Tough trucks

[1987chevyv10]

What's an all around tougher truck for work/offroad/mud, not talking about comfort, the 81-87 Chevy or the 88-98 Chevy
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[Truck Guy99]

Well, the squares are more simple and easy to fix. But the 88-98 style is a bit more powerful because most are injected and more balanced in the fuel system. Sometimes squares can be harder to find used parts for depending on where you live. They can also be difficult to find not worn down to the dirt. Which I prefer depends on the situation.
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[79Betty]

Each definitely has it's pro's and con's. but if it's just a mudder i'd do the square's. easier to lift and last longer lifted. But if it'll be driven AT ALL on the street at all i'd do the 90's.
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[Rubble]

My choice for a tough 4x4 is solid axle,use one as a daily driver on pavement,gravel,dirt road & mud when needed.I got buddy's using IFS Chevys for same thing I am doing with my old truck& they get their front ends rebuilt lots!! Chevy quit making 4x4s when they went to IFS far as I am concerned....Sure maybe they might ride better,but hey it's a truck!! It's supposed to be firm!!
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[1987chevyv10]

Thanks for the input everybody
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[BurnoutNova]

Solid axle for sure. I run 80's Chevys for my plow trucks. Can't kill them. A IFS truck is usually done in 3 years of heavy plowing.

The best Chevy ever made would be a 1987 V30... EFI and a solid dana 60!

[Deaol]

shortened k30, xover, 37s with a ls swap.. best of all worlds.. jam 6 of your buddies in it, beat the snot out of it... perfect work horse.

[BigBlocksRule]

If you gotta have IFS and 4WD, go with a 1-ton. The half ton IFS is a joke.

[83GMCK2500]

I would put a sfa in a GMT-400 myself. As mentioned, newer and more powerful, stronger frames (let's be honest the square frame is a bit of a noodle off road, plus things like stewing box). K2500HD/3500 with Vortec 454 & NV-4500 aaaand GO, you already way ahead of a square.
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[SamsAutoParts73-87]

the 88-98 have the following problems when subjected to heavy use..ask me how I know.
Door Hinges crack and wear out
Ball Joints wear like crazy
Frames crack right behind the front cab mount
The glued in rear windows like to fall out
Inner door handles brake faster then you can replace them
The NV3500 is a good street trans, but does not like being beat on

The square bodies are simply better for being beat on because:
Door hinges are bolt on
Solid axles hold up better + they are cheaper and easier to lift
Carbed engines are easier to work on in the middle of nowhere
Better manual transmissions
No Airbags
No ABS

But that is just my opinion from personal experience

-Sam

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by SamsAutoParts73-87

the 88-98 have the following problems when subjected to heavy use..ask me how I know.
Door Hinges crack and wear out
Ball Joints wear like crazy
Frames crack right behind the front cab mount
The glued in rear windows like to fall out
Inner door handles brake faster then you can replace them
The NV3500 is a good street trans, but does not like being beat on

The square bodies are simply better for being beat on because:
Door hinges are bolt on
Solid axles hold up better + they are cheaper and easier to lift
Carbed engines are easier to work on in the middle of nowhere
Better manual transmissions
No Airbags
No ABS

But that is just my opinion from personal experience

-Sam

I agree with all of this...

except the carb part! I like TBI it's about as reliable as you can get, and cheap to repair every once in a while if something happens.

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by SamsAutoParts73-87

the 88-98 have the following problems when subjected to heavy use..ask me how I know.
Door Hinges crack and wear out
Ball Joints wear like crazy
Frames crack right behind the front cab mount
The glued in rear windows like to fall out
Inner door handles brake faster then you can replace them
The NV3500 is a good street trans, but does not like being beat on

The square bodies are simply better for being beat on because:
Door hinges are bolt on
Solid axles hold up better + they are cheaper and easier to lift
Carbed engines are easier to work on in the middle of nowhere
Better manual transmissions
No Airbags
No ABS

But that is just my opinion from personal experience

-Sam

Never heard of 88-98s cracking behind the front cab mount......
The other problems associated with the 88-98s i've heard of but the cracking in the frames is more along with the square bodies around the steering box.

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

I will get pictures of the cracks, on our 97.

You are right the square bodies do like to crack near the steering box, but if they are reinforced they are hard to crack.

-Sam

[86c20]

best 4x4 to beat on u say? 1948 dodge piwer wagon 1 ton geared so low a sail is fast but u cant kill them.

now in the real world if it where me. any 72-91 1ton with a real diesel not a 6.2 i am talking cummins cat or detroit. with a clark 5 speed or the like. good luck killing that set up. and can be done alot cheaper then the ifs trucks
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