Blazer or Suburban

[chevyman562]

I am looking at either a Blazer or a Suburban for my next project. I can't use a pickup (unless it's a crewcab because I need to haul the family or hunting group around).This truck will be used mostly for hunting trips and camping trips. I will be wheeling it also, just not hard core. I'd like to hear what you guy's have and why. Here are what I like about both.

Blazer: I like the shorter wheelbase, better milage, removeable top.

Suburban: 3/4 ton option, room to sleep inside if I have to, better towing vehical, lot's of interior room (but i can have both, lot's of interior room and a short wheel base).

I plan to tow a lifted pickup bed trailer behind it. Which everone I choose, I plan to use a built 400SB, 700R4 auto, not sure on the t-case, and 4:56 gears. I have a 14b FF I also plan to use with a Detroit in the rear (and front if I can find a "cheaper" selectable one, I think I want to wait till I can get a D-60 to get a ARB). I am thinking of a 6" lift w/ cut-out fender flares and 36X14.50 Super Swamper Radials. What do you guy's think?

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

I'd shy away from Swampers on the tow rig.

 

[kyser_soze]

If your planning to tow get the suburban, the longer wheelbase will help out. /forums/images/graemlins/peace.gif

 

[woody9]

if you're going to tow, i'd say wheelbase, wheelbase, wheelbase! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bought mine for similar reasons several years back when in Colo - light 4x4 & towing the pop-up along.
Ended up moving back east and now it tows a rolling hotel instead! (with similar mods to what you indicated!
Wheelbase, wheelbase, wheelbase! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BTW, 91 was last year for the solid front axle.. that's the year i got. Tried to find a solid 3/4 ton, but ended up with a 1500 that was 1 owner & garaged @ home AND work! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Have put 100,000 miles on it now and only replaced the tranny! (i consider the 14FF rear-end as an upgrade, not replacement, even though i shelled 2 10 bolts)

 

[Z3PR]

I think a Suburban would be a good choice. The extra room will come in handy. Belive me, a longer wheel base is nice for towing.

 

[smokkey1]

/forums/images/graemlins/burb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[bigburban383]

Suburban = 4 doors for you old foegies

 

[big83chevy4x4]

/forums/images/graemlins/crewcab.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[SUBFAN]

'Burb....You won't believe how fast you can fill the inside of a Blazer.

Going with 36" tires, I would opt for a lower gear, especially if you have towing in mind.

 

[toy4fun]

If I were to start over again I would start with a newer 3/4 ton, Big block Suburban just put a solid axle in the front and some lift. /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
Just my 2 cents

 

[dremu]

When it comes to moving lots of stuff and/or people, size matters. When it comes to towing, wheelbase matters. A crewcab pickup is has FIVE feet more wheelbase than a Blazer, and THREE more than a BURB.

They are also hell to park, and ... wheeling? Mwuhahaha.

A Burb might just be the happy medium between a crewcab and a Blazer. Decent wheelbase, factory 3/4 ton (if you tow, go big. If in doubt, go bigger.) ... and covered space, more than the pickup, which may or may not be good.

My wife kept the Burb when we split -- her dogs, not mine! -- so I went and got a crewcab pickup. I tell you, that thing can move SOOOO much more crap than the Burb... dirty crap, oddly shaped crap, whatever. But it's exposed to the elements, etc.

HTH. (Note I also have two Blazers, so I'm crazy.)

-- A

 

[75-K5]

[ QUOTE ]
Suburban = 4 doors for you old foegies

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I know of at least one person who posted in this thread who owns a Suburban with < 4 doors. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[82diesel]

Or the infamous 3 door suburbans.

Now that was insane.

 

[ratzila]

When I had my 91 blazer at stock height I towed my 23' dusky center console boat.It hated pulling that boat because of the short wheelbase. I've got a burb now and love it. I can't tow with it because of the lift,but you can carry all the passengers and junk with room to spare /forums/images/graemlins/woot.gif

 

[Beast388]

[ QUOTE ]
Or the infamous 3 door suburbans.

Now that was insane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Insane you say? /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

 

[bigburban383]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Or the infamous 3 door suburbans.

Now that was insane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Insane you say? /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, thats cool /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/burb.gif

 

[75-K5]

[ QUOTE ]
Or the infamous 3 door suburbans.

Now that was insane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or the even more infamous Suburban coupes. Pre-1967 Burbs had only 2 doors. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[diesel4me]

The best looking Burbs were the early ones,like the 56,--my brother had a sweet 66 GMC Suburban with barn doors,too bad it was only 2wd.That 71 Burb is NICE too!--I had one like it,but it never left my yard--I bought it for parts,it was way too rotted to ever drive on the road again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Aquaman]

What I would want if I built a K5 or a Burban and I wanted to tow/wheel would be this...

2500 Suburban (wheelbase for towing)
Either TBI 454, 6.5L TD, or 12v CTD
SRW D60 swap
~6" Suspension (52" Fronts, 63" Rears, Tow/Helper bags)
36" IROK Radials, H2 rims (machined for hubs of course)
4.56 gears
Lock-right/Detroit
Crossover/High-Steer
Boxed frame
Chopped rear quarter top (body work for K5 top)
Sliders, Tube bumpers, Interior cage
Nice stereo system
Bucket seats, etc

... Isn't building rigs in your head just tons-o-fun! /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[Beast388]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Or the infamous 3 door suburbans.

Now that was insane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or the even more infamous Suburban coupes. Pre-1967 Burbs had only 2 doors. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

This one is a 1960 GMC 4X4....

/forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif