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what are k5's going for these days?

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djrich

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Feb 4, 2011
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overland park, kansas
Hello everyone. I am a senior in high school and live in Overland Park, Kansas. I am new to the site. I have not owned a K5 yet. I am starting to look on craigslist for a blazer that will do what i want.
Here's a list of things i would like it to have.

4x4 is a must
350
A/C
decent condition with not too many miles or rust
lift + tires would be nice
STRONGLY prefer manual transmission
don't care about paint condition (its going to get scratched)

I currently own a 2000 camaro ss with a few mods done to it. I have done some wrenching in my life, but i wouldnt call myself an expert. I would like a k5 for a few reasons. One of them is because my car is very difficult to drive in the snow, so i figured i should start looking at k5's so i would be able to drive while modding my other car. Plus it would be a fun offroading vehicle and I know i would like the "go anywhere" feel with a 4x4 vehicle that i don't get from my ls1 f body.

I haven't looked at any blazers in person but in my area it seems like theyre running anywhere from 1000 to 4000 in the condition that i want. How much did you guys spend on yours and what are the weak spots on these trucks to look for?

also what mpg's are you gettiing with k5's and the manual transmission that was offered?

thanks
 
Price depends on condition and mods.

Personally, I looked for a totally stock K5. I bought a one owner Texas truck , rust free with 120k for $3000bux. The only thing that didnt work was the A/C wasnt blowing cold. But K5s are extremely hard to find around here.

Look for rust first and foremost, this can make or break any project. The mechanics arent anything special but good body work can break the bank quickly.

About the only other thing I know to check is around the frame at the steering box, they can be known to crack at the mounting holes. If you do buy one , first thing would be to get the ORD steering box kit as preventive measures.

Otherwise just look one over for the usual leaks and weird noises, etc.
 
I would try to find a truck as close to stock as you possibly can, if you plan on using this as a daily driver.

Something I have learned from years of buying antique cars and trucks: The average owner knows NOTHING about how to properly work on their vehicle, and if you get one that has been modded out already, odds are you will find out that it's a total hackjob as soon as you get it home and really take it apart and look at it. You will not believe what some people will do to their vehicles. In fact, MOST older cars and trucks I have bought have all kinds of goofy slapdash repairs made by decades of idiotic previous owners. For this reason, I *ALWAYS* look for a stock vehicle if I can.

My advice is to look for a stock vehicle that hasn't been repainted, preferably with the stock stereo and everything. It's hard to find a Blazer like this, but it'll be worth it in the long run. A stock K5 with some decent 31" tires will probably take you anywhere you need to go, and you won't screw up your final drive ratio with the oversized tires.

As for price, it can be all over the map. Spend as much as you feel happy spending. It's always cheaper and easier in the long run to pay more for a vehicle that is still in good condition than to buy a beater and try to fix everything on it.

If you just want a trail rig though, none of this really matters, just buy whatever has the least rust on it.
 
I will second that it is far more cost-effective to spend $1000 more to buy a vehicle in good shape than to buy a cheap one and think you can fix it up.

My story was an 89 V2500 burb. Horribly rusty, engine on it's way out, 4x4, but ran and drove. $500 seemed like a steal! I thought to myself. Wow!! when the engine dies I'll find a used 350 on CL for a few hundred bucks and have a working 3/4 ton truck for under a $1000.

Fast forward 3 years and I have probably close to $7,000 invested in a truck that I would be very hard-pressed to sell for $2,000. Do you know what I could've bought for $7,000??? I hate to think about it. I love my burb, and I love all the learning I've goten out of it, it is like a child, but I cannot say it was a smart move economically.

I've seen beautiful trucks k5s and burbs for $3-4k with either low original miles or really nice new engines and rebuilt trans etc. Save up and get as nice a truck as you can.
 
$1400 or $1500 for mine, I ferget. But had a bad motor. Other than that it's great, few minor things. Body and interior are awesome, all stock, everything's there. No rust. I'll let these guys tell you what to look for.
 
I bought my 1990 Jimmy for $850. Runs good, starts every time, bone stock. Rust, rockers are shot. Interior is real nice. Has it's nuances, but all of my vehicles do. But for what it is, I feel like I did pretty well. 4wd works great too. I was happy that the one I found was only about 5 miles away from where I live. There just aren't many K5's up in Northern Indiana left. I sorta had to take what I could get. Looked at the few others around my area, and something just wasn't right with all of them. I looked for about 6 months. Don't get in a rush and buy the first one you see. Budget your cash for the modifications/maintenance as well. In fact, when you do get one, drive it thoroughly before modding it. I've had friends buy a vehicle, mod the hell out of it, then promptly throw a rod through the side of the block.
 
Oh, and it might be next to impossible to find a 4wd w/ a manual. They are some out there, but it will be a needle in a haystack.
 
In my area it seems a pretty nice one can be had for about 2k. 4k will get you a really nice one but sometimes the nice ones can be had for less than 2, my BIL found one for 1200 that is pretty dang nice and its a 91 all the options nice shape inside and out.
 
I got my '87 Burb for $2000.00 Everything was stock. A/C was cold, NO rust anywhere in the body, new tires, perfect interior. I'm the second owner!

I've since put in a motor, new grille, bigger tires/wheels, and suspension lift...........about $1500 more.

This will have a nice 4" lift with 33x12.50r15 tires mounted on 15x10 wheels. Anything and everything that gets done to this vehicle now will be by me and some friends!

Go with a stock vehicle and build your own.........that was the BEST advice I've heard in a while!:waytogo:
 
yeah, i'd say get stock, you never know what people have or havent done to a vehicle. but of course buying a used anything is a real crapshoot. like i paid $800 for my jimmy, 305 4 speed, air, manual everything and i put about a grand into it (new wheels, tires, full tune up(quality parts), tach(not neccessary but still cool), u-joints, and picked up a tailgate. it still needs the carb rebuilt but overall its solid and most of the common K5 troubles havent creeped up yet. matter of fact its the first vehicle i've owned where everything works. as long as the basics of the truck are good thats all that counts. also ask if hte truck was ever used for plowing (id stay away from ex plow trucks) and ask about maintenance records and work done to it.
 
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