4x4 questions. School me.

[74 stepside]

I have decided that I want to get rid of my 73 C10 and get a K5. I have never owned a 4x4 although Ive had a 99 Silverado prerunner and a 75 3/4 ton on 33"s. Still not the same. My questions are as follows..
Whats the advantage to swapping over to 3/4 or 1 ton axles?
Do the front and rear need to have the same gear ratio?
Whats needed for the steering when a lift is used? (4-6 inches)
Are K5 rear springs the same length as the trucks?
Are the 6.2 diesels any good at power?
Thanks in advance for any answers to these questions.

[jjzepplin]

Wow that's a lot of questions.
To start we will have to know how you plan to use this 4x4.
All out rock crawling ? Tow vehicle-occasional 4x4 ?etc.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by 74 stepside

I have decided that I want to get rid of my 73 C10 and get a K5. I have never owned a 4x4 although Ive had a 99 Silverado prerunner and a 75 3/4 ton on 33"s. Still not the same. My questions are as follows.

Whats the advantage to swapping over to 3/4 or 1 ton axles? _ If you do heavy offroading or run larger than 35" tires then it's not a bad idea, 3/4 front axles are the same as 1/2 tons expect for the 8 lug hubs... research dana 60 and 14 blot FF
Do the front and rear need to have the same gear ratio? Yes, they must be the same or you could cause damage
Whats needed for the steering when a lift is used? (4-6 inches)They makde raised steering arms, dropped pitman arms, S shaped drag links or some guys move to crossover steer (requires flat top knuckles, google it)
Are K5 rear springs the same length as the trucks? - not sure, look at the rancho site and see if the kit is different for K10 vs K5
Are the 6.2 diesels any good at power?ok, but I wouldn't expect much more than an average 305
Thanks in advance for any answers to these questions.

my opinion in BOLD...

sounds like you are looking at military CUCV's... they run 3.08 axles so take that into account when you lift it... If you buy a junked out CUCV truck and a decent K5 then you are set...

[74 stepside]

Well being in Ca, Im looking at some thing that smog exempt. 75 and older gas or a diesel that 98 and older are exempt. My plans would be just to play in the dirt and take it to glamis. Some mudding once in a while too. Eventually to have a 454 with aluminum heads (for weight) with 400 trans. It would tow, but nothing bigger than a 21' boat.

[74 stepside]

Originally Posted by msgross

my opinion in BOLD...

sounds like you are looking at military CUCV's... they run 3.08 axles so take that into account when you lift it... If you buy a junked out CUCV truck and a decent K5 then you are set...

Thanks for the info. 35-36" tires is what I think I would want.

[msgross]

I'd add a 4" lift, get a raised steering arm, brake line extensions (or extended SS lines), new shocks and run what you have for awhile then... Always an upgrade later...

[74 stepside]

Originally Posted by msgross

I'd add a 4" lift, get a raised steering arm, brake line extensions (or extended SS lines), new shocks and run what you have for awhile then... Always an upgrade later...

I havent purchased a K5 yet. Thats why I was asking questions before I buy. Thanks for the info.

[Mr. 250r]

All the questions have been answered pretty correctly so the only advice i will give is on a dana 60 up front, if you plan on binding the front axle up in rock crawling like sotuations with 38s+ and alot of power and a stupid foot then get it otherwise dont fall for it too easy unless its a great deal
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[V30 mongo]

Not to be a bummer at the party, I don't get it. Every one talks about replacing ther axels with 60's and 14 bolts, reforcing the suspension/frame, replacing the transfer case to a NP205, hydroboost brakes,etc... Why not just get the full one ton truck? It comes with all of those things from the factory, and the frame on a one ton CC is a full 7" deep. The gears on most one ton 4x4 's is 4.56. The transmission is the SM465 and the transfer is a NP205, and the brakes, they are huge, and they work. Most one ton 4x4 CC's have a GVWR of 11,000 lbs. Some special units have a 12,000 GVWR. This is on all of the 1977 to 1991 K30" and V30's. I like a good project like every one else but it seams like inventing the wheel all over again. Maybe they don't look cool but they were build tough, at the factory.

