SOLD on Jun 15, 2026

Elite Dealer

1986 Chevrolet Blazer

Michigan

$7,395 $7,995

Vehicle Details

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Blazer

Year

1986

Mileage

86,000 miles

Drivetrain

4WD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Condition

Fair

Description

1986 Chevy K5 Blazer 4x4 – Classic Full-Size Project, Starts & Runs This 1986 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 4x4 is an iconic square-body SUV and an excellent foundation for a restoration, overland build, or off-road project. It starts, runs, and moves, making it a solid beginning point with great potential. Engine & Drivetrain Starts right up and idles decently Moves under its own power around the yard/driveway Full 4x4 drivetrain intact Has been on non-operational registration, so no back fees Power & Comfort Features Factory power windows Power door locks Factory A/C (needs recharge or TLC) Body & Frame Straight frame, no known major accidents Classic full-size K5 body style—highly desirable in the restoration community Not currently road-worthy; will need mechanical, electrical, and cosmetic work Overall Condition This is a true project K5 Blazer, ideal for someone looking to build a: Resto-mod Off-road crawler Overland adventure rig Classic cruiser with modern upgrades It has the right bones, the desirable 4x4 platform, and the iconic look that makes K5s so sought after.

Classic Chevrolet Blazer Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Robert Halloran

Classic Trucks

1969–1994

~3 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Complete buyer's guide for the classic Chevrolet K5 Blazer (1969–1994). Generation breakdown, frame and body inspection, 4WD system assessment, and current market values for drivers through to restored examples.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Blazer Buyer's Guide

Chevrolet Blazer Market Overview

Based on 52 Chevrolet Blazer listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$31,838

Avg. Asking Price

1969–1994

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Below Average

This car: $7,395

Low: $6,995 High: $115,000

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 83%

Manual 10%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 6%

Good 6%

Fair 4% ◄

Poor 2%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 52 listings →

Classic Chevrolet Blazer Buyer's Guide

The full-size Chevrolet Blazer — the K5 — is the SUV that defined American open-air four-wheeling for two decades. From its 1969 launch through to the final 1994 model year, the K5 offered truck-based capability with a removable top, a big-block option, and enough room to actually work. Today it's one of the most collectible American SUVs on the market, and prices are moving accordingly.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Inspect frame rails under cab and rear body — Use flashlight and screwdriver. Check boxed sections and cab mounts. Rotten rails are a structural deal-breaker.

✓

Remove rear seat and check floor pan — Full floor pan inspection including corners. Patch panels over rust holes indicate hidden structural problems.

✓

Test 4WD engagement — Engage low-range and high-range 4WD. Both front lockouts should engage without grinding.

✓

Check front axle U-joints — Worn U-joints are common on high-mileage 4WD trucks. Grab the driveshaft and check for play.

✓

Inspect removable top mounting points — Header bar and top latches rust from the inside. Check mounting flanges for cracks or rust-through.

✓

Examine tailgate and rear body corners — Rear lower corners rot behind the wheel arches. Inspect with mirror and light.

✓

Verify engine casting numbers — Check casting numbers and partial VIN stamp on block. Confirms displacement for value assessment.

✓

Test brakes — Brake pulsation usually means warped rotors or drums. Check pad/shoe thickness.

✓

Check steering box play — More than 2 inches of dead travel at the steering wheel indicates a worn steering box — rebuildable.

✓

Document everything before purchase — Photo frame, floor, engine bay, all body panels, stamps, and tags.

Common Issues

Frame rust is the primary concern — these trucks were used hard and often garaged poorly. The frame rails under the cab and at the rear body mounts are the critical zones. Body rust concentrates at floor pans, lower cab corners, tailgate corners, and the windshield header area. The 4WD drivetrain is robust but high-mileage examples commonly need front axle U-joint replacement, transfer case shift linkage rebuild, and front differential service. The 400 small-block (1970–1980) can crack the block if overheated. Verify cooling system history on any 400-powered truck.

What to Look For

Frame first, always. Use a flashlight under the truck and probe the frame rails with a screwdriver at every point you can reach. Floor pans second. Remove the carpet and the rear seat. Full-floor inspection on both sides. 4WD system third. Engage both high and low range with the truck moving slowly. Both front locking hubs should engage without grinding. Originality: a first-gen Blazer with its original 350 and matching-numbers drivetrain commands $10,000–$20,000 more than one with a replacement engine.

Price Guide

First-generation K5 Blazer (1969–1972): driver-quality examples run $28,000–$50,000. Restored correct-colour trucks: $65,000–$95,000. Big-block first-gens add $5,000–$15,000 premium. Second-generation round-headlight (1973–1980): clean drivers at $18,000–$38,000; restored show-quality at $45,000–$65,000. Quad-headlight generation (1981–1991): $12,000–$28,000 for solid drivers. Heavily modified trail rigs trade at discounts to equivalent original trucks.

Did You Know?

The K5 Blazer name referred to the full-size platform. The smaller "S-10 Blazer" launched in 1983 was a completely different vehicle — smaller, lighter, and based on the S-10 pickup platform. Today's collectors distinguish carefully between the two. The 1969 Blazer outsold the Ford Bronco in its first year of production — 4,935 Blazers against 3,877 Broncos — despite being a late-year launch.