TBYODA Build - 2008 Chevy Trailblazer

[TBYODA]

I picked up my 2008 Trailblazer in March 22, 2013 with 62k+ on the clock, just few days after my birth day.

Googled TB mods found Traivoy, then after some reading found GMTNation.com then offroadTB.com after about one week of lurking, all the while thinking to myself boy what goldmine of information here , signed right up and made a donation.
Now for the 1000 dollar question what is my "mission", well as most in the beginning not really sure just wanted to get on the trails. After much reading, talking and soul searching. here is what I want a DD that is a very capable offroad SUV were I can explore the back trails and camp with friends and family. As with all things this could evolve into something more only time will tell.

Today

Suspension/Drivetrain Modifications
Goodyear MTR with Kevlar LT285/75R16
Mark's 6x5 to 6x5.5 wheel Adapters

Front
Front Diff 4.10 gears
Cheap AWD Sleeve conversion
RadFlo's front Suspension Lift @ 2.5" screw thread which is about 3" lift with our platform.

Rear
SS Axle 4.10 gears G86 LSD
Z71 rear springs
2" rear spring spacer
Skyjacker rear shocks N8030
Rear Sway bar deleted

Exterior Modifications
MDB LT non-BL bumper
Oil pan skid plate Here
Custom made RAD Skid Plate made by V7Guy
Hitch mounted tire Carrier
Improvised "Trasharoo" on the Spare Tire from a old frame back pack
Surco S5060 50 x 60 Safari Rack

Electrical Modifications
CB & Antenna Little Wil Wilson CB Magnet Mount Why not a fire stick.. to be different. If I get roof rack will have to get a firestick.. this was easier right now.
iPad Mounted with a RAM mount with the following applications
1. Off network Topo Maps
2. Dash cam
3. Scan tool using ELM327 WIFI & OBD Fusion on iPhone Dash Commander
2 - 4" square LED work lights (1550 lumens) mounted on rear roof basket, hooked to a 3 way switch. reverse - off - work
43" LED light bar (20K lumens) mounted on front roof basket

Engine Modifications
Resonator Delete
B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler with a Hayden Automotive 397 Transmission Line Fitting Kit
Transmission Temperature Gauge via old android phone and torque app
PCM of NC Tune: 92 octane, 33" tires, 4.10 gears, no towing, shift firmness 2 at stock shift points, TCC PMW % at 90% to keep TC locked on highway.


Interior Modifications
None

Recovery Equipment
Smittybilt 29312B Receiver Hitch D-Ring with 3/4-Inch Shackle
Wheeler’s Recovery Strap 3"x20'
Tow strap 2"x20
Hooked tow strap 2"x20'
Hi-Lift Jack HL484 48" Hi-Lift Black Cast and Steel Jack
Hi-Lift Lift-Mate (LM-100)
D-Ring
Shovel

Non Trail Related Mods
Hood Bug deflector
Window vents
Scrubber Wiper bladed.. thanks JD for finding these.

Future Mods
Rear steel bumper with swing out

[TBYODA]

Installed my long a waited Radflo's. I did not adjust them at all yet. The screw thread is at 1 3/4" and 1.75" higher at fender from stock with 245/65r17. The ride is so much better not as stiff as I thought they would be with stock tires.

Before 32 3/4" sorry for the bury picture

After 34 1/2", gained 1 3/4" from stock

[TBYODA]

I got a great deal on some new to me lift parts from a fellow member, Rad & oil Skids, Z71 springs, 2" rear spring spaces, Mark's 6x5" wheel spacers and five stock 16" wheels and Guard dog tires. One still new thread and four about half used. Boy do they hum! So the other day I set to install the lift with the help of my son Nick. We had some trouble muscling in the Z71 spring and 2" spacers until I noticed we were fighting the rear sway bar connections. Once I remove the connection it was very easy. I started off adjusting the Radflo's with everything connected other than the tires. Not the smartest move. Found removing the upper ball join and moving out of the way may it very easy along with spraying the crap out of the treads with PB blast.

I adjusted them to 2.5" for now, not sure if I will go higher down the road but I am happy with the out come.

fender to centr of wheel.JPG (19.11 KiB) Viewed 25911 times

[TBYODA]

Installed my tranny cooler last Friday. I used a B & M SuperCooler # 70268 along with a Hayden transmission line fitting kit so I would not have to cut the lines.

