Difference between a Trailblazer SS & reg Trailblazer?

[Samckitt]

Other than the obvious that the SS has the 6.0L engine. Is the body the same except for the front bumper/grill & rear bumper? Couldn't you get a regular Trailblazer with a small V8, like a 5.3L or 4.8L? I love the look of the SS but don't need another gas hog 6.0L in the family. I was thinking about seeing if I could find a regular one fairly cheap & make it look like an SS. What do you think? Too much work?

[twosaturns]

I read that the bumper 'air ducts' are fake (it figures) although they look cool.
IIRC, it's just wheels, springs and bumpers. but, I don't have one, there could be other differences.

[thedugan]

If you want an AWD its only available with the SS.
Exterior I dont think is very hard to mimic.

Killer truck but the MPH does stink and I think the interior is in need of a makeover

[WS6]

The body is lowered and I believe the brakes are also upgraded. Did you search GM's website to see if it did a break down between the two? I think you could pull off an SS clone easily. I think what will happen is you'll spend more trying to make the non SS a clone. That is unless you don't swap the fascias and rims.

[Samckitt]

If you want an AWD its only available with the SS.
Exterior I dont think is very hard to mimic.

Killer truck but the MPH does stink and I think the interior is in need of a makeover

The AWD is not that important to me, the SS did come in a RWD only model too. I assume you mean MPG instead of MPH? I want the look, the sound of a V8, pretty sure some came with a smaller V8, can't get the same sound from a V6, some half way decent performance from it, even though it would be a daily driver, & not have to sacrafice as much mileage, price, or insurance cost. I imagine it is a higher rate too.

[WILWAXU]

Love my TBSS. IMO the "smiles per gallon" are well worth the cost of gas.

I'd be willing to bet that the 5.3 doesn't get much better MPG.

[Samckitt]

The Chevy website says the 4.2L gets 14/20 MPG, I haven't found what the 5.3L gets yet.

[6'9"Witha69]

The Chevy website says the 4.2L gets 14/20 MPG, I haven't found what the 5.3L gets yet.Same for the 2wd 5.3. 13/19 for 4wd 5.3.

12/16 for SS both 2 and 4wd.

[Samckitt]

You are right, it is not that much different.

[andrewb70]

The 5.3L only came in the extended chassis Trailblazer.

Andrew

[Steve68]

We have a Envoy XL 4.2, and it does better than that on the highway, but the woman does in town driving, so now it sits and she drives the Maxima, but, I'm sure agressive driving and heavy foot tributes to the low in town miliage, the 4.2 makes it scoot,

[motorheadmike]

The real differences are more than cosmetic.
Like a GM performance models this thing is claimed to have been tuned on the 'Ring. 06-07s got Bilsteins, lowered suspension, air bag rear suspension, bigger swaybars etc. Obviously the LS2 is the big one, and there is the "HD" tranny too. 20" wheels, colour matched clean cut bumper covers and grille basically round out the looks. The brake ducts are cosmetic from the factory; however GMPP offers a package to make them functional.

We usually see 18+mpg highway if we run it at 100km/h (62mph) steady. Granted we have already got an exhaust and ECM reflash in there to help... a CAI is coming, as are a set of TR6 plugs which should aid the MPG a bit more. I am aiming for a steady 20mpg on the highway.

AWD is the better option IF you don't plan on racing it regularly.

[ITLBTU]

Our TBSS, or maybe I should say my wife’s TBSS is a blast to drive. Granted it’s not the Zo6 or my Camaro, but you can’t believe how much fun it is to pull on to the freeway and watch cars move over because they think they are going to overtake you and then you let off the gas just to see them look at the car trying to figure out how it’s so fast. Another thing I didn’t se mentioned was the interior. It has leather suede seats embossed with the SS logo, and the gauges are nice as well. We have almost averaged 19mpg on one tank when we drove down the coast. Maybe if you compared the two side by side it would be easier for you to get the SS.:cheers:

[Samckitt]

