Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Teebes' Build - 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Vehicles posted here have shown that they are not only capable of traversing very rough terrain, but also capable of doing so for extended overland trips.

Moderator: navigator

by teebes » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:48 am

Current setup:
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Suspension Modifications:
* Toyo Open Country MT, T285/75-16 tires (33.0")
* 16"X8", 6X5.5" stud pattern
* Readylift 2" front (outside the strut) lift
* Tahoe Z71 rear springs
* Airlift1000 rear coil bags #60769
* Airlift on-board compressor with custom control/gauge
* BDS rear hydraulic shocks
* BDS 2" body lift
* 1.5" billet aluminum wheel spacers/adapters to get the 6X5.5" stud pattern

Exterior Modifications:
* Flexy Flares model 52-170 (front and rear)
* Redline Hood Lift struts
* Surco Safari roof rack with offroad lights (not currently in use)
* Smittybilt bumper designed for a 07 Jeep JK via custom welded on frame mounts with dual recovery locations
* Smittybilt winch, XRC8 with 100ft synthetic rope
* Hi-Lift mounts on the front bumper
* Pull-pal mount on the front bumper
* Kragen 7" HID lights on the front bumper
* Factory gas tank and radiator skid shields
* Mike's Trailvoy Armory STEEL oil pan skid plate
* Custom rock sliders (chromoly tubing, spray rattle paint)
* Purple Cranium Spider diff protection
* Off the shelf transmission cooler plumbed inline to the existing unit

Engine Modifications:
* K&N CAI intake
* PCMforless tune
* Magnaflow exhaust
* Resonator has been hacked off

Interior / Electrical Modifications:
* Pioneer Avic Z1 radio/gps
* Fire extinguishers (2)
* Two First Aid kits
* National Luna Dual battery smart isolator with dual battery monitor guage
* Optima Red Top (Primary battery, under the hood)
* Optima Yellow Top (Secondary battery, runs all 'offroad' circuits)
* Coolman electro cooler for drinks and non fridge related items
* Custom dual drawer storage unit for tools and miscellaneous gadgets
* Rebadged Extreme Air 100% duty compressor
* Two strategically located 'offroad' circuit fuse blocks
* Scanguage II

Communications:
* Cobra 75 WXST CB
* Lil' Wil magnetic CB antenna
* Yaesu Ft-8900R (11.21.09)
* Diamond dual band antenna nr770hb


Recovery Equipment:
* Hi-Lift Recovery Jack and misc accessories
* Generic tire patch kit (used heavily growing up)
* Pull-Pal winch anchor - 11000# rating
* Smittybilt XRC 8K winch w/ synthetic rope
* (2) Snatch block (ARB 17K & smittybilt 9k)
* (5) shackles
* Numerous recovery straps
* 35ft 3/8 master pull synthetic rope extension

Offroad Trailer:
* 2002 Conqueror Compact (South African origin)
* Toyo Open Country MT, LT285/75/R16 (33s)
* Dual 19gl water tanks, plummed together via quick disconnects
* Surflo water pump, on demand
* Stock roof top tent with integrated changing room
* Edgestar 43qt 12v fridge
* Odyssey battery
* AT Max Coupler / Receiver

Future mods to come (some short term, others long term):
* Custom rear bumper, dual swing for spare tire and aux fuel canisters
* Custom rear 'adjustable' lower/upper control arms
* Upgraded rear axle w/ arb air locker
* SFA swap and upgrade gears to 4.56 (no higher, for now)
* Aux fuel tank (will simply pump into oem tank)
User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:52 am

The early days... Completely stock, still has the dealer sticker on it, new-to-me '02 4x4. Look how shiny and clean it was. This pic was my first trip out to the desert to test out the 4wd :drive:

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The first little hill I was happy to conqueror. Hehehe

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A couple weeks later, first trip out w/ Mr. Roadie:

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Hehe.. Stock pose shot:

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First upgrades
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Time for a lift and tires:

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Got Mud? I'm still cleaning mud from under my rig to this very day:
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User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:58 am

Borrowing Roadie's tire carrier for a desert trip:

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So far 2" BDS suspension kit is on. 2" BDS body lift. 33" tires. Used surco roof rack. Extra lights upfront.

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Rear diff protector goes on. Z71 rear springs along with aiflift bags. For rear shocks still running BDS gas shocks.

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User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:01 am

Sporting Mike's new aluminum oil pan skidplate:
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Rock sliders. Getting serious now :friday: These were custom fab'd and installed a mere week before our Rubicon and Eastern Sierra trip:
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One of my all time favorite trail pics. Speed sitting shot gun with my dirt bike on the joe hauler:
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User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:05 am

Frontal protection and recovery:

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Upgraded lights, again. Sporting the kragen special 7" HIDs. Relocated the hilift upfront as I was tired of the roof rack. New overall look:

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Major new addition to the family. Conqueror Compact offroad trailer:
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Officially turning into an expo type rig. I was specifically looking for more comfort during quick and long trips. Not to mention, this greatly reduces prep time as 90% of goods are preloaded and ready at anytime :woot:
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User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:14 pm

Trailer updates.

2" custom block lift on the trailer along with some 33" rubber. :cheers: It's finally sitting level and the trailer boasts more clearance then the truck :poke:

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User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by teebes » Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:09 pm

The final goodies arrived this past Friday for my disconnectable rear power (36ft monster power cable, 4 gauge). Results:

On the truck side:
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On the trailer side:
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I didn't have large enough split-coil, so that will be added before my trip.
User avatar
teebes
Founder
 
Posts: 1052
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:05 am
Location: CA, San Diego
Name: Teebes
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated


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