how can you tell...... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bad_turbo · 07-05-2004, 09:21 PM

I'm in the market to buy a "real" 2 wheel drive blazer/jimmy. With all the people out there converting 4x4's to 2wd, how can I tell if the truck was originally a 2wd from the factory? Thanks in advance.

bouncytruck · 07-05-2004, 09:23 PM

The VIN

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html

brad2 · 07-05-2004, 10:50 PM

factory 2wd's have coil springs on the rear. if you find one with leaf springs it used to be a 4wd.

*Gee_Emm* · 07-05-2004, 11:11 PM

You can also check the numbers on the frame by the drivers side exhaust manifold and make sure they match up to the vin and add to that the fact that they only come with coils on the rear.

A few 72's · 07-06-2004, 10:53 AM

On mine they did not change the lower radiator supports that is also used for the front leafs. May check it and look for bolts instead of rivets, would be another clue.

Just wondering. I have seen several GMC truck with leaf rears, any chance that a 2WD GMC Jimmy could have the leafs in the rear?

**raggedjim** · 07-06-2004, 10:55 AM

Some guys go through the trouble to put the trailing arms in but the frame rails above the rear end of a 4x4 are straight and the frame rails on a 2wd bow out slightly.

If you are going stock, I'd look for an original, but if you want to lower or modify, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The real 2wd are hard to find, and they are all cool.

**raggedjim** · 07-06-2004, 10:56 AM

few 72's, the jimmies have trailing arms also, not leaf springs.

Rg

DMNCLNR · 07-12-2004, 01:51 PM

one thing people dont change is where the 4x4 shifter comes through the floor.
were there actually any 2wd stick shifts? i have never heard of one or seen one!

moodyholler · 07-12-2004, 03:58 PM

Green 72 here in Roanoke, Va. 350,4bbl, 4 speed w/ granny gear. Wish I would have been there a day earlier!!!!!!!!! moodyholler

**raggedjim** · 07-12-2004, 04:36 PM

I saw a BEAUTIFUL 71 orange blazer this weekend at a car show that had leafs in the rear. The guy swore it was original but I always thought Blazers had trailing arms. His doors were shut so I never saw the vin.

Maybe I've been wrong all these years...

bouncytruck · 07-12-2004, 04:46 PM

I doubt that was original if it had leafs. Someone probably pulled a fast one on the owner and he is convinced it is original.

**raggedjim** · 07-12-2004, 05:01 PM

It ain't right what people will do for money... I don't mind conversions as long as people are honest about it.

07-05-2004, 09:21 PM	#1
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	how can you tell...... I'm in the market to buy a "real" 2 wheel drive blazer/jimmy. With all the people out there converting 4x4's to 2wd, how can I tell if the truck was originally a 2wd from the factory? Thanks in advance. __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

07-05-2004, 09:23 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	The VIN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-05-2004, 10:50 PM	#3
brad2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: edmond, ok Posts: 1,056	factory 2wd's have coil springs on the rear. if you find one with leaf springs it used to be a 4wd. __________________ 74 swb 71 2wd Jimmy 82 2wd Blazer

07-06-2004, 10:53 AM	#5
A few 72's Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 703	On mine they did not change the lower radiator supports that is also used for the front leafs. May check it and look for bolts instead of rivets, would be another clue. Just wondering. I have seen several GMC truck with leaf rears, any chance that a 2WD GMC Jimmy could have the leafs in the rear? __________________ 1972 C10 SWB 350 / T400 1972 SWB GMC 350/T350 1972 Cheyenne 20 super "long horn". 402BB / T400 1972 Suburban C10 Deluxe 350 / T350 and a few more.. http://www.myspace.com/afew72s

07-06-2004, 10:55 AM	#6
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	Some guys go through the trouble to put the trailing arms in but the frame rails above the rear end of a 4x4 are straight and the frame rails on a 2wd bow out slightly. If you are going stock, I'd look for an original, but if you want to lower or modify, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The real 2wd are hard to find, and they are all cool. __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

07-05-2004, 11:11 PM	#4
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	You can also check the numbers on the frame by the drivers side exhaust manifold and make sure they match up to the vin and add to that the fact that they only come with coils on the rear.

07-06-2004, 10:56 AM	#7
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	few 72's, the jimmies have trailing arms also, not leaf springs. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

07-12-2004, 01:51 PM	#8
DMNCLNR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orange County Cali Posts: 258	one thing people dont change is where the 4x4 shifter comes through the floor. were there actually any 2wd stick shifts? i have never heard of one or seen one!

07-12-2004, 03:58 PM	#9
moodyholler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Roanoke,Virginia Posts: 179	Stick Shift 2WD Green 72 here in Roanoke, Va. 350,4bbl, 4 speed w/ granny gear. Wish I would have been there a day earlier!!!!!!!!! moodyholler __________________ 1998 WRANGLER I-6 auto 1972 LWB FLEETSIDE 1968 GMC SWB STEPSIDE 1994 C-1500 SWB 4.3 5 SPD

07-12-2004, 04:36 PM	#10
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	I saw a BEAUTIFUL 71 orange blazer this weekend at a car show that had leafs in the rear. The guy swore it was original but I always thought Blazers had trailing arms. His doors were shut so I never saw the vin. Maybe I've been wrong all these years... __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

07-12-2004, 04:46 PM	#11
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	I doubt that was original if it had leafs. Someone probably pulled a fast one on the owner and he is convinced it is original. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-12-2004, 05:01 PM	#12
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	It ain't right what people will do for money... I don't mind conversions as long as people are honest about it. __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203



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