Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

What did you do to your GMT today?

Trailblazer and Envoy related, but not off-road related...

by galacticfuzz » Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:42 pm

Eredin wrote:Looks like one of the Amazon bars. Buddy just picked a 30" up for his truck and so far so good, no moisture and appears durable.

I like yours though and those brackets are very nice!

Mind grabbing a front shot, like to see how it looks. I want to do this eventually, but our trails have a ton of low hangers, so I'm afraid I'd just shatter one. I think I'll be stuck trying something hood mounted or grill/bumper mounted.

Also, replaced my 4WD actuator last night with the Dorman replacement unit, original one got weak and wouldn't engage, stuck me in sand last time on the trails.

ImageImage
In comparison, the bars that are going across are one inch.
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by Norcrosski » Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:48 pm

Did something very similar to hardtrailz roof rack and mounted a 40 amazon bar
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by Trail X » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:09 pm

Looks great Drew. I like the brackets you designed too. Very form-meets-function. Agree that we need more pics.
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by Eredin » Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:07 pm

Ah, that looks so good! Thanks for the pics!

I kept reading on the back orders for the sleeve and didn't want to wait. New actuator is working for now, should buy plenty of time to dig up a sleeve. Another reason I wanted to avoid it right now is my TC doesn't want to stay locked up, comes out with little effort. The less resistance the better at the moment. I plan to replace the TC once I can afford the 4.10 swap next year.
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by galacticfuzz » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:21 pm

Here are the images from Inventor showing the bracket a little better. I also included the mounting point that fits securely inside of the roof rail, the raised squares fit between the upper channel opening, to help keep them from sliding side to side during installation.
Image
Image
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This is a stress analysis of the bracket with a simulated 150 lb load going forward and slightly down in the light mounting hole to determine the structural integrity of the bracket. I determined that it would be acceptable even though the mounting hole would need to be bored out slightly for the mounting hardware.
Image

I will get more on-vehicle pics this weekend.
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by Trail X » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:18 pm

At this point, start a new thread somewhere to serve as a good discussion point. We need more cool stuff like this to discuss.
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by BC backroader » Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:22 am

Added some more recovery/safety gear to the cargo area.

Large heavy duty tow strap

Scissors jack from GM 2500

Jumper cables

1L each oil, trans. fluid, brake fluid
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by BC backroader » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:37 pm

Took it for oil change, lube, & filter this AM, then got a call from my wife at 11:30 that she'd crashed it! She's OK, but I don't know yet if the truck will be a write-off or not. If it is, I've already located a nice looking replacement, only downside is higher mileage, 50k km (30k miles) more than mine.

I'll take pics tomorrow when I go to the tow yard to get my stuff out of it.
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by Norcrosski » Sat Oct 04, 2014 10:00 pm

Glad she's alright man
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by Trail X » Sat Oct 04, 2014 10:08 pm

I hate to read that Brad. Glad it did it's job though.
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by BC backroader » Sat Oct 04, 2014 10:15 pm

Yeah, me too! She's a little shaken up and a bit sore, but no real damage. She was proud of the fact that she didn't lose her cool and break down in tears, or get angry and chew out the other (at fault) driver. Two pedestrians at the scene offered name and number as witnesses, and the insurance co. has already confirmed that I'll pay no deductable.
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by KE7WOX » Sun Oct 05, 2014 5:14 pm

BC backroader wrote:
Scissors jack from GM 2500


2500s come with a scissor jack? Might be a good addition because my stock jack is almost fully extended at a height at which I can change a tire.

Technically not today, but yesterday.

My hitch lock got seized, so I couldn't take out my D-ring shackle mount. After applying some CRC Freeze-off and some vise grips, it came out. Now I'm debating between another lock, sealed with grease or vaseline, or just a non-locking pin for the winter months.
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by Shdwdrgn » Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:29 pm

'Tis the season...

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by BC backroader » Mon Oct 06, 2014 2:12 am

KE7WOX, I think almost all GM/Chev PUs for the last couple of decades have come with a nice big sturdy scissors jack, with pretty good lift height, and a long reach crank extension.

My TB chores today consisted of removing all the gear I had stored in the truck since I bought it, and placing that in storage until my poor battered baby is either repaired or replaced. I took a couple of shots of the damage, and did a search online for available candidates for replacement, and checked one out at a dealer about 30 min. from home.
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by ErikSS » Mon Oct 06, 2014 7:19 am

That looks repairable to me.
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by Eredin » Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:41 am

As long as it didn't get the core support, should repair it. That'll probably make or break it though.
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by BC backroader » Mon Oct 06, 2014 11:49 am

Eredin, I believe it did get the rad core support, as my wife said there was a big spill on the roadway, which the tow truck driver spread kitty litter over. I didn't think to lift the hood and get a good look at the rad.
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by Eredin » Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:38 am

Frame looks okay at the bumper support, but a slight tweak could've busted the radiator tanks pretty easy, so you may get lucky. Glad everyone is okay and hope it works out for you!
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by BC backroader » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:35 pm

Thanks for your assessment, Eredin, it'll work out OK for me either way, as the Ins. Corp. will fix it if the cost doesn't exceed the truck value, or replace it if it does. so I'm good. I'm very relieved that my wife wasn't hurt, as she already has enough mobility problems with severe arthritis and a couple of bad discs.
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by Hillbillybonez » Tue Oct 07, 2014 11:06 pm

Finished up my light bar with three new Kc 6"

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