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Blazer k5 buying advice

C

clecio

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Hi,

I am new in this forum and planning to buy a Blazer k5 for a long trip to South America.
This car has to be 1982 or older, so I am wondering if someone could give me sometips about the best model/configuration for a long trip like this.
It has to be 4x4, but I am not planning to do Offroad. It will be just a nice feature to have just in case.
So, the truck should be good to drive in Highway. Are there any specific/model better for that? Such as transmission/differencial/gear ratio/better engine?

Thanks a lot for the help and Marry Christmas
 
There's a great buyers guide in the "garage" section that goes into great detail the things to look and look out for... The Search function will help you as well. Why 1982 or older? 30+ year old vehicles, dependability, and fuel mileage don't go together! Most of these trucks have outlived their life expectancy, require a ton of maintenance etc... Many require almost complete rebuilds. Parts are cheap and plentiful here in the USA, but I'd wonder how common they are where your planning on going?
 
I am living in US and moving back to Brazil in two years. My idea is having some adventure driving down there through South America, and then keep the car in Brazil, its new home. To be able to legalize the car in Brazil it has to be 30 years or older, so that is the reason.
I am planning to rebuild the car here before the trip, to make it reliable to drive that long. The main question is what is the best year/model older than 1982
 
That sounds like an awesome adventure. Are you looking for a full convertible or a half cab? If you want a full convertible you will have to find a 1973-1975.
 
Well, there are lots of opinions on which were the best, and I doubt that any of us will ever agree on that one. A better place to start is, what's your budget for this vehicle? In my opinion, you would want to find one in as close to stock condition as possible, and possibly restored already. A stock blazer will typically handle the best on the highway, and you typically know what to expect if you need to find parts. A fully restored one will often cost less than you could restore one yourself(I am currently proving this point myself). A stock Blazer is very capable off road! Be careful, sure you can buy one like I did for $1300, but I've already invested almost $9000(including purchase price) fixing it...
$1300 purchase price
$750 new tires
$500 all new brakes
$800 rebuilt rear axle
$1700 transmission rebuild
$2000+ Rust repair and paint
$850 soft top new
$400 engine repairs
Lots more I can't remember anymore....
All this is over 6 years time, and my truck has always been street legal and driven daily. If I had it to do over again, I would have shopped for a near perfect one to start with, and saved a few thousand $$$$. With the exception of the welding and transmission rebuild, I did almost everything myself. These are awesome trucks, and I don't regret it 99% of the time. One last question, can I ride along???
 
I personally prefer the half-cabs, the soft tops are much easier to work with, you still get the feeling of being in a convertible, and no sunburn!!! 1976 and up for me!
 
I agree with smier here. Knowing what your budget is and how much you personally can handle repairing are good starting points. A basicall stock unit would be the best all around vehicle for you. I say this thinking that on the trip down it will be the best road mannered while still able to navigate the rougher stretches of road. Since you plan on keeping down there stock would simplify getting things repaired that will eventually need attention.
 
Just to echo the guys here I'd try and find a truck that has at least been well kept and is in solid shape. A 30 year old or more basket case is going to take some major work.

Mine's 23, wasn't too beat, and I've got all kinds of little things to fix...in addition to the larger issues. Wouldn't THINK of driving it that far without it being 100% redone.

Kinda suck to be in the backwoods of Panama or Venezuela or the Amazon and need a part that doesn't exist within 3000 miles of you.
 
Ok. I agree, I stock Blazer will be more reliable.
Well, about budget I would say something around $13 or $15.000, including restoring, rebuilding and all the work on the truck before the trip.
So, Is the half cab better than the full convertible?
As far as transmission, what is the best one? There are 4x4 part time and full time versions?
 
Half cab vs full convertible is just personal preference.

Full time 4x4 will get worse gas mileage I think you would want part time.

In my opinion a 4 speed manual and a 350 would be your most reliable, economical, and serviceable drivetrain. I don't know what year Chevy went to the electronic quadrajet (e4mc I Beleive it's called) and although I find these easy to diagnose, for reliability I would want a truck that came with a q-jet that was the older type.
 
350, Q-jet, SM 465, NP 205...add a SF 14 bolt rear and D44 or 10 bolt 8 lug front end with 3.73's. Some 33's and a 2.5" lift and you'd have a dead reliable drivetrain.

Personally I'd aim for a '78 or a '79, the round headlight front end is sexy, you get a half cab, and you get the footwell for the rear passenger's to be more comfortable.
 
I couldn´t figure out the difference for ´78 and ´79 models front end.
I like the manual transmission but I think it would be hard to find.
 
What about the first generation? 69 to 72. What you guys think about it for a long trip.
Worse than a newer model?
I like how this model looks though.
 
I have no reason to dislike them, they usually cost more though... Definitely cool looking, and very similar drivelines to the newer ones.
 
Love the body style but they are more expensive and in bigger demand. Very similar in the drive train and easy to upgrade to newer components. Very little in the line of creature features though.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk
 
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