i was just thinking today......

[79bonanza]

ok i was thinking today why does everyone go for the square body trucks for wheelin rigs like the 73-91 usually.

most would say its because they have a solid front axle and usually have v8's in them and there is alot of aftermarket support. but here is where it gets confusing.

most everyone that runs theses trucks will eventually lift them or swap the front axle for something stronger and do a shackle flip in the rear and eventually swap for a better preforming engine, such as a TBI swap or a LS swap.

im wondering why people dont just skip the middle man on doin a engine swap and buy a newer truck with a fuel injected engine or a LS rig and just do a SAS in the front and do a shackle flip in the rear and then you pretty much have the same suspension setup as a old square with the comfort reliablity and some will arue but the good looks of a newer truck.

i was just wondering why most people just run the older blazers and stuff when the newer trucks already come with alot of good parts in them

 

[yellowK20]

Cuz the newer trucks aren't as affordable, our as cool

 

[NorCal_Chris]

new truck 40k+

blazer 3k

 

[KansasTwister]

some of the guys here are moving up to 88-98 rigs, I think they look cool, but im a square body guy. That or a task force, Id build a 55-59 in a heartbeat if I had a shop to store it in. Have an old 57 napco out back that will eventually be restored.

 

[79bonanza]

i wasent talkin like brand new more like the 88-98 trucks and some of the early 2000 trucks are becoming more affordable.

ill always be a square body guy i was just wondering why

 

[blazinzuk]

The 88 and newer are getting more popular, but suspensions scare people for some reason.

Since IFS is pretty weak and thats well known and the mainstream 4x4 mags preach solid axle or nothing. Then thats what people look for.

Besides that if you just want a lifted to truck to go wheeling with a solid axle truck is super cheap when compared to an IFS truck.

I think in the coming years you are going to see alot more 88-98 trucks out there being SASed and wheeled hard

 

[Blue85]

It's much easier to swap an engine than to convert it into a convertible.

 

[496truck]

It's much easier to swap an engine than to convert it into a convertible.

BINGO!!! No removable top after the 91 K5 square body. That was my number one reason. Never had one, always wanted one, now I have one and it rocks. Before this I had an S10 Blazer. Did a SAS on it and worked great. But the lack of open air always bothered me.

Other main reasons (applicable to the pickups/burbs), most people are iffy about tackling an SAS on their own. Plus it gets expensive, way more so than just bolting in a D60 and 14b with some new springs and coversion joints. SAS on 88-98 trucks requires frame x-member mods, custom steering stuff, new front d-shaft. All that can scare the average back yard tech away. Then, if you have to pay to have it done, be ready to remortgage the house.

An engine swap into one of these older trucks is viewed as easier than an SAS on a newer truck.

 

[KevinL]

Also the K5 has a very short wheel base compared to everything else. Also a Properly designed SAS is a lot of time and work. The 6.2 Diesel and TBI 350 already have fuel injection which is what I limited my search to when I was looking for a Blazer.

I had been out of the four wheeling thing for a while and didn't want something I would have to build up for a year before I could use it. I looked at FJZ80 landcruiser but after seeing a lift was $4,000. I decide on the old cheap blazer

 

[nvrenuf]

Interchangability.

Sure most folks do engine or axle swaps but 90% of the swaps are a direct bolt up. Swap a D60 into a '79, it'll only take a couple of hours. Swap a D60 into an '89 and you'll be working/fab'ing all weekend.

 

[yellowK20]

And if you start with a K30 you don't have to swap **** its ready to go!!