This might sound stupid but bear with me as I am still new, but wtf is the difference between a k5 and a k10? carfax listed my 81 as a k10, all my emblems say k5, what's the deal? basically my truck is stock except for the 350 that was dropped into it. I have many, many wonderful plans for the summer. I cant wait to get started.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
k5 vs. k10
- Thread starter bigkennye
- Start date
86dieselburb
1/2 ton status
K5 is the designation for the 4x4 Blazer and K10 is the designation for 1/2ton 4x4 truck.
a K10 is pickup and the K5 is the SUV with removeable top.
Edit: You beet me to it!
Edit: You beet me to it!
81K5GUY
1/2 ton status
my registration on my 81 says the same
Thanks guys, i have the removable top SUV but carfax must be a lil screwy these days, i was stumped for a second there. Thought I had some kind of quarter ton or something. I appreciate the explanations and it makes sense now.
all k5s should show up as k10's on their titles and things of this nature. k5 doesn't actually mean anything - 10 was the designation for 1/2 ton. your truck is a 1/2 ton, but happens to be a blazer, so they throw the k5 simbol on the side. i read a big article someone posted up on here over a year ago about that. gm and their titles can get pretty wierd.
bigkennye where are you located in va?
3 on the tree
1/2 ton status
I don't know about later models, but my 70 K5 only shows a load capacity of bout 600 pounds,less than a 1/2 ton PU???
My K5 is listed as a V10 on my title. So how 'bout them apples?
pauly383
Daddy383
As far as GM , insurance companies , and te department of motor vehicles are concerned , they are K10's ( R/V after new body pickup came ) . The K5 was a name , just as Silverado , Cheyenne etc .The Butcher said:
Heres an excerpt taken from the last page of the 1984 Brochure on Dremu's page that clearly says " Blazer ( series K10 ) " :
Last edited:
pauly383
Daddy383
They only have the newer 1500 stuff to put on after its been in a body shop either for a repaint , or a wreck 
My 83 has just the chrome strips !!
My 83 has just the chrome strips !!
The Butcher said:
they changed from a K to a V designation for 4wd around 1988. i forget what the 2wd designation is.
Leper
1/2 ton status
My V10 Blazer is more magnetic than yours.
tiger9297
1/2 ton status
Try going to AutoZone (Car Polish World) and tell them you have a V10 Blazer. After they look up the S10 then they will start asking if it has a V10 IN it?????? It takes lots of explaining to the "professionals" at Car Polish World
K5 is a badge on the side of the truck, nothing more.
K (or V) 10 (or 1500) means a 4WD, 1/2 ton truck, including Blazer/Jimmy, Suburban, and pickup. The letter and numbers change by year.
69-87 are C (2WD) and K (4WD). Possibly 67 and 68 as well, donno.
88-91 are R (2WD) and V (4WD) for Burbs, Blazer/Jimmy, and sixpack pickups (old body style), and C/K for single cab pickups (new body style.)
GMC changed to 1500/2500/3500 earlier than Chevy, forget when. This is all on my History Of The Blazer page and is largely listed as "GM is silly."
http://www.slosh.com/cars/blazer.html
Blazers and Jimmies only ever came as 10/1500 (1/2 ton); Suburbans up to 20/2500 (3/4) and pickups through 30/3500 (1 ton).
In short, K5 == K10 == V10 == K1500 == V1500.
Confused yet?
-- A
K (or V) 10 (or 1500) means a 4WD, 1/2 ton truck, including Blazer/Jimmy, Suburban, and pickup. The letter and numbers change by year.
69-87 are C (2WD) and K (4WD). Possibly 67 and 68 as well, donno.
88-91 are R (2WD) and V (4WD) for Burbs, Blazer/Jimmy, and sixpack pickups (old body style), and C/K for single cab pickups (new body style.)
GMC changed to 1500/2500/3500 earlier than Chevy, forget when. This is all on my History Of The Blazer page and is largely listed as "GM is silly."
http://www.slosh.com/cars/blazer.html
Blazers and Jimmies only ever came as 10/1500 (1/2 ton); Suburbans up to 20/2500 (3/4) and pickups through 30/3500 (1 ton).
In short, K5 == K10 == V10 == K1500 == V1500.
Confused yet?
-- A
pauly383k10 said:They only have the newer 1500 stuff to put on after its been in a body shop either for a repaint , or a wreck
My 83 has just the chrome strips !!
I thought so to but i asked the guy i bought it from and he said they were original
Jagged said:
Second that.
'87 also changed from C to R for the 2wd crowd.
