K5trs
1/2 ton status
Haha I should have realized you were a ford guy. You give good advice, and of you don't mind me asking why are you on a Chevy forum haha?
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Lift kit installing help
- Thread starter K5trs
- Start date
You know, I often ask myself that..........
I got started here when a guy posted a question about an 8N Ford tractor and I found it while looking for a part for mine.
Then someone had an electrical question, and I was able to help out since I'm electronics engineer.
And it just grew from there.
I often wonder why they put up with me. Especially since I helped bring a few over to the dark side over the years......
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Wires and really anything electrical intimidates me haha. So how do broncos do off roading?! Haha
Actually quite similar to Blazers. They are a lot alike. I have only ever ridden in some, all my Fords have been pickups.
First a short wheelbase F150, and then I bought a brand new F250 3/4 ton to replace it. Problem is, Ford only makes the 3/4 ton in long wheelbase. And LWBs suck in thick woods.
So, I had the new truck driven from the dealership to a truck place I knew. They took the rear bed off, cut the frame, shortened it to SWB specs, and put on an almost new junkyard body.
Then I started modifying it........
But never put on a lift kit.
K5trs
1/2 ton status
ya i've heard they're about the same but my dad's first car was a k5 blazer and he told me a bronco isnt allowed to park in his drive way haha.
blackbronco92
Registered Member
I've had a few full size Bronco's over the years and several Ford pickups, ranging from SWB to 1 ton Crew Cabs with an 8' bed. I know my Ford's pretty well. I've had 300's, 302's, 351's, a 460, I had a 4.6L and a 5.4L. Smaller trucks, 2.9L, 4.0L, AOD's, E4OD's, C6's, M5OD's, you name it I've run it before.
Not to start another discussion about Blazers vs. Broncos, but as Fordum said above, they are extremely similar. It comes down to preference. Sure there are pro's and con's, but in my opinion not enough for one to outweigh the other. We both deal with typical rust, breaking axles, auto trans issues, etc. Also as he said, Driver skill plays a much bigger role in it than whether you're in a GM or a Ford.
Back to the original topic! We have now pretty much all reccomended for you to go out and find a fairly stock K5. With $4,000 you should be able to bring home a pretty damn nice one that should serve you well, be reliable, and fun to work on. If you need help deciding, post pics and specs and we'll help you to make a good decision, then you can hang out over the next few years and watch your wallet shrink while your truck grows! That's what most of us live for.
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Hell ya! i can't wait to buy one! I'll be sure to post pics and specks. I dont wanna get in over my head! I've always wanted one to work on so i can learn about this kind of stuff. 
Now i need to earn the money haha i have 500 saved up but having a full time job, part time job on the weekend, and washing and detailing cars it shouldn't be too long!
Now i need to earn the money haha i have 500 saved up but having a full time job, part time job on the weekend, and washing and detailing cars it shouldn't be too long!
blackbronco92
Registered Member
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2960697110.html
One like this would be a good start. Price sounds a little high to me if the mileage is true, but a clean looking truck. If it turns out to actually BE as clean as it looks, that would be a damn fine start, however would eat up your current budget before any mods.
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2990006776.html
Or if you wanted to spend a little less, one like this would warrant a checking out.
One like this would be a good start. Price sounds a little high to me if the mileage is true, but a clean looking truck. If it turns out to actually BE as clean as it looks, that would be a damn fine start, however would eat up your current budget before any mods.
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/2990006776.html
Or if you wanted to spend a little less, one like this would warrant a checking out.
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Damn that is a nice one, it's about 5 hours away but oh well. im sure he would take less because we all no money talks haha. What would you pay for that?
blackbronco92
Registered Member
It'd need a real good checking out, but if what he says about it is all true, even with the mileage I'd say between $3500-$4000 would be a good deal. And that's just me trying to estimate New Mexico values... Here in Michigan that would fetch $7,000 or more to the right buyer.
And you're right. Money does talk, especially this day and age. No matter how bad you want one, NEVER offer what they are asking. Any seller with half a brain will negotiate when you have cash in hand. As the buyer, you have the advantage. Use it!
K5trs
1/2 ton status
HAHA we aren't a bunch of low balling red necks here haha but ya blazers are fairly common that albuquerque blazer has a 350 fuel injected in it.
