0RESET0's Build - 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer

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Year Make Model:
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT LT

Drivetrain Specs:
4.2L I6 GU6,G80 4x4

Suspension Modifications:
3" lift and wheel spacers from LiftMeister
Bilstein 33-185552 shocks for the rear
Bilstein 24-103336 shocks for the front

Exterior Modifications:
Removed running boards
255-75-17 Treadwrite Guard Dog M/T on BFG M/T carcases

Engine Modifications:
None

Interior Modifications:
None

Recovery Equipment:
None

Electrical Modifications:
None

[0RESET0]

Not much has happened with my build yet. I finally ordered new tires and lift stuff a few weeks ago. The shocks are scheduled to come in tomorrow so I hope to get the lift installed and everything back together this weekend.
Here is what I ordered:
255/75R17 Treadwright Guard Dogs on BFG M/T Carcasses

3" lift and wheel spacers from LiftMeister


Bilstein 33-185552 shocks for the rear

Bilstein 24-103336 shocks for the front

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Shocks came in today so I started on the install. Got the front shock assemblies removed and the upper control arms flipped. Will have the shocks swapped out of the front assemblies and the spacers installed tomorrow morning then get the front back on the ground so I can start on the rear. Should have it all done by tomorrow night. I think I am going to remove the spare and the resonator while I am under there.

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I got everything done except mounting the new tires and the alignment. Will have to drive it to work this way Monday and get the rest done on the way home.



I had to remove the cross bars from the roof rack to get it back in the garage. Once the tires are on, it may not fit. The rest of the rack will come off eventually but I think it will winter this way. I may be able to get another inch of height out of the garage door, will have to see.
Oh, and thanks Mark.

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All done. Ended up with about 5" lift in the front and 4" in the rear.
Front

Rear

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Went out to a lake community near by that has some challenging "roads" today. A few of them would be rated 2 to 2.5. A couple nice steap hill climbs with deep ruts and lots of sand stone protrusions. I did everything in 2WD with the help of the G80. One last spot on the way out of the neighborhood got the better of me. The transition between one road and another was a deep washout. Dipped the front in nice and controlled as to not burry the bumper cover in the other side. Once down in it I decided to exit to the left to flex it out a bit. Still in 2WD I walked right out of it. I circled around to do it again and have my girlfriend get some video. I let her out and took a line just two inches to the left of the last line. Dipped the front wheels in again and promptly got stuck. The new line offered a spot in the wash that was a perfect radius match for my 32s. No going back and no forward either. While I contemplated my fate a neighbor drove by and offered to pull me out. He went around the block and we used his truck and my tow strap to give my truck the extra oomph it needed to back out.

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Looks like I get to see what the inside of a front axle disconnect looks like. I was curious as to why I could not drive out of that ditch. I put the truck in 4wd and drove it around a bit to get the front to engage. I then parked it and jacked up the passenger front corner. The wheel rotates with only a small resistance every few degrees. It worked fine a few days ago so I think I killed it in that ditch. I normally wheel in 2wd and only use 4wd when I get stuck. I think this time that worked against me because the two front tires could not rotate freely for the disconnect to engage. I think one of the times that I pulsed the gas while stuck either partially engaged the sleeve and then busted teeth off or it broke the fork.

I think my course of action will be to pick up a used unit and rebuild it, new seals and bearings. I need to be able to just swap out the unit rather than tear everything apart just to find out what is wrong with it.