I am the third owner of my SSR. When I bought it from a Jaguar Dealership on the East Coast of Florida I immediately noticed the "Eye Ball Customs" sticker on the back window. I wasn't really sure what was custom about the truck except for a pin stripe that looked non-factory.
Well on Friday I was parked across from another SSR in the parking garage. I took a good look at the side profile of his R and mine and noticed mine appeared to have been lowered. When I got on the computer I looked at some more stock cars and confirmed that mine sat noticeably lower.
So that got me wondering if the lowering was part of the customization that was done.
I crawled underneath to take a few pictures to see if the experts here could tell me more. From what I can tell, the exhaust is stock.
I found it odd that this piece looks like a portion was cut out.
I also crawled under the front to take a picture of the springs/struts to see if they looked custom to anyone here.
I'm just curious what all was done. I Googled Eye Ball Customs and didn't hit on anything in Texas or Florida (where the car lived) that looked like a good match.
Well anyway thanks for any light you can shine on this. Looks like an exhaust upgrade just made the to do list.
I'm guessing those are Ground Force lowering springs as it looks like it silver in color.. Stock or Eibachs lowering springs are much darker in color.
Like Dicktator said, It is defiantly lower and looks good.
Think your truck lowered looks good too Duf. Many here on the forum have lowered and most everyone likes the result.
Re spring color: Have had two sets of Ground Force springs & both were a "Carolina" blue (light blue). Never ran across Ground Force in silver. The Ground Force springs lower the rear about 1.6 inches and the front about an inch.
What are you looking for in an exhaust Duf? Most here want noise (a nice growl) except when cruising, multiple ways to get that. I originally tried the straight pipe (came on the '05), then the Magnaflow catback setup (great sound but too loud to talk over sometimes and the R's are daily drivers), then I tried a Dynaflow muffler (which I really like).
The Dynaflow setup looks odd under the truck (since they do not yet offer a dual setup with internal flaps) so it is dual-into-single then back to dual pipes). The advantage to the Dynaflow is it has a spring loaded flap inside the muffler that opens (and is then essentially a straight pipe) when you throttle up, sounds pretty much stock otherwise. There is zero drone at highway speeds (regardless if that happens to be 55 or 105). It is exactly what I was looking for & highly recommended for daily drivers who prefer big noise/no restriction when you have a heavy foot but also want to be able to converse and enjoy the music otherwise.
Last edited by ZoomAddict; 01-15-2012 at 06:38 PM.
Think your truck lowered looks good too Duf. Many here on the forum have lowered and most everyone likes the result.
Re spring color: Have had two sets of Ground Force springs & both were a "Carolina" blue (light blue). Never ran across Ground Force in silver. The Ground Force springs lower the rear about 1.6 inches and the front about an inch.
What are you looking for in an exhaust Duf? Most here want noise (a nice growl) except when cruising, multiple ways to get that. I originally tried the straight pipe (came on the '05), then the Magnaflow catback setup (great sound but too loud to talk over sometimes and the R's are daily drivers), then I tried a Dynaflow muffler (which I really like).
The Dynaflow setup looks odd under the truck (since they do not yet offer a dual setup with internal flaps yet) so it is dual-into-single then back to dual pipes). The advantage to the Dynaflow is it has a spring loaded flap inside the muffler that opens (and is then essentially a straight pipe) when you throttle up, sounds pretty much stock otherwise. There is zero drone at highway speeds (regardless if that happens to be 55 or 105). It is exactly what I was looking for & highly recommended for daily drivers who prefer big noise/no restriction when you have a heavy foot but also want to be able to converse and enjoy the music otherwise.
Yea I like a good rumble too. Where did you get yours done and how much did it set you back?
Yea I like a good rumble too. Where did you get yours done and how much did it set you back?
Mine is more like a once or twice a week driver.
Any good muffler shop can install anything I mentioned (remove the muffler for a straight pipe, the Magnaflow catback install requires no welding, and the Dynamax is just an easy muffler replacement). If installing headers (which need proper heat shields, etc) try to find a shop with R experience.
If it is only driven a couple times a week and sound level isn't an issue Flowmaster & Magnaflow both make some good sounding stuff There are several threads here on the forum discussing these and other equipment. Might want to check with Mike in AZ to see if the "Old School" setup he offered will be available again soon (best quality out there and sound great but I don't know if it is available again yet).
If you are considering the Dynaflow the correct model number for that muffler is 17159. Should be around $100 shipped (I think it came from Performance Parts). Description: Dynomax VT™; Muffler; Oval; Offset/Center; 4.5 in. x 9.75 in.; 2.5 in. ID; 16 in. Shell Length; 21 in. Overall Length.
