Project Trailtroll - Short Roadtrip

"Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu" (Haddy)
10/26/2015 at 14:44 • Filed to: None

I figured a nice 150 mile drive would be a good way for me and the trailblazer to get acclimated. A mostly highway sprint to a nearby city and back today revealed a few issues, but nothing that I would consider a showstopper.

The lack of radio is continuing to bother me. I have ordered a new headunit, speakers, and installation kits as needed.

The oil pressure gauge damn near gave me a heart attack, as it said 0 at one point. I am going to be an optimist and say after ~40 miles I would have overheated or had engine failure, and that the gauge/sensor is bad (It’s a known issue.)

Fuel economy is either abysmal (11mpg) or the fuel gauge lives in some sort of fantasy land. I will refill the tank when I get to my usual fueling point, and compare. According to GPS, the speedometer is only ~3% fast. This seems odd, though possible, GM speedos are known to read high. Tires need to be balanced by a shop that has a roadforce machine, I think. They vibrate. Also needs a double check on the alignment. There is another clunk in the rear suspension I need to chase down. New wipers are needed...

Overall, actually, went pretty good! The truck is a little ‘floaty’ but that’s expected. Has LOTS of power, even with upsized tires, and has no problem when you give it the beans to pass.

Some fluid changes, correcting a few issues and I’m going to give it a little bit of offroad fun. Maybe try some of the easier trails over at Windrock offroad park. Get laughed at by Jeep guys who think they need 35+ to piddle around on gravel roads.

DISCUSSION (10)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 14:56

Not bad at all, hey what tires did you put on it?

Jcarr > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 15:01

Be careful when installing the front door speakers. The “brackets” that hold the door panels on are absolutely terrible and will break in a light breeze.

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/26/2015 at 15:03

Remoulded BFGs.

265/70R17, Load Range C

They measure out to a little over 32 inches. Slight rubbing when backing up and turning sharp.

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > Jcarr
10/26/2015 at 15:07

Already broken by previous owner. I made new ones from steel. A few minutes each to cut, drill, and weld.

Jcarr > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 15:10

Are they welded to the door frame or independent pieces that you fabbed?

If they’re independent, I would be willing to pay you to fab me up a set for both doors. If that’s something you’d be willing to do.

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > Jcarr
10/26/2015 at 15:12

I welded them to the frame because I am abysmally lazy and didn’t want to drill more holes. I’ll take a look at the old ones and see if I can come up with a quick/easy way to whip up more of them. I have access to a waterjet machine and making a few proper flat pieces with one press bend and a few holes in it isnt too hard.

Jcarr > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 15:18

Don’t go to too much trouble, but I would be eternally grateful to you. I’ve spent way too many hours trying to repair the broken ones and cursing the person who designed them.

deekster_caddy > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 15:37

There is another clunk in the rear suspension I need to chase down.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

... The truck is a little ‘floaty’ but that’s expected

These things could be related. I had a lot of issues with tracking and finally discovered the wrong size bolts were used in the rearend control arm bushings. Took a long time to figure that one out!

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > deekster_caddy
10/26/2015 at 15:43

I’m thinking its just shot bushings, since the truck has 200k+ miles. I thought I had tracked them all down, but there’s a sneaky one hiding in there. Could also be a driveshaft/ujoint issue. Nothing a bit of time on my lift wont find/solve.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/26/2015 at 15:51

Nice they look good.