Help for a Newbie looking to buy a 69-72

[mikepa]

I am new here what a great site. I have loved the old blazers for a long time and am finally able to buy one. I have located a 72 4wd. Is there anything specific to these vehicles that I should look for when I get a chance to look it over closely and what is a fair price. It looked very clean from the street. It has brand new paint but I did notice that they painted over the rot under the doors (obviously a red flag). Over all it is pretty straight but not perfect, no lift, looks to be a new interior. Originally had ac but the compressor is missing. I havent driven it yet as the seller and I havent been able to get our schedules together. He had it marked at 4900 but immediately offered it to me for 4000. Im thinking I can probably get it for around 3500. I can get get some pics and post them if it would help. I dont want a show truck. just something that looks decent that I can fix up slowly with my son. Any suggestions?

[losangelesk5]

Yeah....Post some pics and I'm sure the guys around here will all give you their input . That would probably help you decide if you want it or not

[Yukon Jack]

I did a little searching as this question comes up occasionally but I was having trouble finding a good post to refer you too.

In one post it was mentioned to check for the following:

Rust in the windshield frame, A-pillar, B-pillar, torsion boxes (structural support for when the top is off located under the truck between the rockers and the frame) and the C-pillar.

Also, if it is a 4wd, check the frame around the steering box. They can crack if it's been driven hard off road.

You'll also want to inspect the top for damage, hatch parts are hard to come by.

If it has carpet, pull it back to get a good look at the floors so you can see how bad they are.

[BLUE THUNDER]

I'm with yukon on the advice. The only other thing I could suggest is a/c. Nice,cold, a/c. Even if its not working, a/c. Good luck on your purchase. Mario

[BigRed Beast]

Doing the same thing with my son. The cleaner the start, the better. I agree with Yukon--the cosmetic stuff is easy, the frame stuff is tough.

We bought ours with attention to what we could do ourselves and what we would have to pay to have done--and all the frame stuff is out of our reach. Lots of other things are bolt on, or, at least, creative bolt on. Having workable seats is a plus--see if the passenger seat allows someone to climb in the back--but did your post say you were in Fresno? Heck, the top comes off, first thing! Stock interior is a plus, but a clean interior works almost as well.

A note on tops--are you aware that there are two different tops for these? A double wall and a single wall? Doubles are obviously heavier, and you can tell based on how it's bolted on--from under the rail is a double. Most of the guys on this forum prefer the lighter single wall if for no other reason than it's easier to bolt on and off--the bolts are on the top of the rail.

You might also see if this blazer has a soft top to go with it--another hard-to-come-by item. Even the soft top frame is worth having.

If your like me, you're getting something you and the boy can work on together, and it's great for that. The great bonus is that, if you do it even reasonably right, you have a real head turner that's also pretty practical and will hold or increase in value. Pretty cool combination!

Go get it and send pics...

DB

[bouncytruck]

If the top has dome lights, it's a single wall - no dome lights its a double wall.

I would unbolt the top and check the windshield frame where it meets the top. It will also tell you if the truck was painted with the top on or off - which, in my opinion, would be a good indicator of the quality of work.