1988 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

- 5.7L V8
- Automatic Transmission
- Black Over Gray Interior
- Air Conditioning

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1988 Chevrolet Blazer on a site other than GarageKeptMotors.com, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 120 photographs, including a short startup-and-walk-around video, and a link to its accident-and-damage-free Carfax, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“With the K5 Blazer, GM created a 4×4 that joined, but also changed, the SUV segment itself.” –Motor Trend, December 2020

Highlighting the Blazer's historic launch as “full-sized,” a slap at the then-smaller Ford Bronco, Chevrolet's 1988 promotional brochure put it this way: “The Full-Size Blazer has quite a heritage—one which began in 1969 when Blazer emerged as America's original full-size sport utility vehicle. Many model years later, it is still the ideal vehicle for the adventurer who really wants to go off into the horizon.”

Offered here is a well-maintained, properly upgraded “Heartbeat of America” '88 Blazer wearing a professional repaint in black. The truck has been in the hands of a collector and shows only 12,000 miles on its odometer.

The exterior black paint is evenly applied and uniformly glossy. The fiberglass cargo-area roof is unblemished. Metal trim—including the chrome bumpers, grille-surround, door handles, and mirrors—is in excellent condition. All factory-applied emblems are in place and properly mounted; the gold Chevrolet “bowtie” grille logo is perfect. Cabin glass and all lighting lenses are clear and free of damage. Aftermarket chrome wheels mounted with Cooper Discovery STT Pro tires, and an installed lift kit, give the SUV a purposeful stance.

Inside, the light gray cloth upholstery has been maintained in excellent condition. There are no signs of abuse or excessive wear, and no rips or tears. The matching door trim (featuring power-window controls) is in similar condition. Given the lighter color of the interior overall, its cleanliness is one reliable indication of prior-owner care. The gray carpeting in the cabin and the absence of wear on the doorjamb step-over areas is another. The dashboard, framed by the Chevrolet-branded steering wheel common to the brand's full-size trucks, includes the standard array of instruments and engine-monitoring gauges, set in a brushed-metal surround. That trim continues on the passenger side where a “Silverado” emblem is mounted in the factory-correct position. The automatic-transmission shifter is positioned on the steering column while the four-wheel-drive transfer case control lever is floor-mounted. Air conditioning and heating controls are slide-lever-operated, and an aftermarket, premium JVC audio head unit is installed in place of the factory radio. A lockable storage compartment is located between the front seats; the rear seat is a foldable bench with armrests. The cargo area is carpeted and the non-matching full-size spare is mounted there

Under the hood, the factory 5.7-liter V8 fuel-injected engine has received modest cosmetic upgrades including a chrome air-cleaner assembly and forged valve covers. The engine compartment is clean with all components and “plumbing” properly installed/routed. The truck's Duracell battery is under a year old. Underneath the truck, there is an absence of visible rust, and no evidence of abuse or too-aggressive off-road driving; no obvious dents or bent components.

The more than 120 high-definition photographs available on the Garage Kept Motors site, together with the walk-around-and-startup video (and damage-free Carfax report) faithfully present this '88 K5 Blazer from every angle, including from underneath. That said, we always encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom by interested parties, or their representatives. We ask only that appointments for such visits be made with us via phone or email in advance. In the same way, we are happy to answer any questions about the truck.

As truck aficionados know well, the latest editions of the Blazer are built on an automobile platform, no longer true to the “full-size-truck” K5 lineage. In part, this GM management decision accounts for the dramatic increase in demand for the original Blazer. “Buy the best one you can afford” remains sound advice when searching for these go-anywhere trucks. But don't wait too long. Remember, they're really not making them like this anymore.