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Old 11-24-2016, 06:36 PM   #3 (permalink)
aardvarcus
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Evensville, TN
Posts: 676

Deep Blue - '94 GMC Suburban K2500 SLE
90 day: 23.75 mpg (US)

Griffin (T4R) - '99 Toyota 4Runner SR5
90 day: 25.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 237
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I think you are on the right track with the GMT400 Blazer. I've pulled out that era bench seat, didn't even take an hour to remove or reinstall. Ideal would be one with the 6.5L diesel and NV4500 Transmission. If you didn't want to deal with the nuances of that era diesel, a 350 with NV4500 would be a decent runner up. The NV4500 is an easy swap in an early version with the 4L60 before they switched to the 4L60E, did that in my old GMT400 K2500, don't have to even touch the electronics. Combine that with 3.08 or 3.42 differential ratio and you would easily be in the 20+ MPG range. A 4 door Blazer/Tahoe/Yukon/Denali/Escalade would only be slightly longer and heaver, and much easier to find.

The other option would be a custom seat swap into your vehicle of choice. Stick to a model before they started to put airbag sensors in the seats or you are asking for trouble. I am really impressed with my wifes 2000 4Runner Limited, which is a good size (not to big or small) in my mind. Hers has the Multimode Transfer case (2WD, AWD, 4WD, N, 4WD-L) and rear differential locker, so just about as versatile as you could ask for offroad.
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