? FRONT LIFT TO MATE WITH Z71 SPRINGS

[Skindiggers]

Tahoe Z71 shocks are longer and exactly what you need .. I thought you ordered just Z71 springs without shocks .

Seriously???? Those shocks are trash.

Why is that ?

[CHI-TOWN]

Thank you all for the responses. Here is my summary to this point and I would like input.
REAR
I install the Z71 springs it is preferred to install slightly longer travel rear shocks so I install the Z71 OEM shocks also. Rear is taken care of and sits a little higher off the ground
FRONT
I install BDS 2" Front Lift which is a new upper strut mount which extends the top part of the strut making its overall length longer while the spring is still at its normal unsprung length

Package will raise the truck maybe 1.25 to 2.0 " . Rear Z71 springs make the ride a little more stiff BUT will be handy when I pull my trailer or really load down the rear with travel gear and luggage. The new Z71 shocks will allow the Z71 Springs to work properly and not be hindered by shocks that can't travel far enough.

All in all the the BDS 2" lift on the front should work ok with the Z71 Springs & Shocks on the rear with no additional rear spring spacer

[navigator]

I think you have it.
If you think you ever might want to go taller....
You could now buy Mark's "old" lift.
I cant remember the cost, $160? it has the front spacer similar to BDS with an outside the strut spacer as well and a spacer for the rear.
You could just install the 2 inch spacer and run your Z71 springs and be level
If you wanted more lift you could install the "top" spacer later to get a little more lift and then install the rear spacer as well.

[CHI-TOWN]

My problem is that 20 years ago I was a 22 year Navy Petty Officer driving my new Jeep Wrangler back to NorfolK, Va from Chicago. A car cut me off and I swerved on I65 near Indy. The Jeep flipped over and went end over end on the expressway. I survived without broken bones but I am scared to mess with suspension on my truck.

I am going to do the 2" BDS front and Z71 springs & shocks rare. Truck should sit level and I can pull my little motorcycle trailer without worrying about it pull down the rear since I will have the stiffer Z71 springs out back.

[navigator]

are you going to get larger tires? If they are over about 30.5 tall you'll need wheel spacers.

[CHI-TOWN]

the truck came with 245/65-17 Michelin Cross Terrain and they are in very good condition so I am going to drive it for a while with these stock size and then buy 255/65-17 which are a little taller - I think 30.1" - Not sure which brand/model yet.

[navigator]

I'm running a 255/70/16 which is about the same height.
I'll try to update my build thread with a pic of mine.
I have the rough country lift with Mark's top spacer, Z71 and the RC rear spacer.
I'll upgrade to 265/75/16 with my next set of tires.

[fishsticks]

My problem is that 20 years ago I was a 22 year Navy Petty Officer driving my new Jeep Wrangler back to NorfolK, Va from Chicago. A car cut me off and I swerved on I65 near Indy. The Jeep flipped over and went end over end on the expressway. I survived without broken bones but I am scared to mess with suspension on my truck.

I am going to do the 2" BDS front and Z71 springs & shocks rare. Truck should sit level and I can pull my little motorcycle trailer without worrying about it pull down the rear since I will have the stiffer Z71 springs out back.

Just FYI.

Our trucks have AMAZINGLY low centers of gravity... much better than the Jeep you owned.

My truck sits at over 42" at the top of the fender wells and still feels well planted on the road.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Seriously???? Those shocks are trash.

Why is that ?

Not really much longer and are not near as nice as any other aftermarket ones. Mnay people tried to use them and the consensus on here has been to just pitch them and buy decent shocks.

[HARDTRAILZ]

My problem is that 20 years ago I was a 22 year Navy Petty Officer driving my new Jeep Wrangler back to NorfolK, Va from Chicago. A car cut me off and I swerved on I65 near Indy. The Jeep flipped over and went end over end on the expressway. I survived without broken bones but I am scared to mess with suspension on my truck.

I am going to do the 2" BDS front and Z71 springs & shocks rare. Truck should sit level and I can pull my little motorcycle trailer without worrying about it pull down the rear since I will have the stiffer Z71 springs out back.

Just FYI.

Our trucks have AMAZINGLY low centers of gravity... much better than the Jeep you owned.

My truck sits at over 42" at the top of the fender wells and still feels well planted on the road.

Mine is over 43" and feels extremely solid. Sleet and snow and some wicked winds last night and I had no issues. Truck is still balanced quite well and doesnt feel tippy even sans swaybar.

