DriftinBlzr
09-03-09, 07:27 AM
I thought I would start a project thread on my Blazer. I won't have very frequent updates as I seem to be busy with everything else in life except the Blazer. But I'll try to update the thread as much as I can.
I asked my wife what she thought I should name the project and she came up with "Project What the Hell" for a couple reasons. 1) When it's done, that's what most poeple will say when they see it. 2) Every time I go to work on something on the vehicle, something screws up and I want to scream, "What the hell?!"
My Blazer is a 2002 two door, 2WD, with the 5-speed. I has the Z85 suspension, 8.5" rear end, G80 posi, and GU6 3.43:1 gearing. It doesn't have cruise, power door locks or power windows or a rear window wiper. Pretty stripped down model.
The plans are to lower it, turbo it, and make it into a more race oriented, semi-Xtreme clone.
Here's how it looked most of the time I've owned it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN1997.jpg
I removed the roof rack and plugged the holes and I also removed the chrome trim around the headlights and the chrome bar across the grill. (I kind of have a hatred toward chrome. I'm not totally against it but try to keep it to a minimal amount.)
I then totalled my WRX in July and got a check from the insurance company and bought an expensive pile of stuff. I bought a marine intake, Zoom replacement clutch, QA1 coilovers w/ 550lb/in springs, 3" lowering blocks and a HP Tuner.
While walking through Summit Racing looking for trans fluid, they had some clearance tables out and I just happened to find some goodies. I picked up a set of returned clear markers for $20. Not bad I thought, until I came across a pair of 25mm Eibach wheel spacers for $25 (they retail at $202!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2756.jpg
I got a repop of an Xtreme grill from eBay for cheap. Even not painted, the new grill looks much better. The marker lights had small fitment issues but nothing a couple files and time couldn't fix. Now the front of the truck looks more complete. I still need to get the grill color matched though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2759.jpg
With my new coil overs and 550lb/in springs with the spring seat at 4.25 turns from the bottom, the vehicle was still at stock ride height. I wanted a 3" drop so I started looking for another set of softer rate coils. I got a great deal on a set of new 250-350lb/in coils and set them at 1/6 turns from the bottom.
I tried installing the 3" angled blocks from Belltech but the driveshaft was pushed all the way into the trans and I still couldn't get the locating pins to line up between the axle pads and the blocks. So back to Summit and I got some 2" DJM blocks for $20 less. After I get home and read the instructions (I know, who does that?) and DJM suggests getting block plates due to the narrow axle pads in the late S-series vehicles. Not wanting to run back to Summit or spend any more $$ I decided that making my own would not be hard. I found some 1/8" SS plate and made my own. After that I finally got the rear lowered.
Thanks to the wise people at GM but they decided that a 4x4 stance would be great for a 4x2 vehicle. So after a bunch of $$ and several trips to Summit Racing, I got Project WTH lowered. It's not as low as I wanted but it's close and I ran out of $$ to make it any lower this year. I think final measurements were 2.5" in front and 2.125" in the rear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2772.jpg
I also couldn't help myself and threw on the adapters and 2 of my Firehawk rims. The 275/40-17 Goodyear racing tires with shaved tread really demostrates that I need to go a little lower to make it look right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2773.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2775.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2776.jpg
The front rim/tire sits close to flush with the fender...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2778.jpg
But the rear rim/tire isn't as flush. I plan on getting 1.25" spacers, instead of 1", for the rear to fix that.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2777.jpg
I also turned the front wheel lock to lock to check for rubbing and I have at least 0.5" clearance to the nearest point.
That's about all the updates I'll have for a while. I still need to get my marine intake installed but I have to make the fuel injector wiring harness and all the fun stuff yet.
Later, Doug
I asked my wife what she thought I should name the project and she came up with "Project What the Hell" for a couple reasons. 1) When it's done, that's what most poeple will say when they see it. 2) Every time I go to work on something on the vehicle, something screws up and I want to scream, "What the hell?!"
My Blazer is a 2002 two door, 2WD, with the 5-speed. I has the Z85 suspension, 8.5" rear end, G80 posi, and GU6 3.43:1 gearing. It doesn't have cruise, power door locks or power windows or a rear window wiper. Pretty stripped down model.
The plans are to lower it, turbo it, and make it into a more race oriented, semi-Xtreme clone.
Here's how it looked most of the time I've owned it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN1997.jpg
I removed the roof rack and plugged the holes and I also removed the chrome trim around the headlights and the chrome bar across the grill. (I kind of have a hatred toward chrome. I'm not totally against it but try to keep it to a minimal amount.)
I then totalled my WRX in July and got a check from the insurance company and bought an expensive pile of stuff. I bought a marine intake, Zoom replacement clutch, QA1 coilovers w/ 550lb/in springs, 3" lowering blocks and a HP Tuner.
While walking through Summit Racing looking for trans fluid, they had some clearance tables out and I just happened to find some goodies. I picked up a set of returned clear markers for $20. Not bad I thought, until I came across a pair of 25mm Eibach wheel spacers for $25 (they retail at $202!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2756.jpg
I got a repop of an Xtreme grill from eBay for cheap. Even not painted, the new grill looks much better. The marker lights had small fitment issues but nothing a couple files and time couldn't fix. Now the front of the truck looks more complete. I still need to get the grill color matched though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2759.jpg
With my new coil overs and 550lb/in springs with the spring seat at 4.25 turns from the bottom, the vehicle was still at stock ride height. I wanted a 3" drop so I started looking for another set of softer rate coils. I got a great deal on a set of new 250-350lb/in coils and set them at 1/6 turns from the bottom.
I tried installing the 3" angled blocks from Belltech but the driveshaft was pushed all the way into the trans and I still couldn't get the locating pins to line up between the axle pads and the blocks. So back to Summit and I got some 2" DJM blocks for $20 less. After I get home and read the instructions (I know, who does that?) and DJM suggests getting block plates due to the narrow axle pads in the late S-series vehicles. Not wanting to run back to Summit or spend any more $$ I decided that making my own would not be hard. I found some 1/8" SS plate and made my own. After that I finally got the rear lowered.
Thanks to the wise people at GM but they decided that a 4x4 stance would be great for a 4x2 vehicle. So after a bunch of $$ and several trips to Summit Racing, I got Project WTH lowered. It's not as low as I wanted but it's close and I ran out of $$ to make it any lower this year. I think final measurements were 2.5" in front and 2.125" in the rear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2772.jpg
I also couldn't help myself and threw on the adapters and 2 of my Firehawk rims. The 275/40-17 Goodyear racing tires with shaved tread really demostrates that I need to go a little lower to make it look right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2773.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2775.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2776.jpg
The front rim/tire sits close to flush with the fender...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2778.jpg
But the rear rim/tire isn't as flush. I plan on getting 1.25" spacers, instead of 1", for the rear to fix that.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/Streetfighterkz/Blazer/DSCN2777.jpg
I also turned the front wheel lock to lock to check for rubbing and I have at least 0.5" clearance to the nearest point.
That's about all the updates I'll have for a while. I still need to get my marine intake installed but I have to make the fuel injector wiring harness and all the fun stuff yet.
Later, Doug