This weekend i took the lowering blocks out of the rear and put new stock u bolts in, did the t bar crank up front and mounted up 4 31x10.5x15 goodyear wranglers. the truck always did squeak when it was lowered and after i did the crank the blazer doesnt squeak in the front at all! anyways it sits up alot higher now but here are my issues: cnt get the bolts out of the leafs the install shackles. I got one off but the one that goes throuh the leaf bushing wont budge. eveb with the nut off and i hit it with a hammer it wont slide out. is this a common problem? and another is that most ppl say they rub on the front bumper. mine are rubbing on the fender. i took the flares off and there is abot an inch or so of clearence now.. i thought about getting the rc 2.5 kit but the
t-bar crank and shackles is the key factor in height. so is this as high as i can go or are there other things i can do to prevent tire rub. i know i can get a pa bl but i really dnt like the idea of it and prefer a sus lift soley. Also are you guys able to off road with 31s and the t bar/shackle job? if so what are your limitations and your issues on rubbing. and how exactly do you trim?

 

Anyone?

 

I have a 99 bravada. I have the rc 2.5 with a 2in pa BL & still had to trim the front fenders to get full lock to lock turning. I had frame rub on stock rims. I bought after market rims w/3in back spacing & now no rub at all. Btw that's w/ 31 x 10.5 r15 Yokohamas.

As far as the shackle bolts, when I did mine they were bound up in the leaf bushing so I torched the bushing out & went to. Orileys if I remember right & bought stock replacement bushings & the new "oem" replacements had the steel sleeve in the bushing but also had a outer steel sleeve over the bushing. I cleaned up the eyelets, heated them up alittle & put some bearing grease on the outer sleeve & they slid right in didn't even need a BFH. Also I replaced the bolts & nuts w/ grade 8 bolts from the hardware store.

Hope that helps. Check out my build thread if u need any pics & let me know if u need some better ones.

 

I looked at your build and i like it! the way money is right now i am leaning towards a suspension lift soley.. i dont want to mess with a bl.. what was your thoughts on the rc 2.5? was it worth the money bc i here talk about it doesnt improve cvs much at all and some talk that it does make a world of difference. Would it lift it more than just a t crank and shackles? bc what im seeing the only difference is a arms and diff drop. im wanting to put some money in my bravada but in all the right places. i am keeping in mind that with 189k most my front end bushing, tie rod etc. will need replaced. so i was thinking why not get the 2.5 rc. Im content with the amount of lift but i want to be able to wheel on it daily.

 

Before you get too far into it... are you sure you want to put money into a vehicle with a single speed AWD transfer case? Something to keep in mind, is when you do a suspension lift as opposed to a body lift, you'll have ongoing, (never ending) problems with steering and suspension parts.

 

AS the good Capt said.

 

Yes i am aware of that now and it makes sense. (thanks to iroc) ig when you go lifting any ifs setup the parts are bound to go out faster. and mainly bc it was designed a certain way (stock) and the setup wasnt intended to be manipulated. If it was they would already be lifted huh. So parts will last a long life if you keep it within spec. Im not quite understanding what youre saying about the transfer case. but i do love my setup and it does have a g80 going for it.. yes ik g80s are crap dada dada. just some off the stuff ive seen ppl put on this forum. kina like ppl saying the rc 2.5 is a waste when like you guys are saying either way parts are going to wear when u manipulate the sus. what i have read tonight about the g80 is that it was intended for low speed only. for situations such as snow, mud etc. and when you go doing burnouts and all that high speed stuff it kicks in and out at high speeds clearly what its not intended for which is why alot of ppl are blowing thiers up or why a new owners locker does not engage. from years of abuse. if mine does not work i may swap it for a detroit truetrac. but one thing at a time right.

 

Bravada has a single speed, automatic AWD system. It is entirely computer controlled, it has no low range, the front axle is always locked in, (even in 2WD), and you have virtually no control over the system.... not a good choice for any kind of off road use.

 

I am aware it is always locked in but it is not engaged. whats the big deal about a few extra moving parts. also less to go wrong bc arent reg blazers front diffs engaged by some sort of vaccum? any who its what i ended up with, theyre quite a bit nicer than the blazers imo. and i would be driving it on the road more than off.