“Best” years to look for?

[Fishwater2002]

I’m in the market for a K5, looking around in my budget of $20-$25k I’m seeing a few of the late ‘70’s and a lot of the late 80’s-early 90’s Blazers, it seems like my budget won’t get me a full lift off roof 2nd gen. While I like the styling of the round headlight Blazers the EFI and overdrive of the later Blazers are appealing since while not a daily driver I do plan on driving it on weekends up to the lake.

FWIW, I’ve had two K5’s in the past a ‘78 and ‘83 but never long term and just sold my GTO so I’m looking for a weekend toy. I like my rides to appear stock, original and unmolested but I also work on my own stuff so tend to modify them as part of the “hobby” once I get used to them.

So what are the pro’s and cons of the generations? Besides rust and the 6.2 diesel what should I avoid?

 

[imiceman44]

I’m in the market for a K5, looking around in my budget of $20-$25k I’m seeing a few of the late ‘70’s and a lot of the late 80’s-early 90’s Blazers, it seems like my budget won’t get me a full lift off roof 2nd gen. While I like the styling of the round headlight Blazers the EFI and overdrive of the later Blazers are appealing since while not a daily driver I do plan on driving it on weekends up to the lake.

FWIW, I’ve had two K5’s in the past a ‘78 and ‘83 but never long term and just sold my GTO so I’m looking for a weekend toy. I like my rides to appear stock, original and unmolested but I also work on my own stuff so tend to modify them as part of the “hobby” once I get used to them.

So what are the pro’s and cons of the generations? Besides rust and the 6.2 diesel what should I avoid?

In your budget you should be able to get the best of both worlds, an older model with newer efi engine.
If you don't need it yesterday, sign up for the paid membership, $25 / year, and post an ad in the classifieds or better yet, browse what is already there.
There has been a few deals like that this year

 

[imiceman44]

I’m in the market for a K5, looking around in my budget of $20-$25k I’m seeing a few of the late ‘70’s and a lot of the late 80’s-early 90’s Blazers, it seems like my budget won’t get me a full lift off roof 2nd gen. While I like the styling of the round headlight Blazers the EFI and overdrive of the later Blazers are appealing since while not a daily driver I do plan on driving it on weekends up to the lake.

FWIW, I’ve had two K5’s in the past a ‘78 and ‘83 but never long term and just sold my GTO so I’m looking for a weekend toy. I like my rides to appear stock, original and unmolested but I also work on my own stuff so tend to modify them as part of the “hobby” once I get used to them.

So what are the pro’s and cons of the generations? Besides rust and the 6.2 diesel what should I avoid?

There's actually one on there right now

 

[HankScorpio]

I have had many variants of squarebody trucks. I have '88, 2- '89, '90 and 2 '91 right now. For keeping them stockish its 87-91 all the way. The fuel injection is a big reason. There are some improvements in sound proofing and weatherstripping. You get hydraulic clutches '85 and up if you go manual. The later automatics get overdrive and its worth it for drivability. '90 and '91 have galvanized body panels. It doesn't guarantee no rust but it does help a lot. There are lots of advantages to the later trucks, it's why they usually cost more too.

I will never own a diesel one. Guys will argue that they love them and they are great, they are wrong.

I would not pay any extra for a 400 either. The cooling sucks and they don't make extra power. I wouldn't let a 400 kill a deal on a good truck but its not my preference. I would also avoid the 305, why get a smaller motor when 350 trucks are easy to find.

If you go earlier try to avoid the NP203. It works ok and there are part time kits but generally full time 4wd sucks and the NP203 has drawbacks. I drove a NP203 truck across the country 3 different times so, yes its usable but gas was also $0.99 back then.

 

[Fishwater2002]

I wanted to see how friendly this place was before I upgraded but it seems friendly enough so I just did the upgrade. I checked the classifieds which btw was accessible even before being a member and the only current listing that I see is a cage/crawler truck which is awesome but not what I’m looking for so I’ll post an add.

 

[Fishwater2002]

I have had many variants of squarebody trucks. I have '88, 2- '89, '90 and 2 '91 right now. For keeping them stockish its 87-91 all the way. The fuel injection is a big reason. There are some improvements in sound proofing and weatherstripping. You get hydraulic clutches '85 and up if you go manual. The later automatics get overdrive and its worth it for drivability. '90 and '91 have galvanized body panels. It doesn't guarantee no rust but it does help a lot. There are lots of advantages to the later trucks, it's why they usually cost more too.

I will never own a diesel one. Guys will argue that they love them and they are great, they are wrong.

I would not pay any extra for a 400 either. The cooling sucks and they don't make extra power. I wouldn't let a 400 kill a deal on a good truck but its not my preference. I would also avoid the 305, why get a smaller motor when 350 trucks are easy to find.

If you go earlier try to avoid the NP203. It works ok and there are part time kits but generally full time 4wd sucks and the NP203 has drawbacks. I drove a NP203 truck across the country 3 different times so, yes its usable but gas was also $0.99 back then.

All fantastic points, thank you!