Buying a 72 K5?

[rjkharry]

I am going to look at my first 1st generation blazer Sunday. It looks clean from the pictures and the "claims no rust". It has a few upgrades and has been garage kept since he had it. I'm not sure what axles they are but they are 8 lug It has a 400smb chevy that has been redone nice with headers and a holley carb. He is asking $5900. I was wanting to get some thoughts and maybe some key things to look for in these first generations. Thanks for the help.

 

[NorCal69]

Nice another 1st gen.

All that I could tell ya is look for rust, rust and rust. Take a look at the rocker box's, they are the main support for the full vert. Windshield frame, kick panels and the floor in the corners. The back tail pan is another good one to rust out on these also.


Take Pics and up them up in the 1st gen section.

 

[Greg72]

Everyone claims "no rust"........ trust me, there's rust.

Unless the seller has DETAILED photos of a recent restoration that clearly show the areas listed above in bare metal, you can count on finding rust hidden underneath the paint / bondo / carpet in those front footwell areas.

That doesn't mean the truck isn't worth buying, but you need to consider how much the rust matters to you and what it will take to fix it (both $$$ and time).

If you want to really scare yourself, look at a few of the 1st Gen Build threads here.... that will give you a good sense of what a "rust free" truck ends up looking like once you tear into it.

 

[NorCal69]

If you want to really scare yourself, look at a few of the 1st Gen Build threads here.... that will give you a good sense of what a "rust free" truck ends up looking like once you tear into it.

Mine was rust free.

 

[dremu]

Yes, by "rust free" they mean that there IS rust, and you're getting it for free.

-- A

 

[rjkharry]

Are some areas of rust better than others or are there some areas that rust that would make it a no deal. What about the price does that sound fair assuming it isnt rusted all up. I am going to look under the carpet and at the body mounts and the bad areas so to speak.

 

[scottishdave]

That all depends on how much time and effort you want to spend on the truck. And How much you want the truck.

The entire Rocker and driver/passanger floor areas are usualy what get rusted out the worst. This can range from some minor surface rust to almost 100% rusted away. Also, some owners use paint and bondo to cover it all up. If there is carpet on the floors then i would suggest lifting the carpet to look under there.

Go look at it and take LOTS of pictures of the rocker areas, quarter panels, floor's, windshield frame, EVERYTHING!! If you think you are taking too many pics, take about 20 more and you should be good. Then post them up here, and we can help you out.

 

[70jimmy]

check floor pans all over especially corners toward the tail gate and around the inner fenders on the rear of the vehicle, look both from inside and underneath.

Check rocker panels and doors on the inner bottom edge and front corner of exterior and front fenders.

Definitely lift carpet, rubber mat, whatever.

Bring a flashlight and look in the cowl slots where the windshield washer squirts out and look for piled up leaves / debris

Look at the Rocker boxes as mentioned and around all body mounts.

 

[Z71paramedic]

I can't add too much value to what has already been said. Mine was also "rust free" and I'm 13 months into my rust repairs right now

The rocker box end caps that are in the rear wheel wells will unbolt. For $5,900 the guy should be willing to let you unbolt one or both (14 1/2" bolts) to get in there and peek at it with a flashlight. That will show you the most about the condition of the truck. If it's actually rust free and doesn't need a ton of work 6k isn't a bad price. I paid 5 for mine and thought I had a smokin deal

 

[72k5mike]

Cracks in the frame, especially in the steering box area. not the end of the world, but definitely worth looking at before you start driving it


Good luck!

 

[rjkharry]

I went to look at it yesterday. There is some rust of coarse. The body mount areas looked okay. The floor and rockers looked okay. I didn't unbolt but the floor is lined so I could see pretty good from up top. The quarter panels were rusted.but someone has made a repair but it seems as if they just put sheet metal over the the rusted area. Im not sure if the first gens had a like a double cavity there or what but you can plainly see the rust from underneath on the back side and you see where they put the new metal over it from the back but standing outside it looks normal?? I can't see where the joined it in. I am going to go back tomorrow and take a lot of pics I didn't have a camera yesterday. I think the guy is negotiable on the price. I am not sure if the rust is enough to scare me away but if anyone has a 1st generation rust free for sale maybe I'll reconsider.

 

[scottishdave]

After we see pics we can judge better but the prospect of a legit rust free 1st gen for any sort of reasonable price is a pipe dream. End of the day, there is going to be some rust to deal with. But there is some rust and then there are the horror stories that most 1st gens are. So get some pics and we can help you out.