Good First 4x4 ???

[Stingray42]

What would y'all suggest for a first 4x4?
I would be doin some trails, lots of mud, not much for rocks, and it would be a daily driver (i do have another truck tho) and everyday in the winter. (other truck will be put away)

I want to be able to work on it myself, so an older one would be best, and somethign i can get parts for easy.

What would y'all suggest? I would consider fullsize pickup trucks (preferably Chevy) or a jeep? but am very open to suggestions (no imports tho plz)

Thanks!

[1FaastC10]

73-87 K series truck, or a 73-91 K5 Blazer. it doesnt get any easier to find parts for than that. they're also gravy to work on, and the upgrades for them are limitless. if you end up with one with a 700R4, make sure you install a cooler in an area that will not get covered it mud, yet still retains good cooling of the trans. if you would like a manual truck, try to find one 85+ as the have a hydraulic clutch. this allows you to flex the truck more, without having to worry about binding up a mechanical linkage, THEY HATE THAT!

[BurnoutNova]

another good one would be a S series blazer or pickup, prefferably with a 4.3 and 5 sp

good gas mileage, easy to work on tons of parts, and does good in snow and moderate mud

[1969 GMC]

any 67-72 4x4, but I'd lean towards the 71/72 models. this way you get disc brakes and are guaranteed to get a NP205 transfer case, and most likely a small block. or you could look for a 73-up, but a lot of those have the NP203 (fulltime 4x).

[JIMs70GMC]

I prefer the earlier trucks, also. I like being able to see the engine when you raise the hood. The simpler the better. No smog pumps, no computer controlled carbs, no cats, no computer, 3 vacuum hoses! You can always swap in HEI.

[yfs200p]

i would go with either a 85-87, or like 88-90. They are slightly more computer-oriented, but i feel it would be far more reliable than some of the real old trucks. I could be wrong though. whatever you get, im sure will be fine. GOOD LUCK

[1FaastC10]

Originally posted by yfs200p
i would go with either a 85-87, or like 88-90. They are slightly more computer-oriented, but i feel it would be far more reliable than some of the real old trucks. I could be wrong though. whatever you get, im sure will be fine. GOOD LUCK

depends on what you're going to do with it. if you plan on lifting it, and/or wheeling it, a post 87 truck is a terrible idea, unless you go with a K5. IFS trucks are expensive to lift, and still dont handle well with a lift on them. there's a reason i'm building a straight axle truck, and not an IFS truck for my trail rig.

[ALASKA ALUMINUM BEAR]

hey sting

there is a reason guys with 30 thousand dollar or better trucks-go with a stright axle-convertions,,,infact all the 4x4 magazines make a big deal out of these stright axles convertions....why....because they make the best 4x4's for all types of terrian....

everything that was said above holds true for the chevys between 73-87---you cannot buy a more versitle-easy to find-4x4 going rig out there.....check out the blazer on this months cover of petersons-4x4 and off road and you'll see a little of what can be done.....

scrap the t case after your first rebuild-thet'll be great for that long-then go with a atlas highlander-all gear twin shifter- t case.....and the rig will last forever ......you'll have fun pulling out the guys with ifs.....i wish i had a dollar for everone i pulled out....

best of luck.....and oh yeah---your 700r4 tranny will be good to you-if your good to it...again follow the advise above--

aabear

[1FaastC10]

aabear, the Blazer on the cover is a sorry excuse for a trail machine. there's no way that it ever gets wheeled, its too straight and clean. also, the cage is the worst "saftey device" i've ever seen. in the event of a rollover, the rear portion of the cage would crush down, hopefully nobody is in the back seat when that happens.

also, why bother with the Atlas? yeah, its a good unit, but the NP205 should hold up to any abuse a noob wheeler can subject it to, and then some. EVERYBODY on CK5 runs a 205. not only is the 205 cheaper, its easier to find, and easier to find parts for if need be.

[ALASKA ALUMINUM BEAR]

thanks-fast c10-i have had several-np-205's and 205----and they are great....but after the second and 3rd time you rebuild them----we'll it's just better to get something else....while i wish they would last forever---in my own experence they don't......your rite on all counts on the cover blazer.....but it just got finished for the magazines---and knowing about the guy who built it as well as the trucks-in the years were talking about he only builds then---it won't be long till he dents it all up putting it through the hills and trails as he does...my god look at the engine--is that not serious fun-anywere you would want to go....i guess i am jealous cause he can just rebuild his truck-everytime he trashes it....and in fact i am jealous of all the shop owners who can build whatever they want---when i have to save months for a highlander t case,,,,,my opion is all.....thanks again....
aabear

[Destructo]

the NP205 also weighs a crap-load and has a crappy 1.96:1 low range. Compare that to an aluminum NP241 with 2.7:1. Or even an NP208 with its 2.6:1

[1969 GMC]

Originally posted by Destructo
the NP205 also weighs a crap-load and has a crappy 1.96:1 low range. Compare that to an aluminum NP241 with 2.7:1. Or even an NP208 with its 2.6:1

yeah you are right...those gear driven NP205 sure do suck when compared to the aluminum chaindrive cases.

since when has 0.7 more low range mattered to anyone that isn't a rock crawler?

and if we want to get technical, my SM465/NP205 combo has a crawl ratio of 12.838 (6.55 x 1.96), where your 700r4/NP208 has a crawl ratio of 7.956 (3.06 x 2.6).

I would much rather have a good strong transmission and transfer case, than a mediocre breakage prone set. And in stock form, the 700r4/NP208 are much weaker than SM465/NP205.