I've got my eye on a 1971 K5 Blazer. I've never restored a vehicle. Does anyone have any "lessons learned" or tips on what to look for/think about when buying a rig to restore?

Thanks!

Andy

 

With the 1st gen K5's, it pays to look over the top, specifically the rear window to make sure that it is complete and in working order. Many of the parts are not reproduced.

Typical rust spots are the rockers, front fenders at the firewall, rear quarter wheel well lips, and especially the back main body cross member which supports the bed sides.

 

Thanks for the reply, are any of these typical rust spots harder or more expensive to fix than the others?

 

Are you fixing them yourself or thinking about a body shop?

 

Look through LMC truck for the patch panels you may need. That should give you an idea of the cost involved. But it really does depend on whether you are doing the work yourself or if a shop is doing it for you.

 

I will have to pay someone to do the body work. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely look through LMC truck. I've been reading forums and have seen people write about hard to find parts such as windshield frames or tops as swartlkkmentioned but because I'm paying to have the body work done, I'm also concerned there may be some critical areas that may you guys would consider autmatic dealbreakers.

 

Check these pictures out. CLICK! To have this repaired in the Washington DC area was a minimum quote of $4000.

Did myself, including purchase of my own mig welder for $1500 plus my time. And I've never done it before.