Picked up my Trailblazer tonight.

by **Teach** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:57 pm

Sorry all I have is a cruddy cell phone picture. I had to drop it off at the mechanic for an inspection so I can get it licensed. I will take some more pictures when I get it back. I also haven't got to look it over real good except for the test drive so I don't know a lot of specifics.

What I do know;
Year: 2008
Miles: 88K
Drive: 4x4
Engine: I6
Mods: None

I plan to add a few things pretty quickly such as; my overhead gun rack, seat covers, floor mats and maybe new carpet if it doesn't clean up like I am hoping.

I am sure I will have a ton of questions as I go along. The first of which is if I want to start a build thread do I just start a new topic in the Mall Rated section?

by **ErikSS** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:18 pm

Teach wrote:The first of which is if I want to start a build thread do I just start a new topic in the Mall Rated section?

Yep, exactly.

by **mikekey** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:23 pm

Be sure to read others builds so you can figure out what your own mission and goals are before you. Just go about tossing money at it. Looks real sharp. Congrats.

by **Teach** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:37 pm

That is some sound advice Mike I am sure there are many people around here that have done that. I have a good vision in mind I went through several builds today. I really liked this build viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1221.

The biggest part of my build is unfortunately centered at keeping my milage. This is the only reason I downsized from a pick up, so I need to keep as close to 20mpg as possible. This is going to be a pretty big limiting factor but I am not going back to driving the minivan. :viking:

by **Moots1288** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:34 am

Looks good man! Can't wait to see your build and how it pans out. :thumleft:

by **NC_IslandRunner** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:37 am

Looks good, PCM tune will give you some hp and a few mpg's.

by **Diacom** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:17 pm

Looks like a good buy. Might look at removing the roof rack if you are not going to use it. That will help mpg in a minor way as well.

by **Aries** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:56 pm

Teach wrote:The biggest part of my build is unfortunately centered at keeping my mileage.

What gear ratio do you have.
Check your glove box
GU6 (3.42 gears)
GT4 (3.73 gears)
GT5 (4.10 gears)
You might have to consider a gear change?

by **Teach** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:02 am

A tune was one if the first real mods I would like to do. I just hope I can talk the Mrs. into it. Any help there?

I was thinking of removing the cross bars for now I would like to add a few lights up there but I don't know it it will be worth it for the mpg loss.

Also I just checked and I have a GU6 code so 3.42s which is good for mileage but bad for bigger tires right?

I do have a couple questions while I'm at it. You guys know where the traction control button would be on my 08 or do I not have one?

Also what is the general consensus on cold air intakes? Are they worth it or should I just do a drop in?

P.S. I know I promised more pictures but I have yet to have it at my place in the daylight. (Dang short days) hopefully I can post some tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk... Please excuse misspelling

by **DustinC1989** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:22 am

Tune: helps fuel economy, how I got mine to approve.

Roof rack: mine is still on including cross bars, I averaged mid 20's on the highway.

Traction control: if you have it, little button on the driver side of the shifter under the shift lock button (can't believe it took me a month to notice mine). Press once to turn off traction control, BUT if you press and hold it for a few seconds it will turn off traction control and Stabilitrak.

Intake: I have a GreenFilter drop in and I'm perfectly happy with that. K&N is a BAD idea unless its a city street vehicle only.

Almost forgot gearing: I have 3.42 and run a 30.5" tire (30.6 is the max without wheel spacers and 30.5 is a CLOSE fit), I haven't noticed any problems but they aren't a huge tire. Will still add a bigger trans cooler, but that would happen even of I stayed stock size.

MY Youtube Channel · by **TBYODA** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:11 am

If you are a DIY type of person you might want to take a look at our sister site www.gmtnation.com a ton of info over there also. IMO to keep fuel ECO up and "reset the computer (beside tune)" I'd clean your throttle body and change the plug's with AC Delco Iridium Spark Plug only #41-103 only. Even though you only got 88k on the clock it would not hurt to get some fresh life in the engine I am not a fan of waiting until 100k with plugs. A member on GMTN MAY03LT has got some good YouTube vid's on how to do plugs and clean the TB along with some others item http://m.youtube.com/user/MAY03LT

If you want to monitor your fuel ECO real time, the best way I understand is with a scangauge II plus you can read a ton of other things with it. Another way and cheaper way if you have smart phone or tablet is get a ODB2 reader. With the software (Torque & others) you can display instant and avg ECO, not sure how accurate it is but at least it will help to adjust you driving habits as you try to Hypermiling. Then you can check your MPG over a few tanks by hand.

Android version
http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Blu ... rds=elm327

iOS version
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AOI ... UTF8&psc=1

by **Teach** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:08 am

Thank you I found the traction control button. I looked all over for that thing, I'm glad I finally asked.

I am going to have to order one of those OBDII readers. I have an Iphone so it would be really nice to have it hooked up at all times. Did you get the extension harness? I assume the OBD port is under the dash where most are and I could see that wifi module being pulled off.

Oh and I am very much a DIY guy I try and do all my own vehicle work and since I have a awesome shop at school I pretty well fabricate anything I want.

by **redleg6** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:00 pm

If you need help with anything, let me know. I may live south of Olathe, but I work in KCMO at the USDA bldg on Beacon.

sent from the front seat of my '04 TB LS

by **Teach** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:21 pm

redleg6 wrote:If you need help with anything, let me know. I may live south of Olathe, but I work in KCMO at the USDA bldg on Beacon.

sent from the front seat of my '04 TB LS

Thanks I really appreciate that. I know right where you are talking about, I was actually in Olathe a few weeks ago, a good friend got married to a girl from there. I am a bit far from you though I live up in Maryville.

by **redleg6** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:40 pm

my wife an I like to go to Weston and Atchison alot to get the kids out of the house, I haven't been up to the Maryville area in awhile, but could always be available for a weekend trip

MY Youtube Channel · by **TBYODA** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:14 pm

Teach wrote:I am going to have to order one of those OBDII readers. I have an Iphone so it would be really nice to have it hooked up at all times. Did you get the extension harness? I assume the OBD port is under the dash where most are and I could see that wifi module being pulled off.

No I did not get a extension hardness. The connector is under there pretty good so I do thing it will come off.

by **Teach** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:22 pm

redleg6 wrote:my wife an I like to go to Weston and Atchison alot to get the kids out of the house, I haven't been up to the Maryville area in awhile, but could always be available for a weekend trip

Good deal I'll shoot you a pm and you can look me up on Facebook.

And thanks I won't spend the extra on the extension.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk... Please excuse misspelling

by **The Roadie** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:43 pm

I just unmounted the connector from the plastic, and then the module can be thrown up back there on the closeout panel where it won't dangle down.

by **Teach** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 4:14 pm

Thought id let you guys know I started a build thread. It has more pictures of my rig. Also I ordered my OBDii reader cant wait for it to get here. Thanks for all the help so far. Watch the fab threads Im going to start on my grill guard asap. I also started on an Iphone mount that ill post when I finish.

Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys