Advice prior to order

by **954gooner** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:36 pm

Hello,

First, this forum is amazing. I've been reading up on suspension options for my Trailblazer, and have found this forum invaluable. My Trailblazer has about 89k miles on it, and the suspension could use some attention. Prior to pulling the trigger on this order, wanted to see if anyone had any words of caution that I may have missed.

24-103336 Front Bilstein HD Shocks
24-103350 Rear Bilstein HD Shocks
2.5" lift/level kit from Liftmesiter

I don't really see any issues, but would defer to those with experience. While I'm at it, should I throw Z71 springs on it, or is the ride going to be really harsh? Any issue with keeping factory springs? Truck gets driven daily, roughly 40 miles. Also use it in the mud every now and then. Any words of advice or caution are appreciated!

by **Conner299** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:53 pm

Switch out that 2.5" lift/level kit for the 3"... In for a penny, in for a pound!

by **boog2006** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:39 pm

I'm a fan of the Z-71s. Get 'em done. It'll be stiffer but feels more like a truck now.

by **06MidnightBlue** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:47 pm

I think the question that should be addressed first is, what is your overall goal for your rig?

by **Opeth** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:54 pm

06MidnightBlue wrote:I think the question that should be addressed first is, what is your overall goal for your rig?

This ^

...... And if you go with Z71 springs, different rear shocks should be considered.

by **DirtyBacon04** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:43 pm

I'd agree with Opeth. Actually if your adding any lift to rear, I'd advise getting longer-than-stock shocks. Otherwise it's wasted lift and unneeded wear on the shocks.

Also I saw 954 on your tag and instantly knew you were Mia/FtLa area. I grew up in Hollywood/Pembroke Pines. Good to see another Florida truck on here.

by **06MidnightBlue** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:20 pm

Don't forget to flip the UCA's if you go 3 in.

by **DirtyBacon04** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:46 am

Hell, flipping UCA at 3in is mandatory. But recommended at 2in. I'd suggest doing it while you got the strut out anyways. It's an easy and free mod!

by **HARDTRAILZ** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:07 am

Personally...I hated the ride of the z71 springs.

by **Moots1288** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:33 am

HARDTRAILZ wrote:Personally...I hated the ride of the z71 springs.

How are those skyjackers going for ya

by **v7guy** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:37 am

I'd suggest the 3" lift personally... or Radflos
Determining if you should get different shocks than you mentioned, or springs, or armor, or the many other possibilities, largely depends on what you have in mind for the truck.

Matt, I want to see em in person, so just order the damn things already.

by **HARDTRAILZ** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:48 am

I really like them so far.

by **Moots1288** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:04 pm

v7guy wrote:I'd suggest the 3" lift personally... or Radflos
Determining if you should get different shocks than you mentioned, or springs, or armor, or the many other possibilities, largely depends on what you have in mind for the truck.

Matt, I want to see em in person, so just order the damn things already.

Hahah of course I have to order em!

by **Moots1288** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:04 pm

HARDTRAILZ wrote:I really like them so far.

That's great to hear! Cause you have way more weight then I do in the rear

by **954gooner** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:04 pm

Thanks for all the replies. Overall goal is daily driver for the most part, but with better ability to play in the sand soup that is native down here when I have time. After he suspension I'll tackle tires.

by **navigator** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:30 pm

Hi Rob, I'm running 255/70/16 and drive on the beach here in SE NC several times a year.
Getting the lift in made a big difference in not bouncing the frame rails off of ruts in the sand.
I plan to upgrade to 265/75/16 next time, likely this spring.

by **Wahugg** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:14 pm

Just remember that if you put Z71 springs in the rear with out any spacers, you need to keep the stock shock length. You can get the blistening HD's but make sure it's the stock length replacement. Otherwise your springs could fall out.

-Wahugg

by **fishsticks** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:44 pm

Wahugg wrote:Just remember that if you put Z71 springs in the rear with out any spacers, you need to keep the stock shock length. You can get the blistening HD's but make sure it's the stock length replacement. Otherwise your springs could fall out.

-Wahugg

You should probably tell that to my springs, as they are nowhere close to falling out.

by **Wahugg** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 12:08 am

Just stating what James told me during my lift research. Z71 and stock springs are the same length uncompressed, so it makes sense that if you go over stock length shocks, the possibility to fall out does exist. The axle only drops about an inch past full stock extension before the springs are loose enough to be pulled out very easily and freely. So on a flex situation with shocks over and inch longer then stock, it could be very easy for the uncompressed spring to get mis aligned and possibly fall out.

-Wahugg

If you add spacers with longer shocks this is moot, but adding longer shocks to only Z71 springs can present these circumstances.

by **954gooner** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:55 am

Is the difference in tire size ability between the 2.5" lift level and the 3" that much? What other good quality options are there instead of the z71 in the rear? This is helping a lot, but also making me rethink everything I was set on yesterday!

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