K5 obsession?

[AJMBLAZER]

I just bought my first K5 in 12 years.

I need the space. I grew up in a '76 K5, had a '86 K5 as my first vehicle, then had a '92 Blazer K1500 (with the IFS abortion), and you can't beat the 2 door fullsize SUV's for hauling people, not being so long they're hard to park, turn, or drive, and you can get 4 people and a fair amount of stuff in them.

K5's also have the advantage of dirt simple maintenance, cheap and readily available parts thanks to their platform, wide selection of drivetrains, diesel power as an option, and still being (relatively) commonly available. Not to mention since the gas "crisis" last year they've dropped in value back to a realistic level.

I have a 27lb hyper active mutt and a 75lb Golden Retriever. The three of us in my K30's single cab makes for an interesting ride. The Golden wants to cuddle/hide and the mutt is enjoying her newfound height and wide view and is bouncing around looking at stuff.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT K5!

 

[4-play]

I would still like to know the stock wheelbase difference between the K5 and SWB. My SWB is an 87', so how about a comparable K5? Sometimes I would like to have a K5, but I like to haul my quad without having the top off. A dead elk, or extra fuel in the back of a Blaze can make them a bit smelly as well.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I wanna say it's like 102" for a Blazer and 110" or so for a single cab short bed?

I know when you put a pickup cab and bed on a Blazer frame you have to take around a foot out of the bed.

 

[79rustyk10]

truck = driver + 1 female passenger
k5 = driver + 4 female passengers

you decide which is better...

x 2

 

[85-m1028]

I would still like to know the stock wheelbase difference between the K5 and SWB. My SWB is an 87', so how about a comparable K5? Sometimes I would like to have a K5, but I like to haul my quad without having the top off. A dead elk, or extra fuel in the back of a Blaze can make them a bit smelly as well.

106 1/2" blazer or add a zero rate front 1 1/2" forward and zero rate 1 1/2" back for the rear, and you get 109 1/2"

short bed pick up is 115" stock

 

[Teck]

I was thinking a blazer was 106.5", short bed was 117.5", and a long bed was 131"

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Shows what I know.

 

[Greg72]

'69 - '72 K5 = 104.0" WB
'73 - '91 K5 = 106.5" WB

For me, the full convertible was the clincher....

If you've never been wheeling with nothing but open sky above your head, then you don't know what you're missing... the later model guys have told me "Well, the back of my truck is open so it's sort of the same thing..." Then they hop in the passenger seat and ride for a while, and I catch them looking up to the sky and swiveling their heads around checking out the surroundings..... pretty soon they're like: "You know, this is REALLY cool with no top at all."

 

[4X4HIGH]

I bought a Blazer because i wanted something that could pull a trailer, carry some cargo without having to worry about rain getting it all wet, AND fit comfortably more than 2 people. The removable top is a plus for some people (i have never removed mine in 8 years though).

 

[Teck]

I bought new in '86 when I was 20, after having 2 longbed and 1 shortbed pickups. Just remember that it was what i want all along, and after they changed to the newer seats I just had to have one. Hauled more people, great for camping, 4wheeled great.

Glad that I have kept it all these years, just ready to get it back on the road after all the years I let it sit apart in the back of my shop.

 

[blazinzuk]

For me, the full convertible was the clincher....If you've never been wheeling with nothing but open sky above your head, then you don't know what you're missing... the later model guys have told me "Well, the back of my truck is open so it's sort of the same thing..." Then they hop in the passenger seat and ride for a while, and I catch them looking up to the sky and swiveling their heads around checking out the surroundings..... pretty soon they're like: "You know, this is REALLY cool with no top at all."

Me too thats why I am rebuilding my 73 instead of building a tow rig mabey not the smartest decision but its sure going to be fun

took one run in my new pickup to realize I don't like having a roof

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Welcome aboard.

First thing, you might try posting this as a new thread and not lumping it onto a 3.5 month old dead thread.