What's new
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.

What do you love\hate about your 73-75 or 88-91?

pmpski_1

pmpski_1

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Posts
130
Reaction score
0
Location
Seattle
I had a 76 a few years ago but traded it for a pickup. Now I'm back in the hunt for another K5. I'm having a hard time making up my mind between the Full Convertible or TBI and a 700R4.

I'm not offroading, just looking for something that is more of a daily driver top off in the summer kind of ride. I will keep it stock-ish, maybe 33's and a small lift.

Anyway, what do you love or hate about your 73-75 or 88-91? I'm just looking for opinions.
 
carb = yucky

tbi = much better

easy to graft in full vert parts to newer also. best of both worlds.
 
sweetk30 said:
carb = yucky

tbi = much better

easy to graft in full vert parts to newer also. best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

I must agree with this. The guys I've wheeled with w/ carbs always had problems on the trail. I wouldn't go back to a carb for anything.

Rick
 
buefchris said:
Just make the best of both worlds:dunno:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought about a 2nd Gen with an LS swap down the road. But, apparently there's some sort of issue with "project trucks" around my house, so to keep the peace it has to be straight for a while.

And what is the best of both worlds? Full convertible and TBI is what I could come up with, just wondering if there was something else that I was missing...
 
Not to nit pick, but your choice should include 1987. A 1987 is identical to a 1988. That gives you one more year's worth of used vehicles to look at.

I prefer the 1987-1991 to the 1973-1975. As much as I would love a full convertible, the newer ones are just nicer. A TH700R4 is better than a TH350 (I would rather have the SM465), TBI is much better than a carb, and NP208/NP241's while not as strong, are still better than an NP203. I hate full time 4 wheel drive.

Martin
 
87-91, EFI, nicer interior, better looking front clip, better drivetrain, it's newer in general, and it ISN'T a full convertable (I think full conv. are ugly).
 
Here's my take, and what brought me to buy mine almost 14 years ago.

I've got an 89. 89 was the first year of the serp belt system, but was the only serp year that didn't have ABS. It also uses a mechanical speedo, switched to elec in 90. It had the 30 spline 10 bolts (doesn't matter now, those are LONG gone, but...)

The 700R had some bad years, but the 88+ K case 700 is a rock solid case, and can be built pretty strong. The 241 IMO is quite an improvement over the 208, simply because of the pump for the fluid.

You'll find those year slots, that seam to "fit" what you are looking for. I sat down and looked over year x year builds and changes and got my list narrowed down quite a bit. The Blazer I bought is a Scottsdale, had NO factory options, which made it the perfect platform to build up from IMO, less to worry about, and I wasn't ripping power window doors and things up and out. Didn't have to rip out a good interior to goto a bedliner. The truck I bought was a worktruck model, had military wrap front springs, dual shocks, PS cooler, towing package, etc... Perfect starting point.

My TBI and 700R's have given me grief, and I'm switching to a 465 (the only thing that I wanted from the start that I didn't get) but I would never go back from TBI.

You just have to ask yourself what YOU want out of it, then go buy it.
 
73-75
73 for best grill.

Full convert. Half convert looks stupid.

And most important of all.... No smog

I wouldnt mind a 89-91.

Or better yet a 89-91 witha 73-5 front clip and full vert.
 
the combination of metric/sae hardware on my 86...
 
I love: the room in the engine bay, the simplicity of everything, and the compatability of parts swapping

I hate: that my frame flexes more than my suspension, no efi, and the 10bolt rears were narrower than the front axel it just looks weird
 
I like my 87. And, in general, prefer the 87-91 models.

Main reasons...
TBI
OD auto trans, unless you happen to find a stick
1/2 cab, cause if I get caught in the rain with the top off I'm not getting soaked. And I hate the sun bearing down on me but enjoy the fresh air.
 
The weak and flexible frame is what I don't like.
I prefer the 73-75 due to the full convert and smog exempt. I didn't care for the full time transfer case. Luckily you can get one with 205 or swap one in. Or turn that 203 into a doubler.
I also think the 87-91 are one of the better blazers. I think the 241 is the second best transfer case gm put in their 4wds. It's just we have to smog those years.

80 blazers due to having the 205 transfer case.
 
Kyle89K5 said:
The 700R had some bad years, but the 88+ K case 700 is a rock solid case, and can be built pretty strong. The 241 IMO is quite an improvement over the 208, simply because of the pump for the fluid.
Click to expand...

1987 is actually the first year of the improved TH700R4/4L60.

Martin
 
I got a 90, and have a 76 front clip going on. Round lights rawk...

I did the full vert thing once before, talked to my wife about doing it again because I saw the needed parts come up locally. In the end it was a 'no' on the full vert, the sun on your head in mid summer is brutal, and as said if it does rain you're getting wet (or your seats are). If I had to run a full bikini top to enjoy my full vert the point of having a full vert is moot.

Mine will look like a '76 with a '74 GMC grill (sexiest grill ever)

The TBI is cool, but mine will be getting a 454 with a Q-jet. Gonna keep it mildish and hopefully the 700R-4 will survive behind it.

All K5's have rust potential, but the 87-91's got a few layers of zinc coating on all the sheet metal inside and out. Even a 87-91 that has rust has it less bad.

Rene
 
smog exemt is moot for me as the tbi system is simple. i have seen a few pass without guts in the cat.

tbi-less rust-better floor pan for rear passengers-o/d- 89-91 front clips are pretty sexy- better interior.

daily driver would be a 89-91 silverado
wheeler/playtoy would be 73-75.

i ran my soft top all the time on my rubicon. the sun on the head sucked. i just removed the doors and windows. perfect. also since im in oregon, it can rain at any time. i never got wet.
 
Wow, great responses. I'm really on the fence here though...If anything this is making it harder :) Kyle, thanks for pointing out those small differences, that's really helpful.

It's probably going to come down to what I find when I have the coin.
 
When i bought my 85 I hated the grill, wanted to get a 89-91 front clip. But now its grown on me and I like it. I think whatever truck you decide, give it a bit, and you will love it. :thumb:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom