New from Mass

[wswensonjr]

Hello everyone just found this site the other day and decided I should join this site as well...

I am looking to become apart of the group of what seems to be a very few but ever growing group of tb offroaders.

Currently I have only one modification and that is MarkMc 2.5" lift kit installed with bilsten HD all around. No new tires as of yet still researching and on a very tight budget as I am currently still unemployed.

I have learned a lot already from trailvoy.com and look to learn even more over here.

My current plan is to do:
285/70/R17 tires
"Z71" option
MarkMc 3" body lift.(still need to figure out the law up here to see if this is really an option.)
Front bumber (similar to JD's)(This is in the far future)
Modify roof rack/basket
Compressor (to have the ability to pressure up and down as need to on trails)
Rear storage (build or purchase something to fit inside to keep things organized)
rock sliders (this has to wait until body lift is done if i do it)
Find places to go off roading........

I purchased my 2002 Chevy trailblazer back in Feb of 08, up to date other then the MarkMc 2.5 mod i haven't done much else, I have added led strobe lights(call firefighter). Uniden BCT15X scanner as well as a Cobra 29LTD Bluetooth.

Currently working on antenna mounts for my firestik 3ft cb and firestik 3ft scanner. As with everything up north its currently put on hold due to the cold... (wish I had a garage)

Thanks and look forward to meeting new people and possible going out and doing trails with you guys..

Walter

[Gordinho80]

Welcome!

Another 33'er in the making, huh. Seems like 33 is becoming the norm..

[bgwolfpack]

Hello and Welcome.

Love the fact you've got a plan and a clue.

[Philberto]

Welcome! Looking to upgrade to 33's myself when my existing tires wear out... 255/85/16's here I come! Now hopefully Nitto'll have the Trail Grapplers by then or else I'll have to find out about getting 295/75/16's on there.

[wswensonjr]

Ya... This is why new tires also need to wait a little bit just got new tires put on last year before I found all this goodie information...

Yes plans are always nice it at least give a direction to shoot for...

one other update to add to the future of this tb is the possibility of doing a rear end swap for a G80.. (I have found a few axles with the same gear ratio at a junkyard for 350 with the G80 seems like a cheap upgrade to me )

Thanks everyone I am glade to be here..

[The Roadie]

Welcome! Can you put your location in your profile? I grew up in the Berkshires, and lived in Needham and Newton for 20 years.

Great idea how to save money on the G80 upgrade. Also don't forget to buy an EXT rear axle, if it's the same price, since you get a stronger unit that's plug and play. (8.6" ring gear instead of 8.0"). I did that for $400 when I blew up my G80.

[Trail X]

The Berkshires is a location in 4-Wheeling America's instructional video, "Getting Unstuck". Great video.

Could be some fun places to explore in the Berkshires?

[wswensonjr]

I am from Millbury (updated) this is right out side of Worcester..

I am totally new to off-road all together so I have lots to learn and I have already learned a lot from reading yours and JD's post's both from here and trailvoy.com

edit:

JD I will have to look into that currently I have no idea as I said I am totally new to this.. Anyone can suggest any magazines and/or books I should pick-up and read.. Also how do you find these areas (trails) to go off-road on?


Thanks
Walter

[Trail X]

Anyone can suggest any magazines and/or books I should pick-up and read

This is one of ORTB's writeups: http://www.offroadtb.com/articles/vehicle-recovery/

This is "getting unstuck"... a great supplement to our writeup: http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/ ... 250&page=1

This was also a very good book to read through... kinda an off-road bible: http://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/ ... 250&page=1

[The Roadie]

Also look into a local club of offroaders, and see what they have for trail run reports on their web sites. And ask at the local 4WD parts stores. There have to be some. Also check the libraries for 4WD overview books. Not so many trails to have a dedicated trail guide book like western states, though, IIRC.

I went to college at WPI, and my wife worked in Millbury for a while (in 1973.)

[wswensonjr]

Great idea how to save money on the G80 upgrade. Also don't forget to buy an EXT rear axle, if it's the same price, since you get a stronger unit that's plug and play. (8.6" ring gear instead of 8.0"). I did that for $400 when I blew up my G80.

Found one near me for 550 with only 30k on it not to bad....


Edit:

One thing I am trying to find out when the next TECORE advent is but can't find any posts on this ?

[Trail X]

It's been announced... but no date/location yet.

I was planning to do a little recon this weekend, but we're getting dumped on with snow.

[wswensonjr]

It's been announced... but no date/location yet.

I was planning to do a little recon this weekend, but we're getting dumped on with snow.

Ok That explains why I cant find anything...


Yes you guys are going to get some snow down there looks like up here we will luck out this time around maybe a dusting to an inch in the most southern part of mass but thats looks to be it...

[signguy62]

Welcome to the site!

Yeah, looks like Jersey's gonna get dumped on this weekend too. Already under Blizzard Warning for parts of the state.

[Doratus]

Welcome Sir!

[CHIEF BIG RIDGE]

Welcome to the mix.

[wswensonjr]

Thanks everyone for making me feel welcomed....

So as stated I was looking for a G80 rear end.... FOUND IT....

The good :
Price was right at 250.00
Had the G80 option
matched my current gear ratio

The Bad:
Would have preferred it out of EXT model (No one had one around that I called)

So tomorrow after it stops snowing I am going to start by draining the fluid as well as giving the whole axle a good scrub down and a little bit of a rattle can to help make it look new.. (its new to me why not make it look new for a few days).... Plain is as follows; need to replace backing plates on it so while I have the shafts out I am going to replace the axle shaft bearings.. ( Now time to go back and find the trailvoy article about taking the rear axles off)....

Also will be replacing the sway bar end links with smaxx as everyone that seems to have them like these a lot..

Today the nice fedex guy also delivered a special gift for me... It was a Q Industries MV50 SuperFlow Hi-Volume Air Compressor.... Now I did have to listen to the g/f but I just told her its in case we get a flat in either vehicle.. Got out of this argument with an A++..

[Trail X]

( Now time to go back and find the trailvoy article about taking the rear axles off)....

I beleive this is what you're looking for: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=66008

I need to ask GLFrederick if we can use that as an article here on ORTB!

[wswensonjr]

Yes... Thanks JD

[janesy86]

Ahh.. guess I missed this one. But welcome.

I also live in MA and have been in the Milbury area a bunch of times for work. (Aggregate Industries). We will have to find some places to wheel together sometime, once your off the ground that is.