[loki993]

Ok im in the Market for a new vehicle. I like the high riding position of a truck and I need 4WD. I was initially looking at pickups, but an SUV may suit me better.

I really like the TBSS, but it seems they're still consistently going for over 20K. Unfortunately out of my price range, plus they're a bit thirsty. I would think a 5.3 TB would be in my price range. I'm trying to keep things under 15K, the closer to 12 the better. Are 5.3 TBs a rarity? I did a search on autotrader and I found one in a 300 mile radius.

what do I give up going with a regular TB vs the SS. Is there anything the regular does better?

are 5.3 Tbs rare?

 

[xavieremu]

I have the v6 and my best friend has the ss. I have driven his quite a few times and the differences that I noticed are the ss sits lower to the ground and also the frame is different. Gives it more of a sporty look. Do not know if this is a option in a tb but his interior is swade wrapped in leather, the ss is all wheel drive, and overall I just like the apperance better. I have never driven the 5.3 version but the ss is fast. Reminds me of driving my camero but sitting up high. Also the ss handles like a car.

 

[justblazin]

For a daily driver I would go for the 5.3L. But you cannot beat the performance of the TBSS. I get about 13MPG city on my SS.. So if MPG's are a factor.. Stay away from the SS.. Now the 5.3L has DOD (Displacement on Demand) which helps with MPG's. But you are going to find it hard to come accross any Trailblazers with the 5.3L for under 15K, unless you want an EXT. Since the 5.3L has only been in the 2006+ SWB Trailblazers.

Also don't limit yourself to just Trailblazers.. Try GMC Envoy's and Buick Rainiers. They are all the same Platform..

 

[ilikemy3s]

Welcome to the site .. :tiphat First off it is an I6 not a V6 .. I have the I6 XL model and I love it .. good gas mialge .. enough power and I can make all the trips to Home Depot and or Disney I need to.

 

[muddy tires]

SS has AWD and not a true 4WD (with high and low range). Also SS has no roof racks. Both these things are important for me and may be for you too, depending upon your mission.

I have the 5.3L in the EXT. Not a sports car but certainly respectable.

 

[Fishhunter911]

I have the v6 and my best friend has the ss. I have driven his quite a few times and the differences that I noticed are the ss sits lower to the ground and also the frame is different. Gives it more of a sporty look. Do not know if this is a option in a tb but his interior is swade wrapped in leather, the ss is all wheel drive, and overall I just like the apperance better. I have never driven the 5.3 version but the ss is fast. Reminds me of driving my camero but sitting up high. Also the ss handles like a car.

There is absolutely no difference in frames... exactly the same!

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[markarock]

I had an I6 and now have a 5.3L. The I6 got better gas mileage by about 2-3 mpg consistently. The 5.3 is nicer to drive. Quieter, makes pulling out seem effortless. Good oomph when you stomp the pedal. Uses oil; my I6 didn't use any in 10,000 miles.

 

[loki993]

SS has AWD and not a true 4WD (with high and low range). Also SS has no roof racks. Both these things are important for me and may be for you too, depending upon your mission.

I have the 5.3L in the EXT. Not a sports car but certainly respectable.

my main concerns are reliability. good in snow and a decent amount of ground clearance. any one should fit the bill.

 

[lil_freak_66]

just go with the I6

much easier to come by...and from what ive read they are fairly similar in power to the V8

i think i read that the I6 has 290 something and the 5.3 is about 300 while the LS2 is 390 hp

im no mechanic though,and am just going by what i read( i dont even remember where it was read)

 

[trout]

the 5.3 also puts out 53lbs more torque than the I6, but I wouldn't trust GM ratings for either. According to the K&N dyno they publish for their kit, the I6 falls 70hp short of what GM says, not sure how far off the V8 would be.

But 5.3s are rare around here, I gave up looking for one.

 

[lil_freak_66]

the 5.3 also puts out 53lbs more torque than the I6, but I wouldn't trust GM ratings for either. According to the K&N dyno they publish for their kit, the I6 falls 70hp short of what GM says, not sure how far off the V8 would be.

But 5.3s are rare around here, I gave up looking for one.

didnt the older I6 engines put out like 50 less up than the newer ones? that might be the reason for the big number change...but not for all of it.

they get up and go pretty good and ive had no problems with anything from driving 110,2 trackin towing or daily use.

id suggest an I6,4wd with the G80 Locker.

 

[trout]

didnt the older I6 engines put out like 50 less up than the newer ones? that might be the reason for the big number change...but not for all of it.

they get up and go pretty good and ive had no problems with anything from driving 110,2 trackin towing or daily use.

id suggest an I6,4wd with the G80 Locker.

the K&N ad said they tested an '07.
they by no means lack power, but GM is notorious for overrating it's engines.
bottom line don't kill yourself looking for the V8, it's nice, but not needed to enjoy the truck.

 

[Mentalmadness]

I was in the same questions when I was buying mine. I have the I6 with the 3:73 gears and I am somewhat pleased with it. The biggests things I found different between the two (SS and 5.3LT)

SS has
No roof rack
Larger wheels (more expensive tires)
AWD or 2WD no choice like a LT
No running board
No side moldings
And the same grille for all years

Now I like the SS model alot, the engine would be alot of fun but the transmissions have had some issues.

Most of the things that the SS doesnt have, that I listed above....I took off my LT...lol They were not important to me and I wasnt allowed to get the SS ("we dont need that") So I made due...

 

[bartonmd]

There is absolutely no difference in frames... exactly the same!

The 5.3L and SS have the same frame... The I6 has a slightly different frame... The real thing that's different, that I've found, is the location of the crossmember for the trans mount (farther forward for the shorter engine, and welded in)... My frame has a great big "V8" sticker on it, by the way...

just go with the I6

much easier to come by...and from what ive read they are fairly similar in power to the V8

i think i read that the I6 has 290 something and the 5.3 is about 300 while the LS2 is 390 hp

im no mechanic though,and am just going by what i read( i dont even remember where it was read)

you might drive one (and tow with one) before you make that assumption... HP is about the same (because the 4200 is DOHC with VVT), but there is a pretty sizable torque difference in the 5.3's favor, and the torque is lower... The 5.3 is much more relaxed to drive, and doesn't have to spin up to go, like the I6 does... Towing is the same deal.

Like others have said, there's nothing wrong with the 4200, and if you find a smoking deal on one, go for it...

Having said that, if I was personally looking 06+ or at an EXT, I wouldn't get one without the V8, unless it was a SMOKING DEAL...

Mike

 

[loki993]

No, Im really not interested in the I6. Sure it probably has enough power, but the 5.3, ie LSx series, have a very strong aftermarket and if I ever decide I want to get some more power out of it it would be very easy. Also I like the V8 torque.

Now am I to understand the the ranier had the 5.3 a year or 2 even before the trailblazer or the envoy? and there the SWB and not the EXT versions, I dont like the EXT versions. I really dont like the look of the ranier, but some are going for good prices.