Before i lift...

[Cesario17]

Planning very soon to finally lift my trailblazer and put on new tires. reading all these forums seems to confuse me more will I be able to make due with: MarkMC 3 in suspension lift
Wheel spacers
or will I need new shocks and struts and all that jazz? im not too crazy about smooth or stiff ride and wont do any crazy offroading, I just need my trailblazer higher with tires etc.
Help?
and if do neeed shocks etc, recommendations?

[Diacom]

Please do more reading before you purchase anything, the answers you seek are already here.

[Cesario17]

Please do more reading before you purchase anything, the answers you seek are already here.

ive done lots of reading and not just on lifts but on every kind of mod, it just confuses me. are new shocks etc a necessity or can I make it happen with just the lift and spacers?

[mikekey]

You can do whatever you want.

[Conner299]

Longer shocks will be required for the rear. Front struts can be reused, if in good shape. Since the front struts will be taken apart, if going with Mark's, you might consider replacing the struts. While most of the questions you asked have already been answered, a lot, answers can be hard to locate sometimes... Unless your google-fu is strong.

[djthumper]

What are you wanting for your lift? Mark's lift is designed to just lift the vehicle and you can use the stock shocks, though depending on mileage you should change the front shocks. There are not many choices for the front shocks. Do you plan on armor under the front or a real bumper? If so replace those tired front springs while you are at it.

The rear has a few more choices for shocks and spring combinations. You can go with Skyjacker shocks and springs, BDS fox shocks, Z71 springs or even shocks with coil overs not to mention the addition of air bags. Required? No. Recommended? Definitely!

Wheel spacers or adapters... Do you want more choices in rims? Switch to adapters. Required? No.

As others have said... The answers you seek have already been posted. Only you can decide how to do your lift. You can do what ever you want for your lift. You have to decide your mission and it will define how your build goes.

Longer shocks will be required for the rear.

Read my comments young padawan, do not post comments that you cannot back up or that has never been posted. Posts as that makes for confusion to other later.

[v7guy]

Yes you can make do with marks 3" suspension lift, but if you "won't wheel spacers" then you can't go over a tire size that will fit without a lift... so what's the point? So get the lift, get spacers, get 32s. Put it all on the old shocks and call it good.

What exactly are you confused about?

There's a fair number of threads that lists all the parts guys have purchased as well as the debates on some of the options. I'm confused that you are confused. To be honest, most of your post is confusing.

My impression of your post is something along the lines of "I don't know what to buy, but I want to lift my truck as cheaply as possible and I don't care about the ride or the capability as long as it looks cool, please tell me what to do".

So there you are.

[Conner299]

Longer shocks will be required for the rear.

Read my comments young padawan, do not post comments that you cannot back up or that has never been posted. Posts as that makes for confusion to other later.

Then please do explain why I needed to go to the BDS shocks, when I put my Mark's lift in. My rear stockers weren't long enough.

[jonbo2002]

Also as stated on Marks site

Q: Will i need new struts and shocks?
A: Both kits are designed to be used with factory struts and shocks.
Replacement of front struts and upper mounts is advised if you have
high miles and will improve handling.

[Conner299]

Well... The only explanation I have is my rear stockers weren't true rear stockers, but looked oddly enough like stockers. Billstein sticker, and all black. With the shocks extended, and the rear on the ground, they were about half an inch too short.

[mikekey]

Well... The only explanation I have is my rear stockers weren't true rear stockers, but looked oddly enough like stockers. Billstein sticker, and all black. With the shocks extended, and the rear on the ground, they were about half an inch too short.

Sounds like your problem was right there with your installation procedure. My shocks specifically stated in the box to jack up the rear axle to install the shocks. And I installed the BDS kit that came with the shocks.

[navigator]

if you are really trying to keep this low budget, you might think about buying the 2.5" lift listed in the classifieds for $100 and buying new longer rear shocks.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Well... The only explanation I have is my rear stockers weren't true rear stockers, but looked oddly enough like stockers. Billstein sticker, and all black. With the shocks extended, and the rear on the ground, they were about half an inch too short.

By rear on the ground.... Do you mean the tires on ground and truck weight on the springs?

If so, that is really weird. I did not have much extention left, but when I was stock and added marks spacers to the rear, I used the stock shocks for awhile until upgrading. Shocks sound stock, were the springs?


If not, I am not surprised since the shocks at the limit of travel in the rear at that point.

[Conner299]

Stocks springs, with the truck completely on the ground. I usually mount the uppers first, the slide the shocks up till everything lines up, and I can slide the lower bolt home. Has never failed me, from my 91 & 93 s-10's, to my '84 OLDS Delta 88.

[Zombie Killer]

i have mark mc's 2.5" and stock all around. other then 31's and plan on doing the z71 swap but that will come with new shocks. as for just the lift stock works fine so far

[bfizzle-1]

You really gotta read all the posts... I'm a newbie too, but I spent about 5 or 6 months at least just reading up on this stuff. These guys are the epitome of pioneers for these trucks. I trust what "MOST" of them say. I'm glad I joined this site, and I'm sure you will be too, but you gotta earn your lift, and research what's right for you!!! And also, Happy Mardi Gras from Cajun Country ma nizzle...

BFizz...

[mikepeters1983]

In my experience longer shocks are not required for the rear, but are highly suggested. I am now on my third TB/envoy. The first one that I lifted i kept my factory shocks. It was a ruff ride. On certain bumps where the axle wold drop, it would sort of slam the truck down with it. On my second one, i installed longer shocks and it rode like factory. like a dream for being lifted that high with retreads, and steel wheels, and a crap ton of weight. just my thoughts

[HARDTRAILZ]

In my experience longer shocks are not required for the rear, but are highly suggested. I am now on my third TB/envoy. The first one that I lifted i kept my factory shocks. It was a ruff ride. On certain bumps where the axle wold drop, it would sort of slam the truck down with it. On my second one, i installed longer shocks and it rode like factory. like a dream for being lifted that high with retreads, and steel wheels, and a crap ton of weight. just my thoughts

Your experience is the prime example of why longer shocks ARE REQUIRED. Maybe not required to drive, but required for decent performance.

A shitty ride and topping out the shocks and slamming the truck does not mean it was ok with stock shocks. It means they were needed and your 2nd one proved how much better it was with the right shocks.

[mikepeters1983]

In my experience longer shocks are not required for the rear, but are highly suggested. I am now on my third TB/envoy. The first one that I lifted i kept my factory shocks. It was a ruff ride. On certain bumps where the axle wold drop, it would sort of slam the truck down with it. On my second one, i installed longer shocks and it rode like factory. like a dream for being lifted that high with retreads, and steel wheels, and a crap ton of weight. just my thoughts

Your experience is the prime example of why longer shocks ARE REQUIRED. Maybe not required to drive, but required for decent performance.

A shitty ride and topping out the shocks and slamming the truck does not mean it was ok with stock shocks. It means they were needed and your 2nd one proved how much better it was with the right shocks.

Well that is what i meant by saying what I said. lol