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Need a bit of help here. Fired the truck up today for the first time. Started right up and ran for a couple seconds then died. Does this every time. Only stays running if I give it gas. Where should I start for diagnosing the issue?
If you haven't already solved this problem, you might get more responses posting a new thread specific to the starting/idling issue in the 2nd Gen Tech section. Hopefully you could get responses from some of the diagnostic minded people on here.
When it dies, does it struggle and sputter or just die straight off?
I'm not the most knowledgeable on this, but it could be an Idle Air Control solenoid issue. Or possibly old fuel? Do you have an OBD tool that could give you more diagnostic info?
If you haven't already solved this problem, you might get more responses posting a new thread specific to the starting/idling issue in the 2nd Gen Tech section. Hopefully you could get responses from some of the diagnostic minded people on here.
When it dies, does it struggle and sputter or just die straight off?
I'm not the most knowledgeable on this, but it could be an Idle Air Control solenoid issue. Or possibly old fuel? Do you have an OBD tool that could give you more diagnostic info?
I've got an idea what it is but if I can't figure it out by this weekend, I'll start a new thread. Did a fuel pressure test and it seems a bit low at the test port. Going to try and make an adapter to test at the fuel filter and go from there. When I first turned the fuel pump on, there was a strange squawking type sound from the engine bay for a couple seconds at key on and key off. Don't know what that could be other than the regulator. Maybe, maybe not. My diagnostic skills are a little lacking.
Fuel problem is solved. Ordered a new regulator and then found a loose intake plenum bolt. Not sure if this would cause the issue but either way, it's fixed and running. Heading to a local shop on Friday to have an alignment and crank sensor relearn. Hopefully this fixes the slightly erratic idle.
I also need to find a way to raise the back end 1-1.5 inches. I already have a set of short add-a-leafs and extended shackles so I may try to find a set of ZR2 leafs and see if these are higher. Or maybe cut up some regular leafs to make a long add-a-leaf?
A couple of other projects...old vs new fender liners
Gas tank and transfer case skid plates
Also started making a new front skid plate. The upper support attaches to the tow hook mounting bolts. The rear slides into the existing mounting points for the diff skid plate already made.
Long add-a-leafs or a home-made extra leaf might work better than a short add-a-leaf. Most of the time it's the main leaf that sags beyond the next leaf in the pack, so a short leaf at the bottom of the pack won't help as much as a long leaf that supports the main leaf along it's full length. I did a long leaf on my Blazer, and it worked great, giving me just short of 2" after it settled, while only stiffening the ride a bit.
Other people had great success by taking the main leaf from a Blazer pack, and cutting off the eyes so that it was the same length as the main leaf and supported it along the full length.
The other option would be to re-arch your leaf pack, or even replace the whole thing. Some shops advertise that they can re-arch it to whatever height you want.
Last edited by El_Beautor; Sep 17, 2025 at 03:08 PM.
Long add-a-leafs or a home-made extra leaf might work better than a short add-a-leaf. Most of the time it's the main leaf that sags beyond the next leaf in the pack, so a short leaf at the bottom of the pack won't help as much as a long leaf that supports the main leaf along it's full length. I did a long leaf on my Blazer, and it worked great, giving me just short of 2" after it settled, while only stiffening the ride a bit.
Other people had great success by taking the main leaf from a Blazer pack, and cutting off the eyes so that it was the same length as the main leaf and supported it along the full length.
The other option would be to re-arch your leaf pack, or even replace the whole thing. Some shops advertise that they can re-arch it to whatever height you want.
Got a quote for re-arching of $300 which is more than I want to spend so I may try to chop up some other Blazer leafs to use the main leaf.
Decided to add some decals, not 100% sold on them.
Skid plate powdercoated and installed. Will probably redo the front skid at some point as a second version would probably be much better.
Here are the rear springs, not sure how saggy they are. Re-arching is too expensive so my options appear to be to add another leaf from other springs. Will adding the main leaf from another Blazer pack give me an inch? Or should I try Chevy 63's? Or is it just trial and error at this point?
