Trade my 77 k10 for a 75 k5

[sky56]

Hey everyone a guy local to me proposed a poss trade to me so i figured i would toss it up here and see what some of the very knowledgeable people on these trucks thought. keep in mind that this would be a straight up trade. I love old chevys to begin with and i love my truck just as much as i do old blazer k5's

Vehicle #1 in a nutshell belongs to me. 1977 K10 4x4 LWB new radiator and jasper 350 last month. Muncie SM465 trans and NP203 t/c. Bucket seats, block lift unfortunately, BFG KO's 35x12.5x15, clean interior and everything works, not perfect but nice

Vehicle #2 in a nutshell belongs to him. 1975 K5 4x4 with 6" lift and BFG KO's 35x12.5x15 , hard top, corvette 350 rebuilt less than 15k ago, turbo 350 trans, bucket seats, converted r134 a/c, NP203 t/c, rhino lined floor and partial undercarriage, clean interior, almost everything works inside (dome lights and other small nick nack stuff).

let me know what you guys think. Any thing i should know about the blazers of that year or anything like that would be helpful. Or put yourself in my shoes if you can. Is this something you would do? if yes or no please tell me why. Thanks everyone take care

 

[skark_burmer]

check real good for rust. Whino lining hides stuff like thin rusty metal and holes really well.
I dont have much experience buying mid-west cars but its pretty much the same vehicle as what you already have, so you'll know what to look for.

If it were me... i dunno. depends on if you have a proven history on the motor he has. "15 k on a new motor" to me says "its blown out and has low compression on 1,3,4, and 7, plus some leaks and pings real bad when you floor it"

One thing of annoyance: because the pasanger compartment of the K5 is so much bigger than your K10, it will seem like forever till the heater gets you warm and cozy.

Oh, and tell him to paint it for you.
Im not a fan of safety orange, but...... purple...?

and another thing: turbo 350 trans. 3 speeds and they are all the wrong gear.
If you are doing commuting with it, on the highway, id pass.
If its a fun truck and you are not worried about mileage at highway speed then you'll not really care.

 

[sweetk30]

my big thing is ( corvette 350 ) bu!!****.

run the #'s on the block. i have seen somany 305 or worse 267 emissions motors. sold as 350hp 350 cid.

and check the body super well for the rust/patches/crap cover up job it might be.

 

[sky56]

I took the truck for a drive and it rides quite nice. Checked it
out and aside from the little stuff mentioned it's good to go. I typed in 1975 k5 blazer on you tube and the first video that comes up is one the previous owner of the truck made before he listed it on eBay. I got in touch with him and he told me aside from being great the only reason he sold it was because the car he always wanted (62 bonneville convt) became available. He then forwarded me the number of the guy he got it from in new jersey. That guy owned it for 5 years and got it from Florida. He only sold it because he had a baby
on the way and it wasn't considered a baby friendly car in hs eyes. I asked each of the 2 po several questions to see if there were any differences and there weren't. So it looks as if this is a solid truck. Mines not perfect either but a few people have told me a full removable top blazer is a bit more rare than my k10.

 

[1leg]

See if he will swap motors

 

[BIOHZDK5]

Get the K5! x2 on what Sky56 said on being rare. I lucked up and found two after looking for 3 months. If your K10 is not your DD then jump on it otherwise it gonna be a pro con thing. Once you drive it with no top though.......you will be glad you did it. Course I am partial!!!!!!

 

[sky56]

The k10 is my dd but I don't mind because I know it's not built for speed and I ride motorcycles so cruising is more fun for me. As for swapping the motor I don't think that would fly but it is a super clean truck and everyone I've talked to including my uncle (35yr master tech and truck expert) says it's rare and if it's good go that direction.

 

[throttleissues]

I like longbeds, but this seems like a good deal on your end. I'd go for the trade, even though the K5 is purple, mostly because it's a full-vert and more seats.

 

[fmstruck]

If it were me... i dunno. depends on if you have a proven history on the motor he has. "15 k on a new motor" to me says "its blown out and has low compression on 1,3,4, and 7, plus some leaks and pings real bad when you floor it"

You really don't think an overhaul lasts 15k on a smallblock? I have had multiple SBCs and BBCs run well over 100k after being rebuilt. Just sayin'

 

[tRustyK5]

You really don't think an overhaul lasts 15k on a smallblock? I have had multiple SBCs and BBCs run well over 100k after being rebuilt. Just sayin'

I think what he was referring to is the multitude of "rattle can rebuilds" out there. For me, unless I see paperwork with engine numbers I can confirm I treat the engine as a running core with over 100K miles on it. That's just the sad reality...

For me the hood scoop has to go. It looks stupid on there, and serves no purpose on a K5. Not big on the grill either, I much prefer the clean stock grill you have on the orange truck.

Full vert is pretty cool, but if you've never had one there are a few surprises. One is you best keep the interior very clean, because as soon as you remove that hardtop and go for a drive every bit of dust, grit and debris will become a tornado like swirl of crap around your head. My first 'ride' without the top I had all sorts of grit in my eyes within seconds of hitting 35 mph. I had to pull over...

My question is what is your situation that you need a K5 more than a pick-up? A K5 gains you rear seating, but much less load hauling versatilty. Do you regularly have more than one or two passengers? Kids? If not I'd prolly just keep the pick-up (and fix the hood kink before it gets worse)

Your pick-up qualifies as reasonably rare in that condition, and in that part of the country too...

Rene

 

[sky56]

I agree that the hood scoop has to go and the grille isn't much up my alley but at least there's on there. I've had an old 80 cj5 and I totally hear you on the dust and all that. The pickup is nice but in the years past I've had more use for interior space and all that. I thought I would utilize the pickup for hauling motorcycles but my brother and I converted an old boat trailer to hold 4-5 bikes so that changes that a bit
for me. And in all honesty I've always liked the k5's more than the truck it's just that at the time the truck was too good a deal to pass up. I would love to own both but it's not in the budget as of now. I also feel better knowing it was a southern car and I got a hold of the 2 previous owners (which doesn't always happen) who say the truck checks out.

 

[sky56]

made the trade so the blazer is mine. i love it

 

[82355]

An SM465/NP203 is way more rare than a '73-'75 K5.

Martin

 

[mrgrim]

If you like the Blazer thats all that matters.