Twip's 98 Blazer slo-mo build
 

Hey guys and gals,

i decided to start a build thread even though i dont plan on doing a whole bunch of off the wall stuff...

anyway, lets get in to it!

what i have done so far:

LEDs in and out. all the brake lights and turn signals, foot well, map and dome lights all in white. swapped out the flasher module. tailgate led strip. (stop, turn, tail, and reverse)
Removed the tape deck and trim ring. (soon to have a red LED light to find stuff easier) Simple sound system, HU, sub and amp in the back. an old alpine V12 putting out 595 watts. a JL Audio 3v3 10" in a ported box.
new shocks all around, just some basic Monroe Sensa-Trac.
WeatherTec Digital Fit floor mats front and second row.

and to round it out right now, just painted the front Bowtie. pics to come.

what i plan on doing:

Dash and door speakers
Window tint and visor
HIDs
Custom center console with rear 12v plugs and switches for rear heated seats.
Roof basket (thinking a MOAB if i can find one for a good price, or build one)
Put the spare up in the basket with studs to keep it there
On-board air and maybe a train horn....

so i said that i would post some pictures up. here is a picture of the fresh primer on the bowtie.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359431790

and the color that i chose.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359431790

going to hit it with a few coats of clear tomorrow before i put it back on in the afternoon.

led lights
 

here is a picture of the led lights in the rear, the left side is the new led lights and the right is the stock lights.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359432204

same thing here. left is new, right is old.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359432204

and a picture of the map lights. its pretty obvious.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359432204

i will have to get a picture of everything installed as in the tail lights and led bar and front blinkers and the dome lights. but i think that you get the idea.

got it all finished up for now. polished the grille a little bit and got it all back in.. i will get a better picture tomorrow.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1359516103

time to get out the book and see what it take to replace the front shocks and then time to get started.

Lifted Bailey today!!
put an AAL in the rear and turn the keys an inch in the front. the AAL added about 2 1/2 inches. so i am sitting about an 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 higher in the back. IT LOOKS SO BAD ASS!! i know i sound a little cheesy but, this is the first time that i have ever had anything higher than stock. she is going to be going to the alignment shop in the next day or two to keep from killing my new tires.
i also fixed my trailer plug and i will have pictures up tomorrow of it sitting a little higher and where i relocated my trailer plug. i guess i got tired of tearing it off and having to buy a new one every time i went 4 wheeling. thats it for now!

just putting up some pictures.
 

here she is next to a square body at the local store before the lift.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370389139

and out on the trail with some buddies.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370389139

and after the lift sitting in my driveway. i picked up about 3 inches in the back, and i did about an inch or so in the front.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370389139

and this is where i relocated my trailer plug. the rear of the blazer is at the bottom of the picture. its on the driver side.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370389139
i just need to clean up the couple of zip ties and make up an extension so that i can hook up the trailer.

so i ask, good idea? or bad idea?

Not a bad idea but it looks like you will have to lay on the ground to plug in the trailer. Why not just drill a hole and mount it nicely next to the license plate?

Nice lookin blazer. If you are looking for some decent trails go down closer to Ocean Side/ Dana Point go a little south past them right before the big marine base. Pretty decent trails and some sand to play in.

i thought about that, but once i looked into in further, i would have to drill through the bumper, and then there is a plate behind the bumper that i would have to go through as well. basically i saw it as having to buy 3 or 4 hole saws to get the job done. which was no big deal. but then i figured that i dont tow that much, in fact, only twice since i got the blazer back in Nov. '12. so it was a combination of ease and basically how often it gets used.
i do agree that it would look waaaaay better and more custom through the bumper, but i just didnt feel like putting the effort in to it when i dont use it enough.

i will have to do that. i have been wanting to go out again, but i cant find anyone willing to go that has a 4x4. im kinda by myself in all this right now. but did find this bad ass website that has trails all across the states in it. its like a giant database of fun!
RiderPlanet USA - ATV Trails, Motorcycle Trails, Motocross Tracks you gotta check it. just click on your state.

I lived in Irvine, if I were still there I would go with you, there are some serious trails and closer to the base you get into some really fun dunes. I ripped my silverado up those mommas. Was a blast.

since i worked on my work blazer a little bit today, i figured that i would show some love for my blazer and get a new set of wheels for her.

