So I'm starting to seriously consider a tow rig.

[colbystephens]

I'm looking to purchase a tow rig this coming fall and need to start doing some research on the topic. I'm looking for used older rigs - not a new fancy truck. I'd like to keep it around $7k, but for the right rig I might be able to do $8 or so.

Qualities I need:

• Can tow my Blazer on a trailer.
• Long bed.
• Crew Cab.
• 4x4 straight axle.
• One ton

Qualities I want:

• Cummins Diesel
• '91 or earlier Chevy, preferably of the 87-91 square body style.
• SRW
• Manual Trans

Obviously I can't get a pre-92 Chevy with a Cummins. I'd like the fuel economy of a diesel though. So this makes for difficult decision. Do I go for a late 90s model Dodge or do I go with the truck I actually want w/ a big block and pick up a diesel engine to swap in at a later time?

Part of my plan is to tow the Blazer to Alaska in the summer of '11, but I wouldn't have a diesel in the Chevy by then. What kind of fuel economy could I expect out of an '87-'91 454? How about the Cummins? I'm wondering if the cheaper cost of the Chevy would significantly offset the extra cost of the Dodge diesel. I've seen a handful of Chevy trucks that I'd be more than happy to buy for about $5K, but the Cummins cost much more.

Did they offer an automatic with overdrive in the HD Chevy trucks of those years? That would be pretty cool. I guess I would likely not be using overdrive while towing the Blazer, though, right? So perhaps that's irrelevant.

So, what should I start pursuing?

 

[KansasTwister]

get a diesel 81-91 srw crewcab 4x4 and throw a cummins in it? they make adapters, and put an nv4500 as well.

 

[colbystephens]

get a diesel 81-91 srw crewcab 4x4 and throw a cummins in it? they make adapters, and put an nv4500 as well.

That does seem like the logical choice, except that I don't exactly want a big project out of this tow rig. At least not right away. Perhaps it would be a fun project a little down the line. So, I guess the real question is whether or not it is worth it to get the Chevy with a big block and suck the gas for a year or so before swapping to the diesel.

 

[tRustyK5]

Why go tow rig at all? If you have tires you're worried about wearing down too much on a long trip get a small light trailer for the trail tires and junk and tow it behind the Blazer. Then get a set of near sized radial AT's for the highway stuff.

Rene

 

[colbystephens]

well, it's not entirely for the Blazer. That would just likely the the heaviest duty work the truck would see. I need a pick up for my work. Sculpture supplies are often large, as is the final project. With the jungle gym I've built into the Blazer, there's no real utilitarian use for it anymore. Also, I'm really hoping to get into a place in the future with a wood burning stove, so I want to be able to haul wood.

Essentially, I need a 4x4 pick up and want to do it right the first time... sorta.

 

[tRustyK5]

Sculpture stuff...trailer.

Firewood stuff...trailer.

Wheeling uber roadtrip...trailer.

With a tow rig you'd be buying a trailer anyways.

firgure $7K for a tow rig (if you can find that magical ~91 Chev with a Cummins) figure another $2-3K for a trailer burly enough to fit your Blazer. Now figure insurance on the tow rig and trailer, maintenance, fuel etc etc.

Or spend $2K on a trailer with a 10 foot box (larger than a pick-up bed...)

It ain't cheap to have a tow rig...

Rene

 

[MTBLAZER89]

That does seem like the logical choice, except that I don't exactly want a big project out of this tow rig. At least not right away. Perhaps it would be a fun project a little down the line. So, I guess the real question is whether or not it is worth it to get the Chevy with a big block and suck the gas for a year or so before swapping to the diesel.

This sucks. My V3500 gets 8 ALL the time. I can't tow very far or it gets very expensive fast! It tows ok, but hills aren't its strong suit thats for sure.

If you don't need a true Crew Cab the late 90's Cummins can be found for your price range fairly often. There is a guy here in town with a 98 12V 5 spd selling it for $6500

I am hoping to be in the market for one this fall too. This BB is killing me and its my DD so I dont have the time for a 12V swap.

 

[Russell]

As great as these old square bodied rigs may be, I'd definitely skip over them and get a Dodge 1 ton crew cab / cummins for a tow rig. The Chevy gassers get terrible fuel mileage, and really can't compare when it comes to towing capabilities.

 

[colbystephens]

If you don't need a true Crew Cab the late 90's Cummins can be found for your price range fairly often. There is a guy here in town with a 98 12V 5 spd selling it for $6500

i suppose an extended cab would work just fine. any idea how comfy the back seat is in something like that? I regularly find myself being the only person with a 4x4 and wanting to take a group of 6 out on mild trips. That's the main reason for wanting a CC, and part of the reason the Blazer isn't the greatest for certain trips (It's hard to get into b/c of the cage, and lacks a lot of creature comforts for the sake of wheeling ability).

 

[colbystephens]

something like this would probably get the job done real well!

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/1671972423.html

 

[colbystephens]

should i be looking specifically at 98-2000 models of the cummins? seems like a 3/4 ton cummins would get the job done too.

