Zaks new toy.....again

[Zak.Taylor]

Got an 84 M1009 K5 Blazer. Going to steal the axles off the 84 K30 M1008 that I bought for dad at the same auction. He needs highway gears and I need offroad gears. Under the K5 will be Corp 14 bolt with detroit locker and 4.56's (all stock equip) Front Dana 60 with 4.56's and open diff, or welded if I feel necessary, has manual hubs. Going to try to have the stock springs arched to about 6", and do plenty of trimming so I can fit 40" mil-surplus tires on 20" rims.

Its diesel, has a TH400 trans and not much else....but its tough as nails, has recovery points and brush guard, is already painted camo, has removable top, roll down rear window and a heater. Sounds like a trail rig to me.


All of this is contingent on my 2000 TJ selling before this blazer does. I can always buy another surplus truck, but the TJ has to go so I have funds for the build.

The K5 will be replacing both the Jeep and the Deuce.....

[Desert Dog]

I know a guy out in the desert that has several of those. He is running 40" swampers on one. Of course he destroyed almost all the sheet metal his first trip to Johnson Valley, but tubed it out, removed the doors, and boat-sided it - sort of like what Bobbed Burb is doing to his. That thing is a BEAST and actually made it up Sledgehammer! Ill see if I can find a pic.

Sounds like you are taking on an awesome project . But with the money and time you throw at it for a trail rig, I think keeping your Jeep will put you WAYYY ahead of the game. Thats what sucks about building up full-size rigs, gotta accept the fact that you may still be schooled by little jeeps with a few mods . But you will definately have any Jeep beat in the coolness factor. I thought about getting one last year and making a buggy out of it. Most of those have very low miles.

Watching Tilly and Bobbed Burb carnage on the trail is making me miss the full-size trucks I used to have

[Zak.Taylor]

Alright guys, by now everybody knows that I flip cars every chance I get to pay the bills around the house. Turns out, a guy from LA really wanted the K5 and matching trailer....so its gone....as is the 2000 TJ on 35's and the bobbed deuce on 53's.....but now I've got a nice, fat (by my standards) savings account (investment capital) and a couple new rigs.

First I bought an 88 Suzuki Samurai on 31's with a SOA lift. Its a good little rig, has an LSD in the back and is fun to bash. Has minivan seats in the rear, with a custom cage that goes up higher to cover the kids. The cons to this rig are.....no TOP, no heat (yet) and it only goes like 45 mph....
Pros are: I can jump it and not cringe, it cost $1100 and if it breaks, I'm not destroying a nice, newer Jeep, rock rash will not be a concern ( it cost $1100) and it gets like a bazillion miles to the gallon.

Second rig is a 92 Toyota 4Runner....has 33's, V6, Auto, seats 5, can tow the Sami, Wife can wheel it, can drive it around town, Big enough to sleep in, if needed.

I really envy you guys and gals that can buy a rig, build the heck out of it, and keep it forever.....My undiagnosed ADHD just won't let me hang on to anything, if there is a buck to be made....(I'll make ya'll a great deal on the youngest boy, he eats alot...lol) its gone....to be replaced by the next decent deal on a ride....the upside is that I know a little bit about each of them, and can troubleshoot them in a pinch....

Anyway, looking forward to the Ball and Chain run. It should be a blast, and I'll have two rigs out to play in....Pics will come soon....if anybody really