You will need to replace the bent Panhard bar at your earliest opportunity. I suspect that the guys that lowered your truck put a bend in the Panhard bar to accommodate the sideways shift in the rear axle that happens when you lower it.
You have three choices:
1) Replace it with an OEM part (not advised, since it will drive your axle to the left by about 1/4") from either the dealership or a salvage yard. Same part on all Chevy Trailblazers.
2) Replace it with an adjustable one from Suicide Doors or Spohn by ordering one online from one of the sellers. Lots of options on line.
3) Replace it with the stainless steel LeftCoast32 Panhard bar. *See note below*
Note: I am expanding my web store to include BMR rear control arms, ADDCO sway bars, Bilstein shocks, Eibach lowering springs and the new adjustable panhard bar from Joe at Left Coast 32. I can get one from Joe (at LC32) on fairly short order. As soon as I can get one for a few installed photos and write the installation procedure, I'll be offering them on my web store at $159 plus shipping.
No, this is not an advertisment for my store...... please don't take it that way. To be honest, this is the first time I have seen anyone bend a Panhard bar willingly. Shame on them. Please also look at the crossbrace that attaches to the panhard par bracket to be sure it is OK too. That would be the reason that they cut the spare tire nesting bracket.
Congrats on your new SSR..... welcome to the family.
Regards,
Mike
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
Any good muffler shop can install anything I mentioned (remove the muffler for a straight pipe, the Magnaflow catback install requires no welding, and the Dynamax is just an easy muffler replacement). If installing headers (which need proper heat shields, etc) try to find a shop with R experience.
If it is only driven a couple times a week and sound level isn't an issue Flowmaster & Magnaflow both make some good sounding stuff There are several threads here on the forum discussing these and other equipment. Might want to check with Mike in AZ to see if the "Old School" setup he offered will be available again soon (best quality out there and sound great but I don't know if it is available again yet).
If you are considering the Dynaflow the correct model number for that muffler is 17159. Should be around $100 shipped (I think it came from Performance Parts). Description: Dynomax VT™; Muffler; Oval; Offset/Center; 4.5 in. x 9.75 in.; 2.5 in. ID; 16 in. Shell Length; 21 in. Overall Length.
Ok great thanks for all the info, looks like I have a bunch of options here.
You will need to replace the bent Panhard bar at your earliest opportunity. I suspect that the guys that lowered your truck put a bend in the Panhard bar to accommodate the sideways shift in the rear axle that happens when you lower it.
You have three choices:
1) Replace it with an OEM part (not advised, since it will drive your axle to the left by about 1/4") from either the dealership or a salvage yard. Same part on all Chevy Trailblazers.
2) Replace it with an adjustable one from Suicide Doors or Spohn by ordering one online from one of the sellers. Lots of options on line.
3) Replace it with the stainless steel LeftCoast32 Panhard bar. *See note below*
Note: I am expanding my web store to include BMR rear control arms, ADDCO sway bars, Bilstein shocks, Eibach lowering springs and the new adjustable panhard bar from Joe at Left Coast 32. I can get one from Joe (at LC32) on fairly short order. As soon as I can get one for a few installed photos and write the installation procedure, I'll be offering them on my web store at $159 plus shipping.
No, this is not an advertisment for my store...... please don't take it that way. To be honest, this is the first time I have seen anyone bend a Panhard bar willingly. Shame on them. Please also look at the crossbrace that attaches to the panhard par bracket to be sure it is OK too. That would be the reason that they cut the spare tire nesting bracket.
Congrats on your new SSR..... welcome to the family.
Regards,
Mike
Damn I hate to sound like a novice, but, where is the panhard bar in those pictures? Looking at the pic I can't determine what is bent. I wonder if that bend is also what causes some of resonance at around 55 mph.
EDIT- On second look I think you mean the bar that runs right behind the axle. So when a car is lowered it is normal to replace that bar with something adjustable?
Damn I hate to sound like a novice, but, where is the panhard bar in those pictures? Looking at the pic I can't determine what is bent. I wonder if that bend is also what causes some of resonance at around 55 mph.
EDIT- On second look I think you mean the bar that runs right behind the axle. So when a car is lowered it is normal to replace that bar with something adjustable?
Correct on the bar..... It connects to the frame of the truck on the right and to the axle on the left. This is what keeps your rear axle centered (L-R) under the truck. In hard cornering, there is easily excess of 1200 lbs of side-to-side force (~ 2400 lbs x 0.5G) on this. Granted, it will be in compression or extension, but the compression failure mode could be very ugly..... Hard corner to the right and the bar bends more...... letting the right rear tire contact the inside of the fender...... bad news.
Normally, the lowering shop will replace the bar with an adjustable one if they feel the tire is too close to the left fender. Most of the lowered trucks don't need it.....
Mike
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
Think your truck lowered looks good too Duf. Many here on the forum have lowered and most everyone likes the result.
Re spring color: Have had two sets of Ground Force springs & both were a "Carolina" blue (light blue). Never ran across Ground Force in silver. The Ground Force springs lower the rear about 1.6 inches and the front about an inch.
What are you looking for in an exhaust Duf? Most here want noise (a nice growl) except when cruising, multiple ways to get that. I originally tried the straight pipe (came on the '05), then the Magnaflow catback setup (great sound but too loud to talk over sometimes and the R's are daily drivers), then I tried a Dynaflow muffler (which I really like).
The Dynaflow setup looks odd under the truck (since they do not yet offer a dual setup with internal flaps) so it is dual-into-single then back to dual pipes). The advantage to the Dynaflow is it has a spring loaded flap inside the muffler that opens (and is then essentially a straight pipe) when you throttle up, sounds pretty much stock otherwise. There is zero drone at highway speeds (regardless if that happens to be 55 or 105). It is exactly what I was looking for & highly recommended for daily drivers who prefer big noise/no restriction when you have a heavy foot but also want to be able to converse and enjoy the music otherwise.
Does the Dynaflow muffler produce the "burble burble pop pop" sound when letting off the gas? I love that effect in an exhaust. Since I can't get Mikes "Old School" (just read that thread) and I have his tips I'm hoping the Dynaflow will do enough for me.
Mick
Does the Dynaflow muffler produce the "burble burble pop pop" sound when letting off the gas? I love that effect in an exhaust. Since I can't get Mikes "Old School" (just read that thread) and I have his tips I'm hoping the Dynaflow will do enough for me.
Mick
My stock exhaust burbles and pops which is part of the reason I thought it was a non-stock configuration.
Does the Dynaflow muffler produce the "burble burble pop pop" sound when letting off the gas? I love that effect in an exhaust. Since I can't get Mikes "Old School" (just read that thread) and I have his tips I'm hoping the Dynaflow will do enough for me.
Mick
A Flowmaster Super 44 does that "burble burble pop pop" pretty good... I had that one on my 2005 SSR with Mike's Tips and liked the sound of it about as much as his "Old School" exhaust on my '06.
Does the Dynaflow muffler produce the "burble burble pop pop" sound when letting off the gas? I love that effect in an exhaust. Since I can't get Mikes "Old School" (just read that thread) and I have his tips I'm hoping the Dynaflow will do enough for me.
Mick
The "burble burble pop pop" is there when downshifting with the Dynaflow Mick but isn't quite as loud as the Magnaflow/Flowmaster mufflers. Even when you are heavy into the throttle the Dynaflow is quieter in the cab, but I've heard it while riding behind my truck and it is just as loud as the straight pipe setup was. In short if you want everyone else to hear you, but don't want it to be overpowering in the cab, the Dynaflow is a good choice.
My SSR: Ricochet Silver built 11-8-04, #17696. K&N, headers, Flowmaster,Trifecta Tuned, Phoenixed Tranny
since it has the silver bars in back i would say you have the SSR i posted about
i have Magnaflow cross duals and it does the bop bop when you left off the throttle
i love it
You will need to replace the bent Panhard bar at your earliest opportunity. I suspect that the guys that lowered your truck put a bend in the Panhard bar to accommodate the sideways shift in the rear axle that happens when you lower it.
You have three choices:
1) Replace it with an OEM part (not advised, since it will drive your axle to the left by about 1/4") from either the dealership or a salvage yard. Same part on all Chevy Trailblazers.
2) Replace it with an adjustable one from Suicide Doors or Spohn by ordering one online from one of the sellers. Lots of options on line.
3) Replace it with the stainless steel LeftCoast32 Panhard bar. *See note below*
Note: I am expanding my web store to include BMR rear control arms, ADDCO sway bars, Bilstein shocks, Eibach lowering springs and the new adjustable panhard bar from Joe at Left Coast 32. I can get one from Joe (at LC32) on fairly short order. As soon as I can get one for a few installed photos and write the installation procedure, I'll be offering them on my web store at $159 plus shipping.
No, this is not an advertisment for my store...... please don't take it that way. To be honest, this is the first time I have seen anyone bend a Panhard bar willingly. Shame on them. Please also look at the crossbrace that attaches to the panhard par bracket to be sure it is OK too. That would be the reason that they cut the spare tire nesting bracket.
Congrats on your new SSR..... welcome to the family.
Regards,
Mike
Mike my next fix is to replace that panhard bar. You selling them yet?
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