Civilian K5 or CUCV??

[bmw85k5]

Hey guys. I have been a member for a while and dont think i have ever posted. I now have a 85 K5 that is pretty much stock. I did swap out the worn out 305 for a junk yard school bus crate 350. I am new to these awesome vehicles and mainly ride four wheelers and am just now getting into trail riding. In fact, I havent even been on a trail ride yet. I will do some daily driving and very mild trail riding. No hard core rock crawling or anything like that. I have a buddy that just bought an 86 cucv and i fell in love with it i think. I just love the plainness, ruggedness, manly camo look and sound of it. My question is I may have an opportunity to buy a CUCV and would then sell my civilian k5. What are some pros and cons to this? Great site and thanks for all the help!!

 

[original balzer]

Well the diesel will get great feul milage and will run at any angle (like feul injection) they have great low end tourque fro crawling around and do about as good as a stock 305-350 in the mud.
and as you said they are plain and simple and have less to go wrong.

I assume you mean the blazer version of CUCV.

If It was me and I got a cucv I would swap in a 4(or5 if budget allows) speed manual trans, swap to 3/4 ton or 1 ton axles (easy way to get 4.11 gears) traction aid limited slip or lockers. do a 4" lift ditch the sway bar, cut the fenders and run 35 inch tires. If budget alllows it do a turbo kit or retro one from a newer 6.5 diesel. I would also add a main girdle (strenthens main crank bearings)

Keep it simple and have fun. Some of us have gotten WAY too involved in our builds, and wish for the simple truck we started with just so we could go wheel. When you get into things like 52" front springs and the like it takes a lot more time and takes away from your wheeling.

I wheel my daily driver and break it all the time I always regret that and wish for something simple to wheel.

 

[WolfOffroad]

Well the diesel will get great feul milage and will run at any angle (like feul injection) they have great low end tourque fro crawling around and do about as good as a stock 305-350 in the mud.
and as you said they are plain and simple and have less to go wrong.

I assume you mean the blazer version of CUCV.

If It was me and I got a cucv I would swap in a 4(or5 if budget allows) speed manual trans, swap to 3/4 ton or 1 ton axles (easy way to get 4.11 gears) traction aid limited slip or lockers. do a 4" lift ditch the sway bar, cut the fenders and run 35 inch tires. If budget alllows it do a turbo kit or retro one from a newer 6.5 diesel. I would also add a main girdle (strenthens main crank bearings)

Keep it simple and have fun. Some of us have gotten WAY too involved in our builds, and wish for the simple truck we started with just so we could go wheel. When you get into things like 52" front springs and the like it takes a lot more time and takes away from your wheeling.

I wheel my daily driver and break it all the time I always regret that and wish for something simple to wheel.

Subscribed.

I currently own a 1986 M1009 CUCV. Those are some good ideas about how to build a solid blazer!

 

[bmw85k5]

i appreciate the reply original balzer! i cant decide what to do but that helps.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Some good CUCV specific info is over on www.SteelSoldiers.com 's CUCV forum. However this forum is far better for truck modification info.

Do you mind a diesel? Are you happier starting with nothing and adding stuff to your truck or would you rather start with all the foofoo options and either fix or remove them to make your wheeling machine as you want it?

CUCV's are plain jane. Pluses are the higher power J-code 6.2L and no power options to die on you, no carpet to hold moisture in, supposed to have regular, knowledgeable maintenance, etc etc etc. Also usually have lower mileage.

Downsides...they're pretty spartan. Not even cup holders (which can be fixed for $10 at a boat supply store though).
The M1009 Blazers still have regular K5 half ton springs and 3.08 geared 10 bolts with a Gov-Lock in the rear. No big deal if you're planning on swapping them out for something stronger but don't get confused like many do and think they have stronger axles.