New TB, First Upgrade

[l008com]

Sup guys. First post. I just picked up a 2008 TB last month. It's a short wheelbase 5.3. No G80 though It's replacing a 2013 v6 camaro and a 1998 ZR2 Blazer (with G80). I like it so far. And even though it has far too many doors and would serve me better if it were a foot shorter, it's still a real nice truck that runs a lot more solid than the old S10 Blazers. I've never driven an inline 6, but this 5.3 v8 mine came with is an absolute beast. I get out of my truck giggling a lot. Makes me wish they made a middle of the road 5.3 V8 Camaro. But anyway....

I bought this Trailblazer in PA. Felt good on the test drive. Once I got it home to Massachusetts and our embarrassingly pathetic excuse for roads, it became very clear that it needs shocks, kinda bad. It also has 17" oem wheels with some half bald cheapy tires.

So my plan is to sell my old snow tires from the camaro, and it's HID headlights, and use that money to buy a set of OEM 18" Trailblazer wheels, some 265/60R18 Yokohama Geolandar tires, and a set of Blistein HD shocks. I have those tires in a larger size on my Blazer and i've been very happy with them. Cost, look and performance, they've been very good. I am a little nervous about them fitting, but from what I've read, this size will fit, and anything bigger will not (without mods). And I really look the look of the 18" TB wheels. I only wish they were't polished. But at least they aren't chromed. Those wheels, tires and shocks should make this thing drive way better than it already does, which isn't too shabby.

Going forward, I'd like to swap out my steering rack with one from an SS (the turning ratio on this truck is terrible) and also get a G80 installed in the rear, and if there are any available options, get a limited slip of some kind installed in the front. These upgrades may not actually happen though, we'll see how things are going in 6 months or so. I don't plan on doing any lifting. While the factory ground clearance isn't great, I don't really need that as much as I just need (want) traction.

Before I do that though, I do want to put a transmission cooler and temperature gauge in it, so I can tow in a more relaxed state But this is getting off topic.

[DirtyBacon04]

(the turning ratio on this truck is terrible)

From my experience, the SWB 360s have one of the best turning radius' in the game. Even on 3" lift with 1.5" spacers and 33" tires, I'm still impressed with this things turning radius. I'm not sure how much of a tighter corner you are wanting to carve, unless you're on a segway.

Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your plans! I like it!

[l008com]

No no i'm not complaining about the turning RADIUS, that is great. It's almost on par with my 2-Door ZR2 Blazer. My issue is with the turning RATIO... the number of times you have to turn the wheel to get the truck to turn. I've taken some very wide corners because what takes about half a turn in every other car i've owned, seems to take about 3/4 turn in this thing. It feels like you would expect the long wheelbase to turn, but its short. Sure if you turn the wheel all the way, it does turn nice and sharp. But the SS's steering rack turns the wheels about 20% faster I believe I looked up. It's an expensive upgrade so it may never happen. But that would be pretty slick.

One thing I like about these trucks is the same thing I liked about the S10s, they came in enough varieties over the years that, now that they are old, you can really mix and match parts and build a truck thats totally optimal to you. I just wish I could have gotten it with a manual transmission! I've been driving a sports car as my daily driver since 2004, this trailblazer is going to be my first automatic daily driver since then. I'm going to miss changing gears.

[BC backroader]

In your search for a G80 rear end, try to find one from the extended wheelbase model, and swap in the whole axle assembly, as it's no harder than just changing out the diff, and gives you a bigger, beefier unit, 8.6" vs 8". While you have the axle out, find a set of Z71 Tahoe springs for it, and install new extended shocks, since you need to replace yours anyway. The Tahoe springs give a slight lift, and firm the ride nicely.

[l008com]

Don't I already have the 8.6" rear end, since I have the V8?

[BC backroader]

That's possible, as I've never checked the specs on a 5.3 model, most of our trucks are 4.2 I6, with the shorties having the 8" rear. If you're already 8.6", then you're good, and ignore the advice of the doddering old guy here.

[DirtyBacon04]

If you've got the V8, then you have the 8.6 already!
And in response to the radius/ratio comments...

[Jrgunn5150]

You do indeed have the 8.6, I also have a short 5.3. You're lucky to not have the G80, it means you can get actual rear diffs, I'm stuck until I source a whole open carrier.

Also, last I knew, they no longer make anything for the front diff, which is the same one used in the S10.

[Anthony Hernandez]

Hahaha bacon... And yes they make a LSD for our front.

[bartonmd]

Yep, lunchbox locker for the rear!

[Jrgunn5150]

Hahaha bacon... And yes they make a LSD for our front.

Who? Where? Inquiring minds need to know!

[Anthony Hernandez]

https://www.google.com/search?q=EP-LSD+ ... al&spell=1

[Jrgunn5150]

He's only listing it for FWD car's, and those links are all several years old. I wonder if he's even still in business at all, I shot him an email.

http://www.engineered.net/eplsd.htm

Last I knew the only one's making anything were Lockrite, and they had also discontinued theirs, I couldnt even get a engineering or display model out of them.

[v7guy]

In reading around on various forums he's apparently had them in a number of AWD vehicles as well. Not a ton of info out there on it though.

[Jrgunn5150]

There's a little info on some of the S10's boards, it's old. I don't expect an email reply before MOnday lol. It's worth a shot, since I missed the lockrite bus.

[v7guy]

there's also some info on some grand prix forums if I remember correctly

[HARDTRAILZ]

$599 w exchange is a bit stif

[Jrgunn5150]

$599 w exchange is a bit stif

I'd have to agree, slightly... I would be happier if it were a true locker, but I bet since he's building them he can set it pretty tight.

I still haven't received a reply.