Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

3/4" outside of strut front spacer question

BDS, ReadyLift, Smaxx... You name it, we know about it here.

by Beamer » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:25 pm

I have spent many hours reading through these threads and I am trying to figure out if I can add 3/4" of UHMW on top of my RC 2" lift. This would go where Mark's 1/2" spacer goes. I still have my stock 83 springs in and don't plan on going with stiffer springs as I like the ride and don't have any additional weight in the front. I also have my front sway bar still connected and have not flipped my UCA's. This is my daily driver and the offroading I do is mainly plowed farm fields when hunting and driving on the beach when fishing so ride height is more important than articulation for me. Thoughts?
User avatar
Beamer
Member
 
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: MD, Westminster
Name: Chris Beam
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Trail Ready

by navigator » Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:37 pm

I have the RC lift with Mark's top spacer also.
I needed longer bolts and had to put the bolts in from the top with Mark's spacer.
UHMW should work, I remember some of the guys (Fishsticks maybe?) using it before.
I think they key is how much you lift before you start getting binding at full droop.
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Trail X » Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:43 pm

Unhook one side of your swaybar, lift the front end off the ground. Now loosen your two top mount nuts 3/4", so there's a 3/4" gap between the shock mounting bucket and your lift spacer. Make sure your wheel still turns freely. If your wheel still turns freely, then that size spacer shouldn't negatively affect your CVs.

If you haven't flipped your UCAs, do that too.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9925
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by fishsticks » Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:03 pm

11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
User avatar
fishsticks
Moderator
 
Posts: 4356
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: WA, Vancouver
Name: Donny
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by Beamer » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:22 pm

fishsticks wrote:http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?p=18308#p18308


I have read that thread, but I assume you have removed your front sway bar and I know you have flipped your UCA's, both of which I have not done. I was wondering if I could add the 3/4" spacer and still be ok since I still have my front sway bar connected. I am looking for max ride height.

Is flipping the UCA's almost standard procedure?
User avatar
Beamer
Member
 
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: MD, Westminster
Name: Chris Beam
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Trail Ready

by fishsticks » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:23 pm

Beamer wrote:
fishsticks wrote:http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?p=18308#p18308


I have read that thread, but I assume you have removed your front sway bar and I know you have flipped your UCA's, both of which I have not done. I was wondering if I could add the 3/4" spacer and still be ok since I still have my front sway bar connected. I am looking for max ride height. Yes.

Is flipping the UCA's almost standard procedure? Yes.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
User avatar
fishsticks
Moderator
 
Posts: 4356
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: WA, Vancouver
Name: Donny
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by Beamer » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:38 pm

Thanks, That is what I was wondering. I will flip my UCA's as I know the upper ball joints will be stressed if I add those spacers. I need to raise the front some more as I have Z71 springs and Skyjacker N8030 shocks on their way...
User avatar
Beamer
Member
 
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed May 18, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: MD, Westminster
Name: Chris Beam
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Trail Ready

by navigator » Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:02 am

I added Mark's top spacer to my RC lift and after flipping the UCA the ball joint has a really good angle now. The alignment also went well for toe and camber. Caster is still a little off but that shouldn't affect tire wear.
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready


Return to Lifts / Suspension