Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Tahoe/Silverado/Avalanche HD shocks on a Trailblazer?

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by johnburgelin » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:42 pm

I've got some full size chevy HD shocks available for a decent price locally. I'm wondering if the heavy duty full size shocks would be applicable to my Trailblazer. I'm pretty sure the rear's will work, but what about the fronts? Can I put front full size shocks on my trailblazer?
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by fishsticks » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:49 pm

Are you lifted? It's been discussed that full size shocks aren't well suited to lifted Trailvoys.
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by johnburgelin » Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:00 pm

I'm going to be lifted this weekend. That's why I'm looking into new shocks. I kind of assumed the full size shocks would be longer than my stock Trailblazer shocks, which is why I was looking into them. I'm putting on the markmc 2.5" lift this weekend, starting tonight :)
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by Gordinho80 » Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:03 pm

Go with the BDS 55619s or 95619s for the rear. I'm waiting on my 55619s to come in... should have them by Monday or Tuesday! :excited:
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by KE7WOX » Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:38 pm

Supposedly the Z71 rear shocks don't provide a lot of articulation and are still designed for mild offroading. I went with the BDS 55619s.
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by fishsticks » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:18 pm

KE7WOX wrote:Supposedly the Z71 rear shocks don't provide a lot of articulation and are still designed for mild offroading. I went with the BDS 55619s.



On a Z71 spring + lifted truck, you get about 1" of extension from resting height.

It makes for an interesting ride, to say the least.
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by KE7WOX » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:25 pm

Makes it easier to change a tire
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by fishsticks » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:38 pm

KE7WOX wrote:Makes it easier to change a tire



Never thought of it that way... :lol:
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by KE7WOX » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:18 pm

Yeah, as mine is right now, with a 2" BDS lift + the 55619s, using the stock bottlejack to the frame will lift the truck a lot before the tire leaves the ground, they have amazing travel.
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by irishboy02 » Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:26 pm

Yea i have the 9000 series BDS and i cant even change my rear tires with a normal jack. I actually need to jack my truck up by the axle and compress. With these, they give you full travel until about an inch shy of the spring popping out. They did their homework with this setup. And no, the spring will not pop out.

Money well spent, i highly recommend them
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by Philberto » Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:50 pm

fishsticks wrote:
KE7WOX wrote:Supposedly the Z71 rear shocks don't provide a lot of articulation and are still designed for mild offroading. I went with the BDS 55619s.



On a Z71 spring + lifted truck, you get about 1" of extension from resting height.

It makes for an interesting ride, to say the least.


Unless, of course, you have approx 500lbs of stuff in the back :poke: (My TB is so loaded that with z71 springs + MarkMC spacers it sits nearly level front to back.)
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by KE7WOX » Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:55 pm

irishboy02 wrote:Yea i have the 9000 series BDS and i cant even change my rear tires with a normal jack. I actually need to jack my truck up by the axle and compress. With these, they give you full travel until about an inch shy of the spring popping out. They did their homework with this setup. And no, the spring will not pop out.

Money well spent, i highly recommend them


Where do you place the jack? close to the diff? or right by the tire?

I haven't tried the 9000s, but the 5000s are great, haven't tried them off-road yet, but from highway observations, they have a lot of articulation, and i mean A LOT.
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by irishboy02 » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:26 pm

I chose the 9000's over the 5000's cause i see a good amount of weight towing. They have the same valving, just the 9's are built for more abuse.

It depends, sometimes under the pumpkin, sometimes just one side. But yes, iv done both
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by tbangert » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:38 pm

KE7WOX wrote:Makes it easier to change a tire


dont know about you but i like to jack up my rig from under the axle, i hate wasting time unloading suspension just to remove a tire. its gonna come off the same either way, save yourself the hassle.
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by KE7WOX » Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:10 am

tbangert wrote:
KE7WOX wrote:Makes it easier to change a tire


dont know about you but i like to jack up my rig from under the axle, i hate wasting time unloading suspension just to remove a tire. its gonna come off the same either way, save yourself the hassle.


it's easier to raise the jack tho, i was trying from the axle earlier today, and the tire iron kept hitting the exhaust thing
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