Looking at Buying a K5 Blazer... School Me!!!

[Stingray42]

I want to know everything there is to know about 73-91 Blazers and Jimmys.... School me! Anything from websites to read to pics to look at! Thanks!!!!!

[Grim Reaper]

Rust installed at the factory. 73-75 are Roadsters (the whole roof comes off) they had "Rocker boxes" and very prone to rust out in those boxes. Pull carpet on those years and poke and prod everywhere between the wheels. Rocker boxes are not avalable and if they are bad the body will sag badly with the roof off to the point of not getting the doors to close. If you have mabitions of makeing a 76-91 a Roadster you will have the same problem if you do not do something to add strenght such as a full roll cage tied into the fire wall.windshield frame.

73-81 had 12bolt rear axles. Seem to take a little more abuse thenthe 10bolts.
73-77(about) had D44 front axles on the 4x4.
77-91 10 bolt front.
81-91 700R4
73-77 cargo floor reached back of front seats.
78-91 Rear seat footwell that improved passenger comfort. Flip and fold back seat and gas door.
76-77 a Factory camper option called the Chevy Chalet or GMC Casa Grande
87-91 Fuel injection.
86-91 Dip galvanized bodies to combat rust.
All 1980 4x4s have NP205
Most 73-79 have NP203
81-90 have NP208
91 has NV241
90-91 Power mirors were available.
89 4 spoke steering wheen and perhaps the nicest interrior.

There is no such think as a Roadster door. They are all truck doors. Roadter doors were made by cutting of the frame and adding a fill peice at the back for strenght and to screw a trim plate.


What else you wanna know?

[Grim Reaper]

Ohh yah in 83 they no longer made a 2wd.
www.ck5.com

[Stingray42]

Ok, I want a 4x4, and the convertible sounds cool (all of em right?)

Anys suggestions on good years, and ones to look out for?
Also, i heard some have full time 4x4, whats that mean, and is it good? What is best tcase and tranny in these (strongest) Thanks!!!

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Stingray42

Ok, I want a 4x4, and the convertible sounds cool (all of em right?)

Anys suggestions on good years, and ones to look out for?
Also, i heard some have full time 4x4, whats that mean, and is it good? What is best tcase and tranny in these (strongest) Thanks!!!

Well the best Tcase is the NP205. But most of the 70's if it had a Auto it had a NP203 full lime case. ALL 1980 trucks had the 205 and then in 81 they went to the NP208. the 208 had better low but it's weaker then both the 205 and 203.

203 had a bad rep mostly because of misunderstanding by the owners. YOU HAVE to keep the tires rotated and you have to replace all four as a set. Failure to do so will effect economy and will eventually wear the chain out. They can be coverted to part time but it does cause a oiling problem. You must put the case in LOC every 200-300 miles for 3-4 miles to refil a oil reservior in the tail housing. That reservior feeds a pump that lubricats the tail shaft bearing and the upper chain bearings. Failu to do this can cause that bearing to fail and or the case to become noisy.
Left full time with a good chain (expect to replace every 150K...it's about $120) and it's a pretty darn tough case that is stronger then anything but the 205.

My biggest concern would be rust. Everything else is plug and play on the truck. You want strong axles a D60 front off a K30 is a direct bolt in and a 14bolt form a 3/4 ton is a direct bolt in. You want a NP205...it's a bolt in...just need to find the right one to match your transmission.

I have a 75 for sale but it's a trail truck...Not a straight panel on it. It's full of goddies though. Asking $4k for it. Everything is rebuilt and has Detroit and Lockright the expensive part time kit. Other then dents it's only problem is it needs valve guide seals. $50 if you can do the labor to install them. It would take $10k to build one out like this if you have to pay the labor.

[MAC67]

ok here is one , a 74 custom conversion blazer , it was made by a company called henke , pronounced heenkey ,, i think that is how it is spelled , i found a 74 blazer , it has some rust butt it includes all new body panels , fenders doors and quarters , runs excellent , it has stuff from the conversion company like a full cage , front push bar , special steering wheel , a wierd recessed fiberglass hood , special molded lugage rack in the top ,, all kinds of goodies , air conditioning , it is orange and white , has anyone heard of these trucks ?

[Smokin72on20s]

where is rust most prone on blazers up to 86? I was thinking about getting this 85 4x4, anything i should know before i go take a look at it?

[MAC67]

these blazers were bad to rust , well like any of them really , check youre rockers over really good , and the tub , the spot i always check really good is right inside the back wheel well on the floors , check all the floor pans really good , also look inside the frame where the steering box bolts on to make sure the frame isnt cracked out , all the 73-87 4x4's were very bad about this