hey guys I am possibly in the market for a k5 blazer for a wheeling toy/project truck. Wondering what is the best year to look for in these things, and what is a fair price for one in decent shape?

 

- There are 4 basic body styles... 69-72 (GMC Jimmy started in 1970), 73-80 (1980 had a weird, one year front end treatment with square headlamps), 81-87 and 88-91 with the "sideways" quad headlamps.
- 1969 - 75 had full removable tops.
- 2WD K5's were made up to 1982
- Some k5's came with a quad front shock option in the mid/late 80's.

Transfer Cases:
- NP203 full time, chain driven transfer cases were from 73 - 79 with NP205 gear drive (part time) cases as an option.
- NP205 was the only t-case offered for 1980
- 1981 and later have the aluminum NP208 and later the NP/NV241 chain cases.
The NP205 is considered the strongest of all cases but it also has the highest crawl ratio at 2:1 versus 2:7 or so for all the others.

Axles:
- 1981 was when the weak 10 bolt rear ends started showing up but 12 bolts were still found up to late 82.
- Dana 44 front axles were used up to 1980... 10 bolt Corporate after that. Both are equal in strength.
- Starting in 1988, the 10 bolt rear axle was updated and is considered just as strong as the old 12 bolt.

Engines:
- 305cid V8 was standard from 1981 - 86
- Fuel injection started in 1987.

That's off the top of my head...

 

just look out for rust. all the k5's and suburbans ive owned over the year had to be crushed becasue of them falling apart. tailgates rot off, quarters drop down on them.