First post.. soon to be TB owner

[nglauer]

Hi, my name is Nicholas and I live in SE Ohio. I will be the proud owner of a well take care of 02 Trailblazer in May. The vehicle belongs to my wife's grandfather and has spent all of it's life being pampered. It is an excellent machine mechanically, and looks almost new inside and out. He claims to have never used 4hi or 4lo ever, and only auto a few times since buying it new in 2003.

I am hoping to learn more information about the GMT platform, and what it is capable of. This will mainly be a work vehicle, but I want to tow my boat and ATV behind it. I had originally wanted to do an SS clone, but numerous members at trailvoy.com have made the gears in my head turn. I previously owned a 1998 Sonoma Highrider/ZR2 and have missed it terribly since the day I sold it. I sold it because it wasn't family friendly.. which is also the reason I sold my TransAm. I wanted to gain some of that back by buying a TBSS.. but making this LS a TBSS Clone probably wouldn't fullfill that urge. So now i'm thinking... built the ZR2 TB that Chevrolet didn't.

I will be all ears on this forum, and trailvoy during this quest.

I am interested in making this TB look similar to a few different TB's i've seen on here. So any help on pointing me in the right direction to achieve this is greatly appreciated.

I would like to do these modifications

Lift
Wheels/Tires
Fender Flares
Bumper (or I may settle with my Safari light bar and IPF lights until I can find the right bumper/price)
rock sliders


I have seen pictures of a really sharp white TB on google. I am pretty sure it belongs to a member. It is a newer TB with a red chevrolet bowtie on the grill. It also has a roof rack with PIAA lights, can holders, and spare tire, front bumper with winch, black fender flares, great looking black wheels and rock sliders. I believe the vehicle is from Canada.. if you are the owner (I don't know your name on here) I hope you find me. By no means would I want to copy someone else's sweat and tears.. but I want this to be my bench point if I choose to go the lifted route. Please PM a list of your modifications, I would really appreciate it. This vehicle is the reason I have chosen to research lifting the TB.

Thank you again,

Nicholas

[gotspeed1]

I have seen pictures of a really sharp white TB on google. I am pretty sure it belongs to a member. It is a newer TB with a red chevrolet bowtie on the grill. It also has a roof rack with PIAA lights, can holders, and spare tire, front bumper with winch, black fender flares, great looking black wheels and rock sliders. I believe the vehicle is from Canada.. if you are the owner (I don't know your name on here) I hope you find me. By no means would I want to copy someone else's sweat and tears.. but I want this to be my bench point if I choose to go the lifted route. Please PM a list of your modifications, I would really appreciate it. This vehicle is the reason I have chosen to research lifting the TB.

Thank you again,

Nicholas

That would be Alek (AlekG)... he's one of the many pioneers for our platform. Glad to hear you're gonna be getting such an awesome vehicle here soon. Read through he threads and you'll understand how limited we are compared to other vehicles as far as lifting goes. At the same time you'll be able to see the progression that has been made in the past years to make the platform more respectable in the off-road arena. Post pics and don't forget to start your build thread when you get the TB... it's kind of cool to look back and see the progression you've made on your own vehicle. Anyway.... hope you enjoy your stay. Welcome!!!1

[djthumper]

Welcome to the dark side!

If you want to see what mods everyone has take a look at the build threads. Yes AlekG has a thread here also. Build Threads

[Trail X]

Welcome to the dark side!

If you want to see what mods everyone has take a look at the build threads. Yes AlekG has a thread here also. Build Threads

Actually Alek never created one - mainly because it would be 15 pages long...

He does have a blog where he puts details for most of his mods, he is very good at providing plenty of detail: http://88xpeditions.blogspot.com/

[snioc]

I would like to do these modifications

Lift
Wheels/Tires
Fender Flares
Bumper (or I may settle with my Safari light bar and IPF lights until I can find the right bumper/price)
rock sliders

I would like to do these same mods, look forward to seeing your build progress.

[Blackout]

Welcome from central Ohio! Glad to have another member from the good O. H. here.

Here's a link to Alek's blog that James was talking about. He's got some good ideas that I've been pondering myself.

http://88xpeditions.blogspot.com/p/vehicle.html

[nglauer]

Welcome from central Ohio! Glad to have another member from the good O. H. here.

