"New" 2002 Trailblazer advise...

[Skidder]

I just purchased 'my' new toy last week, an 02 TB with 249K miles under its belt. It looks and runs really good for its years. I was told the previous owner drove it ~100 miles per day from home to work and back. Additionally, I was told she was very particular regarding regular maintenance. Could be a load of fertilizer, or, it could be the gospel truth...only time will tell.

After a week of owning the truck, so far, so good.

I've been lurking around this forum and Trailvoy, putting together my plan for the 'my' new toy. I use 'my' new toy because the truck is definately mine, however... when we bought the truck it was to handle a task that is, in my opinion, much more dangerous and tricky than off roading...the transportation to and from high school for my daughter (at 16, the first driver) and my son (now 14, but in line for the TB soon enough). I'll be doing mods to the toy in the future to suit my plans, but common sense (and my wife) says I need to focus on the near term goal of making sure it is a dependable daily driver that has enough armor on it to survive the next 4 years of my high school drivers.

One thing I know about myself, after 40+years in my skin, I am a gear guy and I'd rather spend more for quality once than try to 'do it on the cheap' and end up with the more expensive stuff after I've settled on the cheap stuff. Unfortunately, this lesson was learned the hard way in my past, but I am better now. Ha.

Anyway, I had my mechanic give it a look before I bought the TB, he noted it needed the front and rear sway bar links replaced. I've looked around and found some replacements: OEM, Moog, and Suspension Maxx. The postings I've found suggest staying away from OEM, and going with MOOG. I've also seen a couple that suggest going with Suspension Maxx as a more long term solution to the problem. The decision seems pretty simple, spend a bit more for the Suspension Maxx parts. What I need advise on is what the TB experienced guys would recommend having more closely checked out/replaced to ensure this ride won't leave my kids in a jam. Also, what armor parts I should put on to ensure the truck survives the high school experience? I've already got my eye on Mark Barton's oil pan plate, what else?

[bgwolfpack]

Congratulation on the new toy Skidder. 250K is high mileage, but every part you replace is new and they're not hard to come by for these trucks. I'd bet there are others on here more worn out then yours.

Glad to see you posted this thread, lurking can only do so much.

What do your kids want to do with the TBt? What sort of mission do you have as a family with the TBtoy? Sounds like you won't have much to do with it, except service?

I don't think you can get too hurt with any of the companies you listed for suspension parts and the OEM products seem to last also, 249K and just being replaced, that's pretty good.

As far as armor, you can't get better and more proven quality components then Mike Bartons, period.

Keep reading with the kids, lots of ways to go, kinda like a trail.

Welcome aboard from another old guy.

[TangoBravo]

Congrats on the purchase of your TB. Being that nrw drivers are typically harder on vehicles then a more experianced driver I would say a good bumper would be a good idea as it should be pretty much expected that one of your kids will get into an accident sooner or later, that's just the nature of the beast. After that a rad skid and oil would be a good idea but I would think a new driver would be more prone to rearending soneone or something before they would fully run anything over,IMO bumper first rad and oil skids next. As far as reliability goes I would teplace all fluids before you find out the hard way. Most often front and rear diff fluid and transfer case gets over looked. You have certainly came to the right place for advise that's for sure.

[Skidder]

Thanks for the advise. Although I am not sure I have come to the right place...this is actually worse than internet porn. "I'll only get on real quick"...2 hours later, still just checking 'one more thing'. Ha. On the serious side, absolutely thrilled that such a site exists.

Of the recommended armoring, the skid plates seem pretty easy, just order them and wait. Bumper is a bit more complicated. Like everyone else, I really like James Downing's mod. It appears I could get the base bumper from Tactical Armor Group, but then I would need to find someone in this area to do the work. I've seen some of the comments that suggest staying away from Tactical Armor because of the mods that have to be done to their product to get the look of James' mod. That being said, anyone here know of a good go-to "Freaky Tree Fab" quality outfit in the North Texas area? Also on the bumper topic, is buying the Tactical Armor base and having it modified better than simply having someone build from scratch?

[djthumper]

Thanks for the advise. Although I am not sure I have come to the right place...this is actually worse than internet porn. "I'll only get on real quick"...2 hours later, still just checking 'one more thing'. Ha. On the serious side, absolutely thrilled that such a site exists.