Attachment 31605

picked up this set of ZR5 rims from a guy that i also bought a ZR2 rear axle from. i still have to get the axle in, but its on the list. i thought that i could get this done pretty quick and easy today! what do you think?

quick update on my list of things to do!

what i plan on doing:

Dash and door speakers - DONE!
Window tint and visor - DONE!
HIDs
Custom center console with rear 12v plugs and switches for rear heated seats.
Roof basket (thinking a MOAB if i can find one for a good price, or build one)
ZR2 Rear axle - Bought, but not installed
ZR5 Rims - DONE!

shes getting there, slowly but surely its becoming more mine! if that makes sense.

so i went a little "spendy" yesterday.....
but its for the good. i got everything i need for a tune up, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, and then i got some wipers since its getting close to that time of the year around here. then i bought 4 new rotors and new parking brake kit. since i have the ZR2 rear axle to put in, i figured that i might as well do the rear brakes and everything now so i dont have to do it later. i still have to get rear calipers but i had to lend my brother 70 bones because his wife killed a tire last night avoiding an accident. glad everyone was ok though.
so now i just have to get new guide pins for the front calipers and a few other brake related items, brake clean, disc brake quiet, ect. ect... and i can do all the brakes and a tune up. she has been starting a little rough so i want to get that fixed up the right way.
ill get some pictures up when i get the parts....Rock auto should have everything to me by Saturday!

i guess that i should update this a little bit. tomorrow i will start cleaning parts and getting everything lined up to install my 8.5 rear end and my new E-Locker from Eaton.:icon_drool: i should have everything done by Saturday, fingers crossed nothing comes up. :icon_headbang: i just have to pick up my new brake lines on Friday since nobody had any of them in stock. :icon_dance-cpatch:

Attachment 31440

well i got all the bearings banged out and new races installed. go the pinion bearing all done and same with the carrier bearings. tomorrow will be drilling a hole for the electrical, cleaning, then installing and shimming. and if things work out correctly, i will start the swap tomorrow afternoon. pictures tomorrow as well. i kinda ran out of day light today.

well i am almost done with the 8.5 upgrade.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1390613998
i have it all cleaned out and new pinion races installed. getting ready to drill the hole for the electrical.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1390613998
this seemed like the best location. out of the way, next to where the brake lines will be. i think it should be just fine.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1390613998
and here we have it all put together. pinion installed, locker put in. now tomorrow i just have to get everything switched over, which shouldnt be too bad. all new brakes will be going on as well. then i will have to start running wire and what not to get everything operational.

Nice work!!

so i was kicking ass and taking names today with my axle swap. AND THEN, i broke the transmission yoke on my drive shaft while swapping out the u-joints!! i was soooo happy!! so that kinda put a hampering on my day since now i couldnt drive it home. i had to borrow my bosses truck so i could go to the pick and pull to get another drive shaft. and then in the morning, i have to take it apart, after of course making sure that it fits, and then put it back together. i was a bit irritated when it happened because everything else was going so well. not a huge deal anyway. i wasnt going to be able to get it wired up today as i was taking my sweet time and working leisurely.
so the plan for tomorrow will be to get the "new" drive shaft apart, check the trans yoke out, then put it u-joints in it, then install it. fill rear end with oil. change front brakes, bleed everything so i will have fresh fluid. i think its still the factory DOT3 in my system now. and boy is it UGLY! put the wheels back on it and then go for a drive!

(Pictures tomorrow of everything, more or less)

