MrSchaeferPants
1/2 ton status
Proper located/angled exhaust tips, and the rear wing can help eliminate.
And leaving the top off works 100%
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
A modern day K5?
- Thread starter ZombieBlazer
- Start date
Proper located/angled exhaust tips, and the rear wing can help eliminate.
And leaving the top off works 100%
Replace the word dealership with home garage...
Replace the word buy with build....
I've got a beautiful 1972 Chervolet Blazer coming together right now.
The EPA and DOT effectively prevent "simple" trucks from ever being produced again by GM..... The good news is that once you stop waiting for someone else to build your dream-truck it's actually pretty easy to end up with exactly what you want.-G
Easy?..not really..possible?..certainly..
....but you must have deep enough pockets to have a garage,a welder,TIME and funds to build and re-build old worn components,or buy good used replacements,and not everyone is healthy enough to take on such a task...you also must FIND a suitable truck worth rebuilding in the first place,which isn't getting any easier or cheaper as time goes by either..what kills me is once in a while you see a really nice original truck,but it lacks a title,rendering it un-registerable and destined for "parts only" or the crusher..the RMV should loosen up the laws regarding getting an old vehicle re-titled without it costing a fortune,or being told "nope,sorry--it must be destroyed"..
I think much of the reason manufacturers have resisted re-releasing any vehicles with a classic body style,is to prevent the antique car/truck hobby market from suffering--that and the safety hassles and emission standards.....if the day ever comes anyone can walk into a dealer and buy a 1969 Camaro or a 1972 K5 clone,how much do you think the value of the originals in good condition will drop?..the ones sitting in garages in peices that never saw their restorations come about, will be worth a lot less,only a few purists who want an original will be willing to resurect one..
I say enough of the old K5's have been crushed,rusted beyond saving and lost to accidents,etc,is reason enough to start selling new ones with the same design bodies...
....but you must have deep enough pockets to have a garage,a welder,TIME and funds to build and re-build old worn components,or buy good used replacements,and not everyone is healthy enough to take on such a task...you also must FIND a suitable truck worth rebuilding in the first place,which isn't getting any easier or cheaper as time goes by either..what kills me is once in a while you see a really nice original truck,but it lacks a title,rendering it un-registerable and destined for "parts only" or the crusher..the RMV should loosen up the laws regarding getting an old vehicle re-titled without it costing a fortune,or being told "nope,sorry--it must be destroyed"..I think much of the reason manufacturers have resisted re-releasing any vehicles with a classic body style,is to prevent the antique car/truck hobby market from suffering--that and the safety hassles and emission standards.....if the day ever comes anyone can walk into a dealer and buy a 1969 Camaro or a 1972 K5 clone,how much do you think the value of the originals in good condition will drop?..the ones sitting in garages in peices that never saw their restorations come about, will be worth a lot less,only a few purists who want an original will be willing to resurect one..
I say enough of the old K5's have been crushed,rusted beyond saving and lost to accidents,etc,is reason enough to start selling new ones with the same design bodies...
That a modern truck is priced at $50,000 or $60,000 at the dealership is reason enough to do a "Built Not Bought" project instead....
If the OP truly was considering buying new, and was looking for a more unique option than just buying whatever is on the showroom floor, there's a whole lot of room to work in a budget that size.
Of course, this might just be another one of those "why doesn't GM build solid axle trucks" threads..... where we eventually realize that CK5 is a "minority of a minority" and the features that we say we want would never sell in any sort of meaningful volumes, and certainly wouldn't be profitable for GM (or any other manufacturer) to actually build.
-G
If the OP truly was considering buying new, and was looking for a more unique option than just buying whatever is on the showroom floor, there's a whole lot of room to work in a budget that size.
Of course, this might just be another one of those "why doesn't GM build solid axle trucks" threads..... where we eventually realize that CK5 is a "minority of a minority" and the features that we say we want would never sell in any sort of meaningful volumes, and certainly wouldn't be profitable for GM (or any other manufacturer) to actually build.
