What would you pay for a 1st gen K5?

[dtul]

Hi guys,

I am strongly considering a 1st gen K5 Blazer. It would be a daily driver for about 5-8 months depending on when I decide what I actually want to get this summer. Anyways right now there is a 1971 with about 100k miles on it near me. It is for sale for $15k and looks to have a decent paint job and pretty good interior for the age. I have not seen it in person, but it doesn't look bad in the pictures. What would you guys pay for a decent running K5 to be used for daily driver duty? Also can you guys tell me anything about these trucks I should lookout for?

I would eventually like to completely restore one of these in the future. I am considering many different options right now to be my DD for the better half of this year, but even if I do not get a K5 yet I plan on hopefully finding and restoring one within the next few years.

Thank you for your time!

Josh

 

[82355]

For that kind of money, it better be in damn fine shape.

Martin

 

[dtul]

For that kind of money, it better be in damn fine shape.

Martin

It looks to be in really good shape, I haven't seen it in person though. But $15k would buy me one in good daily driving shape? Good to know

Thanks for the help Martin!

 

[82355]

It looks to be in really good shape, I haven't seen it in person though. But $15k would buy me one in good daily driving shape? Good to know

Thanks for the help Martin!

For that money, it should be in VERY good shape.

Martin

 

[dtul]

For that money, it should be in VERY good shape.

Martin

Yeah, based on what you're telling me and information from another forum and I don't think this truck would be worth the money. I may go see it in person, but it seems like it is overpriced based on the information I have picked up from forums. Thanks for the help though, I do appreciate it a lot.

 

[bp71k5]

Using a k5 as a daily driver is not the best idea. Almost any other vehicle newer than 10 years will get better mileage and be more reliable than a 43 year old truck. And I own one of those 43 year old trucks.

 

[dtul]

Using a k5 as a daily driver is not the best idea. Almost any other vehicle newer than 10 years will get better mileage and be more reliable than a 43 year old truck. And I own one of those 43 year old trucks.

I agree you, luckily this would only be a dd until august at the latest. I am buying a new car this summer, and I'm in college, don't have a commute and I work online so my driving isn't extensive. Do you think it would hold up fine for that type of driving?

 

[Greg72]

Welcome to the site....

Start yourself off on the right foot around here. Pour yourself a big cup of coffee and start reading and searching the forums. There are literally dozens of threads just like yours asking about problem areas on a 1st Gen and what to look for. Everything you want to learn has already been posted here over the last 15 years or so.

You want to be an informed buyer, especially if you plan to drive this truck a lot. In my experience, $15K is not a lot to spend for a restored truck. In reality, most "restored" 1st Gens are just tarted-up basket cases with loads of rust buried under a new shiny paint job.

When you are done studying you'll know exactly where to look for problems.... This is NOT the time to be impulsive and buy a 1st Gen without really understanding how bad things can be. This forum is full of guys who bought "nice" trucks initially, and we're shocked to realize how much trouble was lurking beneath.

Go see the truck in person....take LOTS of detailed photos and post them up. We'll be happy to dissect it for you and tell you the good/bad.

-G

 

[max 02]

Do like Greg said,the guys on here are very good at picking trucks apart from pictures. Could save you a ton of money and a good possibility of buying a rust bucket.

 

[chulisohombre]

For 15 k it better be just about new or rebuilt everything. If you want one to restore find one in the 5-8k range that is in good shape mechanically. Something that needs some work will help you learn how to work on it. The body is the worst thing do deal with on these trucks. Rust gets in everywhere and likes to hide til it pops out and a whole panel starts to fall apart. The rust on these usually starts on the inside and comes to the outside if its finally eating away the internal metal. Take pics if you go look at it and post them here. Look real good at wheel wells ,floorboards,rocker panels, rocker box and rear tail pan area. I bought mine for 2300 with a new engine but the body was beat and interior gutted. Nice ones can be had for a few thousand. Finding one in mostly stock form is what you want that way you can build it the way you want. Also don't have to redo someone else's junk wiring or Mickey Mouse mechanic work.

 

[dtul]

For 15 k it better be just about new or rebuilt everything. If you want one to restore find one in the 5-8k range that is in good shape mechanically. Something that needs some work will help you learn how to work on it. The body is the worst thing do deal with on these trucks. Rust gets in everywhere and likes to hide til it pops out and a whole panel starts to fall apart. The rust on these usually starts on the inside and comes to the outside if its finally eating away the internal metal. Take pics if you go look at it and post them here. Look real good at wheel wells ,floorboards,rocker panels, rocker box and rear tail pan area. I bought mine for 2300 with a new engine but the body was beat and interior gutted. Nice ones can be had for a few thousand. Finding one in mostly stock form is what you want that way you can build it the way you want. Also don't have to redo someone else's junk wiring or Mickey Mouse mechanic work.

