I'm too old to be new, but...

[freeinwv]

Here's my first post.
About me -
I work too hard, don't play hard enough, and have old trucks tucked into every nook and cranny on my road. And I've dated my fair share of girls who say things like "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we sell all these old trucks and maybe we'll get enough money for a down payment on a new Ford Escape. They're hot!" As you can guess, that suggestion usually goes down about as well as if they had said "Hey, I have an idea. Let's go over to the cemetary and take a whiz on your grandaddy's grave. That's hot!"

About my latest treasure -
Back in November, I went to look at a body for a Blazer over in Kentucky. On the way home I went through Ohio and spotted a sweet two-wheel drive '81 Blazer at a local lemon lot. Only a $1000. After a little haggling I hauled her home for the grand total of $588. A decent deal on a freshly painted rust-free Blazer. And by rust-free, I mean it only needed new inner and outer rockers, floors, mounts, fenders, and tail pan. And doors. And tailgate, of course.
Two months later, it had them.
Which brings me up to last Thursday. As I was heading out the door the other morning, I got a call from my dad who lives directly across from me. Seems someone was trying to steal my '75 Blazer which is parked in the no man's land between our yards. Even brought a flatbed to haul it away. By the time me and my dogs got over there things were pretty dang tense. A representative from the Ohio state police/dmv was trying to tell my dad why he had a legal right to steal a Blazer that's been in my family for 30 years and my dad was trying to explain why he had a legal right to let this guys blood out and the air in. Well, I don't think my dogs (or my brothers, for that matter) helped calm the situation much, but I gave her a shot.
Heres' what I found out.
Seems there was a question as to who actually owned the '81 Blazer. So rather than try and straighten things out, someone in Ohio just decided to come over to WV and snatch it. Except they tried to snatch the wrong Blazer. Even though the driver of the flatbed told them it wasn't the right truck.
After a little more fishin, I found out that the truck had been owned by a kid who got arrested for dui and no insurance and then was relinquished to a small town in ohio. Someone there then transferred it (illegally) to the lemon lot owner and then he sold it to me. Knowing there was a problem with the title. Three seperate Ohio screw-ups and they expect a West Virginian to pay the final bill. What can I say? That's about as likely to happen as me getting a new escape.

So here's my question: Anybody know how long a stock driveshaft on a 2-wd Blazer is? I've now measured two but both of them were lowered and they weren't the same length. If someone with an uncut one could take a quick measurement, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks.

[BowTieOgre]

to the board from NW Florida!

Man thats seriously messed up about the Blazer title mess! If you want a stock driveshaft length maybe we could get some more info. Im not sure if it matters but we might need to know what transmission is attached to it...they might be different lengths?

[freeinwv]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply and good call on the tranny. Every 2 wd Blazer I've seen was backed up with a turbo 350 and I just assumed they all were. Maybe some 700r4s in '82 though, I'll bet. Either would be fine, but I think the 4 speed is an inch or two longer.

And you're right about the title. I think they are playing hardball with me because they want me to go to Columbus for a trial. I was told that perhaps some of the police had their hands in the pie. Who knows? Anyway, I ain't going. Last time I was there I got a speeding ticket near the university for going 2 miles over the speed limit.

Well, thanks for the help.

[Zoomad75]

That is one crazy story. I've heard of cars getting sold before without correct title before, but this is messed up on on three levels. I'm sorry to hear about that after you have already put time and money into it.

Posession is 9/10th's right? Did you get a bill of sale on it? Did you get a title for it? Were you able to register it in WV? These title issues don't end pretty for anybody. But I'd do one thing for sure. Until the issue is resolved, I'd park the truck where it can't be reached. Might want to talk to your local DMV on it too.

Good Luck!

[Ron 586]

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. As a fellow collector of older model Chevy and GMC trucks I have had a few of the disputes of rightful ownership issues over the years. It is one of the hazards of see it, and buy it for cash, and we'll worry about the paperwork later. Seems like nobody knows where the title is right now but they know it is around here somewhere. They forget to tell you that it is in somebody else's name or a bank still owns part of it. Good luck with your deal and hope it all works out for you.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Damn, that suxs. Luckily I have not had anything like that happen to me yet. I wish I could help u but the only Blazer I got is lifted. Defiantly let us know how the whole title thing turns out though.

