TheMightySteveO

[themightysteveo]

Greetings and Salutations. MY names is Steve. Hi. I am a SSG in the U.S. Army, currently out of country. Horay! I have owned my 2005 Trailblazer LS 4x4 since I returned from Afghanistan in 2006. It was a marital compromise, she wanted an SUV for the groceries and I wanted a 4x4. When she left, I got a brush guard, nerf bars and a roof basket. I have been wanting to modify it more, it looks great and handles the basic trails well but, I wanna go further and deeper I'm extremely excited that I found this site and looking at some of your builds ... So, when I get back stateside, I plan on lifting the truck and getting some more aggressive tires. Feel free to give advise, I'm going to keep "lurking" and see what I can find!

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Welcome and thank you for your service. I hope you can find everything you need. What kind of wheeling do you plan on doing?

[themightysteveo]

Thanks...any really? I'm just an outdoor junkie who lives in Florida...it's flat! Lots of rain makes lots of mud and I can traverse that without much difficulty but when I went to Tennessee last year I pushed my stock limits. Ever since then, I have been looking for some group that modified Trailvoys and look what I found! So really, I'm looking for advice, support and encouragement The pictures you guys have on here are INSANE! I have to get out west!

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Yea i hear ya i lived in flordia for 16 years. I live in MA We have a lot of rocks and mud. i would say for your wheeling you want are some really good tires first off i would say some M/Ts. Buts its all in what you want we cant do a whole lot yet to our suspension 4 in is the most i have seen. Body lift also thats nice for getting larger tires no rubbing. There are lots of things you can do mix and match check out the build threads. Some guys go with lockers front and rear, some dont. Its good to see diffrent things just wonder around you will find what you want to do.

[janesy86]

Welcome and thanks for your service! Definateley alot of info here, like was said check out some of the build threads to get some ideas going.

Some guys go with lockers front and rear, some dont.

No lockers in front, at least yet. A lot of us have the factory G80 and a few others have aftermarket for the 8.6" rear (EXT) since there is nothing aftermarket for the SWB rear.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome and Thanks .

Where did you go in TN. I loved Windrock.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Welcome and thanks for your service! Definateley alot of info here, like was said check out some of the build threads to get some ideas going.

Some guys go with lockers front and rear, some dont.

No lockers in front, at least yet. A lot of us have the factory G80 and a few others have aftermarket for the 8.6" rear (EXT) since there is nothing aftermarket for the SWB rear.

So they dont make a locker for the front? I thought they did i was talking to fishsticks he was looking in to one i have been looking for one. I dont know i guess.

[themightysteveo]

Thanks. Yeah, I have been looking around all day. I've read every build profile on the forum and wandered aimlessly around everything else. Right now, I just want to get her off the ground. The BDS kits look like the most popular with the Liftmeister coming in second... I guess my first big question is how? The BDS link shows a nice little package, based on the guys that posted pis, I see that they were able to do it at home with an assistant (or self if so skilled). It's a bit overwhelming looking at what everyone posted for lifting. I've never done it before and it's all Greek to me. I want to stay in the 32-33" range on tires which looks like I'll have to cut or loose the front bumper. Janesy (?) I have the same grill guard you do it looks like, Westin?

I dunno... I definitely wanna get her off the ground. Lift, Wheels (adapter?) and Tires. You guys/gals are experienced. I'll keep looking around and studying.

[janesy86]

So they dont make a locker for the front? I thought they did i was talking to fishsticks he was looking in to one i have been looking for one. I dont know i guess.

There is one, but no one in a TB is running one as of yet...

[Trail X]

Glad to have you SteveO.

If you've got that lift on before next spring and are willing to take a long drive... I'll probably host another TECORE in the spring.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

So they dont make a locker for the front? I thought they did i was talking to fishsticks he was looking in to one i have been looking for one. I dont know i guess.

There is one, but no one in a TB is running one as of yet...

O got ya i would really like to but i cant find it...... I have a buddy that found them but i gotta get ahold of him it would be a great investment up in our woods.

[janesy86]

I want to stay in the 32-33" range on tires which looks like I'll have to cut or loose the front bumper. Janesy (?) I have the same grill guard you do it looks like, Westin?

You don't need to ditch the front bumper cover if you don't want to, just some minor trimming of the wheel well liners might be needed. It really all depends on what you want to do with your rig.

I ditched my bumper mainly b/c most of the clips holding it on broke when I got in a minor fender bender and never cared to replace it since it was getting beat up offroad anyway. So its really up to you and your mission if you should loose it or not.

As for my grille guard, its a WAAG. Don't have it on anymore, replaced with a steel bumper.

[Trail X]

As for my grille guard, its a WAAG. Don't have it on anymore, replaced with a steel bumper.

You need to replace your avatar, dude.

[Stoked]

Welcome Steve,

Im pretty new to this site and TBs, but im down in florida. Count me in for any trips! Thanks for you service.

[janesy86]

As for my grille guard, its a WAAG. Don't have it on anymore, replaced with a steel bumper.

You need to replace your avatar, dude.

Haha, I know. That pic is from when I first lifted over a year ago. Need to update my build thread as well. I'll jump on that tonite.

[djthumper]

Welcome!!!

Get away from Tamp then it has some rolling hills

oooRah

[themightysteveo]

Glad to have you SteveO.

If you've got that lift on before next spring and are willing to take a long drive... I'll probably host another TECORE in the spring.

Definitely! **Assuming I don't have Drill <reserve time>** I would LOVE too!!

As soon as I get home I'll get some pics posted and start a build thread.

[themightysteveo]

Also, to all here...THANKS. You guys are really helpful. Means a lot.

[themightysteveo]

Welcome Steve,

Im pretty new to this site and TBs, but im down in florida. Count me in for any trips! Thanks for you service.

Thanks! Nice to know there's someone local, I saw hpimichael posted on your intro and is from O-town. We may have to pester him for local advice

When I get back and settle in I'll have to see if we can do a ride or something!


*Apologies for the noticible excitment everywhere-I had a lot of red bull today, I confirmed my "vacation" and time here is short! *

-Steve