TrailBlazer 4X4

Guys my wife and myself are thinking of buying a trailblazer. By talking to the guys from work they told me that the 4X4 is kind of weird! That the shafths for the 4X4 front end are connected the engine's oil pan? It sounded kinda weird but anyone that has one. If U can replay and tell me if this truth. Also if U have any issues. Thanks!

That's true about the front axle. The right side runs through the engine oil pan on the GMT360 chassis for fitment purposes. It's a large engine & a large 7qt oil sump. These part-time 4x4 components are considered GM's mid-grade 4x4 system. Here is a pic. You can see the "hole" thru the engine oil pan. Almost looks like a filter mount down there:
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2007/Photo%20Library/Line%20Engines%204,5,6/07%204.2L%20I6%20LL8%20TB1%20LoR.jpg

First of all thanks for the quick response and picture. That is a really WEIRD Design. Has anyone had any problems with the 4X4 on these blazers? If I get a 4X4 I will really think about it. What is going on with GM? That's why U probably need so much Oil. Does the 2X4 also requires that much oil?

Any straight 6 uses more oil due to the number of mains and the length of the crank, length of oil pan also. Nice pic, rodeo02

... What is going on with GM? That's why U probably need so much Oil. Does the 2X4 also requires that much oil?

The engine oil & front axle never mix. The hole thru the engine oil pan is essentially a pc of pipe cast through the pan. An axle tube then runs thru that 'pipe'. There are GMT360 owners on the forums with close to 200Kmi on them without issues. I've never seen an issue reported with this oil pan & front axle setup. Having worked on & driven 2001 and older blazers, the 2002+ are better in every way IMO. Drive a trailblazer 4.2L. Sometimes you have to look at the tach at idle to see if it's still running they are so smoothe.

Joel

Thanks for the feedback!

This engine has an aluminum block with metal inserts?

Yes, they are drop-in type liners, similar to a diesel engine. Check here for specs. 2006+ has slightly more HP than previous years: http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2007/Spec%20Sheet/Line%20456/2007_LL8.xls


Joel