Chevrolet · 1969–1994

Chevrolet K5 Blazer

The Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) that was marketed by Chevrolet from the 1969 to 1994 model years. A variant of the C/K truck line, the K5 Blazer is a shortened version of the half-ton pickup line. For its first two generations, the model line was a half-cab pickup truck fitted with a removable rear top (effectively making it a three-door station wagon); the final generation was fitted with permanent rear bodywork. Initially offered solely as a 4x4, the K5 Blazer was also marketed with a rear-wheel drive configuration. Alongside the longer-wheelbase Chevrolet/GMC Suburban wagon-style SUV (offered with three rows of seating and second-row doors), the K5 Blazer was marketed by GMC from 1970 to 1991 as the GMC Jimmy (reflecting a shorthand nickname for the brand). Though the K5 prefix was used on Chevrolet badging until 1988, General Motors never internally referred the Blazer/Jimmy as such. Following the 1983 release of the S-Series Blazer/Jimmy, to avoid market confusion, GM officially changed the model lines to "Chevrolet Full-Size Blazer" and "GMC K-Jimmy" (after 1986, V-Jimmy), though they are often unofficially still addressed as "K5" to avoid confusion. For 1992, GM redesigned its entire full-size SUV lineup, with GMC renaming the Jimmy as the GMC Yukon. The full-size Blazer was replaced for 1995, as the Chevrolet Tahoe inaugurated a shorter-wheelbase variant of the Suburban. Currently, GM markets the Tahoe and Yukon alongside the Cadillac Escalade, and later resurrected the "Blazer" name for a midsize crossover SUV, while Kia now uses the "K5" name for an unrelated midsize sedan.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Chevrolet Tahoe

All Chevrolet K5 Blazer data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

Chevrolet developed the first-generation K5 Blazer to market its own recreational off-road vehicle, competing against the International Scout and the Ford Bronco. While competing against the Jeep CJ-5, the design was also developed to improve its on-road capabilities against all of its competitors. The half-ton K10 pickup truck served as a basis, as designers shortened its wheelbase from 115 inches to 104 inches. Though larger than both the Bronco and the Scout (and far larger than the Jeep), the use of the C/K platform for the "K5" Blazer led to multiple design breakthroughs that proved popular. Coinciding with its larger exterior size, the Blazer also had more cargo space, and better on-road handling (stemming from its wider-set wheels and longer wheelbase). Additionally, the Blazer shared a large degree of commonality with standard C/K pickup trucks, allowing for lower production costs (and price). While base-trim K5 Blazers were intended as spartan vehicles (with both a top and passenger seat considered options), the commonality with the C/K allowed for the addition of optional "luxury" features, including automatic transmissions, radios, and air conditioning. In line with its competitors, the Blazer was built as an open-roof vehicle, with buyers selecting a choice of either a convertible soft top or a wagon-style removable hard top. By 1970, the Blazer would overtake its rivals in the marketplace. For 1974, Chrysler introduced the Dodge Ramcharger (a shortened Dodge D100 pickup truck) and Jeep introduced the Jeep Cherokee (a shortened Jeep Gladiator, alongside the Jeep Wagoneer). For 1978, Ford introduced a second-generation Bronco to compete directly against the K5 Blazer, moving it to a shortened F-100 platform.

First generation (Action Line; 1969–1972)

For its first model year (1969), the K5 Blazer was available with part-time four-wheel drive only. As an option, a removable hardtop or a soft convertible-top could be specified; passenger seats also were optional on the base model. For 1970, a rear-wheel drive model was added, and the truck was also rebadged as the GMC Jimmy. Mechanical. There were four choices for power plants, matching the contemporaneous pickup truck options: the 250 straight-6, the 292 straight-6, the 307 V8, and the 350 V8. There was also a choice between a three-speed automatic transmission, the Turbo-Hydramatic TH350, or one of two fully-synchronized manual transmissions: a three-speed, or a four-speed (SM465), which included a "granny gear" low-ratio 6.55:1 first gear. The 350 was offered only with the SM465 or TH350; manual locking front hubs were optional. The four-wheel drive version had a solid front axle and used leaf springs front and rear. The two-wheel drive version came with independent front suspension and rear trailing arms, both with coil springs. Both versions used drum brakes on all four wheels until 1971, when the entire GM light truck line was fitted with front discs as standard equipment. A tachometer was optional. Two transfer cases were offered: the Dana 20, available only with the manual transmissions, or the NP-205, available with both types of transmissions. The Blazer had 8 inches (200 mm) of ground clearance and an approach angle of 35°. Engines 250 cu in (4.1 L) High Torque I6 (1969–1984) 292 cu in (4.8 L) High Torque I6 (1970–1971) 307 cu in (5.0 L) Small-Block V8 (1969–1973) 350 cu in (5.7 L) Small-Block V8 (1969–1991) Transfer cases NP-205 – gear-driven part-time four-wheel drive Dana 20 – gear-driven part-time four-wheel drive

Second generation (Rounded Line; 1973–1991)