-G
Jester1
1/2 ton status
I for one don't see this statement as true.......
Example 1:
Reintroduction of the camaro, challenger, cuda, charger etc with the vintage era looks.
Example 2:
This is one me and the old man are considering. Buy a frame from fatman etc. Buy a body from year one, brookville etc. Buy a drivetrain from gm etc. Install together and you have a 2013- '57 apache pickup truck and if planned right cost less than a new truck or suv.
The problem is we for now are a small group of enthusiast so the market is not there yet for manufacturers to get involved in making a rig as capable and customizable as the k5. Besides what would be the new product on the new rigs we would want to graft on to an old rig.with all the new electronic equip out the now like traction control, part time auto four wheel drive, etc. Axles and components on the new suv's like ours are getting smaller and weaker just have newer gearing and good luck running big tires with those. So we in turn as in the past need to look at parts from the pickup truck market.
All said me and the wife had an avalanch and loved it. That would get my vote, or I would have to look across the pond at Europe for the m class Mercedes and the land rovers. And one our side the jeep has started to finally bring back the xj and the like. Maybe gm will pit another blazer out but not like ours.
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
Carcinogen & mrschaeferpants thanks for the info!
blowedupmotor87
1/2 ton status
I'll admit it isn't a GM but, the truck I've got now could be made into a modern day ummm... Ramcharger without too much difficulty and would be pretty kickass!!! I've got a 2012 Power Wagon, ST trim (so about as basic as a new truck gets nowadays which is equivalent to what was fully loaded 20 years ago) all the offroad goodies and can get it out the door for under $40k if you are a good negotiator. Goody list (all stock):
solid axles front and rear with 4.56 gears and selectable lockers (rear is also a limited slip when not locked)
full skidplates with a VERY rigid frame
Warn 12k winch (actually a much modified 15k rated at 12k)
2" lift with a pretty flexy coil sprung front, leaf sprung rear and Bilstein 5100s
electronic antiswaybar disconnect
33" BFG all terrains (not my top choice but, pretty good for stock rubber!)
5.7L engine, beefy trans and t-case (wish they still offered the G-56 though)
Pic:
[/URL][/IMG]
Just please don't maul me too bad over it not being GM! At least it's a full size, right? My wife has a GMC Yukon XL Denali so, we still have a GM product in the family. (I wish my truck had as much power as her truck, that 6.2L is a rocket! Dodge is supposed to be putting the 6.4L Hemi as an option in 2014 Power Wagons, wish I had that engine!)
solid axles front and rear with 4.56 gears and selectable lockers (rear is also a limited slip when not locked)
full skidplates with a VERY rigid frame
Warn 12k winch (actually a much modified 15k rated at 12k)
2" lift with a pretty flexy coil sprung front, leaf sprung rear and Bilstein 5100s
electronic antiswaybar disconnect
33" BFG all terrains (not my top choice but, pretty good for stock rubber!)
5.7L engine, beefy trans and t-case (wish they still offered the G-56 though)
Pic:
Just please don't maul me too bad over it not being GM! At least it's a full size, right? My wife has a GMC Yukon XL Denali so, we still have a GM product in the family. (I wish my truck had as much power as her truck, that 6.2L is a rocket! Dodge is supposed to be putting the 6.4L Hemi as an option in 2014 Power Wagons, wish I had that engine!)
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
I think you make a great point and it is what I was thinking too... all we need to do is find a modern truck to use as a starting point then add our own kit body to it.
To me what makes the K5s so great is that they are true trucks but with a whole nother level of versatility added to them.
MrSchaeferPants
1/2 ton status
And the reliability, toughness, simple design, and simple to work on. If it was modernized, it would be none of those things.
I'm driving a 30 year old K5, with 90% of that being 30 year old parts. It doesn't drive like a caddy, I'm sure my entire front end and shocks/springs around need to be replaced, but it runs and drives and won't leave me stranded. A modern day 10 year old truck is nearing mandatory parts replacement, and it's expensive. I don't like the idea of replacing an entire hub assembly because the bearings are shot. I like spending $10-15 on a bearing and race kit and doing it at home, with simple tools.
