New Cross Member

MnMsToy · 09-02-2009, 05:55 AM

I just received the TB cross member that I purchased from RSSRTOY. When I did a test fit it's touching what looks like the gas tank or a (stone guard) below the tank. Then I went on a test drive, the jitter is gone and it corners much better especially when the top is down. However, since it 's possible that the tank is resting on cross member, I will remove the TB cross member and re-install the original. Even though, it was touching the gas tank too. Any suggestions?

Topspin · 09-02-2009, 08:07 AM

Check the thread "fabricated crossmember" , maybe something there will catch your eye. Personally I don't think contact with the tank is a big issue as my factory bar was against my tank as delivered. That has to be pretty tough stuff to do the intended job. They use the same material for racing fuel cells that are used in crash environments.

RUN ROD RUN · 09-02-2009, 08:11 AM

Add a thick washer or two when bolting the bar back together..

New Mexico Rambler · 09-02-2009, 08:40 AM

Is this the cross member that is suppose to reduce the shaking of the front wheels when you go over a pothole or mouse? The one that takes the 4 longer bolts (longer than the Trail Blazer bolts, anyway)?

MnMsToy · 09-02-2009, 09:23 AM

I found this post (4-27-09) by HarleyGuy, "They (dealer) suggested that I could place some type of "insulator" on top of the brace (between the brace and fuel tank) and then let the brace push the fuel tank up. I stopped at the hardware store and found a semi-rigid plastic boot tray that I can cut enough material out of to do this. (It was damaged...I got it for $4). On my way to the garage to finish the job.

New Cross Member

I am going to add an "insulator" as HarleyGuys Chevy Dealer suggested. Not sure what material would be best. Probably some thin plastic to reduce friction. Topspin, what would you suggest for an insulator?

New Mexico Rambler, yes it is.

New Mexico Rambler · 09-02-2009, 09:37 AM

Thanks - all I need to do is crawl under there and see what you are all talking about. So it sounds like there should be a single round bar-brace on my 05 - and that is what need to be replaced by the 4 bolt, flat brace. And all this happens right under the fuel tank. Nice.

MnMsToy · 09-03-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

Is this the cross member that is suppose to reduce the shaking of the front wheels when you go over a pothole or mouse? The one that takes the 4 longer bolts (longer than the Trail Blazer bolts, anyway)?

Yes, it will reduce the shake especially when the top is down. The 05s and 06s already had a very small round (2) bolt bargoing from frame to frame in front of the rear tire below the gas tank. But, there is an existing bolt hole and nut where a seconf round bar could be installed. However, Trailblazer has a (4) flat cross brace that some fanatics install by removing the existing bar and replacing with the (4) bolt flat brace. That is exactly what I did and man o man did it reduce the shake when the top is down. There is a slight improvement when the top is up.

My only concern is that the gas tank seems to be resting on the flat brace.

1pirate · 09-03-2009, 12:37 PM

I used Peel & Stick that they use on roofs- cut and peel and stick on

Topcat55 · 09-03-2009, 01:26 PM

One side of the crossmember says " This Side Up ".

I've had mine bolted up tight , with no washers etc. , for well over a year with no troubles. If you use washers &/or gaskets you will loose the intergity ot the crossmember.

Bolt it on & enjoy !

Topcat55

CQQL_SSR · 09-12-2009, 12:34 PM

I have looked under two Trailblazer EXT's and found the 4 bolt crossmember up against the gas tank shield on both.
The shield is plastic so I think it would be more of a problem with road debris getting stuck in there and rusting the crossmember.

MnMsToy · 09-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CQQL_SSR

I have looked under two Trailblazer EXT's and found the 4 bolt crossmember up against the gas tank shield on both.
The shield is plastic so I think it would be more of a problem with road debris getting stuck in there and rusting the crossmember.

Thanks CQQL. I plan to add two pieces of plastic between the crossbar and the tank.

oldbuckman · 10-02-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatfor90

Yes, it will reduce the shake especially when the top is down. The 05s and 06s already had a very small round (2) bolt bargoing from frame to frame in front of the rear tire below the gas tank. But, there is an existing bolt hole and nut where a seconf round bar could be installed. However, Trailblazer has a (4) flat cross brace that some fanatics install by removing the existing bar and replacing with the (4) bolt flat brace. That is exactly what I did and man o man did it reduce the shake when the top is down. There is a slight improvement when the top is up.

My only concern is that the gas tank seems to be resting on the flat brace.

do you know part no. or year trailblazzer?

UMPIRE13 · 10-02-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbuckman

do you know part no. or year trailblazzer?

15076943 crossmember
then you need 4-11519894 bolts

Tug Boat · 10-19-2009, 09:47 PM

Well I finally installed the cross member I got from RSSRTOY and what an improvement! If you haven't done it yet, I highly recommend it.

My existing cross bar touched the gas tank and no sign of wear. Interesting though. After I took it off, I stood the bar on end. Came back about 1/2 hour later to find a small puddle of water. Could have developed into a long term rust issue. Not a problem now.

dyoung · 10-20-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatfor90

Yes, it will reduce the shake especially when the top is down. The 05s and 06s already had a very small round (2) bolt bargoing from frame to frame in front of the rear tire below the gas tank. But, there is an existing bolt hole and nut where a seconf round bar could be installed. However, Trailblazer has a (4) flat cross brace that some fanatics install by removing the existing bar and replacing with the (4) bolt flat brace. That is exactly what I did and man o man did it reduce the shake when the top is down. There is a slight improvement when the top is up.

My only concern is that the gas tank seems to be resting on the flat brace.

the 03 and 04 also had the pipe cross bar...the trailblazer flat bar really does work...

so tugboat,,you are finally admitting that it rains more " up country "

Tug Boat · 10-20-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyoung

the 03 and 04 also had the pipe cross bar...the trailblazer flat bar really does work...

so tugboat,,you are finally admitting that it rains more " up country "

Hard to compare this summer, don't think the Island got any rain. That is what made it so surprising to see the puddle, the last time my

saw rain was the trip to Penticton in June.

Good to see you are off the boat and back on the rock.

MnMsToy · 07-26-2010, 04:09 PM

B T T for the newbies. This is one of the best bang for $$$$ improvements to our Rs.

ZoomAddict · 07-26-2010, 06:52 PM

I agree MnMsToy, great bang for the buck and the thicker/wider Trailblazer crossmember calmed the shakes on the '05 considerably.

The '03 with 80k miles still has the standard bar and has less shake over rough patches (and a generally smoother ride) than the '05 with 27k and the better crossmember. No idea why. Both were purchased used, have the same tires (General Grabbers) and stock shocks. Don't know what suspension mods were done to the '03 (none obvious from visual inspection).