1987 blazer

[65truckowner]

My son is thinking about buying a 87 blazer with 65000 miles on it. 350 auto. Nice shape what are some pros and cons on this trucks.

[abig84]

Biggest issues I always ran into in the Midwest is rust issues. Floors love to disappear. Also the frame can crack by the gear box but can be fixed. Very easy to work on and very reliable in my experience

[65truckowner]

The good thing about this one is it it super solid no rust. The guy says on the road it will get 18 mpg. It is a good looking rig so I thing we are going to buy it and he is going to drive it

[65truckowner]

bought the blazer a good solid ride. It has a chrome wind deflector or something above the back glass on the top. What is it? I will try to get some pic soon

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

bought the blazer a good solid ride. It has a chrome wind deflector or something above the back glass on the top. What is it? I will try to get some pic soon

It's probably an aftermarket or accessory wind deflector to shoot the air down across the back window, both to help keep it clear and perhaps to reduce drag and improve fuel economy. Whether it works or not is up for debate.

Since you didn't get a lot of input, I'll take a shot:

Pros -

It's 90% the same as a '81 - '87 Chevy pickup. Blazer specific parts are available and the shared pickup parts are everywhere (both new and used)
It came with fuel injection, PS, Power disc front brakes, automatic overdrive trans, so it's basically a modern vehicle wrapped in vintage sheetmetal
Earlier versions had a removeable fiberglass top. With a little work you can make yours removeable and have a "convertible" pickup for open air motoring
These vehicles (73-87 Squarebodies) dress up to look real nice
They are durable as heck. My '87 pickup was a daily driver for 30 years and a quarter million miles.

Cons-

Short wheelbase and high CG can make these a bit squirrely, particularly when trying to go straight down the road or during hard braking

Here's the generic info packet from the GM Heritage center for an '86 Blazer. They didn't have one for an '87, but it would be the same except for the addition of throttle body injection (rather than carburetion) and changing the model designation from "K" to "V".

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...let-Blazer.pdf

(you could refer to the powertrain information from the '87 pickup. It would be the same: https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf)

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

My son is thinking about buying a 87 blazer with 65000 miles on it. 350 auto. Nice shape what are some pros and cons on this trucks.

I have an uncle in Mountain Home Arkansas.

My family is originally from Kennett/Senath MO and Blytheville/Paragould AR. They came to Michigan in the 1950s to work in the "shop" in the auto industry, and to drive the car haulers to the dealerships. Uncle Jim moved back "down home" after he retired.

K

[Ski-me]

Get some pictures up and more details. We can help you spend your money now!

87' is a good year. First year for fuel injection so that helps a little from carbs. Still separate engine belts but not really too big a deal from a single one.

Some things to check out:
Brakes, Front and rear
Front ball joints
Driveline u-joints
Change the fluids too...they tend to get neglected.
AC, if your lucky it works! If not, takes some money to fix for sure!
Hoses
Minor tune up, plugs, cap, rotor, filters and maybe some new plug wires too.
Tires, make sure the rubber isn't too old (8-10 years) replace.

Welcome to the family! I've got 360k on my 89' and drive it most days. All 3 of my daughters have learned to drive on it.

[65truckowner]

Thanks for the input. After looking at the title the blazer is a 1988 not 87. We are getting it cleaned up and order a new complete floor covering. I think it is going to be a real good rig. New tires are next on the list.

[abig84]

whats funny about the frame cracking issue is ive owned many rusted out beat k5 blazers and never had a issue. the one truck where the frame actually cracked at the steering gear box was a nicer one that was only used as a daily driver and never seen off road, its more of a stress thing then a rust thing.

just to be paranoid just look at where the 3 bolts attach to the frame on the front driverside of the truck and look for hairline cracks.

other then that these have always been amazing simplistic reliable trucks for me

[65truckowner]

Here is some pictures of the blazer IMG_0473IMG_0471IMG_0468

[65truckowner]

Ok so that did not work lets try againIMG_0471

[65truckowner]

I now not only hate photobucket but also flickr

[65truckowner]

Img_0471

[65truckowner]

Oh well maybe I can figure it out later

[frenchy51]

Also check where the rear shocks mount to the frame. My '74 was cracked on the passenger side and BTW-also cracked by steering box. Both not too hard to fix and aftermarket sells braces etc. for both areas. By '88 Chevy probably addressed the issue but good to check it anyway....
My son is also looking for a clean '80's Blazer. I'd love to know what you paid and need pictures when you figure it out-Thanks

[65truckowner]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152291...posted-public/

[65truckowner]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152291...posted-public/

[68Timber]

That's a really good looking K5.

[motornut]

Yes looks nice , many are rusted out

[Ozark48]

We were in Calico Rock a few weekends ago. You live in a beautiful area. This is an 85 I just bought in Little Rock

[65truckowner]

Nice Did you get to do any fishing while in calico rock?

[Ozark48]

No. We were just there for an afternoon. Were planning to visit the area again soon when we can stay longer/have time to look around more

[65truckowner]

Come to mountain view. There is several things to see here like the caves and the folk center, (If you like that kind of thing) music on the square and a few good places to eat. If you can come in the fall when the leaves change it is really nice here then for sure. Me and the family like to back road as well.

[nbrfd007]

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

Come to mountain view. There is several things to see here like the caves and the folk center, (If you like that kind of thing) music on the square and a few good places to eat. If you can come in the fall when the leaves change it is really nice here then for sure. Me and the family like to back road as well.

Have good friends up there Glen and Shelia. Did I buy a 66 GMC cab and chassis from you?

[65truckowner]

They are my cousins and yes I sold a 66 gmc frame and cab a long time ago. Did you do anything with the cab and frame?