I think a restored and updated K5 would be nice, all original except I guess toss in a modern motor. But ya can't, like said previously, today's modern requirements. Now, if a shop bought 30 K5s, fully restored them 100% with some nice updates, and sold them for 30-60 grand like a modern brand new truck, and you could finance like a dealership with warranty. Yeah, I'd dig that. Your choice of engine, modern interior, basically all the things we'd like to do.
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
I see what you are saying but to explain what I mean more... Let's say the old VW bug engineers were still around today... and they had access to the technology and knowledge we have now. I bet they could refine their old design even more. And also refine certain elements of their original design having all that knowledge they gained over the years. But then they also retained the true spirit of the old design too.
This is what I would like to see done with the K5. Make key refinements but maintain what makes the K5 the K5.
But that could be different for different people. I myself love the versatility/utility of the old Blazers.. but many seem to just want to use them for rock climbing or mudding etc.
Lots of great points here!
MrSchaeferPants
1/2 ton status
I feel ya. And of course I like the VW analogy
And I think this is the main thing. It would mean different things to different people. I for one, like it mostly cause even in stock form, the K5 is an off-road beast. If I just needed a DD, I'd probably get another Bug.
I think what most of you seem to be looking for is a JK Wrangler with a Hemi in it.
As far as in production (recent production) GM goes, I stick to my full convertible H3 suggestion. A 1500 Silverado, shortened to Blazer length and rebodied into a convertible SUV would be viable, easy enough to build, need a family cage, and still fit most of the parameters you are asking for. A solid axle K truck with the swaybar intact has about the same wheel travel as a IFS truck does anyways. I prefer the comfortable ride of my IFS trucks over my K5 any day for daily use. The 5.3/4L65E is a proven and reliable combination that would make all the power you would need. But, most people didn't buy the two door Blazer and Tahoe, that is why they went away. If they were looking for something like that, they bought a Jeep.
As far as in production (recent production) GM goes, I stick to my full convertible H3 suggestion. A 1500 Silverado, shortened to Blazer length and rebodied into a convertible SUV would be viable, easy enough to build, need a family cage, and still fit most of the parameters you are asking for. A solid axle K truck with the swaybar intact has about the same wheel travel as a IFS truck does anyways. I prefer the comfortable ride of my IFS trucks over my K5 any day for daily use. The 5.3/4L65E is a proven and reliable combination that would make all the power you would need. But, most people didn't buy the two door Blazer and Tahoe, that is why they went away. If they were looking for something like that, they bought a Jeep.
Ferdinand Porche certainly would have a feild day with todays hi-technology and metal casting capeability....
I love old air cooled VW's,but I dont think I'd want to drive one on todays highways,I was lucky to have survived driving more than one back in the 70's when traffic was much lighter and people weren't so insane behind the wheel...the old Beetles were rather dangerous,with practically no crash protection,and a tank of gas just in front of your lap...the brakes on them were not really great either..
Now,if they would only make a clone of my '63 VW Khombi Bus camper,with a 4x4 drivetrain,4 wheel disc brakes,and a water cooled engine like a modern V6 so you could have HEAT in the winter...that would be cool!..
I love old air cooled VW's,but I dont think I'd want to drive one on todays highways,I was lucky to have survived driving more than one back in the 70's when traffic was much lighter and people weren't so insane behind the wheel...the old Beetles were rather dangerous,with practically no crash protection,and a tank of gas just in front of your lap...the brakes on them were not really great either..
Now,if they would only make a clone of my '63 VW Khombi Bus camper,with a 4x4 drivetrain,4 wheel disc brakes,and a water cooled engine like a modern V6 so you could have HEAT in the winter...that would be cool!..
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
That's what I love too.. you can take the stock K5 and do a little mudding.. a little rock climbing.. or you can turn it into a total mudder if you want.. or a total rock climber if you want...