[CHI-TOWN]

I agree. The Jeep flipping was a seperate issue.
Background - It was brand new (only 6 months old) and I never owned a Jeep before. I put 30 x 9.5 tires on it and I was travelling onI65 going through Indy. Speed about 65-70 and a car cut me off bad. I swurved and then over compensated and swurved back into the guard rail. The Jeep flipped over and rolled many times and 1 time went end over end. I started in the left lane and landed in the far right lane. It finally stopped rolling and landed on the passenger side. It was at morning rush hour on a weekday. I had my seat belt on but all luggage flew out the soft top and was all over the expressway. I gor everything back thanks to people stopping to help. It was amazing that no other vehicle was hit by mine. I believe in seat belts and wear them whenever I am in a vehicle.
I have never owned another Jeep. I don't blame the Jeep. I blame my lack of experience with such a short wheel based high rolling vehicle and I was 22 years old.
Since the Jeep I have owned S10 4x4 and GMC Sierra Z71 4x4, BUT I really love this Trailblazer I picked up a few months ago.
When I bought it I didn't know that the Trailblazer had a following. I actually thought it was a wimpy soccer mom SUV. Now I know the truth.

If it wasn't some darn cold here I would be installing my new Warn lights. My lift kit will be done in the next few weeks so then I can post some pictures.

Thanks for all your inputs !!

[navigator]

My truck sits at over 42" at the top of the fender wells ........

Mine is over 43" and feels extremely solid. .......

Mine is over 45".......j/k

[Skindiggers]

Mine is over 43" and feels extremely solid. .......

Mine is over 45".......j/k

Did you cut the fenders ?? LOL
..mine is at 32"

[fishsticks]

Mine is over 45".......j/k

I honestly don't even know what mine is at anymore... I stopped keeping track at some point. I just know the last time I measured it was 42...and it's gone up from there with the 35s.

I guess I could do measure...

[plaen]

Not really much longer and are not near as nice as any other aftermarket ones. Mnay people tried to use them and the consensus on here has been to just pitch them and buy decent shocks.

I ran the z71 shocks for about a week, with the z71 springs and marks rear spacers, they kept topping out and made horrible clunking noises over bumps, I removed the z71 springs thinking that what caused the noises, it wasn't as bad, but bumps would still top them out, replaced the shocks with procomp e3000s for a lifted tahoe/avalanche, took care of any clunking I had, plus a way smoother ride for about the same price I paid for the z71 takeoffs. A few people around here run the e9000s since they're gas charged.

[navigator]

I measured mine today, I'm closer to 36 with 30 inch tires.

[navigator]

Paul, I updated my build thread with a fresh pic.
I'm running the rough country lift, Mark's top spacer and Z71s with 255/70/16 (30X10).
GO BEARS!

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2047&p=50329#p50329

[CHI-TOWN]

Not really much longer and are not near as nice as any other aftermarket ones. Mnay people tried to use them and the consensus on here has been to just pitch them and buy decent shocks.

I ran the z71 shocks for about a week, with the z71 springs and marks rear spacers, they kept topping out and made horrible clunking noises over bumps, I removed the z71 springs thinking that what caused the noises, it wasn't as bad, but bumps would still top them out, replaced the shocks with procomp e3000s for a lifted tahoe/avalanche, took care of any clunking I had, plus a way smoother ride for about the same price I paid for the z71 takeoffs. A few people around here run the e9000s since they're gas charged.

STUPID QUESTION ALERT : WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN YOU SAY THE SPRINGS "TOP OUT" ?

[Philberto]

He's actually referring to the shocks topping out. Shock absorbers have an inherent minimum and maximum length, depending on their design. If shocks top out, they reach the end of their maximum length, effectively limiting further travel of the suspension they are supporting. This is the main reason to not use z71 shocks with the springs, but instead to use the BDS shocks, or shocks designed for lifted Tahoes. Anything else will simply be unacceptable and borderline dangerous depending on your driving style.

[CHI-TOWN]

Please disconfuse me. You said do not use Tahoe Z71 springs with Tahoe Z71 shocks on my Trailblazer.
They work together on their original vehicle (Tahoe Z71) so why don't they work well on my Trailblazer with a 2" front lift ? Is it because the Tahoe is heavier and allows the spring/shock combo to work as designed ?