Hello to all. New to ORTB forum. Long time Off Roader

[TrailBlazingFool]

Hello to all. Just bought 02 Trailblazer. New to this forum but a long time Off Roader. Also have 89 F-250
Ext Cab 4x4, 7.3L IDI Diesel & C-6 Automatic & 410s front and rear. Also new to Chevy products. I bought the Trailblazer because it was such a good I couldn't pass it up(2,500) with 123K on it, but it has some issues main one being that it will not shift into 4wd. My reason for joining this forum is that I want to make an Off Roader out of this street suv. After fixing 4wd. I want to do larger tires with or without body lift. Install brush guards, some real bumpers (Not Plastic), and a winch to start. Open to all ideas and any help members can provide.
I've been lurking and reading and have found some very interesting projects here. I really liked the member projects mods to straight front axle. That's the look I'm looking for but don't have the time nor expertise to tackle that kind of project.

Can anyone tell me the largest tire size that I can put on without a body lift? Also, suggestions for parts suppliers will be helpful.
Now I just have to learn how to navigate this forum site.

Arnold

[djthumper]

Welcome!

Start at the index and take a look around. A lot of the build threads will help point you to things you may be looking for.

[The Roadie]

Welcome! There's a great stickied thread here for the various lift products on the market. And the Tech Docs list for diagnosing a 4WD failure and other theory of operation docs: http://www.offroadtb.com/articles/tech-docs/

At 123K, there's a lot of maintenance that the previous owner might have neglected - some may be related to the 4WD system. I'd worry a LOT about a fried transfer case, but the 02's had a massive failure rate of the TCCM (transfer case control module) and the previous owner (do you know the person?) might have just pulled a fuse to stop it from flashing a "service me" light.

Make sure (if you haven't already) join gmtnation.com for discussions of a non-offroading nature. We discuss normal maintenance issues at both sites, but if you get into brakes, spark plugs, and the like, there's a bit more to search for over at GMTN.

Not sure if you found the site we all used to be members of (trailvoy.com), but it's a ghost town after the new site owners (a commercial outfit out of Toronto) bought it and ignored the community and just wanted to milk us for ad dollars. So we all abandoned trailvoy - forming ORTB first, then GMTN. There's plenty of articles (that many of us wrote) back at trailvoy, but it's good for research only. Don't bother posting a question - only noobs will see it and most of them aren't competent to answer.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome over.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Welcome!

[TrailBlazingFool]

Previous owner was my brother & sister-in-law who got it when her father passed. My brother said they've never had transfer case serviced, and I don't believe any fuses have been pulled since the service 4WD light is on & has been on since they got it. He said that dealer told them that Shift Module is bad & a replacement is $290 also Fan Clutch Assembly ($400) is reason for service engine light. They don't know what service her father had done. So, I'll cross my fingers & hope the transfer case hasn't been harmed, then start troubleshooting after reading tech articles. Since Shift Module seems to be a recurring problem is there an aftermarket module that will replace stock unit, for more reliability. Can anyone shed light on Fan Clutch Assembly issues? I'm an Electronics Technician and can repair many electrical and electronic components. Just need to learn the TB and purchase repair manuals.... Thanks All.... Arnold

How can I determine if I've got a 4WD with G80?


Bill, thanks for the advice. I'll check out the other sites and read/print Tech Articles and How To Guides. I'm not very knowledgable about Chevy Products. If it's a Ford Truck,2wd or 4wd, Gaser or IDI Diesel, no power strokes that's my forte.

[NC_IslandRunner]

If the Service 4WD light is on, it's safe to assume you have 4WD. Look at the sticker in the glove box if it has G80 on it you have it.

[The Roadie]

I talked to Arnold today to discuss the TCCM and TC issues. He does indeed have the G80 and 3.76 gears. Good setup. Except for the TC maintenance issues, of course.

[4angels]

welcome

[Cody_S]

Welcome aboard