99 Blazer Handling.....

dougg01 · August 21, 2009

Since this thing is making for a pretty decent daily-driver, I want to make it more fun and enjoyable while my firebird is now finally resting and getting it's much-needed TLC. The old 'bird is tired.

Anyway.....handling. Yes it is a SUV with the hi CG and all that stuff, but the suspension is a little worn and I would like to update some.

First - swaybar bushings... Those stock rubber parts are really looking sad. Of all the bushings...these look the worst. I have ES bushings ready to go on front and back. These bars are a healthy size and since my goal isn't to lower the truck and take it autocrossing.....there seems no point in putting on bigger bars and making the truck overly stiff.

Second - shocks. when I bought this thing the fronts were complete toast so I picked up a pair of super-cheapies to get by (that first weekend was tires/plugs/wires/all the normal stuff you do with a used car). They are inadequate. Recommendations on an affordable set fore and aft to get the oscillations under control and provide a bit more stable 'feel'. I autox and stuff, but not with a truck and that is not what I am after. I am trying to make it feel more positive. I can sling it around a corner, but it does not react well to unexpected road surface irregularities.

Now....let me also put it in this context.... I want to eventually add about a 2-3" lift so I can slightly increase tire size. We live in a very rural area and on a long, very steep gravel drive. I don't want to go over a 30" tire (current tires are just under 29"). The tail will drag now if I need to cross the ditch, but only does so a little. A short lift will fix that. The only times we need to cross through really rough stuff is when it floods and if the ground is wet (which it will be) I'll end up getting stuck if the tail drags or I could end up tearing things up.

It doesn't play into the near future, but one day I'll probably throw in a 5.3 and a beefier rear diff.

dougg01 · August 21, 2009

One more thing....

This thing has a ton of wheel hop. Slapper bars are not an option because I want to maintain ground clearance. Has anyone tried adding 1/2 a leaf on the front side to curtail axle-wrap...? The hop is annoying.