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Blazer Buying tips...Finally bought one....

simpleman83

simpleman83

1/2 ton status
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
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Location
Atlanta, GA
I'm going to check out this K5 on friday afternoon, the seller says it has:
10 bolt axles
350 rebuilt 1.5 years ago at 80,000 miles
TH350 rebuilt 1.5 years ago, mileage unknown
didn't know what transfer case it had

My question is this, I know about usual rust spots etc that I should be checking out, is there anything in particular about this year(77) that I should be paying particular attention to that would cost a lot of frustration, time, and money down the road? To me, it looks like there may be some type of lift already on it so I will be checking that out as well as cracking around the steering box. Any technical guidance on checking out a vehicle this old would be appreciated. Thanks guys,

Pics and craigslist ad here:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/467804946.html
 
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so if its a 12 bolt, would that mean that its still a half ton or 3/4 ton? would it most likely have 3.73 gears? Any other input on what I should be looking for mechanically especially with respect to the fact that the owner says that the drivetrain has been rebuilt/replaced? Anyone got anything on whether they think it has a lift or not? It also looks like there are warn hubs on it as well....
 
Its definitely a 1/2ton...the 6 lugs give that away. As far as since you said it could possibly been replace (axles), a 12b with have 12 bolts holding the cover on and a 10b will have 10 bolts. It does look like by that picture of the front tire that there might be a 2"-2.5" lift.
 
yeah, the 10 bolt 12 bolt thing I knew, I just didn't know if it could be a 3/4 ton for whatever reason...... I appreciate the help, I guess I'll just have to see what I'll be working with, I think that 1500 is probably a good price if everything works and it runs smooth. The owner also told me that it drives fine, but he doesnt want to move it far or fast because he was going to bleed the brakes and re-fill them, would there be anything I could look for to see if there's a bad problem with them besides just looking at brake lines and dents or whatever on rotors/drums?
 
I hate body work and I like to have a semi decent looking truck so the cracked bondo in the tailgate would drive me away. My bro in laws blazer is half bondo it looks good even up close but if you hit either fender with a hammer most of it would drop away.

I don't know how your area is but with gas prices nowadays you can't hardly give away a blazer up here, I have seen 87 and 88s that are super nice for under 2 grand

Any truck you buy that is that old is going to have some crap that someone did along the line that is going to cause you pain and fustration. Fun aint' it :D

Also stock axles for it should be a 44 front and a 12 b rear. Although someone may have swapped them in. Who knows with something that old
 
Thanks for that, I probably won't be too worried about gas prices or body work because this will be mostly a trail only vehicle and maybe a little mall cruizin' so there will probably be even more body damage to it when I'm done with it. Mostly just a hobby that will end up taking up more of my time than I can imagine.
 
My '77 had a dana 44 front and a 12 bolt rear. Its possible that it could even have flat top knuckles (the kind that allow you to use crossover steering).

Blazers shouldn't have emissions equipment until '79.

There really isn't too much to be concerned about, '77 was a good year for Blazers IMO (plus you get that '77 specific yellow stripe in the trim :thumb)
 
My 76 had a 12B rear and D44 front. I thought when they switched to the 10B's, they were the front and rear at the same time, I never heard of a truck come stock with a 12B and 10B. But like it was already mentioned, who knows what has been swapped out on that truck over the years. I personally will never buy a K5 older than an '87 ever again. The fuel injection is just too nice of an upgrade, and with gas prices, they too can be found for a deal.
 
Well, I went to look at it and it was fairly disappointing to say the least. The whole passengers side of the truck was pretty rusted out at the bottom and, while I am looking for a trail truck that I'll probably beat up a fair bit, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. The bigger issue was the fact that he has started a lot of work and not finished it. The truck wouldn't start because the battery was dead, even though he had replaced the entire drivetrain, 350/350/203, the exhaust headers weren't hooked up. The dashboard had been taken off and not put back to hook up some electrical stuff. It just had way to much to clean up after someone else. I'm looking for a little fresher start than trying to fix someone else's mess. So, I left there and saw an 85 for sale for 1600 and test drove it, it had a 305 and pretty squirly brakes and steering, 2.5 inch blocks in front and back... The biggest thing on this one is that its got the 305, I'm trying to stay away from those and stick to the 350. I'll keep looking and staying patient till I find the right one..
 