ok, so i have finished everything that was my rear end swap out. (except running the wires) so i said that i was going to upload pictures of everything and now i have gotten back in town so i will do as such.
so i had previously stated that i had broken the trans yoke.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391034734
Not happy times.
so anyway, i got a replacement and i was off and running. got the u-joints of the rear drive shaft swapped out with some new grease-able Spicer ones.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391034734
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391034734
so i got everything switch over to the new axle. i did all new brakes in the back including new hoses, calipers, parking brake shoes, pads and rotors. swapped out the front pads and bleed everything. adjusted the parking brake cable so nothing was dragging. i didnt take a picture of that because i think we all know what the rear brakes look like. so now that i had all that done, i figured it was time to put the drive shaft in. now my diff yoke had seen better days i'm sure. so i decided to a tap down the threads to clean out any boogers or rust. run it down the first hole, just fine. run it down the second hole, just fine; or so i thought. i started to back it out and make the infamous *CRACK*. i think i may have cried a little when i heard it because i knew what it meant. so for a few minutes i tried to get it out of the threads....no dice. i finally said "eff this!" and took the yoke off the pinion.
Bottom right hole. https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391034734
As i drove back over to the local rear end place, quietly muttering obscenities under my breath to myself, i was going over everything that i had to undo because of this. i was able to get a new yoke, crush sleeve, and locking nut. took everything back to the shop and proceeded to take the rear end almost completely apart. axles out, carrier out, pull the pinion, changed the crush sleeve, and put it all back together. re-check everything, make sure that everything is torqued and i was back at it again. got the drive shaft installed put the wheels on, made sure everything was free to spin, after i put it in neutral. filled the diff with some 85W-140, started it and let everything break in.

You handled it far better than I would have... I know the feeling when you're about to either cry or start throwing sh1t. I've had my gf come into the shop because she thought I was yelling at someone else...no no, just reminding myself how stupid I can be.

i was definitely not happy about the problems i had. but i just wanted my baby back. you guys know how it is. after the trans yoke broke, and then that tap decided to retire in my diff yoke, i just wanted to get it done. and i was pretty much telling myself that i didnt care what it cost. i was just over the problems.

Nice upgrades, be careful with the e-locker though.

True! A friend had one in a D60 in a 4Runner, and he had a few troubles with it. Something to do with how they lock in, you need to have it slightly under power for it to lock in properly. I'm not positive, but it may be worth looking into.

Blaz destroyed his, apparently they unlock if you reverse then get chewed up when you start going forward again.


So, if you need to back up, unlock it first then lock it when you're ready to move forward again.


Post #96 --> https://blazerforum.com/forum/builds...-75972/page10/

i cant see how they can unlock in reverse being that you have to flip the switch, but i will keep it in mind when i am using it. the small nightmare i had putting this one in, i dont want to have to mess with it for several years besides servicing the rear end. i did read, i think it was on Eaton's site, that they can take as much as 270 degrees of rotation before they lock up. i think that a lot of people would engage these when there are tearing up a hill and one wheel is spinning and the other isn't. i read on another forum, i think it was a jeep one, that someone engaged it while the wheels where spinning and they broke the axle housing!! i couldnt imagine that.

anyway, thanks for the heads up on that. i think that i will just play it safe and heed warning from you and Blaz.

I think I`m gonna stick with a lock right

Yeah, that's all I know about it. Another guy confirmed this is a problem on zr2usa and blaz researched it more after the fact and found more information on it.



I like my ECTED :)

The E locker was great when it was working. Driver error is the cause of the failure. Make it up every feature on the first try with out rolling backward even a foot. The locker I have now (Yukon Grizzly) is no where as street friendly as the open diff the e-locker provides. Time will tell if the Grizzly is a good upgrade for me. Use the e-locker with caution and get out and have fun.

The failure I had is the same as others with H3's and some jeeps.

H3 Eaton locker installation - Page 2

Blaz, thank you so much for this information. i went back to the first page of that thread and starting reading and now i see what he was saying about it unlocking and then re-locking. that information will save me later when im out on the trails. i just wish that the manual would say something about it. of course, i havent made it all the way through the manual because it seems like its mostly just wiring and install pointers. but alas, thank you so much for the link and great amount of extra knowledge.:icon_toast:

Yeah, This info may have helped mine last longer than 2 Years.
:icon_deadhorse:

Life goes on.

well i said that i was going to get one and the opportunity presented itself late last night, so i jumped on it this morning.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391561084

and now Bailey has a new hat!!
a rather large new hat i might add....

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1391561084

its a Yakima MegaWarrior Roof Basket. i picked it up on craigslist for 225 this afternoon and i just have to get a couple of parts for it. i am going to re-spray it as it looks terrible up close. but as you can see in the pictures, it looks decent from 10 feet away. i am now one more step closer to getting my list finished off!

Roof basket-DONE!!

same one I have, nice

i like it so far. but it makes a ton of noise. i dont have the fairing yet, but its in the mail and i should have it on the 14th. but of course, i will be out of town. figures.
does yours have a lot of wind noise?

Not really ,but I usually have stuff on it, also have lights on it