1981 K5 Blazer questions.

[girlsfroggy]

Hey everyone, Kind of new to this forum. A little background I bought an '81 k5 Blazer a little over a year ago. Has a rebuilt 350 4speed manual and the part I think I want to change is the welded spool rear end.

I plan on taking it to Az this fall, The wife will be driving it and I our Motor Home. Has a 6inch lift with 35s. Shortly after I bought it I sheared off the lug nuts on the driver side, This with out doing any off roading.

So I was wondering if I could get input as to what gears would be best for highway and maybe pulling a trailer as well as still being ok for off road.

Our off roading generally relates to getting back into old mining areas, up
drywashes ect. No real stump jumping or stuff like that. Those days are kind of behind me.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in Advance. BJ

 

[tRustyK5]

Having had the same combo i liked 3.73's. With the 4 speed manual freeway rpm's aren't terribly bad, and regular driving is fine. I towed a 5200 lb trailer with mine, probably logged between 7000 and 8000 miles. 4.10's will tow a bit better, but you'll also be spinning more rpm's on the highway.

I'd seriously look into a full case locker or LSD for the rear. If your 81 has stock diff's it'll most likely be either a 10 bolt or 12 bolt. My 81 had the 12 bolt...

Eaton and Auburn both make good LSD's, or if you want something that does better offroad but still has good street manners look at the Detroit True-Trac.

 

[imiceman44]

Hey everyone, Kind of new to this forum. A little background I bought an '81 k5 Blazer a little over a year ago. Has a rebuilt 350 4speed manual and the part I think I want to change is the welded spool rear end.

I plan on taking it to Az this fall, The wife will be driving it and I our Motor Home. Has a 6inch lift with 35s. Shortly after I bought it I sheared off the lug nuts on the driver side, This with out doing any off roading.

So I was wondering if I could get input as to what gears would be best for highway and maybe pulling a trailer as well as still being ok for off road.

Our off roading generally relates to getting back into old mining areas, up
drywashes ect. No real stump jumping or stuff like that. Those days are kind of behind me.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in Advance. BJ

Where in Norcal are you?
I have some options for you in 3.73 gears.
But if the only thing wrong is the studs, you caneasily change those.
But I definitely would get rid of a welded diff.
Let me know,

 

[chulisohombre]

i had the same issues with the stock half ton studs.i went 3/4 ton and the bigger stud hasnt broke off yet.yuo can drill the hub and rotor for different studs and the same in the rear if you want a slightly bigger stud.its a lot more work than most would want to do though.as far as gears go and towing i have sm465 with 4.10 gears and 35 inch tires.its a good combo and i can tow fine with it.other than changing out your axles for 3/4 ton this may be a viable option.

 

[girlsfroggy]

Hey thanks to all for the advice. I should of updated my profile. No longer in Northern Cal. Was 80 miles south of Eureka till last spring. Now in Olympia Wa
for the summer and am heading to Az in Sept.