Looks good!

Are you going with stock shackles or 2 inch lift shackles? I'm not sure stock will fix the height, might need new main leafs, if not the whole leaf pack. Cheaper to go with shackles, but a better ride with new leafs. I did an add a leaf to fix the sag on my four door, and it stiffened the ride in the read.

 

I'm thinking just aftermarket shackles. The leafsprings and everything underneath is rust free so it's not a concern in the southwest. The ride quality is fine, it's just the visual sag in the rear that I would like to address.

 

I have a 2004 ZR2 and used spring overs. They leveled it out nice and it’s a comfortable ride. Have had them on about 5 years now and still holding up!
Also planning to rebuild the suspension and fix front and rear main seal leaks plus replace what I can get to in the process like the water pump, intake and exhaust gaskets, timing chain, valve cover gaskets etc.
Shopping for suspension parts that are heavier duty than stock and may leave the height as is unless maybe going with taller tires?
Luckily the interior is in good shape with the exception of a few plastic pieces and of course the left side of the drivers seat that always sees the most wear from getting in and out of the vehicle.
My big deal is venturing in to fix the sunroof! I was closing it and heard this noise then these black plastic pieces that looked like they were pieces of gears came sprinkling down! I haven’t opened it since! Appreciate the information on removal of the headliner! This looks like it’ll be a big job!
Appreciate your posting the information and experience with your rebuild!

 

Happy to hear my information can help. Yeah mine does not have a sunroof but I imagine after taking the headliner off it might give you some better visual clues on how to fix the sunroof motor. Repairing these trucks always look more intimidating than what it really is. Some parts of the job I will pass off to a professional mechanic but most of the repairs can be done.

I will keep on updating this thread as there will always be something that needs attention.

 

Small update 3-10-21:

I finally got the brakes bled, with the help of my father and all is running well. I had a nagging ABS and Parking Brake light that would come on at random intervals. Since replacing the front bearings on both driver and passenger side, I was relieved to see that the ABS and Parking Lights have not returned. The only nagging light I still have pending is the airbag light (I will address this soon).

Now with the brake system and suspension complete I am moving onto the engine and replacing many of the parts that are prone to failure in these S10/Blazers. Maybe this weekend coming up I will head to the salvage yard and see if I have the energy to finally replace the dashboard with a charcoal grey (original was pewter grey). I will replace the heater core while I have the dashboard out of course.

 

Glad to hear everything is coming along nicely! Looking foward to seeing the end project in the future. Lord know these s10s aren't short on work lol

 

An update:

I was driving my Blazer back from the bank when I saw the fuel needle snap to the half tank when I knew I had about ¼ maybe less of fuel. Typically, when I let the tank drop below ¼ the needle twitches between ¼ and half tank. More when I accelerate from a stop, most likely the gas sloshing around the tank. So, I made it home and asked a coworker if he could put me into contact with his mechanic, since he had recently replaced fuel pump changed on his 4-door blazer, but he never got back to me since he left my workplace and found another job elsewhere.

The car sat for about 4 months without moving it, killing my battery.

So I began my research on Youtube and my repair manual to replace the fuel pump. I will have a write up very soon, just need to remember the tool sizes.

I will have a write up shortly for those interested.

 

Make sure you spend the money for the OEM fuel pump and not a much cheaper aftermarket pump. Swapping out pumps is pretty straight forward, See if you can figure out how each of the quick disconnects release before you drop the tank for the lines going to/from the top of the tank/pump. Make sure you disconnect the fuel fill hose and vent hose, too. A hydraulic floor jack and a piece of wood make dropping the tank easy, particularly if you have someone that knows how to drop the tank slowly so you can disconnect the lines on top of the tank. A close to empty tank is ideal but not necessary.

The part of having someone drop the tank slowly with the jack is pretty important. I had my dad help me one time and he didn't know how to do it slowly. Yep, ended up with the tank half full laying on my chest, lines still connected. Then he couldn't figure out how to raise it. On gravel in the middle of summer at high noon in the far south part of Louisiana.

Ahh...great memories.

 

Thanks AJBert, I already did the repair about three weeks ago and was going to do a detailed write up for anyone looking to do it. Yeah I used a jack and about four jack stands to hold the pump while I disconnected all the fuel and communication lines. I got a pretty pricey replacement pump so I won't have to do it in a while.

Funny you mention your dad helping you, my dad helped me lower the tank with a jack but he let it go too fast and had to hold it up while I centered the jack to lift back up (jack stands weren't in play just yet). Luckily for me it was in the spring time on concrete so I wasn't suffering too bad.

 

I have a list of parts I would like to replace/fix:

- Add spring overs to level the rear.
- Replace the entire dash with a charcoal color to match the replaced interior.
- Replace the door panels with charcoal colored ones.
- Fix the rear window wiper motor.
- Replace hood with stock (it has a cowl hood, but its mostly for looks, not functional. I am replacing it because I can't open the hood all the way without having to push the windshield wipers down to clear it).
- Replace the front grill with an identical one and maybe paint it all black? (the one it has the side clips are broken so the sides are loose).
- Replace all the headlights and tail lights with new ones (the ones it has are getting foggy).
- Replace seals around engine bay (quite a few leaks nothing major).
- Maybe fix the AC system this one is not urgent, I enjoy diving it with the windows down.
- Repaint the whole car.
- Ultimately when the engine goes replace with an LS (engine runs solid as of right now).

There's probably more somewhere.