Considering a k5, opinions?

[snafoo]

Hey guys, Im new to this site and k5s in general. Only recently have I seriously considered picking one up. I spotted this one on craigslist and sent him an email asking if he would like to trade for my 98 cherokee, to which he replied and said he would be interested.

heres the link: seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/1159097182.html

its got a 350 with a 700R trans and throttle body injection. These are good things in my book, would you k5 experts agree?

About my Jeep: Its a 98 Cherokee classic with 140000 miles, runs great, has a 4.5" lift but stock tires, not much done to it.

Do you guys think this is a good trade? Im thinking value here. I would value my Jeep at around $4250-$4750 in this area. I would want to take the lift off before trading. I dont want to pick this thing up and then only be able to get $1500 for it if I want to sell next summer or something

Also, what are k5s like to live with everyday? I would be mostly commuting ~3 miles to school or work, with lots of highway driving on weekends.

milage? noise and rattles? how often do you actually take the top off? problem areas that I should look out for?

Thanks!

 

[chriskayer]

any season other than winter, top is off. But I don't have to drive mine when its pouring rain

 

[snafoo]

yeah, we have pretty iffy weather sometimes and it can just start raining out of nowhere. maybe a waterproof interior would be in order

 

[drumz2129]

I used to put about 60 miles a day on my 84 K5 going between work and school (50 were interstate miles at 70+ mph). As far as noise, it is a diesel with a straight pipe off the turbo that dumps under the passenger seat, so mine wasnt quiet by any means. At the time i mainly used my 'street tires' which are 33x15.50R15 bridgestone duler MT, Sometimes i would run my 35x15.50 TSL SX.... which give a whole new meaning to the word loud when at highway speeds. As far as the top goes, I have carpet and cloth interrior so i would make sure to check the weather for atleast a week before removing the top (it was my only vehicle at the time) and it takes atleast 3 people to remove and replace so have a few friends lined up to help (2 can do it if it is stock height). I would also take note of where the covered gas stations or car washes are on your normal route incase you run into unexpected rain with the top off. Another option is to get a soft top that can be folded back or has removable sides.

 

[snafoo]

I think a soft top could definitely be in my future. I was reading some threads on the new tops by softopper. I dont like the look of those or the price too much though.

 

[drumz2129]

There was a company that used to make a top that was kinda like a toneau cover with a back glass for the blazers. I always wanted to get one but they quit making them before i could buy one. I liked the idea because you could keep it rolled up the the back with the trails in place if it did start to rain, only problem was no one could ride in the back.

 

[sandypants]

i use me as a dd for work and from MMA practice. once i properly tuned it i got resonable mpg not that far from your cherokee. i would get it.

 

[Desert Yeti]

Pavement/Commute: The problem with quantifying this is that K5's very greatly in this area. I've ridden in blazers that are very quiet and ride smooth as silk (at least as smooth as one can expect from a relatively short wheelbase on leaf springs) and I've ridden blazers that will deafen you and rattle your teeth on every pothole. My own K5 is somewhere in between. I'd say test drive it and see what you think. Definitely a good idea to take it up to highway speeds before you make a decision, although in general, the weight of a full size truck make it quite smooth, comfortable, and stable at speed unless there's something wonky going on with the steering.

Top Removal: Waterproof (or at least resistant) interior is less luxurious, but if you like to run topless and it's your daily driver / only vehicle, it's almost essential. Top can be done with one person if you have a garage or carport it can hang from. If not, then the other posters are correct... 2-3 people.

I'm not even going to comment on the mileage. There are people who claim to get 30mpg+ out of a gas V8 in a K5. On the other extreme, if it's out of tune, has lots of performance parts, or the tranny/axle gearing is numerically high, you could be looking at 6-8 mpg.

 

[El Larry]

I just traded a 91' 4-Runner for a 73' K5 and I love it, and drive it everyday with no complaints. It has a 4" lift with 33's on it, and my pregnant wife even loves to drive it!

