Im a college student without a lot of money. I want to get a K5 again but i am thinking that i just cannot afford it, what do you all think about an s10, what kind of upgrades can you do with them, I bet they are more expensive to upgrade than a K5 but way better gas though, also how are s10s as fore wheelers, it what ever which one i get will be used for road and trails a bit and camping. Tell me what ya think
CK5
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s10 or K5
- Thread starter TC4x4
- Start date
Dabba
1/2 ton status
dude just got a k5, im poor too but id never take an s10 over a k5.
im poor as **** but my k5 is miles ahead of every s10 ive ever wheeled with.
yep get a k5. im a broke college student as well
try autotrader.com as well as classifieds in local paper. sometimes its hard to find a decent one at a decent price. if you have time, be patient and a good one will show up. i looked at/ test drove 4 k5's before i found the one i bought
You should know better than to ask here...
This ain't ColoradoS10.com!
This ain't ColoradoS10.com!
lak2004
1/2 ton status
S10s suck! I had a 99 s10 pickup before my K5 and it was nice on the street but it sucked to attempt to wheel in. Every time I went I would droop the front too much and screw up the CV boots which in turn led to CV failure. They are also really expensive to lift too, even with a lift you can barely fit 35s.
Try to look for a diesel K5 or truck, much better gas mileage (better than my s10 probably, I got about 18 city). You will only be dissapointed with an S10.
Try to look for a diesel K5 or truck, much better gas mileage (better than my s10 probably, I got about 18 city). You will only be dissapointed with an S10.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
you need patience, you could get a pos anything if you rush. Take your time, look for a good k5. i got mine sight unseen for nj and it has some flaws but for 1200 i got it for a steal. the first blazer i looked at was such a rotted pos but i wanted one so bad, you just gotta relax and wait for the right one, or youll just end up with a lemon or spending more money in the end, that goes for an s10 or k5. just get the k5. like i said, i would never take an s10 over a k5
I was at the same point your sitting at when I was a freshman in college. I had a Diesel K10 but wanted a Blazer for hunting and winter.
I found a nice 90 K5 with a bunch of new parts on it and a 96 S10 Blazer...Like a dumba$$ I bought the S10 figured it would be better for mileage and it was newer also.
Well in the first year I had it I threw around $1000 at it for various sensors and also a new fuel pump because if you drove it hard at all it would go into some stupid failsafe mode and it would run like absolute **** then. (After it did it to me when I was leaving Owatonna Minnesota and had to drive it like that on the interstate all the way back to Emmetsburg I was really pissed!)
Also I have wheeled it more then it should have been also. Balljoints just got replaced in it. Ive busted the sway bar mount points on the a-arms 3 times. Trashed one set of CV-Joint.
I blue booked it the other day and its only worth like $1800 now so Im just gonna run it till it all out dies or till I stumble upon a good deal. But as it sits right now Ive got to much into it to sell it or trade it in.
If you by one and plan to Mod it...I wouldnt mess with the IFS Id cut it all out and SAS it. Find a ZR2 also, the frame drags on my Blazer in snow and mud ALOT.
That being said...my blazer handles great on the gravel and snow covered roads I drive frequently. Also holds its own in muddy fields. It just eats parts bad.
Also S10s dont get that good of mileage. Ive gotten as low as 10 and never above 19. On average I get 14.
I found a nice 90 K5 with a bunch of new parts on it and a 96 S10 Blazer...Like a dumba$$ I bought the S10 figured it would be better for mileage and it was newer also.
Well in the first year I had it I threw around $1000 at it for various sensors and also a new fuel pump because if you drove it hard at all it would go into some stupid failsafe mode and it would run like absolute **** then. (After it did it to me when I was leaving Owatonna Minnesota and had to drive it like that on the interstate all the way back to Emmetsburg I was really pissed!)
Also I have wheeled it more then it should have been also. Balljoints just got replaced in it. Ive busted the sway bar mount points on the a-arms 3 times. Trashed one set of CV-Joint.