Yeah. that's what I'm starting to think. I wouldn't really do anything different than most others have; I like a small lift, some age-appropriate wheels, and quality paint job, etc.. However, I would like to do it myself and know exactly what has been done to my truck. Also this would be a learning experience for me, as I have no restoration experience whatsoever. Are these trucks relatively beginner friendly? I have access to a fantastic mechanic who can do the things I cannot and would be able to fix the mistakes I make as well.

BTW here is the truck I was looking at. I'm beginning to think it is a bit overpriced. http://www.classiccarliquidators.com/classic-cars/1971/chevrolet/k5-blazer-4x4/KE181F660810

Also I once again appreciate the information. I'll take a few hours after class and find all the relevant posts I can and hopefully avoid some dumb questions that have been answered a million times.

 

[82355]

That is pretty nice.

Martin

 

[82355]

Wonder why they put an NP203 in it?

Martin

 

[ekajkrats]

That's a nice truck. Not best of show type restoration, but still nice. If I were to spend $15k on a truck, I would be buying it so I didn't have to restore it. If you want one to daily drive spend between $5k and $8k if you are planning to restore it later.

If you want to see an example of hidden rust and an amazing build in progress, look here: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269675

I have been driving mine since I bought it two years ago, with just the normal maintenance and was on the low end of my price range.

Another thing, for $15k and living in Texas, I would want a/c.

As for learning and working on these, they are perfect vehicles, especially when you pair them with this website.

Biggest regret in the purchase of mine, is not checking the windshield frame more closely for rust. Here is also some very helpful pointers when shopping around: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276543

-Jacob

 

[Massboy]

I would think for that price it should be a CST model with full interior and A/C. I did notice the boxes are still intact under the floor pans by the rockers. Most of those are gone from rust so this truck was probably pretty solid as far as body goes. I don't think it's worth the $15 but in it's condition and if I owned it, restoring it to it's current pictured condition I don't think I'd sell for less than $12k though. Think about the work that goes into restoring these. I'm still not done with my M1009 redo and I've done everything but the body and paint. I have countless hours invested in my personal time. What people seem to forget is when they value anything they forget about the time and only put value on all the components that make up the item. Most people say they'll do it themselves and most never do. Those who do either make a lot of money or realize while they are restoring their truck they could be doing something else making money.

Pay for someone to put the truck you're looking at into the condition it's in now. Start with a rust and dent free truck (which is almost impossible to find) and just figure the paint, mechanics, seats, tires, etc. and tell me what you think you come up with. Remember, you're paying the time to someone else to do the job. Bet it's more than the 15k they're asking. My paint job/body work on my M1009 alone got valued by the appraiser at $8,800.

 

[chulisohombre]

That does look pretty damn solid. The rear bumper is hideous. I'd get rid of that quick. Lol. In that condition and not a lot of original stuff left in there is say its worth 11-12 grand if the engines good and trans shift correct. The 203 wasn't stock but is a strong transfer case. Looks to be in really good condition overall. You could make a lowball offer like ten grand and see what they say. Then meetthem in the middle And up it to Twelve. That could be a great dd rig. I think they did a decent job on the interior as well. Just not much still stock. Hear are worth way more with stock interior and matching numbers. Mine will be a resto mod like this as well when it's done. So I don't have any real chance of getting full Price on it either if I sold it. Just some tips to use in negotiation. Also as was said at the top of the garage forum there is a buyers guide that you can printout and take With you. Read Through it and it will Give you a good view Of what to Look at when buying a blazer or Chevy pickups. They have a lot of the same problem areas.

 

[super k]

If rust free,I would expect to start at $12-15k for one in restored condition. $8k for a rust free survivor. That's the reality of it all. Anyone that finds a rust free 69-72 in clean and shiny turn-key condition for less,please contact me...That is,if you're foolish enough to not pounce on it. Not saying a guy can't find a crazy good deal out there somewhere,just sayin' that's where it's at these days. Look around.

 

[Teck]

If it has a solid body and is in good mechanical shape that may not be a bad price.
I can tell you after building my 86 it will cost way more then 15K to got one to that shape.

 

[Greg72]

Another thing to keep in mind:

If you are planning on a modest lift and bigger tires, you will have to cut the fenders for clearance. That means you will have to partially repaint the truck afterwards, so the idea of paying a "premium" for a fresh paint job is not a good idea.

A very solid rust-free roller might be out there for around $8000 - $10000. The mechanicals (engine, trans, axles) are all dirt simple for any competent mechanic to work on, so I wouldn't let issues there stop you from buying an otherwise clean truck. The most important thing is "rust free".... Shiny paint is the final step in a build, but a lot of guys forget that when they are truck shopping....

-G

 

[Chief Brody]

You can't restore these things yourself for any less than 15K...so I say if it is what you really want, I would pay that much....I'd ask him if he would take 12k first and see if he comes down...I got near 20K total in mine and couple thousand hours and it isn't finished yet....
I just happen to bat crap crazy about it though...no way I would put that kind of labor into something that didn't really mean a lot to me.