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Michiganders and rustbelters...am I crazy? Solid shape K5/Sub as a DD?

I was in the same boat as you a while back which is why I decided to get my k3500... you (like most people) seem to think GM IFS is an absolute down-fall to the '88+ trucks but after daily driving one for over a year now let me tell you it's nice.
I wouldn't want to take it out and wheel it but at the same time for pavement pounding day after day it's a nice comfy ride. I've had my k3500 out in the dunes a few times and I've never had issues with the 4wd so for a DD/light off-road rig the GM IFS is a great option.

I hear ya' on wanting to stick with the '73-'87 trucks... I kind of miss daily driving my k10 in that aspect BUT you can pick up '88-'98 chevy's for pretty cheap these days and you have great fuel injection, good tranny's and a plush ride not to mention heat/defroster/AC that actually works...

In your case maybe you should look into a '88-'98 tahoe... smaller than a burb but still enough space to haul people/dogs around and I'm sure you'll get the same if not better mileage than most '73-87 rigs (except the light 2wd diesel rigs :))...

Scroll through some of these... CLICK
 
I had a '92 Blazer K1500 for four years and my folks owned it for 6 years before that so a total of 10 years in the family and about 8 of them with me either driving it often or it being mine. It's why I don't like GM torsion bar IFS.
 
sounds like your out of options and are waiting for someone to tell you what you've already made your mind up to do.Keep driving your K5 or buy another one.Or... buy one of those late 70's caprice station wagon and drop that sucker on a long bed frame.
 
I was asking for advice on these era trucks up here in Michigan. I wasn't asking for advice on other vehicles other people like or have. While I appreciate folks opinions and views the various Minivans, S10's, station wagons, and other non 73-87(91) GM fullsize SUV's really weren't what I was asking about.
 
What about a K5 with a good solid body and a swapped in 4.3 vortec v-6. You get the size/space you're looking for with MPG to boot. I'm not sure about tow-ability as far as heavy loads if needed.Should do fine,though.
 
Fair enough... I was just giving you a good option. They're cheap, reliable and you'd have a full functioning HVAC system, a plush ride and we haven't even mentioned safety features like air bags and ABS... personally I think it's a no-brainer... when it comes time for me to have a family a guarantee you I'll have them in the most up to date vehicle I can afford for the safety factor alone especially if I lived somewhere that gets ice/snow...

Let us know what you decide and post up pics when you get a vehicle! :)
 
This would mostly be my DD. The wife DD/family tripper is a 2002 Suzuki XL7 with the dual airbags, modern crash standards, AC, dog friendly area, cargo space, etc etc. I just need something else that gives us a backup. Right now we have a loud ass single cab pickup truck and a small SUV that seats 2.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
This would mostly be my DD. The wife DD/family tripper is a 2002 Suzuki XL7 with the dual airbags, modern crash standards, AC, dog friendly area, cargo space, etc etc. I just need something else that gives us a backup. Right now we have a loud ass single cab pickup truck and a small SUV that seats 2.
Click to expand...

Ahh, gotcha'.
 
Well AJM heres my take on the whole situtation. As a DD I LOVE my 91 K5 way more then my previous 96 S10 Blazer(black 4 door if you remember). We have had some very cold temps this winter around here, negative teens that combined with living in an acreage in the open and an uninsulated shed without doors my K5 always started.

3 days straight the 2008 Company truck wouldnt but the 91 K5 did. Also I love having the ground clearance since I live on a rural road, I dont have to worry about ripping plastic all to hell. Also the SFA doesnt get packed full of snow and freeze like my IFS did.

That being said here are my only real gripes about my K5. The rear window...mines slow and needs attention, I wish I would of looked at it before winter rolled in, also my inside switch doesnt work, so either carrying around another key or shutting the truck off to get in the back can be a pain.

My K5 looked very clean when I bought it, minimal bubbling on rockers. The winter salt spray really brought it out, but I had planned on fixing the rockers anyway. What surprised me is my floorboards. From underneath there isnt any visible surface rust under the seats but they feel fine and one of the seat mounting bolts let go a month or so back so I will be replaceing that asap as well.

Mileage wise if I remember your Tracker is lifted so Im guessing 17-20 MPG? Best Ive got with my K5 is 14. Although that involved 60 miles or so of interstate doing 75-80 with 4 people and the back full of luggage as well. Putting around with the hubs locked but tcase in 2wd i get 10-12 which is respectable for a 165,000 mile rig with a 350. I let it warm up quite a bit too.

Short wheel base can really suck in the wind but your used to driving a tracker so you know all about that already. It just screws with me a little more going from driving a long box 2500 to a K5 at night.