[74 stepside]

[QUOTE=V30 mongo;5545968]Not to be a bummer at the party, I don't get it. Every one talks about replacing ther axels with 60's and 14 bolts, reforcing the suspension/frame, replacing the transfer case to a NP205, hydroboost brakes,etc... Why not just get the full one ton truck? It comes with all of those things from the factory, and the frame on a one ton CC is a full 7" deep. The gears on most one ton 4x4 's is 4.56. The transmission is the SM465 and the transfer is a NP205, and the brakes, they are huge, and they work. Most one ton 4x4 CC's have a GVWR of 11,000 lbs. Some special units have a 12,000 GVWR. This is on all of the 1977 to 1991 K30" and V30's. I like a good project like every one else but it seams like inventing the wheel all over again. Maybe they don't look cool but they were build tough, at the factory.[/QUOTE
I asked about a K5 blazer. The reason, Im guessing here, is that alot of guys dont want or like the look of a long bed truck which is what a 1 ton is.

[special-K]

I agree the SRW K30s and later V30s are the best of the best straight out of the box. But,it's not a Blazer. If you want a short little toy with a back seat and a top that comes off you won't want a 1t pickup. That's why GM gave you choices. I just like 8-lugs,bigger brakes,and rear axle,so I go with at least 3/4t running gear. 9 times out of 10 that will do all you want. It always has for me. If you rock crawl you can and will break anything at some point. K5s in stock form,lifted,with 35s are just fine.
The 6.2 makes really good bottom end torque with enough horsepower to roll along just fine.

[jjzepplin]

My 72 Blazer had 14blt-dana 60 -4.10's /700r4/np203-np205/400sb and was damn ridiculous! Overdrive and underdrive! Drove from Cali to Florida no problem! 36" Super Swamper 10 ply's Radials. Would do it again if I had the money. Wrecked it and all that is going on my 70 swb p/u. Crawler/Hauler/stump-puller! What? Lotta work but worth every compliment.

[SunSoaked]

Its all about the "fun factor"

I always do things the hard way. For instance:

I started with a completely rusted out 1/2 ton. Swapped in M1008 axles (D/60-14FF w/ lockers and 4.56 gears). Took the hard way and swapped over the spring brackets, took spring packs (56 inch) off a 3/4ton burb and modified the perches for 2 inches of lift so I could retain the stock springs.

I put a 40 gallon fuel tank in the rear. In the process of swapping over to a NV4500/NP241 behind a Pro-flo injected 383 small block, with vintage air A/C on a GM serpantine system. I'll be modifying/fabbing the bumpers and winch mount off the M1008 (they look TOUGH with those sling eyes ). Rewiring the whole thing with an 18 circuit aftermarket harness and autometer phantom guages in the stock dash bezel.

To me-I'm building MY dream truck that GM never did. Classic looks and bullet proof parts.

Will I use it to its full potential? Probably not- but I'll sure as heck be proud of the end product. There's no better feeling than admiring "your" finished project.

Everyone has thier own reasons why they do what they do. Thats part of what makes this hobby so interesting! Lots of good folks on here too, willing to help and sharing in the experience.

Today I met VA72C10 in Virginia and picked up a part for my truck. I can now say my truck has parts on it from CA to VA.

Good times...just sayin

[andrewmp6]

If you want a military truck look at http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html

[msgross]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

If you want a military truck look at http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html

or www.govliquidation.com search for M1028, M1009 (blazer), M1008

[74 stepside]

Lots of good info. The military stuff might possibly be the route I choose. Special Ks blazer is the main reason I decided I wanted a K5. When its all said and done, I picture tan or olive drab paint. Rhino lined floors. No carpet and a soft top. Sitting on 35s. Just need to finish fixing my c10 and sell it then I can pursue this.

[obijuan]

73-87/91 have 47" front springs. 1/2 tons and k5s have 52" rear, 3/4 and 1tons feature 56" rears.