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
FWIW I paid $5k for nearly the EXACT same truck (scary!) except I had to do a lot of that little work. I'd say give him $4.5k and call it a day. Mine had power windows and sliding rear windows, so I wouldn't personally buy this one but ... wow, it could be my truck's twin brother.
Mine has the same miles but no rebuilt tranny. If you can afford it, I wouldn't wait. That wont last long.
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Haha we could be twins! and I only have 500 saved...i doubt my dad will loan 4000 who would haha? Do i have any options?
One other thing to consider, what is going to be the main purpose of the truck? If you have another source of transportation back and forth to school, and this is not going to be your daily driver, then final drivability on the highway is not critical.
I don't think 12.50-33 is a magic number, but it is the largest size tire I have ever had on a full size truck that I felt no impact on highway use.
I had a set of standard size tires and rims along with my offroad 33s and rims for my truck, and swapped them after hunting season.
Other than a little more acceleration and easier stopping, I could barely tell any difference.
When you start doing major mods to the drive train, you start getting it less highway friendly.
There are some guys here with tall lift kits, and big tires that are fully street legal and often drive them on the highway.
But most of them do a lot of sitting.
You will see the term "DD" used a lot. Many folks here have their offroad truck, and then they have a Daily Driver.
If you show up at school in a Blazer with 6 inch lifts running 36 inch tires, you will be the envy of a lot of the guys.
But, trust me, the non-joy of driving it every day is not worth it.
All my off road vehicles were DDs all through high school and during jr. college. Which meant if I broke it on the weekend, I rode the school bus, or hitched with friends until it was running again.
I did not like that, so I learned real quick not to put it in the really bad places just to see if I could make it.
Later, when I got a car to drive, my offroad stuff wore out quicker and needed more work more often.
I don't think 12.50-33 is a magic number, but it is the largest size tire I have ever had on a full size truck that I felt no impact on highway use.
I had a set of standard size tires and rims along with my offroad 33s and rims for my truck, and swapped them after hunting season.
Other than a little more acceleration and easier stopping, I could barely tell any difference.
When you start doing major mods to the drive train, you start getting it less highway friendly.
There are some guys here with tall lift kits, and big tires that are fully street legal and often drive them on the highway.
But most of them do a lot of sitting.
You will see the term "DD" used a lot. Many folks here have their offroad truck, and then they have a Daily Driver.
If you show up at school in a Blazer with 6 inch lifts running 36 inch tires, you will be the envy of a lot of the guys.
But, trust me, the non-joy of driving it every day is not worth it.
All my off road vehicles were DDs all through high school and during jr. college. Which meant if I broke it on the weekend, I rode the school bus, or hitched with friends until it was running again.
I did not like that, so I learned real quick not to put it in the really bad places just to see if I could make it.
Later, when I got a car to drive, my offroad stuff wore out quicker and needed more work more often.
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Ya I do have a dd it's a 2005 Chevy silverado my grandpa is letting me drive through highschool! But I would like to take the blazer to school every now and then to show off haha
Jessie James
1/2 ton status
Only $500 saved? Well, when I was your age I was pretty dumb and impatient. So I saved up about $1000 and bought a piece of junk car. It broke later and I had to tow it to the junk yard, but not after spending $500 to keep it on the road. I then saved up $1500 and bought another POS car which lasted a little longer. Again I threw a lot of money at it trying to keep up with repairs, and had someone haul it away later.
Repeat this several times and I barely had a good car until well after college.
After all was said and done, I realized I spent enough money on cheap crappy cars that I could have bought a nice brand new Porsche ... but I still had zero money to spend because I blew it all on crappy cars.
Moral of this story? Put all your money in savings for a year or two and buy ONE vehicle in GOOD condition.
Repeat this several times and I barely had a good car until well after college.
After all was said and done, I realized I spent enough money on cheap crappy cars that I could have bought a nice brand new Porsche ... but I still had zero money to spend because I blew it all on crappy cars.
Moral of this story? Put all your money in savings for a year or two and buy ONE vehicle in GOOD condition.
Or be smarter when you buy and buy a good car for $500 that will last you at least 5-8 years. Because the $200 cars only lasted 3 years
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Hahaha I should probably have 4-5 thousand by the end of summer so I should be good! I'm in no rush, though I can't wait to get one..
K5trs
1/2 ton status
Well if my calculations are right I'm making 1100ish every two weeks so maybe mid summer?
