Sept.09 issue - Too many errors

"The Best Buys in Used 4x4s" article -

Under Fullsize Trucks
First Place: 1988-2002 Chevy C/K-Series pickup

Since the article is titled best 4x4s, and the "C" designation indicates 2WD, you really mean K-Series. And since there were not any "K"-Series produced from '99 to '02, you really mean 1988-1998. Or if you are including the last two years of production for the "Fourth Generation" truck, which had a series designation change for '99 and '00 to "GMT400", then 1988-2000 would be correct for a "Fourth Generation" GM truck.

Then in the text you change the years to "between 1991 and 2002". What are you really referring to?

I know, nitpicky. But if you want to be technically helpful then you have to be technically correct.

Is first place really referring to a Fourth Generation GM truck? Because there are overlapping years between the GMT800 Fifth Generation trucks and the 3/4 & 1 ton Fourth Generation trucks. As there was also between the Third Generation and Fourth Generation trucks.

Then you mention a "C3500HD built from '00 to '02". Those years would be a mix of "Fourth Generation" and "Fifth Generation" non half-ton GM trucks. And does the "C" mean 2WD in your reference? GM did not use the C/K designation after '98. And, this is about 4x4 best buys, isn't it?

Then you mention transmissions. You state that the 700R4 is more common in pre-'91 trucks. That's good because GM changed the name in '90 to 4L60 and then in '93 it received an electronic valve-body and was called a 4L60E. Plenty of Fourth Generation trucks not only had the HD 4L80 that you mention but also had a 4L60 and 4L60E with the favorable 3.06 first gear.

Under Fullsize SUVs
First Place: 1973-'91 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

Again the "K5" designation is only right through '87. '88-'91 were designated "R/V-Series" and the K5 was dropped and it became just Blazer on the name plate. So, '73-'91 is the "Second Generation" Blazer.

Then you stated, "pre-'80s version" had a Dana 44 front axle. Not true. There was a mixed bag of D44s and 10 bolts starting in '77 and continuing through '78. By '79, they were all 10 bolt front axles.

Then you stated, "after 1980 most K5s got an overdrive transmission". But, the Second Generation Blazer never had a manual with OD and the 700R4 didn't come out until '82.

Then you stated that '91 is the best year because it had fuel-injection and a slanted front clip. But '87 was the first year of TBI and it also had a slanted front clip. Wouldn't '87-'90 also be substantially the same as a '91 and should also be considered as top choices?  

when you say "slanted front clip" are you reffering to the hood and fenders pointing down.  
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You know I love you all (in a manly non sexual way) Spawn_X

The fenders and hood are a little less boxy and more streamlined starting in '81.

The more I think about it, the more I don't like the way I stated the year/model designation above.

So, in general, (99% not 100% because there is always that oddball exception):

Fourth Generation GM 4x4 fullsize trucks were produced from '88 to 2000. From '88 to '98 they had a "K" in the fifth position of the VIN. "K" means fullsize 4x4. Then in '99 and '00, they had a "V" in the fifth position. "V" means fullsize 4x4. The "V" trucks were 2500 and 3500 as indicated by the sixth position of the VIN (2 or 3 respectively). The "K" continued in '99 and designated the Fifth Generation fullsize 4x4 truck.

Second Generation fullsize 4x4 Blazers were produced from '73 to '91. The VIN structure changed in the '80s, but '87 finished with a "K" in the fifth position of the VIN. Again, "K" means fullsize 4x4. Then again '88 through '91, they had a "V" in the fifth position. The "V" Blazers were 1500 as indicated by a 1 in the sixth position of the VIN. Again, the "K" continued in '92 and designated the Third Generation fullsize 4x4 Blazer. The "K" in '88 to '91 refered to the Fourth Generation 4x4 truck.

It's too hard, just refer to them by their Generation Number.  

The blazer write up is really full of errors.It states that the militarized m1009 blazers had dana 60 fronts and 14 bolt rears...which they didn't,they had 3.08 geared 10 bolts front and rear,only the pickup based cucvs had the d60/14 bolt combo.Then it states that after '80 most had overdrive...the 700r didn't come out until '82[well i guess '82 is after '80].The writer then states that the np241 is 'less desirable' than the np208...what???why???says who???I don't know anyone who would choose a 208 over a 241,[even though the np208 is ok].He then mentions that the np205 was found in the '73-'80 blazers,neglecting to mention that most '73-'79 blazers had turbo350/np203 combos and some sm465 4spd trucks even had the np203 fulltime case.To have so many errors in one paragraph about a truck as common as a chevy blazer is inexcusable.......And what is this slanted front clip in '91 hes talking about??I dont recall other than the grille there being any difference in the hood or fenders from '81-'91.  

The hood and fenders changed in '81. They were the same from '81 to '91. That's the question about why not '87 - '90 with TBI which also had the same hood and fenders as the '91.  

I'd like to know why the M5OD transmission for the Ranger is being called "marginal", when infact the M5OD is a damn fine transmission in this application (best Ford ever put in the Ranger). Probably it's only real downfall is the somewhat tallish 1st gear on the 4.0L version at 3.40:1, although gear swaps from other versions of this transmission can get you a slightly lower 3.72:1 1st gear.

The calling of the A4LD auto "passable" confuses me as well... "Passable" as a good transmission that's better than the M5OD?? (nothing could be further from the truth) Or "passable" as in you should pass up any vehicle that has a A4LD when buying a used truck?

Lastly, saying the Ranger's D35 front axle has "D44 style outers" is a bit misleading. While the overall design of the D35 has a lot in common with D44s, only a few things like one wheel bearing, some seals, the spindle needle bearings, and the axle shaft u-joints will directly swap between the two. The D35's brake rotors are notably smaller as well. However it IS possible to put actual D44 outers onto the D35 housing using the right parts from the right year D44.