New Guy In Cali.

[Jblazin82]

Hello!!!
Name Joe Brown
AGE 30
Married w/ 2 boys 3.5 and 1.5.
Coca-Cola Fountain Tech.

I just recently picked up a 2004 TrailBlazer EXT 4WD. No mods except after market Cd Player.
I bought it as my second vehicle. My other ride (wife's car) a 2002 Volvo XC70 AWD. I have been reading on this site for a few days and have decide on my action plan. Its going to take awhile since I'm not rich. But the trailblazer is getting Markmc's 3" lift, z71 rear springs and hopefully 87 fronts if i can find then since they are half the price of the 86 fronts. Other wise I'll end up with the 86s. Well that's plan.

Thanks for the Good Forum.

[djthumper]

Welcome!

[Jblazin82]

thanks

[NC_IslandRunner]

Welcome!

[bgwolfpack]

Welcome Joe!

[Skindiggers]

Welcome Joe...
I don't want to blow your dreams but i don't know if it's a good idea to put Z71 springs in the rear and 87 springs in front ..
Please have a look here : viewtopic.php?f=33&t=870
Many people using the 87 springs in front had problems with the CV joints and about the Z71 in the rear they are good only if you carry permanent load in the trunk .
I think that for you will be better if you could save that money and buy some wheel spacers from MarkMc , they will give you better handling in turns and of course a much nicer look of the truck !

[bgwolfpack]

...and about the Z71 in the rear they are good only if you carry permanent load in the trunk .

That's an opinion statement. There are plenty of us running Z71s without a load and love it.

87s or higher can be used for extra weight on the front end but, there have been issues.

[Skindiggers]

Yes sure , that's my personal opinion ..
Did you see the video posted on that link ?

[djthumper]

The people that have had the most problems with the stiffer springs in the front are not carrying extra weight up there. Since he has an EXT already he already has stiffer springs in the front that a SWB rig.

There are a bunch of us that have Z71s in the rear that don't carry a lot of extra weight. Yes it is slightly stiffer but the ride is ok considering what I have hauled.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Love the Z71's in the rear and will want 87's or best I can get when I get a steel bumper.

[bgwolfpack]

Yes sure , that's my personal opinion ..
Did you see the video posted on that link ?

Yeah the day it was posted. However, you need to remember whose rear end that video is of and why it was topping out. All can be explained if more reading is done.

[Skindiggers]

So you are also saying that he doesn't need the 87 springs in front since he doesn't carry extra weight like a winch and a steel bumper and about the rear ones, i think he should try the lift with the original springs first and if he doesn't like it and wants more lift that will come together with stiffer rear end , he can buy the z71 springs ! Right ?

[bgwolfpack]

So you are also saying that he doesn't need the 87 springs in front since he doesn't carry extra weight like a winch and a steel bumper and about the rear ones, i think he should try the lift with the original springs first and if he doesn't like it and wants more lift that will come together with stiffer rear end , he can buy the z71 springs ! Right ?

Absolutely!

[djthumper]

Yes sure , that's my personal opinion ..
Did you see the video posted on that link ?

That link is discussing which shocks should be used when using the Z71 springs. I don't know what you are reading into on that thread. Not everyone is needing wheel spacers either.

[Skindiggers]

I don't want to enter in any polemics with you , i just read this topic....

"I think the problem you run into with the Tahoe coil/shock combo has more to do with the coil rate then the shock. They are obviously designed to work together but on a heavier vehicle then a Trailblazer. On top of that there really isn't a direct 1 to 1 comparison between the unsprung weight of a Tahoe/Sub and a Trailblazer. Those factors can result in a harsh and unpredictable ride in several driving situations on the Trailblazer...as I am sure you are aware of. "

... and from here i understand that the problem is with the Tahoe springs , that they are too stiff for the TrailBlazer which is not as heavy as the truck they were made for ..
Don't you understand the same thing ?

[bgwolfpack]

Conjecture leads to discussion. Therefore, reading an older thread means reading the thread from beginning to end. Most often a clear understanding of the answer presents itself or informed opinion prevails.

Almost every thread here is a must read, almost.

[Skindiggers]

Absolutely , I agree ...

[djthumper]

Conjecture leads to discussion. Therefore, reading an older thread means reading the thread from beginning to end. Most often a clear understanding of the answer presents itself or informed opinion prevails.

Almost every thread here is a must read, almost.

Wow, words of wisdom from the keyboard of Ran...

[Philberto]

Okay, enough discussion of shocks vs springs and z71. This is an introduction thread, so on that note, Hi Joe! Welcome to our little mountain clubhouse. As a fellow Californian, where exactly are you located? I'm always on the lookout for potential wheeling buddies, and would be more than happy to let you drive my TB so you can get an idea of how... eccentric... the ride is with Z71 springs (at least until I get my new shocks from mesa). I will also be locating 86 springs so as to not over-extend my CV angles, and evaluating these as part of the whole.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome