Getting a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer Back On the Road - You Won't BELIEVE It!

I bought this 2008 Trailblazer for a work vehicle.
Small problem, it doesn't run.
Come along and let's see if we can get this thing rolling again.
email: [e-mail]
website: ratzlaffmotorco.com
Go to my channel page and click "join" for extra videos!

[@bobeaseshop9389]

Are You Crazy? Only a man that owns and restores a Corvair would do this mess! I want you to know that I am very deeply impressed that you took this on and won. I would have never done this but I am in a different world than yours and you did the right thing. I still think you're crazy for all of this, but kinda crazy like a Fox. For kinda on the cheap ya got a nice ride.

[@TheJayhawker]

Lol - only a man that owns a Corvair - do I need to get analyzed? lol

[@MJDiaz-be5jv]

That Trailblazer is built on what GM called the "GMT 360" platform. They manufactured over 2 million GMT360s between 2002 and 2008 "dressed" as Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Ranier, Oldmobile Bravada , Isuzu Ascender, and yes, even as Saab 9-7x. All with inline 6, near 300hp, 4200cc engine --- however, in 2005 and 2006 you could get a Trailblazer SS with a small block Chevy 5700cc, V-8 engine. Even today, you can't pick up a Trailblazer SS for less than $16K. I have three Chevy Trailblazers in my driveway. They can be quirky but as you got to see, parts are plentiful and so is advice on the web. They can also tow 6,000 lbs. Full framed truck. Can't buy that much functionality for the money anymore which is why you still see so many on the road in 2024....16 years after they went out of production!

[@boatnut64]

An Unfortunate path you ended up on... That being said... You now know exactly what you have, as far as a driver... You can sell the other parts and get some money back... Not what you had hoped, as far as getting into alot more work, but by my calculations, you're probably into it, for half of what it's worth (minus sweat equity) Keep up the Great Work, and God Bless...❤❤❤ Allan

[@kriswright1022]

Fuel pressure regulator or sticky injector.

[@chriswhite2151]

There is a small but growing community of people building and modding these engines. They are getting over 700 horsepower out them with just a turbo, apparently the bottom ends are bulletproof. Look up "Nivlac 57" on youtube, if you are looking for what to do with that spare engine. I vote you put it in that old 66 pickup you have.

[@TheJayhawker]

I would love to put it into my '81 crew cab or '91 OSB short bed, but I would also like to get some cash back....

[@chriswhite2151]

Remember that time you said "How cool would it be if I got a car for far less than it's worth, because of a dead battery?" That was cool.

[@TheJayhawker]

lol I know! Gotta learn to keep the mouth shut!

[@paulreft7133]

What a job that was! Even though it wasn't what you expected when you bought it, you still got a pretty nice ride for what it cost you, it's definitely a win! That job reminds me of why I enjoy working on my 235 so much 😂, simplicity is my friend! Great job! God bless!

[@Coffeeground]

Revising my comment, that was a disaster! The 4200 vortec is a cool engine, ive never had one but the performance stats are amazing for what it is. It should beat the snot out of a 250 L6. You should try a VVT delete on the spare and consider it as a swap. Kudos to getting that thing running.

[@SignalyardsGarage]

What would I have done? Well, I tried to say what I would have done, but it obviously must go against community standards because they deleted my original comment! You have the patience of Job sir! Great job!

[@TheJayhawker]

lol, now that has me REAL curious. Treat it like a downed horse perhaps?

[@SignalyardsGarage]

@@TheJayhawker yessir! You understand!

[@todaywithbk]

Bless you! Your patience is definitely something others could learn from:) I sure hope you were reimbursed some for that horrible shipping process? I pray you have no further problems with this one and please keep up with the great content!!

[@sparkplug0000]

Crankshaft position sensor. Reluctor. ECM. A fuel pump the size of a mailbox. I first discovered your channel when you were working on the 1948 Stylemaster. I can’t help but question if we have actually moved FORWARD over the 60 years between that Stylemaster and this Trail Blazer? Ok, air conditioning, yeah that’s pretty nice on a hot day, but other than that, I have my doubts.

[@TheJayhawker]

TOTALLY AGREE

[@randallsanders7446]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it ... oops! Wrong show. For CHAOS you need Maxwell Smart. Also, it wouldn't hurt to read a bit of Sherlock Holmes or watch a few escapades of Inspector Clouseau. I think the old engine might have been installed by the three stooges (or maybe 4) ... or, perhaps, Mr. Bean? I can only imagine what you were feeling going through all of that but I was getting depressed, frustrated, etc. for you. It just goes to show what kind of "expertise" we have to put up with these days. Given the total picture, I think you made the right decisions. I wouldn't have done what you did because I don't have the knowledge of newer vehicles. By newer, I mean anything after about 1985. When they kept adding more & more stuff to engines, especially the electronic/computer crap I set my phasers to make my brain go comfortably numb. Anyhow, you stuck with it, gott'er did, & got a daily driver. You deserve 3 cheers: Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Thanks for sharing!

[@kevinpfaff2301]

Q' est ce que? What is it. Lol. And not from Paducah! Sacre bleu! Zut alors!