To me though I think the key aspect is keeping that original versatility... but to me personally the key to the versatility is making it a very functional primary vehicle. If you don't have the day to day functionality it isn't a Blazer anymore to me so that should be the primary element in my view. But that's why I am curious how others view it -- what they want.
Maybe a good way to determine this would be to figure out the key types of Blazers people want.
Using the bug as an example - you have the
- stock bug
- baja bug
- street racer bug
One way we could do it is to have people submit their own vehicle or design ideas for the "perfect" - new - old Blazer.
A Blazer where we take the best elements of the old and the new.
Then everyone votes and maybe we could get a few different models that people could choose from at the same time?
Like imagine if volkswagen made different versions of the original bug to appeal to all the people who wanted them for different users? This is what we could do with the Blazer.
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
Thanks for the info Terry! That's the kind of info I am looking for. I don't have a wide knowledge of all the different vehicle choices available and their strengths.
Regarding Jeeps - I don't know if it's accurate but I have gotten the impression that they are flimsy compared to Blazers. This is also how I view the more modern Blazers. Maybe this is because of cost factors though for materials as time goes on and/or efficiency issues - fuel economy due to weight?
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
Ferdinand Porche certainly would have a feild day with todays hi-technology and metal casting capeability....That's exactly what I am thinking!I actually think he would blow our minds and make all these car designers today look like chumps. But a big part of that is probably due to the industry and all he bureaucracy surrounding the auto industry today that car designers or creative people in general have to fight.
I definitely agree with you..but let's say you took the current bug and infused more of what made the old VW great into it? So you don't have to have all those bad things of the old bug... just enough to make the new bug cool. I think that's the key. Same with a new Blazer. It's finding that sweet spot.
Now,if they would only make a clone of my '63 VW Khombi Bus camper,with a 4x4 drivetrain,4 wheel disc brakes,and a water cooled engine like a modern V6 so you could have HEAT in the winter...that would be cool!..
YES! Exactly. That's the kind of vehicle I love.
I have a 4-door Wrangler JK Rubicon and it's an impressive machine. I use it for my daily driver, and until I replace the suspension on my K5, I do light off-roading with it too. The coil spring ride is cushy off-road compared to the K5 where it feels like every screw/bolt in the thing (plus your fillings) are coming out as you drive down a rocky road. But having said that, it's no K5 in terms of the overall experience. You get into this little quiet cocoon with terrible visibility and I feel like I lose connection to being in the outdoors at all. I really like it, but with all the gizmos and cush interior I don't think I'll ever have that "horse and rider" relationship. I had a 2-door TJ Wrangler and I really liked that one (wrecked it). I thought that was the right level of technology with the port injected engine, but otherwise simple, still some space in the engine compartment, guttable interior, etc.
On a separate note, do you guys think if you methodically dumped $30k into an old K5 you could have reliable transportation on par with a new JK? I tend to doubt it. I've probably put that into my K5, totally non-methodically, over the last 15 years and while my truck is nice, I'd never drive it cross country at 85 mph. It would probably shake at that speed, who knows what would overheat with all my new mods, if something broke I may be hosed since things are custom, etc...
On a separate note, do you guys think if you methodically dumped $30k into an old K5 you could have reliable transportation on par with a new JK? I tend to doubt it. I've probably put that into my K5, totally non-methodically, over the last 15 years and while my truck is nice, I'd never drive it cross country at 85 mph. It would probably shake at that speed, who knows what would overheat with all my new mods, if something broke I may be hosed since things are custom, etc...
Stomis
Professional Amateur
By no means would I say k5s are more solid than defenders. They're also way smaller. Similar in size to an fj70 tray back.
ZombieBlazer
1/2 ton status
I bet there are guys around who could figure out how to make a rock solid vehicle for far less than that that would be bullet proof and ridiculously durable and smooth driving. This is why we need to pool our brain power and put together all the best elements and figure out how to solve these issues properly IMO.
