Chevrolet K5 Blazer
The ubiquitous K5 was sold from 1969 to 1991, in two generations. It offered six-cylinder or V-8 power, as well as diesel, came with a two-door layout, an available convertible top, leaf-spring front and rear suspensions (on four-wheel-drive models), and a solid front axle (also on four-wheel-drive models). Two transfer cases were offered, and the Blazer had eight inches of ground clearance. Militarized versions were even produced, with some still in use.

Chevrolet Suburban
While the current Suburban is thought of as a large wagon meant for hauling suburbanites across town (though it’s not inept off-road), and the first few generations were essentially wagons, the 1960-1966 models, which marked the fifth generation, had plenty of off-road chops, thanks to the first application of available factory four-wheel drive and a choice of six- or eight-cylinder engines. Available transmissions included three- and four-speed manuals and the famous two-speed Powerglide automatic.

Chevrolet Avalanche
It was an ugly duck, to be sure, but over its 12-model-year run the Avalanche managed to snag a major award from Motor Trend – SUV of the Year in 2002 – along with a nomination for North American SUV of the Year that same year. It was available with two V-8s – one for half-ton trucks and one for three-quarter ton models – as well as a Z71 off-road package and full-time push-button four-wheel drive. Owners could also opt to delete the body-cladding that helped give the Avalanche its, um, distinctive looks. It may have been homely, but it had enough capability to be at home off-road.

S10 Blazer
Built from 1982 to 2005, the S10 Blazer was the smaller version of the K5. There were two generations of this rig, with two- and four-door versions available. One available package was the ZR2 for two-door Blazers, which gave the SUV a three-inch lift to go along with 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio, skid plates, a Bilstein shocks, a tougher rear axle, front anti-sway bar, and larger wheel and axle bearings, among other off-road goodies. Depending on the generation and model year, the Blazer had either a manual or electronic transfer case and offered either four-cylinder or V-6 power – a diesel four-cylinder was even available on first-generation models.

GMT400 C/K Pickups
Built for 10 years (’88-’98), the fourth-generation of the C/K line was known as being the subject of those old commercials featuring Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock.” It was offered with off-road packages such as the Sport Appearance package and W/T (for “work truck”). V-6 and V-8 (both gas and diesel) engines were offered, and the front suspension was now fully independent. In addition to badging and trim enhancements, Sport-packaged trucks offered heftier oil/transmission cooling lines, stouter brakes, and stiffer rear suspension.

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