Holy crap Les, what a show. I put the hub on and realized the axle would no longer spin, it was binding up big time. I could make it spin with the tire on but things weren't happy! Once back together and driving with the sway bar off it was so bad on corners popping and all this, so I checked pass to driver height and pass was a bit higher, so I lowered that down and put the sway bar on and that solved it for most of the time. I still wasn't happy, especially to do this long trip, so today I shimmed the bump stops so I can still rotate the tire freely even at full droop. Now I need to do the rear brakes tomorrow and she should be set! Also got an alignment done today after the slight t-bar adjustment. I think after the trip I will pull a GM axle from the junkyard, this GSP axle seems to be trash with the lift.

 

Glad you got it back together successfully!! Have a good trip!

Isn't it typical for the differential to be dropped down on some sort of brackets with a suspension lift? Just curious. I really don't know one way or another on lifts.

 

Thanks Les, still need to do rear pads tonight as they are down to the squealer. Of course, they just started making noise last night too! The blazer gods calling down to me to make sure I don't miss anything before the trip LOL. Anyway, the front end seems great with the shims on the bump stop, no more binding at all, even when I'm tearing sh*t up and hit a bump in the road and the suspension maxes out. To answer you Les, they do come with a diff drop, and I have one, but I guess it's not enough because this axle will still bind at full droop. I remember the GM axle was close to binding, but could still rotate freely at full droop, so not a surprise the aftermarket axle has a little less range of motion.

 

So you have both a body lift and a suspension lift with the torsion bars cranked up? I guess it is pretty high! Glad things worked out!

 

Thanks Les, I got the rear pads done Thursday after work and was off Friday morning on the trip! It felt surreal making it 900km there, with 90km of dirt road named one of North America's most dangerous highways (read here), me and the blazer shredded all 900km like kings! Then again 900km today on the way back with NO issues whatsoever. She kept good temp the whole time even going over passes and the suspension is dialed, I had her pegged at 120km/h all day and she feels amazing no shaking or anything as there has been before. Really happy I shimmed that bump stop it worked a charm the whole way even off-road, the new axle was never binding. The self-pride I feel right now is amazing, I have built a beast! She can go 800km on the highway then lock the hubs in and do another 90km of dirt road with no hassle! I even shed a few tears when I got to the dirt road on the way there, very proud of myself! I'm very thankful you have been here Les and willing to help me with all of these things, from the engine to when I crashed it to putting the front axle back together and countless other things you are always there and willing to help me make things work!

 

You are welcome!! Your parents should be proud and you should thank them!! This is stuff you will remember fondly for the rest of your life. I think it's safe for me to say that you have "bonded" with your Blazer? I feel that if one keeps that desire to learn alive - you will seldom be bored or dependent on others for your own happiness!! Of course that also requires the ability to wade through all the B.S. that gets thrown at you, and tell which info is a gem and which info is a turd - as well as the ability to understand it!

 

Pretty country there.

We like to rent a capable Jeep from Turo in Las Vegas and go on the trails in Death Valley. Have done it in March every year for last 6 years, once the snow melts (on the mountains). I like the little Jeeps because they are narrow and have high ground clearance, especially with a lift. Went down Lippencott Road one time, but rented a Farabee Jeep in Death Valley to do that one. You just go slow!! Contrary to what these guys say - Lippencott is not the most dangerous Jeep trail in Death Valley. It's just the most difficult one most people attempt.

Just one of many videos you can find on Lippencott:

Here's a video about Echo Canyon Road on the branch that goes over the mountain to Armagosa Valley. Never went there!!! Just up to the Inyo mine, turned around, and came back! Drivers who can do this are amazing!

 

Thanks Les, it was a beautiful drive on the way there. We all went out there to celebrate where my late dad grew up, and I'm sure he would have been very proud to see the blazer to make that drive! Every time I drive the blazer it feels surreal, especially since putting the engine in, all that work pays off every time I turn the key and she starts up worry free!

I have seen many videos from moab and vegas off-roading, it looks insane! Very lucky to be able to go there, I will go out there one day hopefully with the blazer. Just add on another day from the trip I just made and I'll be in Vegas!