B & M SuperCooler

Hayden transmission line fitting kit


Before


After
Note: I did put some electrical tape over the clip because I forgot remove the little plastic retainer.

[TBYODA]

Got a Ram mount to be able to use my iPad for a off network Topo maps, dash cam and a monitor TB via. ELM327. Will only be use when on the trail.

[TBYODA]

Got my new to me radiator & oil skids on tonight with my factory tow hooks. Followed MDB suggestion on modding the radiator skid since previous owner had steel a bumper. Thanks Mike for the pointers.

[TBYODA]

Reused a old frame backpack as a "Trasharoo" worked great for trash. Cut out the middle and put in a trash bag in it then ratchet strapped to tire carrier.

[TBYODA]

Got a Ram mount to be able to use my iPad for a off network Topo maps, dash cam and a monitor TB via. ELM327. Will only be use when on the trail.

After a weekend of wheeling I really did not like the ipad blocking so much of the view in the middle of the window. Something had to be done. I had some PanaVise hardware laying around from discarded car phone mounts from work. Little bit of swapping around and I think I have much better set up. No mods needed to either hardware.

[TBYODA]

Installed some off-road lights and trimmed the bumper.

[TBYODA]

When not on the trial I have had my spare tire in the back mounted vertically on the left side using the tie downs with two ratchet straps. This was working ok for the most part unless the back seat needed to be down and it would fall over. I needed a better way. So looking around under the back seat I found that one of the seat supports had a hole in it that the hook of the ratchet strap fit in.



Ran the strap under the back cover.



Installed small D bracket on the rear pillar.



Cut out some plastic.


Took three straps to keep it from moving when the back seat is down but it is working good.

[TBYODA]

I had a small project that I have been working on and off for the last couple weeks. I picked up this Surco S5060 50 x 60 Safari Rack for dirt cheap ($70) off CL.
BTW the distance between the two inter screws mounted on the channel on the inside of the basket is exactly the width of your stock rails. Thank you Roadie and Alex G when google searching .

I bought a qt of Rust-oleum Hammered black and went to town on the basket. I figured if I brushed it on it would be a thicker coat. We will see how it holds up.

I also decided to mount my hi-lift to the basket and made some brackets out of aluminum flat stock. To mount the Hi-lift I used 1/2" galvanized hardware.

[TBYODA]

Been awhile since I updated my build. Had a few projects at the end of 2015 and in 2016. First I never liked that my spare tire blocked the view out the rear view mirror. Final plan is a steel rear bumper with swing out but until then let the third tire carrier rebuild start.

Version 1

Test fit hmm looks to low

We have problem

Oops that not gonna work

Version 2
mock up

New steel

Final Version 3

[TBYODA]

That's the ticket!

[TBYODA]

The first project of 2016 in the middle of winter was a MDB LT non-body lift front bumper kit.

I do want to say many thanks to Mr. Barton for answering the numerous questions along with help on mistakes from the newbie fabricator that I am.

[TBYODA]

As luck would have it while surfing Craigslist I stumbled on a SS part out about 1.5 hours from me. Hand him $250 for the axle and off I went. Score!!!

\

I followed HARDTRAILZ SS axle build as many other have. Thank you and any other for pioneering the swap.

Parts list
1 SS axle of your choice, preferably low miles. mine had about 75k Score!
1 Moog 447 (or equivalent) U-joint adapter for drive shaft at rear joint
1 Moog 492-10 clamp kit
1 shortened steel drive shaft by 1.5", YMMV with rear adjustable control arms, measure 3 times, cut & balanced DS once.
2 axle seals ACDelco 291-315
2 wheel bearing ACDelco RW2010. (I did not replace mine as they looked good)

Out with the old 8.0 3.42 axle

In with the SS axle

[TBYODA]

Got a great deal on some Goodyear MTR LT286/75R16 & some Pro Comp series 51 wheels from Moots1288 that I could not pass up. Needed to do some fender trimming but thanks to my good buddy Jason V7guy it was done in short order. I was unsure of the wider stance but now that I have the wheels and tires on I am digging them.