1969-1972
First generation
Also called
GMC K5 Jimmy
Model year(s)
1969-1972
Body style(s)
2-door SUV
Engine(s)
250 in I6
292 in I6
307 in V8
350 in V8
Transmission(s)
3-speed TH-350 automatic
3-speed manual
4-speed manual
The original K5 was a short wheelbase truck. It was available in 1969 as 4-wheel drive only; in 1970, a two-wheel-drive model was offered. There were four choices for power plants: the 250 in straight-6, the 292 straight-6, the 307 V8, and the 350 V8.
The Blazer was designed and marketed to compete with International Harvester Scout and the Ford Bronco. Both of these were originally aimed at the short Jeep CJ series, which were much smaller than other trucks. The great innovation of the Blazer was to simply offer a shortened pickup truck, which both increased interior space, and lowered the cost of production with a shared platform. The Blazer quickly became popular. For the first time, it married the off-road capabilities of the Scout with the "luxury" features like air conditioning and automatic transmissions routinely available on pickup trucks. By 1970, the Blazer was already outselling both of its older rivals. Ford, Dodge, and even Jeep would counter with similar shortened pickups, with the Dodge Ramcharger and Jeep Cherokee.
The two-wheel drive version came with independent front suspension and rear trailing arms, both with coil springs. The four-wheel drive version had a solid front axle and used leaf springs front and rear. Both versions used drum brakes at all four corners until 1971, when the entire GM light truck line got standard front discs.
There was also a choice between a three-speed automatic transmission Turbo Hydromatic (TH350), a three-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed Synchromesh (SM465) manual transmission. Two transfer cases were offered: the Dana 20, available only with the manual transmissions, or the NP-205, available with both types of transmissions.
Engines:
250 in (4.1 L) I6 (19691984)
292 in (4.8 L) I6 (19701971)
307 in (5.0 L) V8 (19691973)
350 in (5.7 L) V8 (19691991)
Transfer cases:
Dana 20 - gear driven part-time four-wheel drive
NP-205 - gear driven part-time four-wheel drive
1973-1991
Second generation
Also called
GMC K5 Jimmy
Model year(s)
1973-1991
Engine(s)
250 in I6
292 in I6
305 in V8
307 in V8
350 in V8
400 in V8
6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8
Transmission(s)
4-speed SM465 manual
3-speed TH-350 automatic
3-speed TH-400 automatic
4-speed 700-R4 automatic
Wheelbase
106.5 in (2705 mm)
Length
184.8 in (4694 mm)
Width
79.6 in (2022 mm)
Height
73.8 in (1875 mm)
Fuel capacity
31 US gallons (117.3 L; 25.8 imp gal)
1989-91 K5 Blazer (Notice that this Blazer has the Cheyenne Trim Level based on the design of the grill)
1981-82 K5 Blazer
Military M1009 CUCV K5 Blazer
1985-88 K5 Blazer equipped for snow plowing
In 1973, GM's line of full-size trucks was redesigned and updated. Although rear-wheel drive Blazers were manufactured until 1982, the majority sold were four-wheel drive.
Until 1975, the K5 had a removable convertible top. In 1976, a half-cab design was introduced used until 1991.
Although the GMT400 platform was introduced in the spring of 1987 as a 1988 model, the K5 Blazer, Suburban, and crew-cab trucks retained the earlier platform until 1991. In 1989, the front grille was changed to resemble the squared-off ones used on the GMT400 series of pickups.
The K5 Blazer is very popular in the off-roading scene. It is a strong truck with the 350 V8 (which was the optional power plant), the gear driven NP-205 and ten and twelve bolt axles. It is very easy to upgrade this engine, because there are many companies with performance parts available. Later models produced after 1980 used the chain-driven NP208 transfer case, and the NP241 after 1988.
Since 1981 (in the wake of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo and the 1979 energy crisis), Chevrolet and GMC used the smaller displacement 305s with a 9.2:1 compression ratio. These engines produced nearly as much torque as the 350, giving a similar driving feel. However, these power plants were underpowered and susceptible to detonation (engine knocking), especially with the electronic spark control module. To achieve the 9.2:1 compression ratio, the cylinder head chambers were smaller, measuring 54 cc instead of 60 cc. Despite a camshaft swap, some Blazer owners swapped out the 305s in favor of 350s, since the smaller displacement power plant was used in all Chevrolet/GMC pickups and passenger cars.
1982 saw the Detroit Diesel 6.2 introduced; diesel-powered K5s are sought after (especially for diesel conversions running biodiesel and/or straight vegetable oil).
Around 1981, a prototype K5 Blazer was used as a testbed for a military CUCV vehicle. 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 volt electrical system (described in detail below), blackout headlights, 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 volt electrical system. Most of the truck actually runs on 12 volts. It has two separate 12v alternators and batteries wired in series, only the glow plug system, the starter, and the jumper cable jack are wired to the 24 volt terminals. everything else in the truck runs on 12 volts. The glow plugs are actually 12 volt glow plugs with a resistor pack on the firewall to drop the 24v down to 12v. This resistor pack can be bypassed and the glow plugs run directly off of the 12v battery. If this is done and the 24v starter is replaced with a standard 12v starter the second alternator and battery are no longer needed. (If this is done then the military 24v 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.
After 1987, when throttle-body injection was introduced in the truck engines, the 350 was made the standard power plant.
Engines:
250 in (4.1 L) I6 (19731984)
305 in (5.0 L) V8 (19761987)
307 in (5.0 L) V8 (1973)
350 in (5.7 L) V8 (19731991)
400 in (6.6 L) V8 (19751980)
6.2 L Detroit Diesel (379 in) V8 (19821991)
Transmissions:
Turbo Hydromatic TH-350 three-speed automatic (19731981)
Turbo Hydromatic TH-400 three-speed automatic (19741979)
700R4 (4L60) four-speed overdrive automatic (19821991)
Saginaw SM465 four-speed manual (19731991)
Transfer cases:
Dana 20 - gear driven part-time four wheel drive (1973)
NP-205 - gear driven part-time four wheel drive (19731980)
NP-203 - chain driven full-time four wheel drive (19731979)
NP-208 - chain driven part-time four wheel drive (19811988)
NP-241 - chain driven part-time four wheel drive (19881991)
Axles:
Dana 44 - Front axle (1973-1977/78)
GM Corporate 10 Bolt - Front axle (1977/78-1991)
GM Corporate 12 Bolt - Rear axle (19731981)
GM Corporate 10 Bolt - Rear axle (19821991)
Chevrolet Blazer 1500 Silverado 6,2 Diesel 1990
1992-1995
Third generation
Also called
GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Silverado (Mexico)
Model year(s)
1992-1995
Engine(s)
350 in (5.7 L) L05 V8
395 in (6.5 L) Detroit Diesel V8
Transmission(s)
4-speed 4L60E automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase
111.5 in (2832 mm)
Length
1994: 187.7 in (4768 mm)
1992-93: 188.0 in (4775 mm)
Width
1994: 76.4 in (1941 mm)
1992-93: 77.1 in (1958 mm)
Height
1994: 71 in (1803 mm)
1992-93: 71.0 in (1803 mm)
Fuel capacity
30 US gallons (113.6 L; 25.0 imp gal)
The full-size Chevrolet Blazer was updated in 1992 on the new GMT400 platform and lasted through the 1994 model year. The GMC Jimmy moniker was dropped from the full-size SUVs for 1992, replaced by the GMC Yukon nameplate was introduced that year. The Blazer platform was known as GMT415, and the Yukon was GMT430. In Mexico, this model is called the Silverado (not to be confused with the 1999-present full-size pickup truck).
The models were mostly identical to each other save for emblems and identification, grilles, and some trim packages; Cheyenne and Silverado for Chevy, SL and SLE for GMC. A Blazer Sport was offered with a flat graphite color applied to the lower areas of the vehicle and fender flares. A GMC Yukon GT was offered in a two-tone paint scheme early on with fender flares, it was then changed to a monochromatic appearance package later on.
