Stock or wild?
 

I have been looking at a couple of Blazer builds going on. Project topless 365/24/7 and also, Low 72 progress pics...
These trucks are obviously top flight trucks, big bucks to build... I have my really nice, very rust free, close to stock original restored condition Blazer. I like it the way it is, but would love it if it could lay down low. The trucks being built will have a high value based on the craftsmanship.
My trucks value is based on stock appearance...I don't have the time, patience, money, resources, to find, a Blaze to do this to...Question is, would a heavily modded suspension devalue my truck, increase value, remain unchanged...
Keep in mind I have a 70, 1st year, lowest build numbers.
Just curious what others think.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

For something like your truck - I would keep it as stock as possible - since it is so rare...

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Well, that's difficult to answer. What comes to mind is the normal for sale post you see on a modified vehicle. "For Sale customized 1970 C5, over $7,500 in modifications, will sacrifice for $5,500."

I know on my 69 K20, it's value is no where near what I have put into it - I don't care as I have no plans to sell it. It's easy to put alot of money into modifications but they generally don't make the vehicle worth that amount.

I know if I were looking for a 2wd, I would prefer an unmolested one. If I were to look at a modified one I know I would be thinking, was this mod done right, what about this one. Would the mods your thinking about devalue it - really hard to say. I'd answer that by saying the modifications would devalue a pretty stock vehicle to certain buyers, but to other buyers it wouldn't. How's that for a non-answer :-)

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I think when it comes down to it you need to build what you want to have. That said I think your Blazer is way too nice the way it is to cut it up and make radical changes. I love those builds but it makes better sense to me to start with a basket case or 4wd conversion. Both for financial and nice original preservation reasons. For all the money you would spend to rebuild everything you could sell yours and start with one that needed it and be money ahead.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I think it depends on quality of the work done and what it would take to get it back to stock suspiension. If you just bolt in a drop member and a small notch in the back i don't think it would devalue you Blazer at all. Just my 2 cents.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Unmolested definitely!

Re: Stock or wild?
 

If it were mine I do some type of air suspension. All bolt on, requiring no cutting or welding to anything. I'd also keep all my old parts. With the way your trucks looks it'd look wild to sit just a little lower on some big wheels. The wheels make all the difference. It would probably look really sweet right now with some 22's on the back and 20's on the front. Actually theres no probably to it, it would look killer. It looks killer now, all it needs is some more meat on the stock wheels. Really though I would't go to wild with it currently being in awesome shape. If you want to go wild, find something to cut up and learn to weld on yourself. Its fun stuff... If you can find the time, lol.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I think most people wantiing a 2wd Blazer want to lower or modify them. As long as the work done is quality work I think you are fine. If I were buying the fact that it is a 1970 makes no difference versus a 71 or 72 because I am going to lower it and it won't be stock. Bagged 74 has thread on the projects page. Check out page five and see how he did the floor above his notch and mounted his seat to it. He is low and the rear seat is not sticking way up in the air. That and a drop member and you are set. Oh and some big wheels. I really like your Blazer!

Re: Stock or wild?
 

This is an old pic of mine. Sorry it is so small. I had air ride and no notch in the rear. I don't recall how much air I had in it for this pic....sorry. It has 20's front and rear.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

"Merlot" has air ride and frame is unmolested, everything is bolt
on. Here is a pic with 17's, larger rims = lower perceived looks.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Things have gotten so wild I forgot that you can bolt on a nice air ride system. I would like to change my vote. Set it down when you park and keep it up while you drive...no cutting required.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I'd start with some bigger wheels (20's), yours aren't stock anyway, so that shouldn't really matter. See how that looks, then consider bolt on air bags.

If you plan to keep it forever, do what you want. If you are considering it an investment, keep it as stock as possible, or at least make reversible mods.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Thanks for all the input. For the most, it appears that all agree to remain stock, bolt on's all day long are ok. I agree 100%. Is it nit picky to worry about things like removing rivets for a shock relocate, doing a track bar, or even a center section. All are considered bolt in's, but with requirement to remove factory rivets. To me, not a biggie. To a purest, maybe a deal breaker, If I ever had to sell it...I think that what I would like to do is what you see from Brad2...LOVE it...I would like for that to be at ride height, and a bit lower at parked...Can that be done without center section replacement/notch? Oh, I figured I better put a pic in of the subject matter, just in case somebody missed my "got it fired up today" post.
And also for wheel ideas from all. Btw, I love the classic ttII 20's look, as well as the good ol vette rallys 275/60/15.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Here are the other two pics. Sorry about the size and this is with 18's in front. Yours will look awesome with some large TT 2's

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I agree, 20 ttII, however, I do love the deep smooth lip look on wheels like Coy's for instance...I think those type wheels throw a lot of flash...Also, you got any info on the bags you have. (part#) Thanks for other pic's. Just curious, did red truck need resto, because it looks great in pic's.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Either set of wheels will look great against your black paint. The part number for the bags is #: ARR21800. My Blazer was 99% rust free, not beat up and mechanically sound. I regret using this one for what I did.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I see no reason to change that beautiful blazer! My 2 cents.

Later---DAC

Re: Stock or wild?
 

brad, do you still have that truck or did you sell it? I didn't realize that it started from the red truck, but both are very cool and I'd be proud to own either of them.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Still have it but it has moved over one bay to the storage area for now.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I know were you are coming from but as a builder I still believe that if you are going to spend the kind of money you did you want to start with the best possible vehicle for even better results!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I'm sure you will forget about all regrets when finished. That is a bad a** build. I really love the top. What is color choice going to be? For some reason I am picturing it with two tone. Gloss black top and hood, and Copper body...It's going to be sweet what ever the color.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

I never thought I would like a hard top grafted on but I must say, brad2, that is incredibly well done - the lines of the hard top are out of this world. Well done!!

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Please don't ever sell it, I would hate to take out a loan :D

Re: Stock or wild?
 

As for your original vs modified question,... (which is worth more),... I think it depends on how well the mods were done. I feel like all the modified cars/trucks are worth more than the stockers.
(not including the rare factory hot rods, muscle cars, and low production number vehicles)

For example. Look at Street Machinery's website out of Cleveland Ohio. http://www.streetmachinery.zoomshare.com/ (look at the photos)

These guys are basically rebuilding cars to stock interior and exterior specs,... But adding a set of nice (ye$ NICE) billet wheels and an air ride system.
Follow their cars on ebay and see what they sell for. ($20k-$30k+)

Anyway,... my opinion only. Add some nice wheels, and a clean static drop or air ride system and enjoy it.

Re: Stock or wild?
 

Brad that thing is badass! I bought mine because of the fact that it was gonna be a convertable, but yours looks sic!
What is that roof and hatch off of? or is it hand built?