Blazer or Jimmy build for daily driver?

[crashz]

I was hoping that my weenie mobile Saturn would last long enough to build a new daily driver. For commuting I have narrowed down what I want in a daily driver:
- good mileage (30+ mpgs)
- comfortable
- 4x4 (jobsites, winter snow, etc)
- inside storage of gear and tools
- room for 4
- small enough to zip around in city traffic
- big sturdy steel bumpers.

Sounds like I need a Honda CRV or something. But I'd like to go vintage Jimmy or Blazer. To solve the mileage issue, I'm thinking about a 5 speed and small 4 cylinder diesel like a perkins or cummins 4BT. To get around the emissions issue, it would need to be older than an 84.

So my questions for you Blazer and Jimmy guys is: Would you consider an older square to be a decent daily driver for lots of mixed highway and city (Boston and NY city type) driving after a near frame off rebuild and upgrade? Am I going to dump more money into this project than a decent used Honda or Toyota SUV?

I was hoping to take my time with this, finish the dump truck and sell it, and build this diesel blazer. Now I'm in a pickle for time. I had to take my 2012 2500HD into Boston this morning, and it sucks. Its tough on gas, but the worst part is the trafic is awful and people drive like idiots. My 2500 will be junk by the end of the year if I keep this up.

[Irish1941]

There is a long answer and a short answer.
Short: Get a CRV or something small. Subaru AWD, VW TDI Passat Quattro or Audi All-Road if Honda doesn't quite do it for you and just park the HD. Or sell it sell it...that is if you don't need to haul around a job-box or 10'x2"'x10"s.

Long: The 4BT/NV4500 while an awesome swap & huge on the cool scale, will not get 30 mpg in in town you want. 22 at very best. Won't change on the highway either. Stop and go might make that worse. You're asking a 6,000 lb truck to get the mileage of a Tercel. Big order.
And the parts hunt alone will kill you, both time and wallet wise.
I've cut more than one heart out of a bread truck and seen these swap go sideways quick due "unforeseen" problems.
The GM trans is clocked on a 4BT (like a T5 in Camaro) and you need an adaptor just run right. Then you need proper clutch& flywheel, motor mounts, throttle cable and a pile of other little things.
And a lift of at least 4" because the oil pan won't clear the front diff. They weigh more than a SBC. Somewhere around 800-900lbs fully dressed vs 550 for a SB Chevy. That means bigger aka heavier springs.
There is WAY more to it but think you get the idea. The fuel savings does not even come close to out weighing the swap costs.
If you really want a diesel one, look for a Blazer/Jimmy with a 6.2 in it already. Dogs yes but they do decent mileage and bullet proof if maintained. Won't win a drag race but you'll get there with fuel to spare. US Army bought 50,000 of them so they can't be that bad.
I'm no where near a diesel expert, just know what I've done an and what I've seen. You'll see claims of 32mpg from BT swaps online in full-size Chevys but I'd be leery. Maybe downhill in neutral with a tail wind.

[crashz]

Thanks Irish!

Can't really sell the HD as I use it for hauling and towing my Bobcat and tractor.

The 6.2 is not bad, but not the most reliable for a DD. Getting a bit hard to find civilian 6.2 L blazers as well. I forgot about the military blazers though. With a 700R4, that would be a good runner.

Either way, I have no time. I'll be traveling daily to Boston starting in May until the end of the year. Time to go weenie mobile shopping.

Thanks for the advice.

[special-K]

6.2 not reliable for daily driver? I admit I got lucky finding this one,but a K5 like my '85 6.2/700r4 Jimmy is just what you want except for the 30mpg (gets 22). That ain't happening in anything substantial. People ask me a lot if it was military. My answer,"No,it's better"

[mcmlxix]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4350208456.html

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4390859968.html

[crashz]

My past experience with the 6.2L diesels have been mixed, but a lot goes towards learning what to do and what not to do. Burned up some starters, snapped starter bolts and blocks, snapped glow plugs, started with starting fluid, replaced IP's, etc.

I guess it makes sense to stick with what you know.

A civi blazer/jimmy with 6.2 would give good mileage and be the perfect sized rig for my needs. I was thinking I could squeeze a few more mpgs from the from a 4bt / 5spd combo, and it would increase my chances of finding a clean blazer to start with.

Now to convince the wife that we need to go to Phoenix...