Another new Guy

[glfredrick]

Glfredrick here, from Trailvoy. Not really new to most of you guys, but I'll introduce myself nonetheless.

I have an 03 TB 4x4, not "really" for serious off-road use, but I do drive it wherever it has to go. It is modified with PCM flash, True-Flow CAI, 245 Cooper AT tires, and a few other touches. For the rough stuff, I run more hard-core equipment, but I am a total off-road enthusiast and I'm excited about the number of off-road Trailblazers that are now starting to be built. With the cost dropping, and the platform aging a bit, we'll only see more of this.

Next comes the SAS and rear axle swaps for larger tires, etc. Can't wait!

I hail from Louisville, Kentucky, was raised in Wisconsin, and off-road all over the United States. I'm also one of the co-founders of UCORA.org, the United Christian Off-Road Alliance, an alliance of clubs, forums, groups, and individuals dedicated to the off-road sport in a family-friendly way. We're now in our 3rd year of hosting national events. We just finished up our Crawl 4 Christ event at SMORR in Seymour, MS with 114 rigs in attendance. Had a blast wheeling with the Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas guys! I'd love to see the Trailblazer crowd show up at one of our events.

I bring a lot of fabrication and off-road experience to the group, and I try to share. See you guys out there!

[Regulator1175]

Welcome to the site. I am glad to see you join, I know you have a huge amount of insight and knowledge and having you here will be a huge benefit to all of the members.

Just as a memory refresher, I was the guy with Kyle (Hardtrailz) picking up that Dana axle early this year.

How is that toy in the garage coming along?

[bartonmd]

Welcome! Glad you finally made it over!

Mike

[The Roadie]

WELCOME, O TOTALLY WORTHY ONE!

Been starting to get too "young" around here.

Please post up in the "How old are you" thread to raise the average. Thx!!

[fishsticks]

It's good to see more of the knowledgeable people from TrailVoy making it over here. Welcome!

[Trail X]

Thanks for the article Guy.

[Philberto]

Welcome to the site! Glad to have some more knowledge to add to the pool!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Good to hear you are here. Welcome.

FYI: From a personal meeting and experience, I can attest that this is a great gentleman and will be a valuable asset for us.

[djthumper]

Welcome

[glfredrick]

Welcome to the site. I am glad to see you join, I know you have a huge amount of insight and knowledge and having you here will be a huge benefit to all of the members.

Just as a memory refresher, I was the guy with Kyle (Hardtrailz) picking up that Dana axle early this year.

How is that toy in the garage coming along?

Progress is as slow as ever, but I have done some work. Cab is now mounted, new electrical harness is pulled in, PCM in and relocated higher to deal with deep water issues, rear-mounted radiator, fans, and oil coolers figured out and waiting weld up, rear tool box mounts in place, and all the welds on the chassis are finished up.

Next comes building the axles, hanging the radiator, and starting the sort-out on the wiring harness to dovetail it to my earlier cab and frame. I'm pulling in a 93 harness and PCM into a 90 cab with an 86 frame and a 94 engine fitted with a 99 intake...

I was finally able to flex it out a bit to test the travel. I lifted a rear tire 36" and barely flexed the rest of the truck...

For those who may never have seen my truggy build, here is a teaser shot:

[Trail X]

I want your garage...

[glfredrick]

I want your garage...

Me too... That is the grounds shop where I work at Southern Seminary. My own garage is good, but much more modest. It is stuffed with good things, though. Other than the lift and tire machines, I have more goodies at home (by far) than at work.

[glfredrick]

Well, we had "Wrenchfest" over the past weekend and I had a few helpers. We got some work done -- lots of grinding, welding, cleaning up, and figuring out.

Later this week we'll lay in the track bar and be able to flex this ride out!

Here are a few pics:

Coil springs in place -- still have to fab the track bar and the upper spring posts:


Front end view -- still messy...


Winch mount sunk into the front frame, still some additional support to come


Rear view


Rear radiator mount


Electric fan for the radiator


Mock up of rear tire carrier, fuel cell, radiator frame, and utility box. Exo-cage still to come.

[bartonmd]

Cool!

[TangoBravo]

Nice build welcome to the site.

[HARDTRAILZ]

He has been around for awhile. Great guy and deserving of the help. maybe we can get together soon to hash out some pans for the big swap...