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How many of you use your blazer as a daily driver?

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94NDTA

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Just wondering, I have been throwing around the idea of getting an older blazer as a project, and driving it every day. Part of me would like a new truck w/ a warrenty and drive it pretty much worry free, but another part of me would rather have something that is just mine, unique, won't lose its value just because it is a couple years older, etc.

I would love to undergo a project w/ a fuel injected older blazer, solid axles, bigger tires, make it look nice and drive that all the time. I have a toy allready, and a reliable car. Just getting your opinions on what it is like to have an older full size blazer that you drive all the time.
 
its big and sloppy.

loud

impractical

part of me wants to make it just trail only, but its fun driving it on theroad. especially with no top or doors
 
NorCal_Chris said:
its big and sloppy.

loud

impractical

part of me wants to make it just trail only, but its fun driving it on theroad. especially with no top or doors
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I would be using it to drive 2 miles to work every morning and back, for hunting, and for snow days. Would it be as impractical with maybe a 35 in tires?
 
i only drive 5 miles to work.

It was alot less rediculous when i had 36's. So that would be a viable option. Although with my springs it is still a little sway happy/


basically a semi mod stock rig, with a lift, average size tires, and proper gearing would be absolutley fine for DD use
 
I have, both my 86 blazer and 85 jimmy. The 85 is going to be a DD, mild trail rig until I move and get another K5 for trail use only, then DD only the 85.

I look at it this way. DDing a Blazer is great. You own it. Insurance is cheaper, no carp payment. If it's a DD, shouldn't break down all the time from wheeling. The things that do break, once you fix them, should have another 30 years of worry free problems. Fix/replace enough stuff, you'll have a brand new rig again.

Never again will I own a new car. $400 a month, know what I could do my Jimmy for that? Plus, the money you'll save on liability will pay for the gas guzzling.

Ya it's old and doesnt' have all the comforts of a new vehicle. But saving $400 a month, could get the AC charged or put in. Next month put in electric doors/windows if you don't have them, next month new CD player/gps unit all in one thinggy.. electric seats, power/heated mirrors.. you CAN do all that stuff.
 
I DD my 86 Blazer 20 miles to and from work everyday. Not the worlds best on gas BUT, my insurance is only $36.00 a month and it's MINE! So, the money I'm saving goes to making it a slightly more capable trail rig and a little more comfy DD ride to work. I have no complaints. I say do it!
 
I drive my 87 daily. About 10 miles.

I love the fuel injection. It takes a little getting used to attempting to make a 25 year old truck run the way you would like a dd to.

Best advice if you want a dd blazer/Jimmy... Buy one that IS ALREADY a dd. Shy away from weekend toys or projects. And even then the guys at the parts store will know you by name.

But in the end IMO they are some of the coolest vehicles on the road, and a large amount of pride is instilled when you have a great running truck that's older than the engineers that design the new ones
 
I drive my 89 daily and its great its all stock suspension with 31 inch tires and 3.73 gears
 
They are a little tankish to drive, you feel every crack in the road, but oh well, when it comes down to it they really are a tank, I feel that if I was to get in an accident I would feel safer with all that steel surrounding me rather than all the plastic on new cars.

And if you can get yours looking decent you would be amazed at the compliments you get on them. I love rolling into the gas station and some dude jump out of his car and go "Man that is a sweet truck ya got their". It will make your day every time:thumb:
 
Not a K5, but I dd my 89 f-150 with 190K on it.

Stone cold reliable, however the fuel economy leaves some to be desired, My plan is a small lift and to keep the rest of the truck fairly stockish to retain the reilabilty.

I dont know if this helps, but Id figure Id throw it out there.
 
Deuling said:
And if you can get yours looking decent you would be amazed at the compliments you get on them. I love rolling into the gas station and some dude jump out of his car and go "Man that is a sweet truck ya got their". It will make your day every time:thumb:
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I found that it's impossible to be in a bad mood while driving a full-convertible K5 on a sunny day.......even if I'm going to work.

Admittedly, it's been a VERY long time since I've driven my truck anywhere but I will definitely drive it to work a lot, and I just have a feeling that Chevy enthusiasts will come out of the woodwork every time I stop for gas (often!) or take it out for a burger or pizza. I actually enjoy that part of 1st Gen ownership... :thumb:


:usaflag:
 
I use my 89 to drag my Bass boat around. It's mild with 3", 33's and 3.73. I've owned it 16 years and have maybe $15k in including the $5k purchase price. Crate roller motor 35k on it, rust free, and drives better than a new one. I used to road trip to Nascar races towing a popup. I get compliments pretty regularly at the gas station and on the road.

