Off-roadability

[95_ESi_Person]

How well does the Trailblazer do off-road?

I'm not talking about putting her in 4 wheel and driving through a field, I'm talking about going down an off-road trail going at low speeds (you know, taking it easy).

I'd like to find a place where you need to "off-road" it for a while before hitting some camp sites, but I'd like to know whether or not this 4x4 is actually off road capable.

If so, what sort of trail rating would be good, or too much for it. I was thinking a 1 or 2 only in it.

[rodeo02]

TB's do OK off road. Anything really gooey will require meaty tires. They are fairly low. You'd need a suspention lift to do anything real aggresive. The transfer case and IFS is GM's 'medium duty' setup. You would have to go to a pickup truck to get the heavy-duty transfercase etc..

Joel

[95_ESi_Person]

I wasn't planning on doing anything real aggressive. So, a 2 rating possibly?

1 is a dirt road pretty much (from what I've heard).

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by 95_ESi_Person

I wasn't planning on doing anything real aggressive. So, a 2 rating possibly?

1 is a dirt road pretty much (from what I've heard).

No sweat! You can do that with a cavalier.

Joel

[95_ESi_Person]

yeah, I've done off roading on a "1 rated trail" (gravel road) in the Talon.

I'm looking to do some where there are small obsticals in the path that I'd need to negotiate over (keeping the very low frame rails in mind!). And one that is needing 4wd to go through.

I just want to go camping in a place that seems "remote".

As for the tires thing... I have the BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires on the truck (my parents who used to own the truck decided to replace the stock tires with the same thing!) Think that would be enough?

EDIT: Before I go try and screw up the truck, how is the articulation of the suspension? It *looks* as if there is room for a lot of travel, but then again, "Looks aren't everything" (Example, my Talon ESi: Looks fast, Feels fast, Sounds fast.... but not really!)

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by 95_ESi_Person

EDIT: Before I go try and screw up the truck, how is the articulation of the suspension? It *looks* as if there is room for a lot of travel, but then again, "Looks aren't everything" (Example, my Talon ESi: Looks fast, Feels fast, Sounds fast.... but not really!)

I havent got to wheel our tb ext yet.... they are very low and long...

on articulation... I dont think so.... IFS and flex = NO WAY!!!!! it will flex some... but not monster flex...

From what I hear... as I dont know.... you cannot lift the tb's as the front dshaft goes through the oil pan.... but I hear a 3" body lift will allow 33" tires to clear... that is my goal once the warranty is up... we just turned 5100 miles...

most camp areas have access roads for any vehicle so I dont see a problem there.... it can get exciting though finding the tougher trails....

all I can say is make sure you have a second vehicle with you as you should never wheel alone.... or have a come along, straps, hi lift jack, board to put jack on,.... all in all... recovery gear... you definitely need that...

you may encounter stuff like this.... this is a actually named street in wharton state forest...

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by RootBreaker

..From what I hear... as I dont know.... you cannot lift the tb's as the front dshaft goes through the oil pan....

Naww.. they can be lifted no prob. The tube that runs thu the oil pan is the fixed / 3rd member portion of the IFS. Here's a link to lift kits: http://www.custommotorsports.com/cmsindex.cfm?sus=b

G/luck
Joel

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Naww.. they can be lifted no prob. The tube that runs thu the oil pan is the fixed / 3rd member portion of the IFS. Here's a link to lift kits: http://www.custommotorsports.com/cmsindex.cfm?sus=b

G/luck
Joel

I clicked the link and ummmm yes it even lists a 6" lift kit but when you click on buy now or contact us.... it drops you to a different web page.. one that doesnt list that kit.....

[rodeo02]

Yeah, looks like that link got a little stale. It has not been updated in over a year. There's others out there that offer lift kits for TB's.

Joel

[BreckBoy]

I'd like to add a related inquiry to off-roading in the Trailblazer. I'm inline with 95_ESi_Person where I'm interested in doing light off-roading, such as moderate rated fire roads and forest access roads for the purpose of exploring and camping, but no rock crawling or anything gnarly.

I've got a stock '03 TB but have put on some good off-road tires. My question is what is the next best cost-effective upgrade I should do to make it more off-road worthy, if anything? Seems the most obvious would be a lift kit, but from the sound of other threads on this, the cost is out of my budget. Should skid plates be in my consideration? About how much would those run?

I'm in Colorado and almost all off-roading here puts you on rocky and rough but dry trails. Any Colorado TB owners reading this I'd be curious to know where you've successfully taken yours. Thanks in advance.

[95_ESi_Person]

Originally Posted by BreckBoy

Should skid plates be in my consideration? About how much would those run?

I'm in Colorado and almost all off-roading here puts you on rocky and rough but dry trails. Any Colorado TB owners reading this I'd be curious to know where you've successfully taken yours. Thanks in advance.

I don't know if I posted, but I have taken her off road a few times since, and the TB does very well for what I put it through. I did muddy inclines (not super muddy, but enough for wheel slip. Sand, gravel, through a river (6-9" deep), BUT I had a 2nd 4x4 with me, actually he was showing me what to do, and how to do it.

As for the skid plates, your truck might have one. I have the plastic/resin one, but I plan on making a new one out of metal. I'm not sure if it will be steel or Diamond Plate.

If there is enough metal available I might start making some to sell (that is if my prototype goes good enough... I'll find out within the week if the metal is still available).

[rodeo02]

Cool follow up 95_Esi! I found out some time ago that the above lift kit basically does not exsist. I have heard that coil spring spacers and air bagsare avail, but I dont know of a bolt on lift for TB's.

Joel

[95_ESi_Person]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Cool follow up 95_Esi! I found out some time ago that the above lift kit basically does not exsist. I have heard that coil spring spacers and air bagsare avail, but I dont know of a bolt on lift for TB's.

Joel

How good are those things that you stick inside of your coil springs? Or are they even worth it?

Spring goes [////////] With thing goes [////#////]

Do you know what I'm talking about?

[rodeo02]

Good question. I bet they take some capacity & travel out of the springs. Airbags make the ride more stiff. You'd have to get taller springs for the best ride IMO.

Joel

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by 95_ESi_Person

How good are those things that you stick inside of your coil springs? Or are they even worth it?

Spring goes [////////] With thing goes [////#////]

Do you know what I'm talking about?

i believe they will change your ride too... stiffen it up a bit...

I have a 05 trailblazer and when out of warranty.. will get a 3" body lift which I heard you can fit 33's

then a small suspension lift.... not sure yet....



also side note.. the best mod to you off-roaders.. light or hardcore.. you need and I will say it again..... NEED a winch...
at least a high lift jack.... that can be a winch.. but a elecric or hydraulic winch will be your friend... and also the most convenient is a hitch mount one... you keep it in the back and mount it up when you get stuck....

I personally have a 15,000lb ramsey patriot winch behind my truck... havent had to use it yet as i have not got stuck.. and yes I have tried....

40" ground hawgs, detroit lockers front and rear, 8" lift will do that.....