What has 2 thumbs and needs guidence

[-Diesel-]

This Guy.

My current situation is I have a daily for the wife and i both, each works out.

I also Have a toy truck that is babied, and very fast, but never gets used, 5k mile in 3 years. Its fast and fun, but just for me. So What I would like to do here is sell the toy truck, and buy/modify a 73-81 crew cab, to be a short bed. My other stipulation is that it be diesel. I like the mpg, and this is not a hot rod, but a weekend trips camping. I do want to put a small slide in camper in the bed, I'm done tent camping.

Why am I here if I am talking a bout a truck, well I was a member back in 2000 and don't remember the password, I had a blazer, and there always seemed to be a wealth of knowledge.

My first initial questions are, crew cabs are 3/4 or 1 ton, which would be fine, but I dont want dually. So what is the difference between 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton suspension components. This truck will only haul an in bed camper, and not a monster either, just a 6 foot bed maybe even pop up style(roughly 1000lbs +/- 200 lbs.

If I were to find a crew cab of any sort, are there lift kits for them all or do I need to focus on one group of trucks

Oh and I can do a lot my self, everything but welding and I have a hook up on that. I'm working with roughly 5000 here.

pics of my toy that will be funding said project

pics of blazer that brought me here

Pic of what I am after

 

[shady]

Up in the Pacific NW there are TONS of single rear wheel crewcabs. pretty cheep from what I've seen. I almost drove out there to get one. Keep an eye on this thread. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272419&page=69

Lots of them on here

 

[496truck]

NICE freakin Typhoon. Man, if I had money to throw away I'd be first in line to buy.

This site isn't just for K5s. As you've noticed this place is certainly a wealth of knowledge.... for all of the square body trucks. May even be a source to find the CC you're looking for.

Sorry, I am no help on your tech question. I don't know much on the specifics of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. I am sure someone here will know.

 

[sweetk30]

x2 on nice play toy.

only 3/4 ton 2wd crew cabs but still on 1ton frame .

4x4 were all 1ton . same basic lift kit stuff aplys for these trucks as 1/2 ton stuff. and also only 8ft bed factory on crew cab . so if you wana 6ft bed version its a box swap and shorten the frame down 2 ft .

and as said lots of good info here and the link to the crew cab sightings/sales is the best around i think.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

We've had a fairly large amount of Crew Cab content the last few years so you're not alone.

Several members have shortbed conversions too.

 

[shady]

Several members have shortbed conversions too.

like me didnt build it, wish I did. woulda been done right.

 

[K85 Octane]

I see a nice 4x4 crew cab in the back of a auto shop every day on my way home from work. Mike's Automotive Service, San Gabriel, CA. Find the phone number and give him a call.

*I've never talked to him, nor do I know anything about the truck, but I sure do like looking at it driving past. Picture is straight off google maps.

 

[-Diesel-]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I just nee to find a 4x4 crew and go from there. I am not opposed to doing an engine swap, I put the engine in the typhoon when I got it, and I believe the 6.2 swap is fairly straight forward since it is all mechanical. Most of the crews I am finding are 454 engines and I guess they still have some value to be resold.

I have read here and there about people swapping for 1/2 ton running gear, does that open up more possibilities as far as lifts go or is it all the same. Other than my K5 which was like it is in the pic when I got it, I have always been an s10 guy, dont know much about the full sizes.

Thanks for educating me.

 

[yellowK20]

x2 on nice play toy.

only 3/4 ton 2wd crew cabs but still on 1ton frame .

4x4 were all 1ton . same basic lift kit stuff aplys for these trucks as 1/2 ton stuff. and also only 8ft bed factory on crew cab . so if you wana 6ft bed version its a box swap and shorten the frame down 2 ft .

Not True, there are 3/4 ton 4x4 crew cabs 75-76 model years ,

also shortbeds are 6.5 feet so you do not want to remove 2ft you need to cut 1ft from the center and 6" from the rear

 

[shady]

I put the engine in the typhoon when I got it, and I believe the 6.2 swap is fairly straight forward since it is all mechanical. .

Go with the 4bt or 6bt cummins swap. You dont want a 6.2 unless your driving a 2wd DD. thats were they shine.

As for changing drive train, Dont. the 1 ton stuff is what EVERYBODY is searching for on here. I know I want a set, To get rid of the 1/2 ton crap I have on mine

 

[yellowK20]

Go with the 4bt or 6bt cummins swap. You dont want a 6.2 unless your driving a 2wd DD. thats were they shine.

As for changing drive train, Dont. the 1 ton stuff is what EVERYBODY is searching for on here. I know I want a set, To get rid of the 1/2 ton crap I have on mine

Don't Listen to the 6.2 Haters out there I have a pretty decent collection of 6.2's and 6.5's while they do not have tons of power they make good torque and get excellent fuel Mileage .

Put a turbo on them and there every bit as good as 4bt or a stock 12 valve 6bt

The White Burb gets 20-22 Mpg on 1-tons and 35's

The Red Crew Cab gets 19 Mpg on 33's

The Gray crew cab gets 18-19 on 35's WITH A TURBO and TH400

The Blue Burb gets 20 with a Turbo and A TH400

 

[-Diesel-]

How come I cant see attached images, and if I click them it says I dont have permission to view the page.

 

[yellowK20]

oops sorry your not a paid member so you cant see them. I'll post them from phot bucket give me few mins

 

[yellowK20]

No pic of the red truck on my photobucket sorry

 

[yellowK20]

And this little truck has a 6.2 and get 23-24mpg