Here's a link to Alek's blog that James was talking about. He's got some good ideas that I've been pondering myself.

http://88xpeditions.blogspot.com/p/vehicle.html

Thank you for the link ! I have been reading over some of his modifications. I also looked at the build threads, and I have to say.. i'm blown away at all of the members who have lifted. I tried doing google image searches and didn't find much to go on. Alek's popped up, along with a few others that I recognize on here.


Will wheels from a full size truck fit? how about from a Colorado/Canyon? I noticed a few people with H3 wheels as well. I just wasn't sure if the offset was enough/correct.


Again I appreciate everyone's help.

[Zero]

its not only offset to worry about its, the fact that no other truck uses the same bolt pattern as we do. So you need wheel adapters to run a colorado or H3 wheel. or anything else for that matter. There are a few wheel options out there from aftermarket companies that have the correct bolt pattern.

[nglauer]

Welcome to the dark side!

If you want to see what mods everyone has take a look at the build threads. Yes AlekG has a thread here also. Build Threads

Actually Alek never created one - mainly because it would be 15 pages long...

He does have a blog where he puts details for most of his mods, he is very good at providing plenty of detail: http://88xpeditions.blogspot.com/

I am guessing your TB is the one pictured on http://www.kenmtnac.com/TrailBlzr.html . Just a guess. I was curious which of these you have installed.

Grill Guard $85
Light Guards $85
D rings or shackle mounts $40 pair
Receiver installed on winch bumper - $60
Turn signal set - $45
LED turn signal set - $115
Recessed 5" 55watt off road lights - $115
Recessed 5" 100 watt off road lights - $155
HD light switch kit - $19.75
Light Bar with two light tabs- $45

Obviously the D rings.. but I was confused by the options. I didn't see a picture with LED turn signals or regular ones. I wasn't sure about the light options either,I only see the recessed 5" option.. not the smaller ones. If you could point out what all would need ordered to look like the one you have, it would be great. I have a safari light bar, that'd be find to hold my lights for now... but i'd rather have something sturdy.

I was also curious if someone could tell me who all makes bumpers.. brush guards.. and push bars. I've done some searching, but haven't found much. Same goes for the fender flares..

Thanks again for all the help !

[nglauer]

its not only offset to worry about its, the fact that no other truck uses the same bolt pattern as we do. So you need wheel adapters to run a colorado or H3 wheel. or anything else for that matter. There are a few wheel options out there from aftermarket companies that have the correct bolt pattern.

I didn't realize the bolt pattern was different. What all is involved in switching over to a more common BP? Does someone make a wheel spacer that allows for a different pattern?

Thanks again,

Nicholas

[janesy86]

Check out some of the build threads and the vendor section... Lots of info here that isn't hard to find if ya take a look.

[Blackout]

There's a bunch of stuff in the vendor section as far as bumpers and adapters.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome!

[Blackout]

Where abouts in southern Ohio are you, anyways?

[nglauer]

Where abouts in southern Ohio are you, anyways?

I live about 15 minutes from Marietta Ohio, just take I-77 exit #1 and head north on Ohio State Route 7 till you get to a little town named Newport. I live right along the river.

[Trail X]

I am guessing your TB is the one pictured on http://www.kenmtnac.com/TrailBlzr.html . Just a guess. I was curious which of these you have installed.

Yep, read this thread if you want to know more about it: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9

We have a habit around here of documenting everything we do, so more than likely you'll be able to find answers to your questions somewhere on this site with a bit of reading.

As for bolt pattern adapters, we call them wheel spacers. We have an announcement that goes over much of your questions regarding this topic in our "wheels/tires" forum. Here's a link to that thread: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26

Read read read!

[nglauer]

I am guessing your TB is the one pictured on http://www.kenmtnac.com/TrailBlzr.html . Just a guess. I was curious which of these you have installed.

Yep, read this thread if you want to know more about it: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9

We have a habit around here of documenting everything we do, so more than likely you'll be able to find answers to your questions somewhere on this site with a bit of reading.

As for bolt pattern adapters, we call them wheel spacers. We have an announcement that goes over much of your questions regarding this topic in our "wheels/tires" forum. Here's a link to that thread: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=26

Read read read!

I would be really upset with them for posting my vehicle, and would ask that they remove it or place a disclaimer of sorts under it. Unless they can actually duplicate this.. it's false advertisement.

Thanks again,
Nicholas