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Is this '74 K5 worth it, or should I keep looking?

AbramJ

AbramJ

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I have been talking with a guy who has a 1974 K5 for sale and was curious what you all thought. Its four hours away so getting out to look at it is hard at the moment, but the price is pretty low. I'm not looking for a perfect truck, so a project is fine, but is this too much of a project? I've asked for the history of the truck and am waiting to see what he has to say. The owner lives in the mountains so the truck has seen snow etc for at least as long as the current owner has had it. Should I take the time to go look at it?

His description is:

1974 K-5 blazer w/full convertible top. non running 350 engine. Body has a lot of surface rust that is savable. Right rear fender is rusted thru along with a couple spots on the driver side door. Top has a small crack on the left rear top. Interior is all there but is about the same condition as the exterior.

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Unless there is some particularly special feature of the truck, like the convertible top, that is a must-have for you, I'd keep looking. Odds are there are K5's closer by that are in better shape.

If you decide to buy it, make sure it's cheap, because it will need a lot of money and work. You won't know how much until you see it in person. Unfortunately with these trucks, rust is like roaches. What you see is most likely just the tip of the iceberg. And with a non-working engine, it makes determining other potential mechanical problems harder.
 
Personally, I see that truck as scrap. If your paying no more than $500 it would be Ok I guess. That way if you part it out you could maybe make your money back. If your looking to restore it, count on 10k minimum to do it with a truck that far gone.
 
Man, your location is in Arizona! Why are you looking at rusted trucks?

Official answer: I would pass for sure. From the few pics I couldn't see many redeeming qualities. Even at scrap price, you're going to sink a small fortune in it even for just a reliable trail rig.
 
There's a guy here that is fixing one up that was worse.

And it's coming together pretty sweet.


I'd buy it if it's cheap and make sure the floor gets some rigidity and wheel it :thumb:
 
y5mgisi said:
Personally, I see that truck as scrap. If your paying no more than $500 it would be Ok I guess. That way if you part it out you could maybe make your money back. If your looking to restore it, count on 10k minimum to do it with a truck that far gone.
Click to expand...

Ditto. My '74 is in much better shape and I figure I'm going to need $10k easy to get it where I want it.
 
If you just want to throw a small block in it, take the top off, and drive it around, it's worth scrap price.

Martin
 
That has nothing to offer. Honestly I wouldn't even pay scrap price unless it ran.

If somehow by the grace of god the windshield frame isn't toast that night be worth trying to get. I've seen alot of these that externally look pretty good, that are destroyed from rust structurally. I can't imagine what that looks like underneath.
 
I didn't notice you were in AZ. That's prime real estate for rust-free trucks. Unless the goal is a cheap farm truck, you will save considerable time, money, and aggravation picking a vehicle with a better body. Unless you are a glutton for punishment and need a restoration project, pass.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I guess my main reasons for looking at this truck were:

1. Its a full convertible
2. Its cheap (6-700)
3. It is set up for AC
4. Clear title
5. "stock condition"
6. Its a project

There are quite a few other K5s for sale that aren't rusty, but they are either chopped and dropped with a 91 front clip, monster truck lifted, the owner wants a ridiculous price (I'm talking 10,000+), the owner claims all this new work done but truck looks "off" or they don't include pics of said work, the listing/owner seem sketchy, the truck doesn't have AC, or they only want to trade for something else (which is silly if I have the money why not take that instead).

Again thanks for the replies. I'll keep thinking this one over and keep looking.
 
If you want a full convertible you can make one from a half cab. You'd need to simulate the rocker boxes that were on the full converts or tie the windshield frame to a full cage roll bar. Of course you'd need to graft on a 73-75 windshield frame and cut the door frames accordingly.
 
Some of the most fun I ever had in aK5 was in a rusty pos, $100 1985 K5 that was held together by the carpet.

Martin
 
If it ran I'd buy it in a heart beat.

Too many people here afraid of some rust. Unless the frames gone. Body rust will hinder nothing besides looking fugly, and possibly a breeze inside and you may see the ground.

Talk him down. And see what he says.
 
Im with everybody else. Pass. That thing is junk. That ain't just a little rust...rust is all that's left. And the glass.
I can guarantee that if 1/4s look like that, the windshield frame and rocker boxes are beyond repair. If it was $100 and it ran, I keep walking. I've parted out far better looking '73-75s.
Don't know what your budget is or yr you really want but for $1000 you can get a sorta clean '76-'85 runner here in LA that wont pass smog. Not worth more than $500 if it can't pass smog.
 
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