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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,117
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,117 |
It is easy to swap out both the front and rear ends out , get them from a 2500 truck, as long as you are lifting it, put new brake, And fuel lines on while you are under it. I’ll keep that in mind for sure. Thanks. I really just want the ability to run 35’s. I’ll have to look at what lift and wheel configuration will get me there.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,117
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,117 |
I had a 1971. It was a blast on pavement and dirt. That’s my favorite body style, but the square body is a close second. That’s a nice rig.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755 |
I had a 1971. It was a blast on pavement and dirt. Love it!
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,574 Likes: 26
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,574 Likes: 26 |
Why are all the car companies turning their good SUV's into cars?
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,900 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,900 Likes: 6 |
I had a '72 Blazer with a 350 V8 4 bbl. carb and 4 spd. transmission, it was a great truck. Last year of that body style, I don't like the later ones a buddy had a '73 and it was a POS. The car companies have turned their 4WD's into cars because so many are driven by "sidewalk 4wheelers" and soccer moms who require the cushy amenities.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,995 Likes: 13
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,995 Likes: 13 |
Why are all the car companies turning their good SUV's into cars? Because 4x4's cost more too make, are harder too assemble, weigh more, so..... slower acceleration and, less MPG. And, The dipshits that buy the vast majority of them "need" them, to drive on the highway when there might be a little snow, thats plowed and salted/cindered. They never realize that they are driving a reconfigured minivan, That's not as good of a people/cargo mover as a minivan.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,957 Likes: 21
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,957 Likes: 21 |
yeah, but.... the minivan don't have that cool '4X4' sticker on the side.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,574 Likes: 26
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,574 Likes: 26 |
The 4x4 has been replaced by 'AWD' and the frame drags the ground when you get into a bumpy parking lot.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,832 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,832 Likes: 3 |
My '70 K5 Blazer is the reason I've never bought another Chevrolet. Cold with that uninsulated fiberglass top, top heavy, over sprung, short coupled, rode like a lumber wagon, rusted badly and drank gas like it had a hole in the tank. Last straw was coming down a slippery hill backwards with the plow attached being that light in the back end. Had a 72 and you described it perfectly. Couldn't hold a good downshift to the current 4Runner TRD Pro. As Sam says, "These are the good old days."
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,046 Likes: 6
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,046 Likes: 6 |
Had a 70, 71, and 89. Loved them. Wish I had room for another project. If I did I'd get a 73-75 model. My '70 K5 Blazer is the reason I've never bought another Chevrolet. Cold with that uninsulated fiberglass top, top heavy, over sprung, short coupled, rode like a lumber wagon, rusted badly and drank gas like it had a hole in the tank. Last straw was coming down a slippery hill backwards with the plow attached being that light in the back end. Had a 72 and you described it perfectly. Couldn't hold a good downshift to the current 4Runner TRD Pro. As Sam says, "These are the good old days." The reason you get a K5 is the same reason you get an old muscle car. Nostalgia. Nothing made in the 60s-80s is as functional as you can get today, but sometimes it's about style.
Don't just be a survivor, be a competitor.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,995 Likes: 13
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,995 Likes: 13 |
I would be inclined to disagree about not being as functional.
With rock crawling being an exception, nobody that builds a hard core 4x4 builds something that is like a 4-runner. And your examples are a special version.
The Blazers were all designed to be off road vehicles, it's why they weren't popular like today's "suv's".
Now as for comfort, drivability, ride, modern convience, little routine maintance......... modern is the cats are.
But for tough cast iron, heavy duty springs, strong solid front axle, hook a heavy trailer, or tree, to it and pull it through the mud and do it daily?
I would choose a Blazer, Bronco, or Ramcharger.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,832 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,832 Likes: 3 |
Rose colored glasses taint the view. I have acquaintances that use today’s trucks hard. They beat on them for 150,000 to 200,000. On the highway and construction jobs and for the most part they hold up.
The K5 was a sharp looking vehicle. It also was a tin can that would mame or kill you quickly in a serious accident. As would most of the others mentioned.
Friends had Bronco’s. Which was another tin can. They would crush your heart with the steering wheel in a head on, take off you head when it rolled and the engine had the capability to come into the front seat and take off your legs. The windshield folded up like the proverbial $2. Barlow, and you could almost hear them rust while you bounced down the road. Yet some think it is better than what is being made today?
Last edited by battue; 03/06/19.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,947 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,947 Likes: 2 |
My '70 K5 Blazer is the reason I've never bought another Chevrolet. Cold with that uninsulated fiberglass top, top heavy, over sprung, short coupled, rode like a lumber wagon, rusted badly and drank gas like it had a hole in the tank. Last straw was coming down a slippery hill backwards with the plow attached being that light in the back end. Maybe it DID have a hole in the tank!!! LOL!!
Ken
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,085
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,085 |
Mom sure liked hers, until it rusted to nothing. That took about five years.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,490
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,490 |
From what the word on the street is, 1999 and back a few years are the sh~tts , big blocks, great styling and air bags. Lots of winners out there.
Writing here is Prohibited by the authorities.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5 |
I have a '71 K5 sitting out back that hasn't run for several years. It has a good motor and transmission but needs rear ring and pinion. I'd like to get it running again but it needs quite a bit of rust repair and I'm struggling with the decision to throw a bunch of money at it.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4,590 Likes: 4 |
Just don't see them much anymore. I had a 87 or 88 in highschool. Navy blue with navy blue top. Ran 33in tires on it easily.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5 |
Perfect inside and out with fresh paint and no rust when I bought it in '92 with original motor @ 180k miles. 27 years and two motors later, it's a little tired
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 2 |
Perfect inside and out with fresh paint and no rust when I bought it in '92 with original motor @ 180k miles. 27 years and two motors later, it's a little tired For sale? Old man had one just like it growing up, love to have it back
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,413 Likes: 5 |
My wife would love to see it go away I promised her I'd sell it rather than restore it when I bought this '72 K10. That was eight years ago and I can't seem to part with it - I'm telling her now it will be a retirement project. I do have a guy here locally that's been trying to talk me out of it for several years.
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