I recently totaled my truck and I need a new daily driver Im thinking about a blazer K5 Ive heard they are tough and dependable, my question is what are the most desirable years and what should I look out for?

If you want fuel injection, the later years, 87-91. I would go for a 89-91 myself. Make sure the tranny is good though, 700r4 is expensive to rebuild. I would watch out for frame damage around the steering box, and the back of the driver's seat mount pushing through the the floor pan, seen that a few times. If there are spacers on the tranny x-member, look for frame damage there too. other wise rust in the usual places. good trucks, I love em, pry gonna buy my 3rd one next weekend!

Thanks do the later years have a straight axle front??

the 68-72 are the most desireable IMHO (full convertable) they can get pricey real quick. the 73-91 k5 is a very capable trucks. I myself have 2 86 k5 and on 72 under construction. parts for the 73-91 are plentiful a local salvage yards and new parts are generally pretty cheap as well there is a ton of aftermarket support and lots of truck parts from 73-87 will interchange I believe the k5 became fuel injected around 86 and recived substantial imprevements around 89. if i'm not mistaken the 89-91 models have roller cams and vortech style cylinderheads. there are also 2 different style front suspension set ups for these trucks I would look for the one with factory quad front shocks.

straight axle or IFS up front on the blazers? I assume they used both and what years?

solid axle until 91 on k5

cool thanks

Are you really looking for a DD K5? I have a 73 I was thinking of selling... we may need to talk (neighbor ;) )

the 68-72 are the most desireable IMHO (full convertable) they can get pricey real quick. the 73-91 k5 is a very capable trucks. I myself have 2 86 k5 and on 72 under construction. parts for the 73-91 are plentiful a local salvage yards and new parts are generally pretty cheap as well there is a ton of aftermarket support and lots of truck parts from 73-87 will interchange I believe the k5 became fuel injected around 86 and recived substantial imprevements around 89. if i'm not mistaken the 89-91 models have roller cams and vortech style cylinderheads. there are also 2 different style front suspension set ups for these trucks I would look for the one with factory quad front shocks.
73-75 were also full convertable's, but had the box style body.

73-75 were also full convertable's, but had the box style body.

I stand corrected the 68-72 are just better looking then:D

had a k5 for many years as a DD, great truck, and yeah they are pretty dependable. and very simple to work on if something does go wrong.

biggest problems with these trucks that i found are the rear floors rot out and the tailgate literaly falls off. so check out the rear floor by the hinges before you buy one

Here's another thing to watch out for, rotted body bushings and the mounts themselves. Many of the full convertibles (like my '75 pictured) tended to flex out pretty bad after 30+ years of rust takes it's toll. Bad cab mounts are common and the truck will start to look like this...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s12/Wolfmansbrudda/BlazerSag1.jpg

Taking the top off doesn't help (the top adds structural rigidity)...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s12/Wolfmansbrudda/BlazerSag2.jpg

It looked like this when I sold it. I heard the guy who bought it after me shored it up with wood blocks to straighten the body lines and then sold it to someone else...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s12/Wolfmansbrudda/BlazerSag3.jpg

changed my mind on the whole blazer thing I need a truck bed for work, but I would rather have something with a shortbed, I know nothing about the worth of older trucks what would a 67-72 chevy 4wd in decent shape be worth? How hard to find? Thats probably my favorite body style any thoughts?

it doesnt matter what year you buy. they are all shity on gas. :flipoff2:

If you're looking for a decent '67-'72 pickup truck they're pretty easy to find and aren't that expensive at the moment. But Blazers from those years are climbing in value fast...

Hmmm...

My friend just sold his '67 Pickup. 350ci (327 'Vette block), 3-speed moved to the floor.

But it was only a 2WD...