Info for complete 4x4/Blazer Noob?

[HarrisonTX]

So, i was told to move to Colorado, and i used that as an excuse to buy a k5. I told myself it would help in the ice and snow, and there should be some nice trails up here...
Problem is, i dont know anything about 4x4's
As far as the motor and tranny, i dont really need too much info on that, it came with a 305, but this guy paid $7500 for the installation of edelbrock crate motor (350ci 310hp)

So i guess my questions is what can yall tell me about my truck? I know it has 3.42 rear gears (guy paid $2000 for parts and labor for new axels, diff, and gears) But other than that, i have no clue what kinda equipment the truck has.

The lockin hubs are "motive" which i know has to be aftermarket. Did an '86 come with auto lockers, and someone changed to manual lockers for ease of working on them, or what? And BTW, i have had if off road, just went crawlin over some real small stuff tryin out the 4 wheel drive. It took me a few minutes to figure out to get from 4h, to 4L, you have to pull back and OVER, not just back, lol - shows how much i know about 4x4s. I did know at least to lock the hubs. Man 4L kicks ass.

I'm 22, and have been wrenchin since i was 16, i have built about 4 different motors for my '79 malibu, swapped from an auto to a 4 speed, and changed the rearend. Also, the week i bought the blazer, i put new head gaskets on. So im not a complete moron, i know my way around a garage, just never been around 4x4's.

I see yall mention np203's and the like, WTF is that...
I see lots of talk about dana rear ends, is that stock, or are yall upgrading?
Is my tranny a 700r4? or is that only 2x4 stuff?
What general info can you tell me about '86 blazers.
Strong points, and weaknesses

a little back ground on the truck,
1986 with 280,000 on the chassis, and less than 30k on the motor.
The guy listed it for $1800, and i paid $1450. He had over $10,000 in receipts, just didn't know what he was doing... He knew there was a motor problem, just neglected to mention it to me, so he sold it cheap. After 2 gallons of water, and no mix in the crankcase, or radiator, i knew it was in the cylinder. 2 head gaskets, and runs awesome!

Blazer

And if anyone is interested, the malibu...

 

[WinslowS]

bold is my replys.

The lockin hubs are "motive" which i know has to be aftermarket. Did an '86 come with auto lockers, and someone changed to manual lockers for ease of working on them, or what? And BTW, i have had if off road, just went crawlin over some real small stuff tryin out the 4 wheel drive. It took me a few minutes to figure out to get from 4h, to 4L, you have to pull back and OVER, not just back, lol - shows how much i know about 4x4s. I did know at least to lock the hubs. Man 4L kicks ass.
The hubs could have been auto or manual from the factory, they offered both irc.

I see yall mention np203's and the like, WTF is that...

That is the transfer case. It goes behind the transmission and splits the power to both front and rear ends when in 4wd, as well as offers the extra gear reduction of low range.

I see lots of talk about dana rear ends, is that stock, or are yall upgrading?

The only dana rear end in a 86 was in a dually and that was a Dana 70. It or the 14 bolt full floater are considered good upgrades in replacement of the rear axle, they are similar in strength, 8 lug, and full floating. The front will need to be upgraded to a 8 lug 10bolt/dana 44 or a dana 60. Dana 44s and 10 bolts are very close in strength. Your truck most likely has a 10 bolt front and rear.

Is my tranny a 700r4? or is that only 2x4 stuff?

The factory automatic in a 86 would have been a 700r4. They made both 2wd and 4wd versions.

What general info can you tell me about '86 blazers.
Strong points, and weaknesses

The only real weak point I can see is that it is the last year of the carburated models which get worse fuel economy than the later fuel injected trucks, and cannot run in off camber situations as well offroad. The sway to Throttle Body Injection is relatively straightforward.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

So, i was told to move to Colorado, and i used that as an excuse to buy a k5. I told myself it would help in the ice and snow, and there should be some nice trails up here...

Colorado rules

The lockin hubs are "motive" which i know has to be aftermarket. Did an '86 come with auto lockers, and someone changed to manual lockers for ease of working on them, or what?

They are called locking hubs, manual hubs or lockouts; different than a locker. I'm unsure if "Motive" lockouts are factory equipment or not but I would guess that they aren't. Manual hubs (lockouts) are generally much more reliable than automatic hubs.

I see yall mention np203's and the like, WTF is that...

Its a transfer case, it transfers power from the transmission to both the front and rear axle (its what makes a 4x4 a four wheel drive truck). There are tons of different models out there (203, 205, 208 and 241 are the most common in K5 trucks).

I see lots of talk about dana rear ends, is that stock, or are yall upgrading?

Dana rear ends are rare in Chevy trucks. Most have a 10 bolt, 12 bolt or 14 bolt (the 14's can be semi-floating or full floating).

When you hear about people talking about Dana axles its usually upgrading the front end (10 bolt or Dana 44) to a Dana 60.

Is my tranny a 700r4? or is that only 2x4 stuff?

If its stock, you have a 700R4

What general info can you tell me about '86 blazers.
Strong points, and weaknesses

The worst thing about '86 is that is was the last year for a carburetor and it has tons of crappy emissions stuff.

 

[HarrisonTX]

Great info guys. Thanks alot. Both of ya'lls responces are almost identical.
I have takin the truck up about a 40* angle, and it was for sure stumbling. I wrote that off as the fuel pump. there was a crack in it somewhere, and it was leakin fuel into the crankcase, which lead to major stalling whenever the truck downshifted IE: on the highway hittin a hill, or wheelin up a hill. I replaced the fuel pump when i did the head gaskets, and i noticed it fixed the problem on the highway, havnt gone off road yet since then. i have been readin a little about holley's Truck Avenger. I generally dont like edelbrock carbs, and if i read good reviews about the truck avenger, i may go that route.

Thanks a ton for the info! First order of business is yank off that awful luggage rack, and beauty rings, and fog the wheels black. The truck is still in texas, i drove my '97 chevy 1500 up here, and will fly down asap and drive the k5 up here. I see trails everywhere....
Thanks again guys.

 

[HarrisonTX]

The worst thing about '86 is that is was the last year for a carburetor and it has tons of crappy emissions stuff.

Correction, had i removed that **** when i did the head gaskets. heres a before and after emissions pic.

I know those wires are crazy, i think one was 4 feet. I need some new ends, and some loom, and it will clean it up alot!!

AFTER