This does not include the high gvrw camper half tons or the like. Some have 56" rears.
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[74 stepside]

Originally Posted by obijuan

73-87/91 have 47" front springs. 1/2 tons and k5s have 52" rear, 3/4 and 1tons feature 56" rears.

This does not include the high gvrw camper half tons or the like. Some have 56" rears.
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Thanks, good to know.

[andrewmp6]

The only downside to a military truck to me is the no ac but that could be added i believe.The only other site i can think of is www.govdeals.com but 100dollarman is about a hour and half away from you so no shipping to pay if you pick it up.

[special-K]

People ask me all the time if mines a military Blazer. I always say,"No,it's better". First of all,it's a Jimmy. That's ok,a common mistake. But all CUCVs were Chevys. What's better starts inside. It has an interior! Although it's a base model,all diesels came with sound deadening and carper,like high-end models. It has A/C,P/W,AM/FM,and actual gauges. It has O/D and a 12v charging system. That 24v system is a PIA and serves no purpose other than to have the same system as all other military vehicles. I made mine better yet by changing to 4.10 3/4t axles w/locker,and of course lift springs and 35s. I didn't pay any more than what I see CUCVs go for and got a lot more built-in. So,I'd look for a civvy diesel,they're out there. I have a great little sporty vehicle that hauls people,tows,is good off road,and humms along the hiway at better than 20mpg.

My son has a CUCV and if I end up with that I'd be trying to give it everything mine has. Those things are rough and unlike any other vehicle,comfort wise,made in the '80s...or back into the '50s for that matter.

[gerfunken]

Not that this is on topic, but I think that the CUCV's were all technically 1 1/4 ton vehicles as well. I am not sure if that was just the trucks or both the truck and blazer model, but I seem to recall that the CUCV Blazers were pretty stout vehicles, although the diesel engine was underpowered for some of the work that we needed to do.

Also, and I know that this will open up a can of worms with this group, but if you're willing to do the math, you can run different axle ratios between the front and rear, so long as you are running different tire sizes. While I personally wouldn't recommend it at all, I've known guys that have done it.

[special-K]

They called the M1008s 5/4t and the M1009s 3/4t but in reality they were 1t and 1/2t. The Blazers have nothing different about their drivetrain. The Blazers had 6-lug 10-bolt 3.08:1 axles front and rear.

Sand drag vehicles run much smaller tires up front and the ratios vary. But,they also are in unstable earth the whole time they are running. The tires offer different rolling resistance/traction and that in itself can present drivetrain "bunching" under heavy peddle on hard surfaces.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by special-K

People ask me all the time if mines a military Blazer. I always say,"No,it's better". First of all,it's a Jimmy. That's ok,a common mistake. But all CUCVs were Chevys. What's better starts inside. It has an interior! Although it's a base model,all diesels came with sound deadening and carper,like high-end models. It has A/C,P/W,AM/FM,and actual gauges. It has O/D and a 12v charging system. That 24v system is a PIA and serves no purpose other than to have the same system as all other military vehicles. I made mine better yet by changing to 4.10 3/4t axles w/locker,and of course lift springs and 35s. I didn't pay any more than what I see CUCVs go for and got a lot more built-in. So,I'd look for a civvy diesel,they're out there. I have a great little sporty vehicle that hauls people,tows,is good off road,and humms along the hiway at better than 20mpg.

My son has a CUCV and if I end up with that I'd be trying to give it everything mine has. Those things are rough and unlike any other vehicle,comfort wise,made in the '80s...or back into the '50s for that matter.

and it's for sale!!!! check the truck for sale section...

[74 stepside]

At least now that Ive got some usefull info I know what to look for. Hoping to get my K5 after the holidays or at tax time next spring. When I do Ill post up some pics. I like the way they look with the 8 lugs for some reason. The rear end is the same track width as the front. Never really liked how the 1/2 ton rear is narrower than the fronts on 4x4s.

[obijuan]

All Chevy 73-87 axles are narrower on the rear.
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