Newbie from NC

[Denny88K5]

Howdy folks, new to site, located in NC and looking for answers to one of the hardest questions in all blazerdom. I have an 88 K5 and not the fancy version either but more of the Plain Jane type. Previously I had a 73 suburban that spent many a day off road but now has gone on to that great reward.

What in the blazer world happened in 88? Key parts seem to be easy to find up to 87 and 89 and after but my 88 seems to be the only year without parts available. She's a daily driver and I have already accumulated some parts plus I have the old np205 from the sub and the 1 ton axles and 8 inch skyjacker lift I started on the sub but looking for the time I can take it of the road long enough.

Why is 88 such a pain for some parts? My ac has never worked but trying to find an ac bypass pulley for this year is a pain but someone else must have solved this riddle. The engine is not original but a 350 w/ a non-serpentine belt. Other than maybe gutting the old compressor and/or shop fabricating some parts there doesn't seem to be a part available for the 88.

Searching the web hasn't been too fruitful but I'm hoping a fellow K5er has travelled this road before. If so, look me up ;-)

 

[6872xtc]

You shouldn't need a bypass pulley on yours, isn't it a single belt to the A/C compressor? It should have a wide rib belt on the alternator. At least that's what I remember finding on '87 to '88 Blazer and suburban before.

 

[wasted wages]

Welcome to the site !!

What part of NC are you from?
I used to live in Fayetteville many moons ago.
There were some nice places to go wheelin' out there..

 

[Denny88K5]

You shouldn't need a bypass pulley on yours, isn't it a single belt to the A/C compressor? It should have a wide rib belt on the alternator. At least that's what I remember finding on '87 to '88 Blazer and suburban before.

Welcome to the site !!

What part of NC are you from?
I used to live in Fayetteville many moons ago.
There were some nice places to go wheelin' out there..

Grew up in Fayetteville and wheeled up around Hope Mills back then.

 

[wasted wages]

Yup, that's where I was!!
I remember the night a bunch of tornadoes blew thru Red Springs... about blew the whole town off of the map...
One tornado destroyed a brick factory there,,, I think they said they found bricks as far away as Virginia!

edit: was the town of red springs...around 1984

 

[Big Ray]

Hi and welcome! I'm over in Havelock. As far as the 88, I don't think there's any major differences other than cosmetic. The grill & headlights. The steering wheel was upgraded to the 4 spoke with a cushioned wheel.

I believe that's the year they went with the aluminum accessory brackets vs the steel one piece on the 87.

1990 saw the introduction of the electronic speedo. Now as far as ac parts, 87-91 should all use the same parts. Use a different (shorter) belt if you want to delete ac.

 

[Big Ray]

After further looking, you might just need the delete pulley. Those are readily available