Greetings from Texas!

[MrShelley]

Just joined from Texas. Got a great deal on an '08 Trailblazer LT a couple weeks ago. I've already started collecting parts for her transformation from a mild mannered grocery getter into a trail-runnin', rock climbin', gear-haulin' machine!

MarkMCs 3" body lift
MarkMCs 3" suspension lift
MarkMCs 1.5" wheel adapters
Helo 835 wheels (17x8)
BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2s (285/70/17)

More to come, including 3.73 gearing, MegaMule roof rack, front & rear steel bumpers, etc.

Loving the vehicle so far. This site is a great source of information (and inspiration!)

[Cable810]

I'd suggest going 4.10 or 4.56 with 33s. But none the less sounds like you got a good plan. Welcome!

[MrShelley]

Thanks for the input, that's why I joined this forum!

[roshirim]

welcome..from Matamoros....(near to Bronwsville TX)
post a pics with your modifications when you are done...
cheers

[MrShelley]

New goodies arrived today!

88 springs for the front, Tahoe springs for the back, and Bilsteins all around. Now for a free weekend to put it all together.

[Jrgunn5150]

Welcome! I agree with Caleb, 4.10's at a minimum, you won't even notice 3.73's.

[MrShelley]

I've got a line on a G80 equipped 4.10 rear, but have no idea where the best place is to find the front diff. Any opinions on where is best to look?

[TBYODA]

I've got a line on a G80 equipped 4.10 rear, but have no idea where the best place is to find the front diff. Any opinions on where is best to look?

Skip the G80 and get one with a open carrier with 4:10. Then you can install a powertrax lunch box locker.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwt-9 ... /overview/

[Anthony Hernandez]

Just buy 4.10's and put em in your existing diff. Also I agree with Robert (tbyoda) get a pt no slip!! G80 ain't worth your troubles..

[MrShelley]

After some more research, I'm pretty much sold on 4.10s. Also, I'm LOVING the idea of the PowerTrax locker. But....the link on Summits page says it's for an 8.6. Our trucks are 8.0, right? Not against finding an 8.6 (from an EXT right?), just wondering. Also, I guess I'm just retarded, but simply installing 4.10s in the front diff never occurred to me. Overthinking it I guess, I was thinking I would have to swap the diff.

[DirtyBacon04]

you're going to want the 8.6" rear. Much stronger and bigger aftermarket. What you're looking for is an open rear diff out of an EXT or any GMT360 with the V8. The front diff is the same across all 360/370s so you can use any that have the GT5 RPO code, or install 4.10 in your existing

[v7guy]

I think you'll find the rear bilstein shocks too short when it's lifted, some plain old white body shocks or some fox shocks should be in your pile of parts for the rear, you'll find the part numbers in the suspension/lift sticky.
You'll also wanna watch those rear brake lines!
If you ain't set on just bolting in diffs you'd likely be happiest with the 4.56s
Last I knew we'd exhausted the supply of lunchbox lockers for the front. Lots of places show em in stock, but they don't actually have them on hand and they aren't produced anymore.
Plenty of options for the 8.6 rear though.

Front diffs are relatively tough to find at an attractive price.

[ErikSS]

Welcome! Our platform came with 3 available axle housings. It's hard to see the difference between the 8.0 and the 8.6. I believe you can figure it out off the RPO code in your glove box. The 3rd was a 14bolt that came in the 6.0 equipped TBSS and some Saabs.

[MrShelley]

Guys, I can't say enough about the help this forum has been. Y'all are a fountain of information!

So, if I'm understanding right, I should find an open 8.6 rear to install the PowerTrax locker? And yes, understanding how to read the RPO codes has been a godsend! My truck is an '08. Should I look for any particular year to assure 100% compatibility?

As for the front, I should just install 4.10s or 4.56s, depending on which I decide to go with. No lockers currently available for the front. Bummer.

Install same gearing in the rear of course.

As far as rear shocks, this is what I have.
http://goo.gl/tos6r1

I thought I had researched shocks enough, but if there is a better option I'm all for it. The Radflos for the front look sweet, but I just can't justify the cost (yet!).

[TBYODA]

Since you have a 08 like I do your gonna need to get a 06+ axle to maintain the abs on the rear wheels.

[MrShelley]

Since you have a 08 like I do your gonna need to get a 06+ axle to maintain the abs on the rear wheels.

More good info! Thanks Robert!

[v7guy]

Those rear shocks look like they'll do the job. I assumed stock replacement bilstien shocks as we've had a few members make that mistake. The ones you picked aren't real commonly used these days.

[MrShelley]

Spoke with Mike (bartonmd) today and ordered my bumper and armor. I'm so stoked I can barely contain myself!

[v7guy]

We def look forward to pics!

[MrShelley]

As she sits now. Absolutely stock other than replacing the crazed, foggy headlamps.



Everything has arrived for the lift(s)!
3" body lift from MarkMC in hand but not pictured

3" suspension lift from MarkMC...


New 88 springs for the front and Tahoe springs for the back...


New 5125 series Bilstein shocks for the back (33-185552)...


New Bilstein struts for the front (24-103336)...


and finally, 1.5" adapters from MarkMC...


Also found these when cleaning out the garage today. They were mounted on the wakeboard tower of my boat and I took 'em off when I sold it. I KNEW they'd come in handy! They'll be mounted to the BajaRack MegaMule once it arrives. KC HiLites LZR LEDs...


Couldn't help myself and mounted one of the new shoes on the front, just to see what it'll look like....I'm in love.