Eagle0800
Registered Member
Hello all,
I'm somewhat new to this forum; I’ve been lurking around for around a month before I got a subscription. Just to let everyone know where I'm coming from, I have some experience with K5s, may dad owned an 87 that he bought new and sold with regret in 2003. Since then I’ve been looking for a solid K5 around where ever I’m living, with a few stops in between. Now I find myself in South Dakota looking around and there isn’t much locally but I’ve found a few in Colorado. It’s at best a 5 hour drive to where they are, and he sellers I’ve talked to have either been vague or really helpful with my questions and requests.
I’ve used the tread with guide lines on buying a K5 in my requests for pictures and other information, so I’ve annoyed a few sellers with a laundry list of questions.
One that catches my eye at the moment is a K5 in the Fort Collins area, about 6 hours away. The seller sent me a few pictures and from what I can tell it’s in good condition and also sent a list of issues and upgrades. I guess my question; would you stake a 6 hour drive on some pictures and the sellers word?
Thanks for any and all help, I will try to post some pics of it ASAP,
Eagle0800
Also here is some of the letter he sent. hope it's not to much to read!
"I am not sure how many miles are on the engine. It was swapped out before I purchased the truck. The body has 91k on the odometer. It starts very easily and runs strong with no leaks. I think the carb needs a little work as there is a little hesitation when cold and you hammer the accelerator. Otherwise she runs well. There is some play in the steering, but it does not pull or shimmy down the road. The back rim on the passenger side got up next to a big rock and is bent a little. It has a little wobble in it going down the road. It is the rim and NOT the axle...I checked on that to be sure. A replacement rim would not be too spendy... I never worried about it since it doesnt affect handling or tire wear.
The outside of the blazer....not pretty. It has rust on the bottom of the tailgate, rear of the floor next to the gate and behind both rear wheels. The front passenger fender has a crease in it from a run-in with a tree and the door on same side has a dent that has been pulled out. The guy who had it before me rattle-canned it flat black. It is a Colorado truck so the rust is not horrible, but it is there. No rust on the frame tho.
It will also vapor-lock if sitting and idling for too long in summer. The exhaust on the passenger side was run too closely to the frame rail on that side and that frame rail holds the fuel lines. At idle, not enough fuel or air moving through there and she will lock up. I bought an electric Holley HI-FLO in line fuel pump but havent installed it...that may fix the problem....or exhaust will need to be redone on that side. It has dual exhaust all the way from the manifold with Cherry Bombs...sounds great.
When I replaced the alternator, I took off the air-pump and the hoses for the AC. AC works but will need hoses put back on to work again....sorry but I tossed that stuff.
OK...so the good stuff about it.
Newly rebuilt transfer-case (NP208)
New HD clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing
Remanned alternator
Replaced front and rear end with 3:08 gears and warn hubs
New radiator, belts and hoses
Replaced all guages
New stereo...cheap but works well...has a 400W amp and Sony Xplod speakers with box speakers in addition for cargo area Total of 6 speakers.
Replaced tires and rims with 33" tires...have at least 60-70% tread left. Big knobby mudders...super noisy on the hi-way but with these tires I can go places in 2WD my buddies cant in 4WD."
I'm somewhat new to this forum; I’ve been lurking around for around a month before I got a subscription. Just to let everyone know where I'm coming from, I have some experience with K5s, may dad owned an 87 that he bought new and sold with regret in 2003. Since then I’ve been looking for a solid K5 around where ever I’m living, with a few stops in between. Now I find myself in South Dakota looking around and there isn’t much locally but I’ve found a few in Colorado. It’s at best a 5 hour drive to where they are, and he sellers I’ve talked to have either been vague or really helpful with my questions and requests.
I’ve used the tread with guide lines on buying a K5 in my requests for pictures and other information, so I’ve annoyed a few sellers with a laundry list of questions.
One that catches my eye at the moment is a K5 in the Fort Collins area, about 6 hours away. The seller sent me a few pictures and from what I can tell it’s in good condition and also sent a list of issues and upgrades. I guess my question; would you stake a 6 hour drive on some pictures and the sellers word?
Thanks for any and all help, I will try to post some pics of it ASAP,
Eagle0800
Also here is some of the letter he sent. hope it's not to much to read!
"I am not sure how many miles are on the engine. It was swapped out before I purchased the truck. The body has 91k on the odometer. It starts very easily and runs strong with no leaks. I think the carb needs a little work as there is a little hesitation when cold and you hammer the accelerator. Otherwise she runs well. There is some play in the steering, but it does not pull or shimmy down the road. The back rim on the passenger side got up next to a big rock and is bent a little. It has a little wobble in it going down the road. It is the rim and NOT the axle...I checked on that to be sure. A replacement rim would not be too spendy... I never worried about it since it doesnt affect handling or tire wear.
The outside of the blazer....not pretty. It has rust on the bottom of the tailgate, rear of the floor next to the gate and behind both rear wheels. The front passenger fender has a crease in it from a run-in with a tree and the door on same side has a dent that has been pulled out. The guy who had it before me rattle-canned it flat black. It is a Colorado truck so the rust is not horrible, but it is there. No rust on the frame tho.
It will also vapor-lock if sitting and idling for too long in summer. The exhaust on the passenger side was run too closely to the frame rail on that side and that frame rail holds the fuel lines. At idle, not enough fuel or air moving through there and she will lock up. I bought an electric Holley HI-FLO in line fuel pump but havent installed it...that may fix the problem....or exhaust will need to be redone on that side. It has dual exhaust all the way from the manifold with Cherry Bombs...sounds great.
When I replaced the alternator, I took off the air-pump and the hoses for the AC. AC works but will need hoses put back on to work again....sorry but I tossed that stuff.
OK...so the good stuff about it.
Newly rebuilt transfer-case (NP208)
New HD clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing
Remanned alternator
Replaced front and rear end with 3:08 gears and warn hubs
New radiator, belts and hoses
Replaced all guages
New stereo...cheap but works well...has a 400W amp and Sony Xplod speakers with box speakers in addition for cargo area Total of 6 speakers.
Replaced tires and rims with 33" tires...have at least 60-70% tread left. Big knobby mudders...super noisy on the hi-way but with these tires I can go places in 2WD my buddies cant in 4WD."
The only lift is an unfinished 3" body lift. Body is rough to fair at best, count on more rust than you can see and more than the seller even knows about. 
