Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

I had an opportunity last week to buy a 72 K5 in the NE area for $10k from the original owner but got spooked thinking about all the salt the truck has seen over 45 years even though it doesn’t show many signs of rust on the surface. The owner explained that he rinsed it off top to bottom after every road trip in the winter, and then reapplied “texicote” undercoating cut with fuel oil every year. He was convinced that it is a truely rust free vehicle because of all the care he took. I don’t mind the mechanical restoration work, but am not interested in curing rust cancer. Is it possible that a truck living in the NE for 45 years with 185,000 miles on it could be rust free and not be hiding some deep lurking major rust issues? Should I reconsider this truck since it truely stock and well cared for, or just start looking West?

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

Looks good for 10k

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

I know a few old farmers that still do fuel oil trick and they have some very well preserved trucks. Plus if those mud flaps and running boards have been on it most of it's life they will help alot. If it's all original paint and shows no signs of rust I would bet it's still very solid in the hidden areas also. I would crawl under it poke around and see what I can see. Looks like a very good deal from the pic.

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

Yeah, I need to get up there and check it out in person. I hired an inspector but they weren’t willing to dig for rust apparently. The other thing that came as a surprise is that it has a three on the tree. I assumed a 4 on the floor was standard and I actually really wanted the granny gear. I tried to negotiate with the owner and pissed him off..told him I wouldn’t pay any more than 8k. Hopefully he will still take my call.

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

The other oddity is that it came with a 307 and it has been swapped with a 327 from a 65 Vette. A 350 would be more appropriate, but I guess I can fix that.

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

Passenger door looks repaimted

Re: Looking for 1st gen K5 on east coast
 

I saw this Blazer on CL as well contacted the owner and said it was under contract. Are you the guy it was under contract with? Looks pretty solid from the pics and description. No one wants to pay for body work but at least every piece of sheet metal are available on these now. From what I gathered it doesn't run or run good but for 10K its worth the $.