 

[1976Blazer76]

Here is the rig I'm working on for a new tow rig. 79 crew cab dually with a 12v cummins/nv4500/divorced 205. Ive got a lot of notes and pictures so when you're ready to do the swap I can probably answer some questions.

 

[colbystephens]

I haven't re-upped my membership yet. Could you post that as a link instead of as an attachment? Sounds killer!

 

[Russell]

Are you guys who drop 6BTs in doing any kind of re enforcements on the frame? I've heard several times now that the stock frames can't take the abuse for very long

 

[1976Blazer76]

Here are some pictures.

After swapping from 2wd to 4wd with the Dana 60 in.

Cummins in the truck.

Crossmember I built for the transmission. I had to convert the NV4500 from 4wd to 2wd

Crossmember installed

I did do a lot of reinforcing of the frame. I've got crossmembers in 5 or 6 places from the front of the truck to the transfer case.

 

[Russell]

Thats just plain cool An old straight axle Chevy with a Cummins makes for a pretty unbeatable combination!

 

[Smokinthehippies]

something like this would probably get the job done real well!

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/1671972423.html

that seems kinda high for a 95, but the 12valve prices are on the climb.
you can get a quad cab long bed from every from 94 thru current.
94-early 98 is the 12 valve cummins with the p Pump. its a mechanical fuel system, dead nuts relaible. def the cheapest to get power out of.

the 98.5 -2002 cummins was the 24 valve and the fuel system is electronic. meaning instead of tweaking the pump with a wrench for more power, you buy a programmer and push a button, but they also are notorious for the electric fuel pump dying. so if you get a 98.5-02 (vp44 injection pump) first thing you need to do is get an aftermarket lift pump for it. best two options are the fass or airdog. after that some gauges and you'll be set.

should i be looking specifically at 98-2000 models of the cummins? seems like a 3/4 ton cummins would get the job done too.

i had an 02 with the 6 speed, and one problem i had being 6' and 275lbs (at the time) was that i have to keep my seat almost all the way back to be able to shift comfortably, meaning no one can really sit behind the driver unless theyre tiny. also, the center seat witha stick is pretty much worthless. there is no where to sit, even legs open with out getting hit by shifter.
so you'll be looking at a 4 person load tops, 5 if you squeeze em togetherin the back.
but you cant beat the cummins man, i cant wait to get my arse back into one.

 

[6.2Blazer]

There is nothing like the security of having a tow rig to drag your broke down trail rig back home. The only people in our club that are on the side of not trailering their rig.......are the ones that never have. There are many that drove their rigs to and from the trail for years, including myself, but once they starting trailering it they can't imagine why it took them so long to do it. I am also coming from the stand point that almost every trail I go to is at least 100 miles away, which is a really long way if your rig is broke down.

Granted, it does cost more money. Generally requres more fuel for a tow rig and loaded trailer than just the trail rig, plus the cost of the truck and trailer. However if you need a pickup anyway then that cost can be negated, and simply not wearing down the expensive off-road tires will likely pay for the trailer in a couple of years.

Another thing that is a big factor for me is how much more comfortable my tow rig is. Something about having an enclosed cab, A/C, cruise, and the lack of tire and engine noise makes driving to and from the trails much nicer.

There is one guy in our club that puts streets tires on his Jeep to drive to the trail and pulls a small trailer with his Boggers. Probably not as bad for a multi-day trailride but for our average one day trailride that is quite a bit of work. He get up early to get to the trailhead before everybody else, lug around heavy 37" Boggers on beadlocks (hope it's not cold or rainy), then at the end of the day gets to do it all over again except usually the tires are coated in mud. Also don't forget about worrying about the trailer and extra tire set getting stolen while you are on the trail.

 

[1976Blazer76]

Another thing Colby, if you're not in a huge hurry, I think completing a 4wd crew cab with a cummins can be done for under the 8k mark. I shopped around for the truck and got it for $675. Motor was blown but the body was outstanding, I'm still yet to find any rust on my 79. Then, for the cummins I found a running truck and started parting it out. Right now for the running 12v/nv4500 and divorced transfer case I'm in that for right around 2k after I sold SOME parts off the Dodge I bought.

As for mounting it all in the chevy, its nothing you can't handle quite easily from the looks of the work you've done in the past. I say go for it dude!!

 

[colbystephens]

Another thing Colby, if you're not in a huge hurry, I think completing a 4wd crew cab with a cummins can be done for under the 8k mark. I shopped around for the truck and got it for $675. Motor was blown but the body was outstanding, I'm still yet to find any rust on my 79. Then, for the cummins I found a running truck and started parting it out. Right now for the running 12v/nv4500 and divorced transfer case I'm in that for right around 2k after I sold SOME parts off the Dodge I bought.

As for mounting it all in the chevy, its nothing you can't handle quite easily from the looks of the work you've done in the past. I say go for it dude!!

how much work do you have into yours time wise? I'm thinking for now I better stick with just getting a 12V... I like the idea of mechanical fuel injection. Don't have time for a project of that scale right now... I don't think.

I'll give you $8k for yours when you're done with it!