 

[motorman629]

i love my k5 except it's out of tune and i just haven't had time to tune it right which is why i get about 8 mpg average...alright nuff of a hijack. I agree with "the yeti" and test drive and see if you like it. I own 2 S10 blazers and test drove my k5 before i bought it and was hooked instantly. Bought it when i got back from the test. best decision i ever made

 

[snafoo]

He didn't want to trade without the lift, and I feel like I would be taking a little bit of a loss in a straight trade so it looks like no deal.

Anybody want a 98 XJ?

 

[G-Force8]

He didn't want to trade without the lift, and I feel like I would be taking a little bit of a loss in a straight trade so it looks like no deal.

Anybody want a 98 XJ?

The blazer looks pretty clean in the pics. don't know about the interior,how much tread is left on the tires.....if he re-geared the axles when he lifted it. 35" tires are to big for stock axle gears and it would be a DOG on the road,especially going up-hill.

I would rather have the blazer then the XJ,but, I'd have to agree with you. Your XJ is a little more valuable than the K5 considering the year model and mileage,assuming its a relatively clean jeep.

If it was me,I'd make the trade even at a little loss to get the vehicle I wanted more. But thats me.

The smooth-running TBI350 engines matched up with the velvety-shifting 700R4 is a great all-around driving combination in my opinion. Most people here would probably agree. The blazer would need to be re-geared to 4.56:1 or 4.88:1 to get the engine rpm's back to where they need to be and to get the overdrive in the tranny functioning properly. If you're not wanting to spend the money on that sort of thing,then I'd suggest moving on.

 

[supersize75k5]

Ive had a couple cherokees and yours should sell decent. They make a great 1st car or used car for someone to buy. I hold out and sell it for a decent price and have some money to work with.

For 3500-5000 you can buy a pretty nice k5. The one you posted I believe is worth your trade strait across if it is what he says it is.

If you want reliability and a driver I would try to stick with 87-91 k5's for your shopping. I would easily say to factor in some needed maintenance into what ever you buy because more often that not it will need some for the age. Find one that an old timer had or someone who did not wheel it! Often these blazers get beat on when someone decides to lift it and never buys lockers, proper steering parts, or gearing to match the tires. This leads to a right foot scenario because the truck was not built for the abuse. It takes a decent amount of time, money and effort to build, wheel and maintain a off road vehicle.. if the maintenance and parts are not there.. often it was abused! For gas mpg's both my cherokees seemed to average about 13-15 mpg, a k5 with just a 4 inch lift, geared properly and gas motor I would say 9-13 mpg are reliable and feasible numbers.

I would NOTbuy one with the following unless I knew the seller and their habits.

- over a 2 or 4 inch lift
-rust issues"pull up carpet to check and crawl around it"
- missing smog equipment "example : no cats or smog pump present"
-clapped out interior
-scary wiring additions under the hood or dash
-cracked frame near the steering box
-worn out steering, loose parts or signs of excessive wear and tear


you would be surprised how neglected a vehicle can be but if you find these things and can tackle them it can help you get a better price.

Ill post some links to some locally that I think are good buys.

 

[supersize75k5]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1156713454.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1149099183.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1133670295.html

then there is the real nice one!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1130325738.html


good luck either way, post up and ask as many questions!

 

[G-Force8]

I absolutely agree with sticking with '87-91 model Blazers. For all around economy/performance/driveability/wheelin'ability they are the best "out of the box"

 

[snafoo]

Thanks for the replies guys! I didnt know 35" tires required a regear on k5s, but it makes sense.

I think what I am looking for is an unmolested 87-91 with a mild lift and a decent interior.

 

[G-Force8]

Thanks for the replies guys! I didnt know 35" tires required a regear on k5s, but it makes sense.

I think what I am looking for is an unmolested 87-91 with a mild lift and a decent interior.

Sounds ideal

 

[drumz2129]

Thanks for the replies guys! I didnt know 35" tires required a regear on k5s, but it makes sense.

I think what I am looking for is an unmolested 87-91 with a mild lift and a decent interior.

Definately. My 84 came with 3.42:1 gears behind the 6.2L and with the 33" tires, I had to be above 70 mph for the rpm to be high enough to use over drive. I regeared to 4.11 and it was perfect with the 33s but seems border line with my 35s. I have a D60/14FF behind the barn with 4.56 gears that are about to go under the blazer to deal with that problem.