I blue booked it the other day and its only worth like $1800 now so Im just gonna run it till it all out dies or till I stumble upon a good deal. But as it sits right now Ive got to much into it to sell it or trade it in.
If you by one and plan to Mod it...I wouldnt mess with the IFS Id cut it all out and SAS it. Find a ZR2 also, the frame drags on my Blazer in snow and mud ALOT.
That being said...my blazer handles great on the gravel and snow covered roads I drive frequently. Also holds its own in muddy fields. It just eats parts bad.
Also S10s dont get that good of mileage. Ive gotten as low as 10 and never above 19. On average I get 14.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
a good fuel injected k5 can get 14
Dabba
1/2 ton status
i prob get below 10 on my k5, but as you said its worth it. couldo always go FI too
rjpastor
1/2 ton status
K5
The only capable S10s I've seen are ones where the S10 body is on a K5 or other full size frame and running gear. And they're not nearly as cool!
The only capable S10s I've seen are ones where the S10 body is on a K5 or other full size frame and running gear. And they're not nearly as cool!
Blasterak
Registered Member
Deff. get a K5, I recently sold my Diesel K5(miss ol' green) and am driving my dads 02 S-10 temporarily, and my Blazer got better mileage and handled better in the snow/ice than this POS. Plus the blazer looked WAY better, had alot more interior room, stronger, and you get the "power/authority" from driving a bigger rig 
...my 2 cents...
...my 2 cents...
CUCV2
5/4 ton fun
Another place to look
If you want a diesel K5 (M1009), check out govliquidation.com . You might also want to check out the other CUCVs while you are there. The sight is just like ebay, except for it is govt vehicles. If you have decent credit and a credit card, you can get one. Personally, I think the M1028 (military K30) is the way to go if there is one available. Get one of those, take the bed off, slide the spring perches back to a k5 wheelbase (or whatever your pref is), and your set up with one ton axles, locker/limited slip, diesel injected motor, desired wheelbase, stout tranny, and an original vehicle.
If you want a diesel K5 (M1009), check out govliquidation.com . You might also want to check out the other CUCVs while you are there. The sight is just like ebay, except for it is govt vehicles. If you have decent credit and a credit card, you can get one. Personally, I think the M1028 (military K30) is the way to go if there is one available. Get one of those, take the bed off, slide the spring perches back to a k5 wheelbase (or whatever your pref is), and your set up with one ton axles, locker/limited slip, diesel injected motor, desired wheelbase, stout tranny, and an original vehicle.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
I heard govliq doesnt sell anything with titles anymore.
CUCV2
5/4 ton fun
Didn't need one here. I think a lot of states are like that for something that old. As long as you have a bill of sale, you are all set. Not sure what happens if you sell it though.
4by4bygod
1/2 ton status
Corey - S10's suck.. go full size. S10's are cramped, the mileage isn't much better than a full size, they're harder to work on 'cause you've got less room to swing wrenches, and half the damn thing is metric,thus every job that would be simple on a full size takes twice as long to accomplish.
I made the mistake of buying an 87 S10 new - had the 2.8 / 7004r..owned it for the next 13 years, even gave it to my wife to drive when I met her. in that span I replaced the 2.8 at 80,000 miles, replaced the tranny - (didn't know driving it on the freeway would be so traumatic) replaced the backing plates, ( fun job that) and replaced the front clip and doors.
then, not being enough of a glutton for punishment, I get lisa a mid 90's jimmy, with the 7004R and 4.3.. the engine ran good, but again it was cramped, and a pain to work on.. those trucks are cheap and easy to get for a reason.
I made the mistake of buying an 87 S10 new - had the 2.8 / 7004r..owned it for the next 13 years, even gave it to my wife to drive when I met her. in that span I replaced the 2.8 at 80,000 miles, replaced the tranny - (didn't know driving it on the freeway would be so traumatic) replaced the backing plates, ( fun job that) and replaced the front clip and doors.
then, not being enough of a glutton for punishment, I get lisa a mid 90's jimmy, with the 7004R and 4.3.. the engine ran good, but again it was cramped, and a pain to work on.. those trucks are cheap and easy to get for a reason.