What does anyone think of this one... I'm asuming the TBI EFI is a huge plus on this one? $2500? good?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/476654512.html

There is another one that is a 79 with an 89 clip on the front it's only $1350, would the price difference between these two be enough to deal with eventually doing a TBI swap in for the carb? I've looked around and the consensus to do the swap seems to cost about $500, but it seems like some times it can end up being a huge PITA. Right now it would be nice to spend $1000 less and be able to use that for tires/lift/gears etc. but after doing research around here, it sounds like it may be worth the $2500 just to not have to deal with eventually doing the TBI swap.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/482468221.html
 
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They are asking 2500. Go in there complain about gas prices and pull out 1800 cash.
From the pics it looks like a nice truck as long as it is not rusted out. If that is orginal mileage that is a good deal.
 
3/4 Ton Blazer said:
I thought when they switched to the 10B's, they were the front and rear at the same time, I never heard of a truck come stock with a 12B and 10B.
Click to expand...

A lot of the 78.5-81 trucks had 10b/12b setups from the factory.

Go with a truck that's as close to stock as possible to start with. It'll save you a LOT of headaches. That '89 for 2500 seems like a good deal to me. Stay away from some other yahoo's half-finished project!
 
I wonder if that is really an '89. It has the earlier grill on it. I know it could have been swapped on, but why would someone downgrade the front end?
 
Yeah i dont think $2500 is worth it. you would be getting screwed. I mean i got a 87 k5 with a tranny problem and come to find out all it was, was the filter wasnt on. now it runs smooth as all hell. if you look around you can get a nice k5 for mid 1000.
 
I would be concerned about all the straps and bungee cords on the first. The second is probably not an '89 with that grill. The third is pretty clean. My only complaint would be the lack of TBI on it. Keep looking for an '89. Had TBI, no anti-lock brakes, newer lights and a clean interior with all the fun stuff. If you don't need all the power options (sounds like you don't) then look for an '87-'91 without all that (still TBI).
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I have turned my attention after all the replys to trying to find a newer (87-91) K5. The first one turned out to be a huge Piece and was going to be an enormous headache. The second one is a 79 I think with an 89 grill or something and the last one is supposed to be an 89... I'm definately looking for the TBI now, so thanks for pointing me in that direction. I guess I'm just going to have to be a little more patient trying to find one than I thought. Let me know if anyone hears about a good deal around the ATL. I'll keep you posted and hopefully I'll try to look at that 89 on Sunday or something. Bulldog, besides the front grill, why don't you think that it has TBI? Ya'll don't think that its worth 2500 if its in good shape and TBI? what would it be worth? is 2000 still too much?
 
I thought you knew it didn't have the TBI on the 3rd one from your comments above about having to do a swap later. The interior upgrade sounds nice and the TH400 is prefered to the TH350 for strength. The owner says he has the original TH350 and 205 case. He doesn't mention what case is in it now. Things like that just throw me off.:eek1:

Another thing I like about the later years is the trans. The 241 has a lower first and od. Put a SYE kit and you are good unless you try to put the whole weight of the truck on the transfer case.

If you want I will keep a notepad ready for any decent looking trucks around here. That is if you want to drive about 7 hrs to see one. You said close to Hotlanta but not how close.;) Let me know.
 
So, I've either talked to or went and driven all of these blazers and they were either sold or not worth taking home. I'm pretty disappointed with everything I looked at and I'm hoping that something else comes up. I saw an 85 that I thought would be perfect but by the time I called, it had already been sold. Now that I've been reading more, its making me want an 87-91 more but I don't know how much its worth. Also, I'm getting sort of frustrated looking for one and getting a little impatient. Hopefully one will turn up soon that fits everything that I'm looking for. Any other advice at hunting one down would be appreciated, everything I've heard so far has helped, although it has narrowed my vision a certain amount. Thanks for all the help.

Here's to drinking tonight since I have nothing to work on or test drive tomorrow!:bow::doah:
 
Don't get impatient, that's what will get you in trouble. Keep an open mind about things and you will end up with what you want not what you settled for.:wink1:
 
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