I recently (last week) purchased what is my second SWB Trailblazer 4x4 with the intent of turning it into an overland/emergency homelessness vehicle. This came from a couple different directions. First, I have been unemployed since last August and I got to the point where I needed to get rid of my car payment (and there was an added bonus of a lower insurance payment). Second, I have wanted to get something that could be used as an overland vehicle. So...after 5 years of car ownership I'm back in a Trailblazer again.
So what I have is a 2008 SWB Trailblazer LT 4x4 with the 4.2L six. It has all the luxury bells and whistles but seems to be missing the rear locking differential. This is difficult to know for certain as Chevrolet won't send me a copy of the original sticker. The only mod I've done in the week I've owned it is to de-badge the rear.
This is Black Lotus before any mods.
The plan so far is to do the following (listed in no particular order):
Lift Meister 3" suspension lift
Bilstein shock upgrade (not sure on model numbers yet).
ARB (or similar) air-lockers front and rear.
ARB underhood air compressor.
Dual battery with split-charging system
Steel front bumper with winch mount and fog light mounts.
Steel rear bumper with swinging spare tire carrier, high-lift jack and jerry can storage.
Steel nerf bar/step/rock-rails.
6x5.0 to 6x5.5 wheel spacer/adapter.
17" Fuel Anza - D583 wheels.
265/70/17 BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 (or possibly 265/75/17 if I can fit them)
Alpine iLX-F309 9" control center w/ KAC-001 Accessory control module.
Black bowtie emblems front and rear.
Ramsey RE12000RX winch with synthetic rope.
Roof-top tent.
Rear cargo area drawer system.
Remove rear seats.
I have decided that the truck is to be called Black Lotus as I realized (while bored at the car dealer) that I paid less for the truck than the cost of one Magic the Gathering Black Lotus card. I am thinking of doing a Youtube channel and Instagram feed for this build, but I haven't decided yet as it will probably be fairly sporadic.
