OEM upgrades

[0RESET0]

My EXT is pretty well appointed. I have the bigger breaks, the bigger differential, the G80, the stronger springs.

I have read about using Z71 springs in the rear, are there any other factory items we can put on these trucks that came stock on other trucks?

[djthumper]

You EXT stock comes with larger brakes, differential and springs due to the extra weight. That stuff was not available to a SWB with the I6. Z71 springs were not available for any of the GMT360/370s stock. Are you looking for anything in particular?

[bgwolfpack]

Sean,

IIRC, there are mirrors, hood scoops, wheels with adapters, radios, paint, tires and filters for the hvac system. But not many that apply with the mission here by most of us. Z71 springs, yes and I love them. But see what you can come up with yourself. As long as it means we can go farther in the muck, over rocks or through the snow and sand many will adopt the style you may come up with. Good luck.

[ErikSS]

There are the 2500HD tie rod ends.

[mikekey]

That are a waste of money. Anyhow, this has been discussed before. See the viewtopic.php?t=4438&p=98798

[Moots1288]

That are a waste of money. Anyhow, this has been discussed before. See the viewtopic.php?t=4438&p=98798

What is a waste of money?

[Trail X]

The SS rear end can be adapted to your truck with minimal modifications.

The factory front springs are also in this category of factory part mods.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I am having a really tough time justifying the 2500 tie rods. Seems to be a higher failure rate with them being straight versus the stock setup. Not really many stock failures to be found...Me one, Roadie had one or two maybe, Fish breaks everything, but I think everyone else has been pretty good. I still roll the stockers without issue.

[0RESET0]

The SS rear end can be adapted to your truck with minimal modifications.

The factory front springs are also in this category of factory part mods.

Looks like I have more reading to do. I thought the SS and the EXT both got the same 8.6 rear end.

[Trail X]

SS is a 14 bolt 9.5".

[v7guy]

The SS rear just needs the driveshaft shortened, not a huge deal. But it is a bigger axle with an available selectable locker if you're inclined to go that route. There is always the price point to consider.

I'm unsure on the benefits of the 2500HD TRE, I believe there's been one failure of the 2500HD and a half a dozen of the stock ones. Generally I like to see the failure a few times before I look at upgrading. The 2500HD TRE should bolt right up and the only obstacle is sealing up the boot on the rack... Moots used a piece of rubber tubing and it seems to be holding up fine, the price difference is pretty marginal if you're replacing those components already. I've never had em fail, neither has Moots or Donny, Erik had one bend while being an asshole and readily admits it. The sleeves Moots documented would probably prevent the damage Erik did, but it might grenade the steering rack too... that whole "weakest link" thing.

Some guys like to install the ole cabin filter, corvette servo etc.


I believe that's about all we've found so far

[HARDTRAILZ]

SS swap requires a bastard Ujoint as well. If you do it...buy two of the ujoints and keep a spare. Not everywhere stocks them.


More than one failure of the 2500 tie rods. Regulators failed him too.

If you compare the 10,000's of miles of trail abuse with minimal failure to 3 people of the stock ones to the 100s of miles of trails on the 3/4 tons with failures to two people already, I do not see it as a proven upgrade by any means.

[0RESET0]

I assume it would be the same bastard u joint you would use to swap in one of those rare 6 lug 14 bolt rear ends from the early 90s? Too bad those are leaf sprung. This is the kind of stuff I am after. Maybe even a rear axle that is 3" wider wheel mount to wheel mount so we can eliminate spacers.

[v7guy]

C'mon Kyle, that's just lazy, you're comparing the incidents of 2500HD TRE failures to the number of people that have had the stock ones fail. With that kind of statistical analysis you could make any argument valid, you gonna start telling us the Z71 springs suck in the rear next?!?!

[HARDTRAILZ]

6 failures by your count vs 2 at least. 10,000s of miles of offroad abuse vs few 100. The failure per mile is still rather pathetic for the "upgrade".

The sleeves n Moog likely are stronger but
A. They are not really proven
2. That costs more.
D. Have to mod parts to make it work.

Simple fact is the rate of failure in non-road use is significantly higher with the stock 3/4s

[ErikSS]

If I were to start over I probably would have run my stock TREs until I had a failure instead of considering it an important upgrade. In my opinion the cheap 2500 are weaker than stock trailblazer.
You only have to Mod the sleeve if you want to run it with Moog not OEM. Is anyone running OEM (delco) 2500 TRE?
With ALL Mods there are gains and losses. The goal is improved performance with acceptable loss.

[mikekey]

Kyle just likes being right all the time. If you said that car was red, he'd say it's maroon.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Two different colors...

[Bcchevy]

Bright red


Sent From The Unit

[0RESET0]

OK, I think the 2500 TREs need some more time to settle in. Lets just leave that one as personal opinion. How about Non GM components. When I was doing my XJ build I used a Dodge Dakota leaf spring pack mated to the main spring of the XJ for lift in the rear and I used a stock F150 front coil plus ACOS, spring alone would be good for 1.5 inches if I had not been swapping to a 350 ci V8, for lift in the front. Has anyone looked at the coil spring offerings of different MFGs to see if they are compatible?

I am not looking to be spoon fed here. I am willing to do some research but I would rather not spend time just to have someone post that they knew everything already. I see plenty of compilation lists on here, mods, lifts, etc. I am just looking to make a list of stuff that fits.

I work for one of the largest Automotive suppliers in the world. One of our plants in Canada built every single one of the frames under our trucks. If we all play real nice I may be able to get CAD for the GMT360, H3 and maybe even the Tahoe Frames. Would make designing skid plates, bumpers and SAS stuff a little bit easier.

Thoughts?