Our TBSS, or maybe I should say my wife’s TBSS is a blast to drive. Granted it’s not the Zo6 or my Camaro, but you can’t believe how much fun it is to pull on to the freeway and watch cars move over because they think they are going to overtake you and then you let off the gas just to see them look at the car trying to figure out how it’s so fast. Another thing I didn’t se mentioned was the interior. It has leather suede seats embossed with the SS logo, and the gauges are nice as well. We have almost averaged 19mpg on one tank when we drove down the coast. Maybe if you compared the two side by side it would be easier for you to get the SS.:cheers:

Your wife wanted the Trailblazer SS? You lucky man.

[Surfer]

If you don't care of mileage now, SRT-8 Jeep > Trailblazer SS, hands down.

[Samckitt]

I am a diehard Chevy person, and I get the GM discount. But if I buy used I would still go Chevy, I don't care for Jeeps at all. Wife wants a Wrangler, but I am fighting it.

[ITLBTU]

Your wife wanted the Trailblazer SS? You lucky man.

Hmmm I wouldn't call it luck! haha.. The SSTB is a great car/suv to drive. It drives like a car yet it hauls stuff, and even has a towing cap of 6500lbs. It also has a tight turning radius. I've never had a car that can turn so tight.

[Samckitt]

Like I said above, the wife wants a Jeep Wrangler. I don't know why, they ride like a log wagon, have small motor, no power windows, locks etc & still cost as much as I got my 03 1500HD Silverado CC LT with almost all options. I am trying to convince her on the TBSS.

[6'9"Witha69]

Wranglers are awesome off road vehicles. The new wave of "commuter friendly" 4 doors and extended models are ridiculous. And they are still low end vehicles with regards to ammenities.

[ITLBTU]

Let her drive one. My wife never had a Chevy until we got married. I'm a diehard Chevy fan and if Chevy stops building good cars... I'll buy an older one! It took one test drive for her and she loved it. When we went out car shopping for our growing family I let her drive the cars first since she would be the primary driver.

[Samckitt]

Wranglers are awesome off road vehicles. The new wave of "commuter friendly" 4 doors and extended models are ridiculous. And they are still low end vehicles with regards to ammenities.

We do no off roading. Only reason I have a 4x4 is for snow plowing. I agree they are "low end" vehicles & still cost a fortune. Like I said my truck has just about every option (excpet for the deisel, & XM radio), granted I got the GM price, but Jeeps are about the same as the truck. It's nuckin' futs.

[oorange67]

My wifes DD is a 07 trailblazer SS Don't do a clone do yourself a favor and get a real one. You can pick up a used 2wd TBSS for about 16k... 395 hp and lots of room for the family and the ability to tow. It handles great for an suv, I have a catback and cai on mine and my wife keeps bugging me for a supercharger ha. ha. Time and money.....

[Samckitt]

I guess I will have to take her to drive one & see what she thinks.

oorange67 - What have you done with the Monte SS? Anything or stock?

[protour73]

Wranglers are awesome off road vehicles. The new wave of "commuter friendly" 4 doors and extended models are ridiculous. And they are still low end vehicles with regards to ammenities.

huh............people take their SUV's off road?......really? LOL
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.I'd go TBSS..........I have a '02 Trailblazer LS 4WD, and have had worry free(fingers crossed) driving for the last 116000 miles....the SS is sexy, sexy for a "truck". Check out some of the owners forums on the web....bad press on the 4L70 trans, I don't have real world experience with it, so I cannot say.

[gearheads78]

Only motor you can get is 4.2 I6 unless you go to the Ext. If you are worried about gas I would pass. Our 04' got worse milage than our 01 5.3 Tahoe. Around town was terrible. I also got more complaints from customers about real world MPG than any thing else when I was still selling them. I seriously don't think the SS is much worse than the 4200

[6'9"Witha69]

It is the 4.10 gears in the SS that kill mileage.

