K5 Road Handling

[trukman1]

I use my Blazer to get to my cabin, 20 miles of paved road and 4wd to get to the cabin. Also to pick up materials. Drive it several time a week. I'm retired so I'm not in a hurry, but I'm no slowpoke either, Frequently these days, the way new cars handle and perform, I often have someone running up my tailpipe. I can go faster than feels comfortable but it's really not well, comfortable, plus I frequently have something rattling around the back, or a dog.

So I'm wondering, do you feel K5s (or 10s or 20s for that matter) are compatible with modern road traffic? Can be made better? Mine is stock suspension and height, with admittedly old 33x12.5 BFGs (with still good tread) on stock rims. I did remove one leaf from the rear springs since I don't use a top. Fairly new shocks. Yeah, it's a solid axle 4x4 but I also have a '97 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually with a dump bed and it actually feels better on the road. Is it the short wheelbase? Leaf springs front and rear?

Your not that guy in the left lane backing up traffic are you? Just kidding! Actually, I'm sure your not but that'll get people on you backside FAST!

My son-in-law once hauled my K30 on a trailer to a shop for me and was camping out in the passing lane at the speed limit. After a good "arse" chewing I got him to move to the right lane. When I asked him what A-Hole taught him to drive like that he said his dad! (His dad is a flaming liberal who thinks it's his job to make sure everyone observes the speed limit!!!) Geez!

 

[K85 Octane]

As long as everything is tight, spec’ed correctly, and not damaged there is no reason for these things to be “slower” than the next car. I often do 75 in my blazer, because the gearing/rpm just hums along perfect there. 70 is where I fight myself to go slower. If I don’t pay attention, I’m back to 75. 40s, 52/56 springs, rear locker, no swaybars, hydro assist.

Just gotta go through it all, as painful as that sounds

 

[fordsucks!]

Here in San Diego, you will get tailgated No matter what you're driving. You could be cruising in a ZO6 and you'll have an angry Kia or Prius tailgating you, guaranteed. My blazer chugs along just fine, but I keep it in the slow lane.

I was in Los Angeles yesterday, the freeways were hectic even at 10:30 p.m. everybody going pedal to the metal and zipping in and out of each other, too hectic for me. Average flow of traffic was like 85 mph across all lanes. I was in my G35, which is no slouch, and there were moments where I had to floor it to redline just to keep with the flow and not get cut off by everybody

 

[trukman1]

Here in San Diego, you will get tailgated No matter what you're driving. You could be cruising in a ZO6 and you'll have an angry Kia or Prius tailgating you, guaranteed. My blazer chugs along just fine, but I keep it in the slow lane.

I was in Los Angeles yesterday, the freeways were hectic even at 10:30 p.m. everybody going pedal to the metal and zipping in and out of each other, too hectic for me. Average flow of traffic was like 85 mph across all lanes. I was in my G35, which is no slouch, and there were moments where I had to floor it to redline just to keep with the flow and not get cut off by everybody

Honestly, I've been to California (San Diego, San Bernadino and LA) and for the life of me I don't know how you all do it! A long trip here in Ohio is 45 minutes. There, 2-3 hours didn't seem unusual to my family and friends. I guess it's what you get used to but I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Can't imagine fighting that freeway traffic to and from work. You have my sympathies! LOL!

Apologies to OP, I didn't mean to sidetrack your thread.