Of the recommended armoring, the skid plates seem pretty easy, just order them and wait. Bumper is a bit more complicated. Like everyone else, I really like James Downing's mod. It appears I could get the base bumper from Tactical Armor Group, but then I would need to find someone in this area to do the work. I've seen some of the comments that suggest staying away from Tactical Armor because of the mods that have to be done to their product to get the look of James' mod. That being said, anyone here know of a good go-to "Freaky Tree Fab" quality outfit in the North Texas area? Also on the bumper topic, is buying the Tactical Armor base and having it modified better than simply having someone build from scratch?

I think for the money you would be best off working with Mike and get his complete armory. Take a look at his stuff in the vendor's section. At this point I don't think anyone knows our platform better than Mike and it helps that he has one and local access to others with a body lift.

[fishsticks]

Thanks for the advise. Although I am not sure I have come to the right place...this is actually worse than internet porn. "I'll only get on real quick"...2 hours later, still just checking 'one more thing'. Ha. On the serious side, absolutely thrilled that such a site exists.

Of the recommended armoring, the skid plates seem pretty easy, just order them and wait. Bumper is a bit more complicated. Like everyone else, I really like James Downing's mod. It appears I could get the base bumper from Tactical Armor Group, but then I would need to find someone in this area to do the work. I've seen some of the comments that suggest staying away from Tactical Armor because of the mods that have to be done to their product to get the look of James' mod. That being said, anyone here know of a good go-to "Freaky Tree Fab" quality outfit in the North Texas area? Also on the bumper topic, is buying the Tactical Armor base and having it modified better than simply having someone build from scratch?

I think for the money you would be best off working with Mike and get his complete armory. Take a look at his stuff in the vendor's section. At this point I don't think anyone knows our platform better than Mike and it helps that he has one and local access to others with a body lift.

Buy Mike's bumper. Stay away from the TAG trash.


Trail Gear Toyota XtraCab rock sliders fit our trucks if you can weld. They make door dings a thing of the past.

[Skidder]

Excellent!! Thanks for the re-direct and the outstanding advise. I've done some quick, the last hour, looking at Mike's vendor section...WOW!

[Trail X]

As long as Mike's pumping out bumpers, no need to go the super-custom route. Mike's basically custom anyways, and much better on cost.

[Skidder]

Definately agree that Mike's stuff is the way I'm heading.

I've seen a couple different brush guards that he's done...is that something that is made special for individual builds, or are there certain ones to choose from when ordering?

[navigator]

Definately agree that Mike's stuff is the way I'm heading.

I've seen a couple different brush guards that he's done...is that something that is made special for individual builds, or are there certain ones to choose from when ordering?

I'm pretty sure if he has built it once he can build it again. He's done some custom work for folks as well. When you are ready to buy and you find what you like or have an idea PM him and I am sure he'll get back to you.

he just built a winch bumper with no sides at all just a short box for a guy (steveroche?) so that the owner could build his own hoops etc.

[steveroche]

Yea he built me a base from which I was able to mount my winch and the build off of with tubes. I didn't want all the added weight of a full steel bumper in front and I am going with the tube theme for the whole truck. Saved me a lot of time waiting for the full steel one and it was a cool fabrication learning experience for me. I plan on tying the front bumper into my sliders once I get time to weld them on.

[bartonmd]

Definately agree that Mike's stuff is the way I'm heading.

I've seen a couple different brush guards that he's done...is that something that is made special for individual builds, or are there certain ones to choose from when ordering?

I'm pretty sure if he has built it once he can build it again. He's done some custom work for folks as well. When you are ready to buy and you find what you like or have an idea PM him and I am sure he'll get back to you.

he just built a winch bumper with no sides at all just a short box for a guy (steveroche?) so that the owner could build his own hoops etc.

Yeah, pretty much... If I build it once, I can do it again... Or if you want something completely different, I can do that too...

Thanks,
Mike

[Skidder]

Here is what I am starting with, if I can figure out how to add a photo...

[http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z333/Skidder13/]

Oh well, #$@#$...that didn't work.

[djthumper]

Here is what I am starting with, if I can figure out how to add a photo...

[http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z333/Skidder13/]

Oh well, #$@#$...that didn't work.

Nice!

you want the IMG code



I hope you are placing the armory order with Mike. Get rid of those torn up running boards and get some rock sliders on there. Well in this case it may be parking lot sliders for a while.