=== Overview === For 1973, GM's line of full-size trucks was redesigned and updated; internally, GM named this the "Rounded Line" generation, while the public nickname was "square body". A tilt-steering wheel became optional. Although rear-wheel-drive Blazers were manufactured until 1982, the majority sold were four-wheel drive. As tested by Popular Science in 1973, a K5 Blazer with the 175 hp (130 kW) 350 V8, automatic transmission, and full-time four-wheel-drive accelerated from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 22.5 seconds, with an observed fuel economy of 9.648 mpg‑US (24.38 L/100 km; 11.587 mpg‑imp) at a steady 45 mph (72 km/h). With the standard 250 I6 and automatic transmission, a 1974 K5 Blazer returned fuel economy of 13.69 mpg‑US (17.18 L/100 km; 16.44 mpg‑imp) at the same speed. The 1973–75 K5 Blazers were equipped with a removable convertible top. In 1976, a half-cab design was introduced and used until 1991. The second-generation K5 models incorporated the rear hatch glass and tailgate into a single unit, which allowed the glass panel to retract inside of the tailgate by use of a manual crank mounted on the tailgate or an electric motor activated by a key-operated switch on the tailgate and a dash-mounted switch. The weight of the large glass panel was rumored to be a liability as the manual crank gears wore prematurely and the electric motor was prone to frequent overheating and subsequent failure. This also included the electric motor drive cable which goes to the window regulator to the motor (similar in design to a speedometer cable), which usually would fail under heavy abuse. Another feature of the K5 Blazer tailgate was the safety switch connected to the electric motor which prevented the rear window from being raised if the tailgate was unlatched. The smaller

Third-generation (GMT400; 1992–1994)

For the 1992 model year, the third-generation Blazer made its debut, as GM moved its full-size SUVs to the GMT400 architecture (four years after its C/K debut). Chevrolet dropped the K5 prefix completely, with the "Full-Size Blazer" retained from the R/V-series. The model line grew modestly in size (3 inches in length, 6 inches in wheelbase), but underwent significant changes to its configuration. In place of the long-running half-cab pickup, the Blazer was now a three-door wagon, sharing its bodywork aft of the doors with the Suburban (losing both its removable roof and retractable tailgate glass). In a branding change, GMC dropped the Jimmy name from its counterpart for 1992 (giving the name to its midsize SUV), renaming it as the GMC Yukon. The Blazer was named "Four Wheeler of the Year" in 1992 by Four Wheeler magazine. For 1993, the model line took part in further branding changes. The GMT400 Blazer dropped its "Full-Size" prefix, becoming the Chevrolet Blazer, as the GMT330 S10 Blazer was renamed the "S-Blazer". For 1992, a 210 horsepower (157 kW) 350 cu in (5.7 L) small-block V8 with throttle-body fuel injection was the only engine offered with the Blazer/Yukon (the 6.2L diesel V8 was discontinued as an option). For 1994, a 180 horsepower (134 kW) 6.5 L Detroit Diesel turbodiesel V8 was introduced as an option; the 6.5 L engine was offered only with an automatic transmission. All versions were fitted with an independent front suspension and solid rear axle with leaf springs; four-wheel-drive versions had torsion bars on the front, while two-wheel-drive versions had coil springs. 1995 name change. For 1995, Chevrolet followed suit with GMC, renaming the GMT400 Chevrolet Blazer as the Chevrolet Tahoe (with the midsize S-Blazer adopting the Blazer nameplate). Serv

Variants and special models

=== M1009 === Around 1976, a prototype K5 Blazer was used as a testbed for a military CUCV vehicle built by Vic Hickey, father of the HUMVEE. Between 1983 and 1987, what is known as the M1009 CUCV was the production militarized version of the civilian K5. The differences are the lack of an air conditioner, an additional leaf spring in the suspension, a hybrid 12/24 V electrical system (described in detail below), blackout headlights, front mounted brush guard, a rifle rack, and special paint jobs. A majority of them are painted olive drab green or in the woodland camouflage pattern, though some vehicles that saw desert use were painted tan. All M1009s, including its derivatives, are powered with the 6.2 L Diesel power plant. The M1009s have a split 24/12 V electrical system. Most of the truck actually runs on 12 V. It has two separate 12 V alternators and batteries wired in series, with only the glow plug system, injection pump, starter, and jumper cable jack being wired to the 24 V terminals; everything else in the truck runs on 12 V. The glow plugs are actually 12 V glow plugs with a resistor pack on the firewall to drop the 24 V down to 12 V. This resistor pack can be bypassed and the glow plugs run directly off of the 12 V battery. If this is done and the 24 V starter is replaced with a standard 12 V starter, the second alternator is no longer needed (If this is done then the military 24 V slave adapter in the grille will need to be disconnected as well). Some decommissioned M1009s end up in law enforcement use (e.g., with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) or sold through government auctions, but a handful are still in use by the National Guard. 1976–77 Chalet / Casa Grande. In 1976, GM collaborated with recreational vehicle manufacturer Chinook Mobilodg

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.