I've heard Blazer's are good little vehicles for off-road driving. I am pretty poor right now, but needed a vehicle I can take off the beatin trail. So it was a perfect match I think. t actually work in the mountains of northern Nevada as a geologist looking for gold. I run into a lot of old mining "roads" from the late 1800s and early 1900s that are pretty gnarly.

I use to drive a Jeep Patriot with a 2" lift and 31s. Big mistake, I had a few close calls because the Patriot didn't have a low range. I mean seriously, who's ever heard of a Jeep 4x4 without 4lo? Anyhow, I went down a couple of hills I shouldn't have and got into a few circumstances that definitely needed 4lo.



The old jeep

So now I am trying to sell the Jeep and I bought a 2003 4x4 Blazer. I changed the intake manifold gasket, changed upper A arms, tierod ends all around, I've put on a 6" rc lift, eventually with 33s. I am thinking about regearing the differentials, cause I have the GU6 diffs, and I am not sure how they will do with the 33s. I am also looking at lockers for the rear. I'm not at all knowledgeable about diffs so I will be looking around here. Overall I am really excited to start tinkering with the Blazer and happy to be here.



After the lift, before the new wheels.

 

Looks good, welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome!

I have the 6" rc lift as well, and I'm running 33x10.50 boggers. Definitely need to do some fender trimming to get them to fit. The back edge of the front fender is the worst spot.

Also, you'll need wheels with less backspacing, to avoid rubbing on the frame at full lock (depending on how wide you go, anyway)

You'll want to regear for sure. I have 3.73s, and at some point I'm going to go up to 4.56s.

 

When you regeared did you swap the entire axle and front diff or just changed the gears inside your differentials?

 

Haven't done it yet. I'm hoping to find a Zr2 rear, and gear it up to 4.56. I'll remove the front diff, and rebuild it at the same time a regear. 4.56 isn't a factory option, so I'll have to change the ring and pinion. Lowest stock gears is 4.10.

 

So you're going to use the same front diff? Had to carve a lot off that front to get it lowered for the lift. I would hate to have to do that to another diff!

 

I actually cut into the front diff housing when I did my lift. Patched it up with jb weld. Wish I could find a cast iron front to swap in!

 

Welcome! Yes that 4Lo sure is handy. Does yours also have the Auto 4wd? The shorthand description here is if it a 4-button or 3-button transfer case. (Three or four buttons on the 4wd control switch.)

I was able to get the 1/2 ton Ford p/u of one of my girl friends unstuck when it got stuck sideways on an icy sloped dirt driveway by using chains on the front tires and 4Lo. We felt very pleased with ourselves that day after we got it unstuck.

You'll definitely want to get a set of the skid plates for it if it doesn't already have them.

The way to check for all of the options is to look at the RPO code sticker that you'll find on the inside of the glove-box door. Take a picture of it and print it out and store the image on your computer.

 

Gotta love jb weld! It would be nice if these front diffs were a little more beefy. At least enough to handle lockers in the front, but I guess just in the back will have to do.

 

Mine just has the 3 button 4x4 transfer case selector.

As for skid plates, there are some that came with the rc lift but I'm thinking maybe some rock sliders for the sides if I can convince the wife she loves me enough to spend another few hundred bucks.