These trucks had a slightly longer wheelbase than the previous models to improve drivability and towing, but there was no removable top offered, with a hatch and tailgate in the rear. Most were equipped with roof racks. The new frame was strengthened and an independent front suspension design was used. The 350 throttle-body injected V8 was carried over from the 1991 models. In 1993 an electronically controlled 4L60-E transmission was introduced, darker tinted glass was used for the rear hatches. In 1994 the grille shell was updated and an LED third brake light added. A 6.5 liter turbo diesel was offered as well.
In 1995 the full-size Blazer was redesignated as the Chevy Tahoe to be sold along with its new 4-door "shortened Suburban" counterpart, and the interior was redesigned with a new dashboard, seats, and door panels. The Yukon received the same treatment. In 1996, a new Vortec 5.7 liter 350 V8 was introduced to replace the old 350 throttle body injection engine, along with OBD-II diagnostics.
A Z71 off-road suspension RPO was offered on these trucks from 1992-1999 which consisted of larger 265/75/R16 tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and some other beefed up items, just like the pickups had. Contrary to common belief, no 2-door Blazer, Yukon, or Tahoe ever left the factory with a Z71 decal on the side.
The 2-door Tahoe was in production up until 1999, the last model year for this 2-door SUV. The 2-door GMC Yukon on the GMT400 platform was produced until 1997.
References
^ "Chevy Blazer specifications". ColoradoK5.com. Performance Media Group, Inc. http://coloradok5.com/specs.shtml#1976. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
^ Blazer '76 catalog, Chevrolet Motor Division, September 1975, p. 4, http://www.coloradok5.com/brochures/1976/blazer4.jpg 
v  d  e
Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, light truck timeline, United States market, 1950s1970s next
Type
1950s
1960s
1970s
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SUV
K5 Blazer
K5 Blazer
Suburban
Suburban
Suburban
Suburban
Suburban
Pickup
LUV
Advance Design
Task Force
C/K
C/K
C/K
El Camino
El Camino
El Camino
El Camino
El Camino
Van
Van
Van
Beauville
v  d  e
previous Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, light truck timeline, United States market, 1980sresent
Type
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Mid-size crossover
Equinox
Equinox
Full-size crossover
Traverse
Compact SUV
Tracker
Tracker
Mid-size SUV
S-10 Blazer
Blazer
TrailBlazer
Full-size SUV
K5 Blazer
Blazer
Tahoe
Tahoe
Tahoe
Suburban
Suburban
Suburban
Suburban
SUT
Avalanche
Avalanche
Coupe utility
El Camino
Sports pickup
SSR
Compact pickup
LUV
S-10
S-10
Mid-size pickup
Colorado
Full-size pickup
C/K
C/K
Silverado
Silverado
Minivan
Lumina APV
Venture
Uplander
Van
Astro
Astro
Van
Express
Beauville
v  d  e
GMC, a division of General Motors, light truck timeline, United States market, 1980sresent
Type
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Mid-size crossover
Terrain
Full-size crossover
Acadia
Mid-size SUV
S-15 Jimmy
Jimmy
Typhoon
Envoy
Envoy
Full-size SUV
K5 Jimmy
Yukon
Yukon
Yukon
Suburban
Suburban
Yukon XL
Yukon XL
Coup utility
Caballero
Compact pickup
S-15 Sonoma
Sonoma
Syclone
Mid-size pickup
Canyon
Full-size pickup
C/K
Sierra
Sierra
Sierra
Van
Safari
G-Series
Savana
Categories: All wheel drive vehicles

Chevrolet vehicles

Rear wheel drive vehicles

SUVs

1960s automobiles

1970s automobiles

1980s automobiles

1990s automobiles

Motor vehicles manufactured in the United StatesHidden categories: Articles needing additional references from October 2009

All articles needing additional references

I am China Crafts Suppliers writer, reports some information about lr1130 button cell , multi purpose charger.