I've owned and DD'd a K5 of some type since 1975 (73,76,75,72,75,79 and 89)...I've loved 'em all.
 
I use mine every day. About 25 miles to work (one way) up the highway. 4" lift and 35s is not completely impractical for a DD. Sure, I wouldn't mind having something better on gas but, for now, it's paid for and only costs me what repairs may come up and maintenance.

The real bonus is that most any repair the truck may need I can do myself and the parts are cheap.

The truck always gets compliments or the obligatory 'I used to have one of those! Used to have so much fun in that truck!' stories. Plus, the looks you get from the Prius and BMW drivers are priceless.

Daily driving one of these old trucks is possible and fun.
 
I DD my '89 about 25 miles each way to work. Love it. Yes it needs a little work here and there, but you know most of the folks with "newer" vehicles do as well. The great part is it's paid for, repairs are generally an easy fix, parts are cheap (relatively speaking), and the labor is FREE!!!

I played the $400, $500, $600 / mo. car/truck payment for years. NEVER AGAIN, it's the biggest waste of money IMO.

When I got mine, I started by making sure the drive train was reliable and sturdy/ safe. Then some body stuff here and there, and interior creature comforts as I go along. It's actually fun to dd for me and I know every inch of that truck.

I don't think you'd regret it, I haven't. Good luck, make it safe for everyone on the road and you'll be set.
 
It was long ago--but I used to drive my '72 K5 to work 70 miles away every day ,or my '69 GTO ..I actually liked the Blazer better ,especially after I swapped in a 4 speed and ditched the ailing TH350..it only got about 15 mpg,but the GTO got less,a week of commuting usually costed me about 75 bucks for gas back when it was less than 2 bucks a gallon...eventuallly I moved to the town I worked in ,which was north of where I libe now and it snowed deeper and more often there,so I would paek the GTO for the winter and use my Blazer all winter--there were many days I wouldn't have got to work or anywhere else if I didn't have it!..a 4x4 up there is just about a must,if you want to remain mobile when weather gets nasty...

If not for fuel prices I'd rather be in one of my trucks than any other vehicle...even back in the 80's and 90's I was always getting compliments on my Blazer and GTO,and they weren't exactly show car quality--it does make you feel proud when someone says they like your truck or car--especially if its a WOMAN!..:D..you'd be surprised what a chick magnet a Blazer can be--my GTO didn't excite many girls ,but quite a few loved my K5--until I told them no one but ME drives it anyway!..:rolleyes:
 
shheeeeet. I dd my 90 burb 13miles one way to work and about 15 miles back (after the detours to play in the mud almost every day, having your old stomping grounds en route is bad for fuel consumption). Really need to get the a/c done and some shocks on it, and the drivers seat re-foamed before my back collapses
 
I have a lifted 94 S10 blazer w/ 31's that I have basically replaced everything in, and I mean everything. I want something bigger, with a V8. I have an LT1 w/ 29K on it that I considered putting in my S10, but it would be a hell of alot easier on and older blazer, plus I would love a set of solid axles w/ some bigger tires. Basically, I sold my new car and told myself if I drive this blazer for a year, I could save up enough to put a nice down payment on a new truck. I don't know if I want to do that now.
 
I drive mine everyday with a 4 inch lift and 35's. I love it, and like everyone else is saying its nice to get some compliments on it whenever you go somewhere. Parts are cheap, it's easy to fix almost anything, and it gives you a pride boost knowing that you can fix it and that you put some blood sweat and tears into it to make it yours.
 
I split my driving between my 89 jimmy on 31" mts and my wifes vue. I get arround 11mpg arround town, and i actually enjoy driving the jimmy alot more.
Its big, its tough, i dont worry about my greasy hands on the interior, or my tools in the back.

I say go for it as long as you do have a reliable backup.
 
I often walk to the grocery store, and sometimes I get to walk to work, but whenever I have to drive I take the Blazer. It's loud, it's big, it rattles - moreso with the top off - it's got no radio and the gas mileage sucks.

In other words, it suits me just fine. If I wanted a Honda, I'd be driving a Honda.
 
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