Help the new kid out!

[thenewkid]

Hello all, I am 17 and live in Hamburg, Pennsylvania (where Cabela's is). I have a 2003 ltz that is completely stock and has about 125,000 miles on it. I've had a passion for cars ever since I was a young boy, but my father doesn't share this passion so he never taught me much. I know a good amount but when it comes to lifts and gearing I am completely clueless. Over the summer I've acquired about $1800 that I am willing to put towards my blazer. I was wondering what all of you think would be the best for this amount, with all the knowledge that you all know from trial and error. Also whenever i hit a bump my front and rear squeak and I absolutely can't stand it. If anyone could tell me what that is and how to fix it that would be most appreciated as that is what I will take care of first.
I'm tired of being stock please help!

[The Roadie]

Welcome! First off, please tell us you have read the sticky threads, and the Build forum for ideas.

One thing that wears out a lot on our trucks is the anti-sway bar end links, but those tend to clunk when they go bad, not squeak. Squeaking may be from anti-sway bar bushings, and you can try spraying them with WD40 and see if the noise changes. Also a subtle possibility is the threaded hood stops at the two front corners of the hood. Raise them up a tiny amount, and/or lube them.

Other than that, my classic question BEFORE you choose lift and tires is: "What's your offroad mission?" You need to define what you want to do offroad, what your tolerance is for carnage, damage, and self-recovery. Do you have friends to go with, to learn from?

Did your truck get the 100K maintenance? You may need to get on that before any other mods. Has the transfer case had its fluid changed every 50K religiously? If not, it may be ready to fail. Lots of more issues to discuss before you're ready to buy a lift and tires.

Also - I have to ask because we've been down this road with a dozen teens before - do you have parental permission to be doing mods and offroading this vehicle?

[jonbo2002]

Welcome, Roadie is like our Confucious here! Take everything he tells you and figure out what your options are after weighing everything out. Also another thing to consider, is this your only vehicle? If you have limited funds raising it and putting larger tires will drop your gas milage, can you afford that with the gas prices? I currently haven't lifted yet but I do alot of mild offroading I just had to change to a more agressive tire and remove my running boards, which was a lesson I learned from Roadies experence . good luck to you and hope you research on here and learn from others mistakes it will save you alot of time and moeny

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Welcome aboard young fellow! The best advice is to read, read, read!! That's what i'm in the middle of doing now and have been since I got here. I've learned a lot (and you will too) but I still have tonnes to learn. Cheapest thing to do is read everything so when it comes time to make the decisions about lift and tire sizes you will already be well informed.

good luck brother

[v7guy]

I'll mirror what Roadie said, is there going to be an issue with your parents and you modifying your vehicle? Have you done the maintenance? Have you checked over the balljoints, bushings and axles in the front end? They have a pretty high likely hood of needing replaced right after the lift if they don't need attention already. Do you have tools?
Do you need a lift for what you want to do?

Make sure you read the intro thread and then read around on the board to get an idea of where you're going with the truck.

[MrSmithsTB]

Welcome! Do your maintenance. Have your mission planned out. Too many times people dump money without a real plan, only to change their minds or run out of money or run into unexpected costs. Everyone here has either done it the right or wrong way. Read through the forum and learn from our past experiences.

[ErikSS]

They are giving good advice. The motto that I like is "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." I planned out my build for over a year before I got started, and now that I'm 90% there (well, I like to think so) I'm back to planning! lol

[Sputnik312]

Welcome! as others have said... take time to read and plan out what you want your tb to be able to do! i was in your same position a few years ago. there's a crap load of valuable info on this site! btw im located not too far from you, i attend school at penn state berks

[boog2006]

Is this the cuddle forum?!

You got lucky!

Welcome aboard!

[The Roadie]

Is this the cuddle forum?!

We can't all be like the asshats on pirate4x4.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Do some reading and ask specific questions when they come to you. Hard to give a plan with out knowing you, your plans, or your ultimate goal.

Seems you have real potential though and a decent budget.

[DirtyBacon04]

FWIW, this is the first intro post that everyone didnt respond with just the obligatory "Welcome"... This is a good intro thread!!!
And remember, if youre ever jonesing for some bacon, and cant get a fire built quick enough... the tail pipe is of sufficient temperature to cook a few strips... And it's sanitary.

[Diacom]

Welcome to the Site.

[The Roadie]

The OP hasn't returned to the site since just after I posted the first reply. Sigh.......

[jonbo2002]

That seems to be a common thing!

Thats what we get for being nice

[RyansTBLS]

Or he's reading everything in the forums before he says anything.

[The Roadie]

Unless it's a mod thing only (which I doubt) you can click on a profile and see the "last visited" date. He hasn't been back even to lurk, unless he's using another computer and not logging in.

[RyansTBLS]

Not just a mod thing. He hasn't been back. Just goes to show you being nice and cuddly doesn't get us members

[The Roadie]

Or it could be that 17 year olds don't know it's impolite to ask for help, especially with exclamation marks (!!) and not stick around for the conversation they're trying to start. Or he could be on vacation and not on his smartphone? Or whatever.

My enthusiasm for answering quickly is waning, however.

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Maybe he asked his parents permission and got denied!!