Need K5 purchasing advice

[68C10]

My son and I are looking at an '84 K5 Blazer for him. It looks to be in pretty good shape and the owner is asking $1,500 for it. Are there any particular problem areas I should be looking at?
It does seem to have a ruxt problem at the bottom of the tailgate. It still looks ok from the outside but is very difficult to open and close.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

[jakeslim]

howdy. I moved back to CA from NJ last year. Pull the carpet up in the front and in rear (if any) and look for rust. I'd bet there is plenty since its in NJ.
A BIG consideration is do you really want to spend $$$ and time repairing the rust? If yes, then go for it.

1) Check under carpets front and rear
2) check frame and everything else underneath for sever rust problems. The fact that the tailgate is problematic could mean rust at the hinge point which, if severe, could mean many headaches.
3) check firewall in engine compartment for rust.
4) Is engine stock? Make sure all smog equipment is there...NJ is as "bad" as CA
5) BEST situation is to look for something out west or south away from the salt and haul/drive it back to NJ.

I see many people spend $$$$$$ repairing(rebuilding) bodies on their trucks, but it would make more sense to go find a rust free one and most likely it would be cheaper in long run.

by the way i have a 77 k5 and a 69 k5

[monypit]

If you still go for this one look at the frame by the steering gear for cracks or possible a stiffener plate if they already had problems. other than that the normal places for rust are at the bottom of the doors and at the kick panels even here in AZ..