1988 Chevrolet Blazer

Description

Industrial strength off-roaders don't come much more intimidating than this 1988 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. With fresh paint and interior, off-road-rated hardware underneath, and a no-nonsense look, it's in-the-dirt fun that remains eminently affordable.

Remember that this truck was built in 1988, so the brown and tan color scheme would have been right at home on the streets or in the dirt back then. Fortunately, it's back in style today and the recently-applied finish looks great. Aside from the hood, all the sheetmetal is apparently original, giving us a pretty good insight into the care that this truck has enjoyed over the years. In fact, it's likely that it was nowhere near this shiny when it was new, given the limitations of GM paint in the '80s, and they shaved a few details while they were at it to enhance the brutal look. No emblems, no chrome wheel arch moldings, and no hood ornament all give this Blazer a rather sleek look. The grille should be familiar to anyone who was paying attention to cars and trucks in the '70s and '80s and you could probably make the argument that Chevy hasn't built a better-looking SUV since this one. The chrome that does remain, including the bumpers and big side mirrors, is in excellent condition and offers a great contrast to the dark paint.

Fresh two-tone seat covers set the tone inside, where it looks bright, clean, and like 1988 all over again. Fortunately, that's a good thing, because the bucket seats are comfortable, the new carpets make it feel luxurious, and there's room for three across in back with no complaints. The factory gauges cover the primary functions and still look pretty good considering their age and there's a handy center console for storage between the seats. Factory options include A/C (now using R134a refrigerant), a tilt steering column, and an AM/FM radio that's definitely a blast from the past. The cargo bay is finished with a durable black spray-on coating and has enough room for that big camping trip you've been planning or just a trip to Home Depot this weekend. And yes, the fiberglass roof is removable for a cool open-air driving experience that appears to be unique to 4x4 vehicles.

The 350 cubic inch V8 is the truck's original block, but it's been recently rebuilt and fortified with an upgraded camshaft, a TBI riser to boost torque production, and new seals throughout. At a glance, it looks quite stock, including the factory air cleaner, and that's purely intentional because the name of the game with this truck is reliability. While the powertrain was out, the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and 2-speed transfer case were rebuilt and both axles were rebuilt with new bearings and seals, so no worries about plunging into the brush. The undercarriage isn't restored, but at the same time you won't find any cause for alarm and it honestly doesn't look like this truck has spent much time off-roading, although with a modest suspension lift it's certainly capable. Black powdercoated MB Motoring wheels add a brutal look and carry aggressive 31x10.50-15 Goodyear Wrangler radials.

A neat old 4x4 with a lot of money invested to keep it at the top of its game. If you remember these trucks, you've probably wanted one for a long time, and this is an excellent choice. Call today!