North Shore Search and Rescue Blazer
and BDS 4" Suspension Lift

For anyone from the Vancouver area the North Shore Search and Rescue Team is a well known organization due to the tremendous amount of rescues they perform on the local North Shore mountains. Within minutes of Vancouver exists a very rugged, large and potentially dangerous wilderness area. The large near by population of the greater Vancouver area results in the North Shore mountain areas seeing very heavy use. Some of these people are prepared for the challenge of these mountains and some aren't. For those who aren't and find themselves in trouble, the North Shore Search and Rescue Team is on standby.

From the North Shore Search and Rescue Team home page comes an exact description of their duties (www.northshorerescue.com):

"NSR is a Mountain Search and Rescue Group based in Vancouver, Canada. The group consists of approximately 40 volunteers skilled in wilderness search and rescue techniques. NSR typically conducts emergency SAR missions under the direct control of the police and performs 40 to 60 search & rescue operations annually. Members participate in different support or rescue categories, depending on individual skills and participation levels."

Of utmost importance for NSR is the ability to improve the teams' response time. This requirement, in conjunction with the varied terrain in which NSR operates, indicated a need for a capable four wheel drive vehicle. The BC Hydro employees group filled this need by donating a 1989 Chevrolet Blazer, a former BC Hydro vehicle. The BC Hydro employees group donated the vehicle. It was a bare bones work vehicle with a 2" lift. From this base, NSR set about to modify it for the search and rescue duty.

Here is a short list of the Blazer's modifications:

• 2 VHF radios, CB radio, satellite phone and a cellular phone;
• emergency light and siren package;
• gas powered generator;
• chainsaw ;
• stretcher;
• full safety gear;
• hypothermia unit;
• and over 600 lbs of other equipment.

When NSR wanted to improve the suspension's capability, they came to us. We recommended a BDS 4" lift kit as the ideal choice for the Blazer. The BDS kit would allow the use of 33" Super Swampers without any fender trimming which will dramatically improve the off road ability of the Blazer. Also, given that the Blazer carries a considerable amount of gear at all times, this suspension would be well suited to the additional weight.

Follow along as we install the suspension and show you the final product...

The kit came with rear lift blocks, front springs, four shocks, u-bolts, a new steering arm and poly bushings.	Here's a shot of the BDS steering arm.	Shocks, and springs have been installed.
With the original suspension, you can see the rear end sagging.	The BDS 4" lift provided a modest height gain over the old 2" suspension and leveled the Blazer.	Here's another view.
The NSR Blazer is now ready to make good on its promise of reducing the teams' response time over rugged terrain.	This Blazer has definitely been a team effort.