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by freeinwv

Every 2 wd Blazer I've seen was backed up with a turbo 350 and I just assumed they all were.

I will take a measurement when i get home after work today.

[Walts_restoration]

My dad got screwed out of a 57 pickup that way, put about a month of work fixing the frame, and went to get a title (had bill of sale) and had to give it back to the guy, lucky he didnt get arrested for felony of buying a car without a title. Its the law here in kansas. Even if they only enforce it when they want to (demo derby guys). But sadly he didnt get the truck, and some jerk got the truck and my dad lost quite a some of money (not over 2000) but still a loss is a loss. Oh well thats the past, and we are still trying to get that truck back. Its just sitting in the guys yard if i am correct.

[screwballl]

Welcome from NW Florida (about an hour east of the ogre)

Before they take it, put some of the worst rusted out parts on that nasty thing that you can, make sure there is a blown engine in there and say "come n get it"
you're rid of trash parts and they get to foot the bill for crushing your trashed parts... of course that is sad if the frame is still good but sometimes sacrifices need to me made

as for length of the drive shaft, wish I could help... someone here will get some numbers for you soon enough

[Walts_restoration]

Oh, if there gonna take it, say it was "stolen" and secretly take all the good stuff off and leave the stripped frame and firewall in a poorer part of town that will show those project stealer's.

[redz 1970 K5]

Welcome from Northern UT! That was an interesting story. Nice to have a good storyteller on board.

Lets get some pics of these trucks buddy!!!

[freeinwv]

Hi all,
You guys know how to make a fella feel good. Thanks for the warm hellos. And just so you all know, I actually do have the title. I have gotten scr@wed on that that one too many times to ever buy another vehicle without one. Course it apparently is worth a two to five year all expenses paid vacation for someone, but that's what this is all about.
As for the truck, it has been sent to the crushers. Just ask my father. He'll swear up and down on it. I'm working on a different 2wd Blazer. One I have a legit title for. Which means I could still use those measurements. And as a little inducement, if someone helps me out, I'll share with you all the single most satisfying mod that anyone ever made to their vehicle. I really think you will love it. Cheap, too!

[watahyahknow]

hmmmmm now im getting curious .
welcum to the board btw

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by freeinwv

Hi all,
You guys know how to make a fella feel good. Thanks for the warm hellos. And just so you all know, I actually do have the title. I have gotten scr@wed on that that one too many times to ever buy another vehicle without one. Course it apparently is worth a two to five year all expenses paid vacation for someone, but that's what this is all about.
As for the truck, it has been sent to the crushers. Just ask my father. He'll swear up and down on it. I'm working on a different 2wd Blazer. One I have a legit title for. Which means I could still use those measurements. And as a little inducement, if someone helps me out, I'll share with you all the single most satisfying mod that anyone ever made to their vehicle. I really think you will love it. Cheap, too!

And they said people from WV weren't smart. That is funny as hell. Way to go on sticking it to those chuckleheads from Ohio.

I'd help you out but all I've got to look at is my 4wd K5 and it's running a 4-spd trans.

[special-K]

You have to tell your secret now or be bannished to www.Escortsrfun.com

[bigtruck81]

letting the "secret" out, if there is one, would be a really bad move. especially if someone in the buckeye were to happen to read this.

[screwballl]

and the secret is pretty easy to figure out.... but 99% of the time untraceable without a lie detector or something a bit more serious... which is VERY unlikely over a $800 truck

good thinking!

[N2TRUX]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Please stick around, cause your way of tellin stories is funny as hell...

[2WD_Blazin_79]

Are you looking for the length if a 2wd 4spd blazer? If so I measured the one from my 2wd 4spd blazer and its 54.5" from center of u-joint to center of u-joint. If not I can measure the driveshaft in my truck now, Im using a 200-4R in it right now and it is roughly the same length as a TH-350.

[kevinr1970]

Now that the '81 is back at the house I can take a measurement when tis light out.
Its a 305/T350 that is stock height to the best of my knowledge. I think it came with an OD tranny so the T350 might not be a stock set-up. But I'll measure the tailshaft too.