Does anyone have knowledge of what the chevy blazers the military has surplused would bring at auction? There's a couple coming up for auction here in OK and I was wondering if that might be a good ranch vehicle for me.
Thoughts?

Check the electrical system first! Military vehicles used to have a different electrical system than the civilian builds. 24 vs 12, I think.

Thanks!

Diesel Blazers sucked..

last time I check the military cut the vehicles in half before auctioning them to stop any future legal actions if someone got hurt in or by one of the vehicles.

I haven't heard anything like that. There are trucks, trailers and other items, all painted in military desert tan or the woodland camo of Europe.

I've had lots of ex mil vehicles and can tell you a bit about them.

the diesel blazers are great knock about vehicles. You are not going to win any races in them (60mph tops wth stock tires), but thats not the point. V8 torque with v6 fuel milage. Electrical system on the mil blazers is a combination of 12 and 24 volt. VERY robust sysem. DO NOT be afraid of it because of that. Remember the military bought these as "off the shelf" equipment and did not want to change too much on them. Only downside is the government 10 bolt rear axle. Not the strongest GM rear axle ever made but, if you use it for normal purposes (meaning, not heavy duty rock crawling, mud racing on 38"tires, etc) it is just fine.

They Gov't liquidators will cut up HUMVEE's because they were never designed to pass civilian safety rules. Blazers and all the K20 Chevy trucks were civvy vehicles first, therefore are just fine for resale.

Don't buy one sight unseen. Check if first if possible because you don't know what the military will have stripped off it to fix other trucks. If you buy one from Gov't Liquidators it will hav NO, repeat NONE, NADA, ZILCH liquids in it; no engine oil, gearbox, transfer case, differentials, etc. You must either fill all them up or, better yet, trailer it home first and sort it out at home.

Honestly, the pickups are a better buy because they are one ton vehicels. Better axles, etc. But, that being said, the Blazer is just fine for getting you and some stuff around, just know its not a pickup. Parts for both Blazer and pickups are still available at any NAPA, etc. All after market parts from any 4x4 shop will fit.

Good luck!!
(p.s, kids love 'em)

quote:

Originally posted by sfhr:
Parts for both Blazer and pickups are still available at any NAPA, etc. All after market parts from any 4x4 shop will fit.

Good luck!!
(p.s, kids love 'em)

You guys have NAPA auto parts stores in the UK?

I'm not surprised you have auto parts stores; I'm just surprised you have any of the same ones we have here.

What are the odds I can pick up a rebuild kit for the Rochester Quadrajet 4bbl carb on my '71 Chevy in the UK?

I can't believe you can't get a rebuild kit for the Quadrajet anymore? I used to be able to rebuild one of those in my sleep. I guess I am getting old.
C.G.B.

At one time they were the height of technology, but there hasn't been a car or truck here in the USA that came with a carb for over 10 years now, and it is probably over 15 years.

The clutch slave cylinder went out in the Honda a couple weeks ago and a rebuild kit was $16 from autozone. For grins I looked up what the price on a new cylinder was- $12.45.

Bit off topic but I will have to say the new cars have me spoiled rotten. Never even look at the oil except when I change it, plugs maybe every 50k, except on my older F150, then it is longer because they are such a pain. Tires and brakes and keep the tank filled. The old Blazer ate everything, even when it was parked in the garage. My little acura would blow the doors off my old Camaro, esp. above 90 mph. and it is just a 4 door family kind of car.
C.G.B.

quote:

Originally posted by cgbach:
I can't believe you can't get a rebuild kit for the Quadrajet anymore? I used to be able to rebuild one of those in my sleep. I guess I am getting old.
C.G.B.

Actually, you can get tailor-made Quadrajets.

Cliff's High Performance Quadrajets is one such place to start. Or you can start with a Summit or Jeg's catalog.

Personally, when given my druthers I favor Carter AFB's. I find them simpler to tune, nearly as precise as Q-jets, and once tuned they stay in tune. Holleys, I found, constantly required tweaking. But I must admit Holley's have less crap hanging in the breeze to obstruct airflow. So for pure racing apps, they're the s%$#. Still, due to the "modular" design they can develop serious leaks. I got home from a long road trip and found my intake manifold bathed in gas once (which I understand is nature's way of telling you to rebuild your Holley). That can't happen with a Carter.

But smog regs are a consideration, so I don't run any risks. If I'm supposed to have Q-jet, I have a Q-jet.

It isn't that I can't get a rebuild kit for my Q-jet. I have one sitting on a shelf right now.

I was just amused by the mention of such a familiar name as Napa Auto Parts operating in the UK, and wondered what the chances are I could find such a rebuild kit there.

As far as rebuilding carbs in my sleep, I could do it with Carters, Holleys, and even the old Ford Autolites. Not with Q-jets. I need a book to tell me what to do with those.

Having delt with many of the blazers from the military end, make sure you check the front floors and rocker panels for rust or signs of having been replaced.

quote:

Originally posted by cgbach:
I can't believe you can't get a rebuild kit for the Quadrajet anymore? I used to be able to rebuild one of those in my sleep. I guess I am getting old.
C.G.B.

There is a good reason for the lack of carburator re-build kits anymore. Nobody except antique referbishers wants a vehicle with a carb anymore.

I personally will not even look at a vehicle that doesn't have fuel enjection,especially an off road vehicle.
The reason you learned to rebuild a quadrajet carb in your sleep was you got a lot of practice because they needed it about once a month.
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