K5 Shopping Questions

[swissarmychainsaw]

So I'm in the market for a Blazer or Jimmy. I kinda prefer GMC for sentimental reasons.

In CAL so something pre-smog makes the most sense, so when shopping for a K5 what do you look for?

I tend to prefer stock vehicles so I can fix them.
Lots seem to have borderline ridiculous lift kits.
Rust?
Door sag?

What is the primary cost here? How much does it cost to remove a 8" lift and replace it with something more modest?

What does your buyers guide look like?

PS - I see rigs with 3/4 ton and 1ton axles. Is that really a good idea?
It's either awesome or you hate it? do you lose all ride quality when you put big suspension on? Is it worth paying more for?

[68Timber]

For a K5, I avoid the lifted rigs and/or 1-ton axles swaps altogether. When I see that I wonder how big the mud pit was they were trying to conquer. I'd have to know the person who owned it and did the work before I'd consider buying one like that. Other than that, I'm just looking at general condition and checking for rust.

[motornut]

I thought the 3/4 or 1 ton swap was the way to go,for strength<- (my reason to want it)
lift depends on puddles....or snow banks
I think some early years don't have a charcoal cannister here(78 no 79 yes)

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by motornut

I thought the 3/4 or 1 ton swap was the way to go,for strength<- (my reason to want it)
lift depends on puddles....or snow banks
I think some early years don't have a charcoal cannister here(78 no 79 yes)

They are, but there are so many of these trucks out there that have been beat on. I know there are some nice K5's out there with one ton running gear under them. But down south the big axles usually means it was Bubba's mudder.

[lowrodderchev]

yeah I think in cali it might not be so bad. i could be wrong though. when i started to shop for mine a lift was a big yes but not crazy lift most guys in my area say they dig the axle swap one less thing to worry about. i looked out for things i didn't feel like dealing with rusty floor boards someone screwing with the wring stuff like that. its not impossible but most of them do have fender rust not all of them you will get lucky and in my area 73-87 trucks are all over the junkyards so finding clips not a issue. good luck

[Irish1941]

My '89 has 4" and axles from a '91 3/4 ton Sub. I swapped in the 14 bolt 9.5 as well and did a 6 lug on it so I could run steel wheels. Worst it's ever seen is desert roads and my truck is damn clean.
That being said many, many Blazers have had the crap beat out of them in SoCal. Weather allows you to drive around topless almost all yr round.

Interior will tell the tale of it's life as will the owner. A 20yr old owner is more likely to go bashing around than a 45 yr old owner.
I look for the cleanest, original paint truck I can.
Cracked frames at the steering box is almost a given.
Sagging doors is normal after 90K miles. Easy fix.
Look for prior wrecks. Panels not lining up, mis-matched paint shades etc
Also look for the hard to replace parts. Rear side panels, trashed seat belts wrong seats, door panels, grilles & trim etc. The rear bumper bent down is a sure sign of a rear end hit. Wiring rats nests, missing engine parts or AC parts.
Dash pads cracked are just as common as cracked frames.
The '73-75 like to rust in the windshield frame, front & rear floors and rocker boxes.
The floor pans like to crack around the seat mounts on later models.
Be honest in your budget and what you want. There is a 2 owner '90 Jimmy down here for $9k and it looks like a $9k truck.
I've had 18 Blazers & Jimmys from '70 thru '90 so if I can help just ask.