New here. Do I work it up or dump it?

by **rz03LTZ** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:34 pm

Hello from Ontario Canada.

I have an 03 Trailblazer LTZ G80 and I thinking about either working it up with a lift and some toys or dumping it and getting a new ride. I could spend a few bucks on a lift, tires and some suspension upgrades but would it be throwing good money after bad?

The engine is running fine and if its needed any work I've had it done at a good shop or dealer. But its getting a little long in the tooth with 183k.

I'd appreciate any feedback you could offer.

by **Diacom** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:35 pm

Welcome, sounds like a perfect candidate for some offroading. Not much to worry about if you break stuff.

by **rz03LTZ** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:40 pm

True but has to be my grocery getter, too. It has to stay a reliable everyday truck.

I've has it for 5 years now and I love it. But something new might be nice, too.

by **Moots1288** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:55 pm

rz03LTZ wrote:True but has to be my grocery getter, too. It has to stay a reliable everyday truck.

I've has it for 5 years now and I love it. But something new might be nice, too.

Mine and almost everyone on here uses there's as a daily driver

by **Diacom** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:01 am

Well, beings your options are work it up or dump it, the point was, work it up for offroading some, find a cheaper DD if you need to.

by **2000sdime** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:13 am

Diacom wrote:Well, beings your options are work it up or dump it, the point was, work it up for offroading some, find a cheaper DD if you need to.

Agreed, if you love it keep it as your personal treasure and buy a cheap DD to get back and forth with, cheap DD= no car payment and more available funds for the TB

But if you don't love it, let it go and get something you'll absolutely love

Follow your heart/gut and what you think is best for YOU and your TB

by **rz03LTZ** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:23 am

So 183K isn't too much mileage. It'll need a little body work too much some lower door and hood rust.

by **Moots1288** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:27 am

Just throw some paint on it! And lift it

by **Diacom** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:31 am

If it still runs strong and has had good maintenance, no 183k isn't too much. Otherwise, with unknown maintenance, you may just be driving on borrowed time.

So I would suggest, what ever money you put aside for "offroading" upgrades to your TB, set aside an equal amount in prepared maintenance and future repairs. This will help offset a shock expense in the middle of an upgrade for your planned use.

by **NC_IslandRunner** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:30 am

rz03LTZ wrote:So 183K isn't too much mileage. It'll need a little body work too much some lower door and hood rust.

Just breaking it in!

by **djthumper** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 3:48 am

Gotta know your mission to help determine much more then thoughts... Depending on the wheeling you want to do a mild lift can go a long ways.

by **rz03LTZ** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:24 am

I'm thinking about a 2in suspension lift, upgrading the shocks for a more truck like feel, and upgrading tires to 32s but keeping them understated and relatively quite. No plans for bumpers or armour yet but I figure the bug may get me once I start. My family is from northern Ontario and I go back to visit couple times a year. Think BFN X10. Old logging roads and really hard to get to lakes. :camping:

And I'd like to throw a little money at the engine to keep it ticking for a while longer and maybe get back some lost mileage. Not looking at uping the horsepower and I have no Idea where to start with it. :mechanic:

If money stretches that far, maybe an in dash GPS unit. :drool3:

by **rz03LTZ** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:25 am

Damn. Double post

by **Conner299** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:14 am

Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but you'll probably need spacers/adaptors for 32" tires. From what I've read as well, if you do less than the 3" lift, you'll wish you went with the 3" lift. I highly recommend the LiftMeister. I have the 3", and haven't regretted it for a minute. Again though, you have to define your mission goals. And welcome to the site.

by **Cable810** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:27 am

Yep Spacers are needed for 32s there is a Tire chart that'll show you all the tires sizes and what is required to get them to fit. I personally like Conner said would reccomend Marks 3".

by **87chevy** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:28 pm

Welcome. Their right about the lift, I have the 2" rough country and its been ok but im getting ready to upgrade to Mark's 3" suspension lift. One inch my not seem like a lot but its a big difference, well it is to me at least. But its all about what you want to do with your TB and what you want it to be capable of. :flex dirty:

by **DustinC1989** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:58 pm

183k is nothing, you would be amazed how durable inline motors are.
Mine is in the process of getting lifted and its my daily driver, I've yet to find something that I cant do on a weekend and have the truck back together for the week

by **chevycrew** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:52 pm

I like the idea of a 2" suspension and a 2" body before going 3 on one or the other. The 2" will help cvs last longer.

by **Moots1288** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:59 pm

I have had 2.5 lift with 2 zone lift now I have radflos which are probably around the same lift and my cvs have been holding up fine.

by **djthumper** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:41 am

I have a 2.5" suspension lift. My rims have a 5" back space and can fit 32s without spacers, but if you stay with the stock rims you will need the spacers. Still thinking about the 2" body lift.

Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys