? FRONT LIFT TO MATE WITH Z71 SPRINGS

[Philberto]

Please disconfuse me. You said do not use Tahoe Z71 springs with Tahoe Z71 shocks on my Trailblazer.
They work together on their original vehicle (Tahoe Z71) so why don't they work well on my Trailblazer with a 2" front lift ? Is it because the Tahoe is heavier and allows the spring/shock combo to work as designed ?

Correct. The z71 tahoe's maximum articulation fits within the range of the z71 tahoe shock, both due to weight and suspension design. On our vehicles, with a differently-designed rear suspension and lighter weight overall, our maximum possible articulation, even under street/onroad conditions (think speed bumps and dips), exceeds the maximum articulation of the shocks. The shocks top out, the suspension doesn't articulate like it should, you end up with extremely terrible performance, and sometimes when you go over a speedbump or dip too fast, your rear wheels leave the ground, especially when you're running the z71 shocks with z71 springs AND rear spacers.

How would I know this? Until last week, I had that exact setup. Check out my build thread. Getting the Fox 2.0 shocks from BDS was the best improvement I made to my TB since my lift.


That said, for the most lift without front spring changes, while retaining proper articulation and the best geometry possible, my recommended "Stage 1" setup is:

FRONT:
MarkMC 3" Lift Kit (2.5" kit if not using rear spacers)
Bilstein HD Shocks
Flip Upper Control Arms

REAR:
Z71 Springs (with or without MarkMC spacers)
BDS 5500 series shocks or anything designed for LIFTED Tahoes.


This is the most basic setup that I would recommend.

[CHI-TOWN]

Thanks for all the input -

I guess I jumped the gun and I actually already bought (from ebay) and are on their way Z71 springs and Z71 shocks

Therefore now I am thinking 2 options

Opt 1 -
Front - Order Marks 2.5" lift and just use the front spacers
Rear - Use the Z71 Springs (already purchased) & order a pair of BDS 55619 Shocks

Opt 2 -
Buy Marks 2.5" lift and just use that front/rear with stock springs/shocks
Try to sell the Z71 Springs/Shocks that I already bought from Ebay

[Philberto]

Thanks for all the input -

I guess I jumped the gun and I actually already bought (from ebay) and are on their way Z71 springs and Z71 shocks

Therefore now I am thinking 2 options

Opt 1 -
Front - Order Marks 2.5" lift and just use the front spacers
Rear - Use the Z71 Springs (already purchased) & order a pair of BDS 55619 Shocks

Opt 2 -
Buy Marks 2.5" lift and just use that front/rear with stock springs/shocks
Try to sell the Z71 Springs/Shocks that I already bought from Ebay

Which option is best would depend on what your intended use is.

If you intend to carry loads (whether gear or otherwise) in the back of your TB, I would go ahead and go with option 1. This would likely work best, and should leave you with a relatively level rake, as well as giving you greater load capacity. I drove on Z71 shocks for over a year, and it won't harm your TB, but will be a miserable ride.

Option 2 would be if you are going to be mostly running empty, but you will still need the BDS shocks, since spacers in the rear will still result in a higher initial ride height and greater articulation, if I remember correctly (Been 2-3 years since I've had stock shocks).

I'm currently running Mark's 2.5" spacers in both front and back, with 82 springs in front and z71 springs in back. The only thing I don't like is the rake, which will get fixed when I install the 3" front spacers I just got. Aside from that, the ride is great, trucklike, and I have no issues with topping out the BDS shocks.

[CHI-TOWN]

I am leaning towards Opt 1 and if the springs are too harsh for me then I will just put back the stock springs and add the rear spacer from the MarkMC kit -

[Philberto]

I am leaning towards Opt 1 and if the springs are too harsh for me then I will just put back the stock springs and add the rear spacer from the MarkMC kit -

Good idea.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Mark will sell you whatever parts of the lift you want. Just order without rear spacers...

[djthumper]

There is another option. Get Marks full kit but with a 1" spacer for the rear. With the Z71 rear spring giving you 1.5" of lift already. That is how I am running mine.

[Trail X]

I think Z71 springs with Z71 shocks, with no rear spacer will work fine for the most part.

I had Z71 springs with Z71 shocks, AND a 2" rear spacer for a year or so and it really wasn't THAT bad.

Without the spacer, they should do fine. If you don't like it, or you feel them top out often, you can always buy BDS shocks later.

One worry about BDS shocks + Z71 shocks - rear spacers is that the springs could fall out upon full axle extension.

[CHI-TOWN]

After emailing with MarkMC - I am going to get his 2.5" full kit and install with stock springs and BDS 55619 shocks. I ordered the shocks from Fat Bob's Garage. Have not ordered the lift kit yet.
I do have some Z71 springs & shocks on the way from Ebay. I can always keep them and maybe use them later or just try to sell on here or Ebay. I do pull a trailer but it is a small motorcycle trailer and my bike only ways 480lbs (Ducati). I can pull that trailer with my wife's Civic. So I don't think I need the Z71 springs.

[navigator]

Rears are fast and easy so since you are going to have everything you can mix and match until you get it like you want it.

[CHI-TOWN]

Just ordered Marks 2.5" kit another. I have never seen a lifted Trailblazer in Chicago so I might have the only one.

Current Picture in frozen Chicago garage. Too cold to install the Warn lights on the Steelcraft Bull Bar

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b48 ... 163641.jpg

[DirtyBacon04]

What type of off roading terrain do ya got out there? Mud, forest, mountain, flats, etc?

[CHI-TOWN]

Chicago has no offroading other than some local 4x4 parks that you have to pay to drive in. As I earlier described - my wife is from a ranch in Durango, Mx. The paved road ends about 40 mins from the ranch then it turns to dirt and rocks with hills to traverse. When it rains you better have 4wd. I would like to be able to drive the truck down to the ranch. 2 roundtrip airplane tickets are about $2000.00 - its dangerous but cheaper to drive and more fun to have a truck once you arrive at the ranch. It sits on the east side of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The place John Wayne made all his western movies at. They were all filmed in Durango, Mx

[djthumper]

Hatchet669, IIRC, is from the Chicago area.

[CHI-TOWN]

MarkMC is from the Chicago area also before he moved to Florida. Turns out he used to make castings for the company I currently work for. Small world -
I just ordered my Mark 2.5 lift. Can't wait to get it and get it on.
Thanks Mark !! You were a big help answering all my ??'s

[HARDTRAILZ]

Just ordered Marks 2.5" kit another. I have never seen a lifted Trailblazer in Chicago so I might have the only one.

Current Picture in frozen Chicago garage. Too cold to install the Warn lights on the Steelcraft Bull Bar

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b48 ... 163641.jpg

I can think of 3 lifted ones in Chi right now. Prolly more than that actually there.

[CHI-TOWN]

I'm sure also - There is 9.4 million people in the area (2010 census)
I just don't see any. I have been keeping a lookout. I would love to see a lifted one in person. I can see mine hopefully next week.
I don't see alot of 08's period. I know the sales of 2008-09 were really low compared to the peaks of >200K units/year.

[CHI-TOWN]

Got all the parts today - MarMC 2.5 lift, Z71 springs, and BDS 55619 - having second thoughts on the springs. Will it rake too much and/or will the ride be too stiff when running empty ?

[plaen]

Got all the parts today - MarMC 2.5 lift, Z71 springs, and BDS 55619 - having second thoughts on the springs. Will it rake too much and/or will the ride be too stiff when running empty ?

I would put them in, drive around on them for a bit, see if you like the feel, if you don't, only 2 bolts to take them out. We won't be able to tell you how stiff it will be as everyone's idea of stiff is different. I ran mine for 2 weeks before I took them off, and passed them on to another member.

For the rake, same thing put them in, see how it looks, if you don't like it, take them out, its a 30 min process if you take your time.

[CHI-TOWN]

The lift is going on today. Not doing the Z71 springs - just the MarMC 2.5 and new BDS 55619 shocks. I drive too much higway miles to have acrappy ride