[oorange67]

The monte SS has been in the body shop for a few years. It will be two toned silver and black when it comes out hopefully next spring. I have iroc wheels on it now and a metal cowl hood, but I am planning a ls1 swap and a move to 18 inch wheels and some suspension work when it gets painted.

[Surfer]

I am a diehard Chevy person, and I get the GM discount. But if I buy used I would still go Chevy, I don't care for Jeeps at all. Wife wants a Wrangler, but I am fighting it.Drive a Jeep SRT-8 and you'll be saying Traiblazer SS what?!?! :headbang:

[Samckitt]

Doubt it.

[WILWAXU]

Drive a Jeep SRT-8 and you'll be saying Traiblazer SS what?!?! :headbang:Yup. For $15K more you get a few whats. What? It only comes in AWD? What happen to my towing? What it's only 30hp more? :angel:

[Surfer]

Doubt it.Really? I didn't care for the TB SS, the Jeep felt like a modern day muscle car and handles so sharp for a truck, the SS just felt kinda blah and couldn't stand the interior or that numb steering that GM loves to put in everything lol. I love my buddies SRT-8 with his mods, truck is balls out fun, almost got one after driving his but I only have room for one truck and need towing ability.

[motorheadmike]

Really? I didn't care for the TB SS, the Jeep felt like a modern day muscle car and handles so sharp for a truck, the SS just felt kinda blah and couldn't stand the interior or that numb steering that GM loves to put in everything lol. I love my buddies SRT-8 with his mods, truck is balls out fun, almost got one after driving his but I only have room for one truck and need towing ability.

Were you dropped on your head as a kid? :wedgie:

The reason why the TBSS is a better option is the fact that it is a TRUCK and does TRUCK things. It makes compromises the SRT8 doesn't; the SRT8 is only good at performance. It doesn't function as a truck. Hell, a TBSS can tow an GC SRT8 down the 1320 with 4 passengers and still have towing capacity to spare.

But, what do I know? After all, I actually own one... *cough*nutswinger*cough*

[Surfer]

Were you dropped on your head as a kid? :wedgie:

The reason why the TBSS is a better option is the fact that it is a TRUCK and does TRUCK things. It makes compromises the SRT8 doesn't; the SRT8 is only good at performance. It doesn't function as a truck. Hell, a TBSS can tow an GC SRT8 down the 1320 with 4 passengers and still have towing capacity to spare.

But, what do I know? After all, I actually own one... *cough*nutswinger*cough*Did you not read where I didn't get one b/c I needed towing ability :hmm: .

[ITLBTU]

Did you not read where I didn't get one b/c I needed towing ability :hmm: .

I think he was refering to your negative comments towards the TBSS. I too have one, or my wife does, and there is nothing bla about it. It does handle good, it brakes good, and it accelerates good. I've heard of people running in the 13's with them stock. They also do have a 6500lb towing capacity. While it might not be my Z06, my Z won't tow either.

[Surfer]

I think he was refering to your negative comments towards the TBSS. I too have one, or my wife does, and there is nothing bla about it. It does handle good, it brakes good, and it accelerates good. I've heard of people running in the 13's with them stock. They also do have a 6500lb towing capacity. While it might not be my Z06, my Z won't tow either.Yeh agree, maybe I was harsh. Drove both when I wanted to get another suv, and was really impressed with the way the SRT-8 drove and felt in comparison, except the towing capacity sucked, to which they can adapt a hit and put the duals on each side instead of center but I think it still will only tow 4K or less?. Held off any way as looking at new houses to get out of this friggen hoa community so I can have a diesel pickup to tow.

[oorange67]

duplicate

[oorange67]

When we went to look at new SUV's we considered the Jeep SRT but I did not think it handled any better and had no towing capabilities and was 10K more. It did feel a little faster mainly due to a more aggressive exhaust sound I think....... I was at pinks in Denver last month and I saw 2 TBSS's in the low 12's one of them will be on pinks running 12.0's I did not get a chance to check them out up close but I was told that they were supercharged, but you can supercharge a TBSS and still have less in it than you'd have in a stock Grand Cherokee SRT........