New to the forum and love car camping in my Trailblazer

[robmcbryde]

Looking for ways to hack my TB to make it a better camping vehicle. I wish is were 4wd, but alas I have to work with what I've got.

I look forward to checking out the posts!

[navigator]

Hi Rob, where are you located?

[Trail X]

If you get a locking rear diff, that alone will help your offroad capabilities immensely.

If you're just looking to make it more comfortable while camping, my first suggestion is a second battery and a 12v refrigerator. That will make camping so much better than dealing with coolers and ice.

[moose1]

A roof rack is on my to do list, The extra cargo area would be nice.

[robmcbryde]

Hi Rob, where are you located?

I'm in North Little Rock, AR.

[robmcbryde]

If you get a locking rear diff, that alone will help your offroad capabilities immensely.

How does one go about doing that? And what would it cost?

[navigator]

Look and see if you have a g80 RPO code in your glovebox. If so you already have a locker. It is reported to be on the weak side but will likely work for what you have in mind.

[HARDTRAILZ]

If you do not have a g80, buy one from a scrap yard and you can get a locker, the larger 8.6 rear end and go to lower gears easily since you are 2wd. Couple hundred bucks probably.

-- Are you camping/sleeping in it?
-- Are you towing a camper or tent camping?
-- Boondocking or camping in a site?

There is much more info that can be helpful to direct which mods make the most sense.

[robmcbryde]

-- Are you camping/sleeping in it?
-- Are you towing a camper or tent camping?
-- Boondocking or camping in a site?

I sometime camp/sleep in the TB. Sometimes camping in a site.

[robmcbryde]

Look and see if you have a g80 RPO code in your glovebox. If so you already have a locker. It is reported to be on the weak side but will likely work for what you have in mind.

Is this what you mean by look in the glovebox?

[robmcbryde]

By the way, I'm a total newb when it comes to mechanical stuff. But I have a great mechanic!

[navigator]

So no g80 locker and you have the less desreable 3.42 gears. Any chance it is a v8?

[robmcbryde]

6 cylinder

[robmcbryde]

When we bought it in 2010, it was supposed to be my wife's car so we weren't looking for off-road capabilities. But then we switched so she could drive a car rather than an SUV.

[TBYODA]

Rob you have EXT wheelbase by the 129.0 on the RPO sticker. Which means you have a 8.6" rear already. You could do two things buy new 4.10 gears and a locker or just a locker. Summit racing has what you need.

[robmcbryde]

Cool. What would be the benefit of doing that? (i'm a newb)

[Trail X]

Lower gears just gives you improved power if you were to get larger tires. The locker prevents you from getting stuck with one wheel spinning. A locker will ideally transfer the torque to the wheel with grip.

[mason10198]

Hi Rob, where are you located?

I'm in North Little Rock, AR.

Welcome fellow Southerner! I'm in Bryant!

~Sent from Tapatalk for Android~

[robmcbryde]

Rob you have EXT wheelbase by the 129.0 on the RPO sticker. Which means you have a 8.6" rear already. You could do two things buy new 4.10 gears and a locker or just a locker. Summit racing has what you need.

So if I just wanted a locker, there automatic and manual options...right? If I want an automatic locker, where would I find that? Could you send a link to one on Summit?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Cheapest basic auto=locker will be to find a stock rearend with the G80 and swap it in. Super simple really.