Advice for buying a Blazer?

[VA72C10]

I am looking for one myself...well, I have one but its' got more work than I want to put into it...

I'll be looking for a 4wd with a clean body. Two wheel drives are much more rare (which makes them expensive). You can convert a 4wd to 2wd. And likely come out even or ahead once you sell off the 4wd running gear to get 2wd stuff...

I don't worry about the engine/tranny. Those can be found reasonably or an LS swap done...most with nice engines/trans want top dollar to recoup the cost of the drivetrain...

You have the huge advantage of being in Oregon....check washington state and Oregon craigslist ads and I'm sure you'll find something affordable soon.

[Aarons72]

What about the top and hatch? How rare is a good one? I've heard things about single wall vs. a different kind? What's best as far as that goes?

[landy]

I think the single wall tops were only available in the later year first gen Blazers, i.e., '71 or '72, and are considered to be more desirable because they're lighter and less prone to sagging. My '72 has a double wall and seems to be fine.

Broken hatchs/parts are common and I don't believe anybody is making replacement parts. You may be able to find used replacement parts here and on Ebay. However, I don't think I'd make the type of top and hatch condition a primary criterion in Blazer shopping.

As others have said, go for the most rust-free Blazer you can afford. Rust and rot are very common in the first gens and can be expensive to repair.