Factory 4 speed 4wd Rarity?

[1BadSS]

Anyone know how many of the Suburbans were produced with factory 4 speed transmissions? I know it was a custom order deal.

Picked up an 88 K20 4spd today for $500 from the original owner. Came with a folder full of any original documentation that came with the truck. Including the window sticker.

[ch2000]

Nice score for $500.00!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure how many were built with a 4 speed , but I have across a few over the years here in GA. The ones that I have looked at where mostly late 80's models..

[russgt]

A friend of mines dad had one growing up, it was a late 70s yellow and white K20 burban with a 4 speed. I know that it was the only one that I have seen.

[68Timber]

Nice score, the axles and xfer case would fetch more than you paid. That beast is begging for 6" of lift and 35's. At least to me, anyway. The manual tranny is definitely rare. Not collectible, more just hard to find.

[Rogue_Alphonse]

AWESOME find for the price!

My K5 when I was talking to the HILLBILLY that owned it mentioned a new master cylinder, and after asking him "Oh... it's a standard?!" and he said yes, I went and picked it up the next day for $700. Only thing I did find out about the [well, at least 1987 and newer] 4x4 standards... the trans tunnel is welded in.

[special-K]

I know any production numbers,but by '88 a manual Suburban or Blazer/Jimmy would be rare. I had a '90 Blazer and never saw another.

You Stole that thing!!!!

[Berg]

I got a 1984 K5 factory 4 speed, and had a 1985 K5 parts truck that was also 4 speed. As stated, the later model trucks had the trans tunnels welded in. It isn't a big deal if you are doing a conversion because the factory indentation to make the cut is already stamped into the tunnel. I have seen only a handful of Blazers and Suburbans with 4 speed manuals. There was an option for a light-duty 4 speed that was a side-shifter case like the car transmissions. I only saw 1 Blazer with this transmission and I don't think it was original although it was a 4x4. The K10 pickups were much more common with the 4 speeds in HD and I have seen the Car transmissions in those as well.

[russgt]

Heres my 76 K5

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Berg

I got a 1984 K5 factory 4 speed, and had a 1985 K5 parts truck that was also 4 speed. As stated, the later model trucks had the trans tunnels welded in. It isn't a big deal if you are doing a conversion because the factory indentation to make the cut is already stamped into the tunnel. I have seen only a handful of Blazers and Suburbans with 4 speed manuals. There was an option for a light-duty 4 speed that was a side-shifter case like the car transmissions. I only saw 1 Blazer with this transmission and I don't think it was original although it was a 4x4. The K10 pickups were much more common with the 4 speeds in HD and I have seen the Car transmissions in those as well.

That reminds me of a shortbed 4wd I saw for sale this spring. It was a 6.2 diesel with the 3 + overdrive transmission. I had only seen that in a 2wd before. This truck was absolutely original.

[thirdstreettito]

Tim, there is a guy on the Diesel Place with a K10 6.2 with the 3+4+OD or whatever (A388 IIRC). 4320 Diesel or something is his name.

BACK TO TOPIC!

I've seen on the past 2 years maybe 3 4-speed blazer/suburbans. Very rare, I'd love to have one. You guys are lucky.

[str8axle55]

WOW, that is a great deal for that Burb. I have never seen one in person in a Burb, and only a couple Blazers.

[1BadSS]

Finally got it going today, ground strap rusted off of the sending unit and fuel pump. So neither were working correctly. Drove it around a little bit. Found the cooling system needs to be burped. And it needs a tuneup. Hopefully by next weekend the new plugs, wires and thermostat will be in.

[special-K]

Glad you got it going. Here's a picture of my '90 Blazer with 4spd. I have never seen another on that new. I had it for 18 years but had to let it go thanks to my X:

[68Timber]

I found one in the junkyard this week, pickup, that still has the tranny and pedals.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Wow good find and score for that price. I had an '83 K5 that was a 4speed it was clean with no lift and 33"s damn I do miss that one. My buddy had and '88 that was TBI 4 speed I think that both of ours were ex forest service rigs but I could be wrong. I defiantly want another one someday.

[Berg]

I saw a guy out in Montauk this weekend with a 1985 K5 Blazer stripped out with a 6.2 Diesel and a 4 speed factory with hydraulic clutch. Pretty clean original dark blue truck with dark blue vinyl interior, no side panels, vinyl floor liner and under 100k miles on the clock. It had the GM wagon wheel style rims on it too.

[83GMCK2500]

I haven't seen very many, ever...and I try to check out every square I see. Most recently though, a '78 K20 'burban 350/SM-465/NP-205/10b/14FF. The glovebox sticker says it was originally 305 powered, also has a Gov't Special Order RPO listed at the end of the sticker. It was Russet Metallic with rubber & vinyl base interior...interestingly enough it had the "Trailing Special 13,000 GCW" emblem on the back door.