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[CWilder88]

Hello everyone,

Just crossed over here from the Trailvoy site looking for some expertise. I picked up my 02 Trailblazer about a year ago after my 00 ZR2 died saving my life.


So this is like Chinese to my English all over again. I have installed MarkMC's 3" suspension lift and 2.5" spacers. Now my TB is sitting on 265/75/16 and riding close to the way I want her.


Yet I am lost as to where to go next, I was looking into the struts (as mine look like they are original after 135K) but am not sure if the Bilstein HD's everyone runs is what I am looking for to Weekend wheel and daily drive. I see some of you are running Skyjackers so it makes me wonder what travel I should be thinking of.

Then I saw an image of a member with limiting straps, I have never used these but always been curious. Further reading informed me that y'all disconnected your sway bars for more travel (So happy to hear the is more to look forward to ). And this makes me curious if that's the route I want to take.

Struts/Shocks are next on my list cause I need to do an alignment and want to do it before hand. But I am at a point where I'm just wondering where to go from here.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[fire_fighter4215]

Ill give you the advice that I used. (not gonna be an ass and scream search at you) but search the forums and look for a tb that you really like, as far as looks and how it performs. I personally have Bilstein HD struts and BDS white body shocks. There are alot of routes you can go with our vehicles. The main question you want to ask yourself is what extent are you going to wheel your truck. Go look at the trail rating guide then from there start searching the site. I know I still do that, I've stolen *borrowed* ideas from numerous people on this site as well as GMTNATION. I mean eventually you'll probably ask yourself "hmm do I want a bumper and skid from MDB fab. I was the same way when I started couldn't decide what strut i wanted. Now my bumper order is in with Michael..

[boda883]

I had a hard time deciding also. I went with a set of Rancho 9000XLs for my shocks. They are adjustable so you can change the stiffness of the ride. I have not chosen and set of struts yet. Good luck.

[djthumper]

Welcome!

Greyson is correct, you probably want to read around and get your ideas from others.

[CWilder88]

Thank you all, let the research commence.

[Moots1288]

Welcome!

[Opeth]

Welcome!

[v7guy]

Ill give you the advice that I used. (not gonna be an ass and scream search at you) but search the forums...

Hahahahahahahahahahaha


But seriously, search around a bit.
You're at a crossroads now, do you go to a body lift and look for bigger tires/wheels and start getting crazy, or do you leave it roughly where it's at now and maximize what you have? The former starts getting expensive.

The shocks are a good investment, the truck will ride a lot better. I don't believe I've read of anyone doing the bilstienHDs and being upset with them.
If you plan on going offroad much I would put a lot of emphasis on skid plates for the oil pan and radiator. I've seen them save guys trucks on more than one occasion and BartonMD makes a fine product.
There's several of us that run around with no sway bars, even more that run with no rear swaybar. There's even a thread (I think by BartonMD) that shows how to make some quick disconnects for cheap. You may want to go that route.
As you stand, your getting close to what the CV/tripot will let you have for travel. You can toss some springs in there to get a little more height but I'm not sure it's worth the hassel if you're staying with 32s and don't add a bunch more weight up front.

Welcome aboard, looking forward to seeing whatcha do!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Hi

[CWilder88]

So yesterday my new struts were scheduled to come in. So I rented a electric impact from a local hardware store and got to ripping out the strut assembly. Get the assembly out was easy enough seeing as I had done the lift about two weeks ago. That removal of the lower strut arm sucked being a Maine vehicle. Called it quits last night about 9:30pm and all I have left for today is tighten down the passenger side and shes all done. Here's a side by side, can you spot the new one :

[boog2006]

Holy crap!



Boog2006

[soldier32mp]

Wow!!!

[mikekey]

Am I the only one who sees nothing?

[redleg6]

dust cover missing?

[v7guy]

Am I the only one who sees nothing?

I think so lol


that's the most rusted up shock I've seen in a long time.

looks like you're well on your way

[darring70]

Welcome

[mikekey]

Surprised you didn't replace those shocks when you did the suspension lift. That is when I did my fronts.

What others have mentioned is your best beat. No one can really give you the ideal setup you'll want except you. Some folks love z71 springs in the rear, while some think they're too stiff for their soft bodies.

You're at a point now where it's basically about what your goals are with your vehicle. Hard core mud truck? Rock crawler or overland expedition vehicle. Your use will really narrow your ideas for what setup to use.

Appearance mods are anyone's game.