rough Country 2" levelling kit (replaces the lame rubber shock mount that pulls through)
-GM PN 15125888 coils (from 7 passenger V8 TrailBlazers, stiffer, 1.5"ish lift)
-Bilstein HD shocks
-Swaybar = gone (woo! flex!)
-Upper control arms flipped over and switched side to side (fixes upper ball joint angle problem with IFS)
-1.3" wheel spacers (helps tires clear upper ball joint)
-Modded steering stops (To stop breaking CV axles. I still have a ridiculously tight turning radius)
-Steering is the stock rack and pinion. I carry trail spares for everything except the rack itself. I haven't had to use any yet.
Rear End:
-2" coil spacers
-GM PN 15234633 coils (from 07+ Tahoe, stiffer, 1.5"ish lift)
-Swaybar = gone (woah, lots of flex!)
-BDS 55619 rear shocks (2.5" longer, basically 4" lift Tahoe shocks with a different hardware kit)
-TeraFlex TJ lower shock relocation brackets (a little more extension, and fixes problem with drive shock body rubbing on panhard mount)
Axles:
-Rear: Stock 8" blew a hole in the cover on FB5 last Sept (my first outing) when the Gov-Bomb exploded (surprise!). Replaced with 8.6" 10 bolt from 7 passenger TrailBlazer. Read a lot, bought some tools and set up my own gears (4.56) and put a lunchbox locker in.
-Front: 7.25" Aluminum clamshell IFS thing. Also did gears and locker in it. Holding up to 35's and a fair amount of abuse so far. Fingers crossed. Also replaced that stupid axle disconnect thing on the other side (like stock S10s) with a one piece unit from a Bravada.
Motor:
-Mostly stock 4.2L inline 6. 270hp/275tq factory. Intake/exhaust and a PCM tune only.
Trans/TC:
-Stock 4L60e trans and NVG226 TC (2.7:1 low range).
Exterior:
-Custom front bumper with HF 8000lb winch. (Mad welding skillz)
-Custom swingout rear tire carrier
-Front armor from MDB Fab. He does TrailBlazer specific stuff.
-3" body lift from Mark McMaster... a member on another TrailBlazer forum. Currently out of production.
-Trailgear 78" weld-on rock sliders for Xtracab Tacos (shortened 2")
-A bunch of lights.
-35s.
Other stuff:
On board air (self-built)
LOTS of tools (I can disassemble the entire truck at camp)
LOTS of trail spares
Dents
Scratches
Herculiner
TO DO:
-MORE FRONT DOWNTRAVEL! I either need to fashion my own IFS drop (none are made) or cut the whole mess off and go D44 (lots of work/money).
-More armor. I'm well armored to the back of the motor. The trans pan/TC only have the crossmember and the gas tank is pretty exposed. My crossmember/frame rails are showing signs of abuse.
-More skillz. I'm still relatively new to wheelin. I'm pretty sure the truck is ahead of me in ability.
PICS:
Stock:
Recent:
Vid of me NOT breaking on FB5:
Updates as they come. Comments, suggestions and criticism welcome. I'm a big boy I can take it.
I owned a 71 K5 a ways back that I wheeled a little bit, but I didn't have it for very long. So this is my first build. All of this was done in my driveway, and some of this stuff was a "Hmm, will this work? Let's try." kinda deal. So far so good.
Front End:
-Rough Country 2" levelling kit (replaces the lame rubber shock mount that pulls through)
-GM PN 15125888 coils (from 7 passenger V8 TrailBlazers, stiffer, 1.5"ish lift)
-Bilstein HD shocks
-Swaybar = gone (woo! flex!)
-Upper control arms flipped over and switched side to side (fixes upper ball joint angle problem with IFS)
-1.3" wheel spacers (helps tires clear upper ball joint)
-Modded steering stops (To stop breaking CV axles. I still have a ridiculously tight turning radius)
-Steering is the stock rack and pinion. I carry trail spares for everything except the rack itself. I haven't had to use any yet.
Rear End:
-2" coil spacers
-GM PN 15234633 coils (from 07+ Tahoe, stiffer, 1.5"ish lift)
-Swaybar = gone (woah, lots of flex!)
-BDS 55619 rear shocks (2.5" longer, basically 4" lift Tahoe shocks with a different hardware kit)
-TeraFlex TJ lower shock relocation brackets (a little more extension, and fixes problem with drive shock body rubbing on panhard mount)
Axles:
-Rear: Stock 8" blew a hole in the cover on FB5 last Sept (my first outing) when the Gov-Bomb exploded (surprise!). Replaced with 8.6" 10 bolt from 7 passenger TrailBlazer. Read a lot, bought some tools and set up my own gears (4.56) and put a lunchbox locker in.
-Front: 7.25" Aluminum clamshell IFS thing. Also did gears and locker in it. Holding up to 35's and a fair amount of abuse so far. Fingers crossed. Also replaced that stupid axle disconnect thing on the other side (like stock S10s) with a one piece unit from a Bravada.
Motor:
-Mostly stock 4.2L inline 6. 270hp/275tq factory. Intake/exhaust and a PCM tune only.
Trans/TC:
-Stock 4L60e trans and NVG226 TC (2.7:1 low range).
Exterior:
-Custom front bumper with HF 8000lb winch. (Mad welding skillz)
-Custom swingout rear tire carrier
-Front armor from MDB Fab. He does TrailBlazer specific stuff.
-3" body lift from Mark McMaster... a member on another TrailBlazer forum. Currently out of production.
-Trailgear 78" weld-on rock sliders for Xtracab Tacos (shortened 2")
-A bunch of lights.
-35s.
Other stuff:
On board air (self-built)
LOTS of tools (I can disassemble the entire truck at camp)
LOTS of trail spares
Dents
Scratches
Herculiner
TO DO:
-MORE FRONT DOWNTRAVEL! I either need to fashion my own IFS drop (none are made) or cut the whole mess off and go D44 (lots of work/money).
-More armor. I'm well armored to the back of the motor. The trans pan/TC only have the crossmember and the gas tank is pretty exposed. My crossmember/frame rails are showing signs of abuse.
-More skillz. I'm still relatively new to wheelin. I'm pretty sure the truck is ahead of me in ability.
PICS:
Stock:
Recent:
Vid of me NOT breaking on FB5:
Updates as they come. Comments, suggestions and criticism welcome. I'm a big boy I can take it.