If ya have any other questions hit my up man.


Also I picked up mine for $3250, it had fancy alum rims and 75% tread 31/10.5s on it. This is one of probably 8 Ive seen around here in what I would consider buyable condition in the last 6 years. I was actually looking at an 88 before I saw mine. Red and white it was decent, but had bald 235s, and you could tell the "fresh" paint job was done to cover rust. At $4000 with $1800 for my S10 Blazer I walked. Found mine on the way home. Got it for 3250 and sold my Blazer outright for $2100.
 
Stick with what you know. Find a M1009 with low mileage and a decent body. You could do a 3/4 ton swap to get rid of the 3.08 gears and put some 33x10.5s or something on there. You could get close to 20 mpg still and have company for "Big Ugly."
 
Drey said:
Well AJM heres my take on the whole situtation. As a DD I LOVE my 91 K5 way more then my previous 96 S10 Blazer(black 4 door if you remember). We have had some very cold temps this winter around here, negative teens that combined with living in an acreage in the open and an uninsulated shed without doors my K5 always started.

3 days straight the 2008 Company truck wouldnt but the 91 K5 did. Also I love having the ground clearance since I live on a rural road, I dont have to worry about ripping plastic all to hell. Also the SFA doesnt get packed full of snow and freeze like my IFS did.

That being said here are my only real gripes about my K5. The rear window...mines slow and needs attention, I wish I would of looked at it before winter rolled in, also my inside switch doesnt work, so either carrying around another key or shutting the truck off to get in the back can be a pain.

My K5 looked very clean when I bought it, minimal bubbling on rockers. The winter salt spray really brought it out, but I had planned on fixing the rockers anyway. What surprised me is my floorboards. From underneath there isnt any visible surface rust under the seats but they feel fine and one of the seat mounting bolts let go a month or so back so I will be replaceing that asap as well.

Mileage wise if I remember your Tracker is lifted so Im guessing 17-20 MPG? Best Ive got with my K5 is 14. Although that involved 60 miles or so of interstate doing 75-80 with 4 people and the back full of luggage as well. Putting around with the hubs locked but tcase in 2wd i get 10-12 which is respectable for a 165,000 mile rig with a 350. I let it warm up quite a bit too.

Short wheel base can really suck in the wind but your used to driving a tracker so you know all about that already. It just screws with me a little more going from driving a long box 2500 to a K5 at night.

If ya have any other questions hit my up man.


Also I picked up mine for $3250, it had fancy alum rims and 75% tread 31/10.5s on it. This is one of probably 8 Ive seen around here in what I would consider buyable condition in the last 6 years. I was actually looking at an 88 before I saw mine. Red and white it was decent, but had bald 235s, and you could tell the "fresh" paint job was done to cover rust. At $4000 with $1800 for my S10 Blazer I walked. Found mine on the way home. Got it for 3250 and sold my Blazer outright for $2100.
Click to expand...
Thanks Drey, just what I was looking for. I figure to me a K5 would seem like a long wheel base.:D I'm also perfectly aware of all the odd habits of older vehicles. I can't lock my rear hatch or it'll stick, the cruise control does and doesn't work, water leaks in on the passenger side from somewhere on the firewall, blah blah blah...
Good guess on the gas mileage by the way. I get 22mpg or so in the summer if I'm lucky and now I'm doing 17 or so.
I am thinking diesel though.

CUCV2 said:
Stick with what you know. Find a M1009 with low mileage and a decent body. You could do a 3/4 ton swap to get rid of the 3.08 gears and put some 33x10.5s or something on there. You could get close to 20 mpg still and have company for "Big Ugly."
Click to expand...
I actually am contemplating a M1009. I'd like another diesel and a M1009 would likely be in better shape than a similar civilian 6.2L K5. Not to mention it would have the J code 6.2L and low options and good maintenance. Only downsides are the lack of creature comforts and OD transmission. Both of which can be fixed.
 
I am in MI also and thought about the same. I dd an '03 S10. Its a 2wd, 2.2l, 5 speed.

I bought it new for $9400. It has 150k miles on it now and I am bored out of my mind with it. I need a change. I would love a 6.2l K5 or K10, but I dont see it happening. To get one with a nice body, it will cost me $5k I would say.

If I am going to spend that much, I am going with a Cummins. But, I am not a Dodge fan. But, I would put yup with it for that motor.

I dont want to get into engine swaps, etc. No matter what you do, there is always f'in around that always has to be done with swaps. I dont want that for a DD.

Oh... my round trip to work is 80 miles a day. Which is the reason for me wanting a diesel.
 
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