Picked up this killer 73 K5 Blazer for my next build. Prices have gone CRAZY!

It has been a long time coming, but it appears that the nostalgia tax has caught up with Squarebodies. I have seen some crazy high prices out there but the deals are still around you just need to search a little more and be patient.
I go through what I paid for my last few squares. Hopefully it helps!
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[@atleder1]

Gained interest in squarebodies in the summer of 2016 when I volunteered at a living history museum with my mom. The museum was out in the country a bit and secluded by a large hop farm. Next door was a beautiful 83 k5 with a lift and some 35s. Never saw it move. Came back a couple years ago and bought it off the guy for 1800 bucks. Turns out, the union between the tcase and trans had cracked, which led him to park it. It’s in great condition. Now that I have some time, I’m finally getting around to working on it. Thanks for all your tutorials and reviews. Been watching them for years now.

[@billallen4793]

I have a 1975 K5 4x4 that needs a new home, and has lot's of great part's already there, SM465 Muncie 4speed with granny low, 205 transfer case, 12.5" corporate full float, 37" Toyo Open-Country mt's, and a 85 3/4ton 2 wheel drive auto turbo400 suburban!..from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠

[@BigBurb]

So stoked I picked up my big burb for $1,500.

[@ericrocha4693]

I just bought a 75 k5 Cheyenne full convertible with a 8.1l 4wd for 2500. Has the HD drive train from a Silverado 2500HD.

[@marklopes2047]

I bought a Chevy 1975 Chevy blazer for $2,500 it was blue and silver back in the early 90’s i spent over $10,000 on it on a 4 inch lift and 3 inch body lift new motor axle’s with 44’s on it I wish I never got rid of it (big regrets)and the floors where in very bad shape I sold it for $1,500 now i can’t find one any where in some sort of better shape then mine was and yes I can’t believe how much these trucks are going for

[@armygreenfj3924]

There’s a pretty clean 75 4x4 square body in Monterey CA. Its on craigslist and not too bad of a shape. Its green and white for 32k.

[@mstens1271]

It was your channel that got me to drag out the 87 gmc from behind the barn. I’ve given it the 1 ton swap, currently doing floors and some patch panels. Its a great platform and parts are still very affordable.

[@julianchavez3372]

How does free sound? I scored an 88 sub 4x4. It was sitting since 2005. Got it running and driving and now im onto lift and axles and paint and stuff.

[@EricDgg]

I wonder how much my 1974 K5 Blazer With 14k original miles, Dad had it in a temperature control garage. All original clean polished, with a notebook with every oil change and basic repair receipts in it. Dad's gift to me...just wondered cost

[@cobymar9058]

I just bought a rusted out 82 k5 blazer for 1800. With a axel swap (long story) and carb should be driving for under 3000

[@GreenCastleGarage]

I bought the exact mustard yellow 73. Ls swapped it and removed all exterior sheetmetal

[@Hammerback0]

I just picked up a 85 GMC K10, had sat for 5 years, has a 350 crate motor in place of the factory 305, 3 speed on the floor with bulldog. Replaced brake lines, flushed fuel lines, drained gas tank, fired right up and didn’t even smoke. 4wd works perfectly. Paid 350.00 for the truck, and 40.00 to the clerks office to transfer title to my name. Looks like I may be able to flip it for at least 800.00?

[@MRALL4FUN]

You are THE MAN when it comes to the SQUARES SIR!!

[@jasonwakeman3821]

I paid 1600$ 3 years ago for a running 1975 full top and have since been offered 15k recently. And it's just a survivor with faded orange paint one rust spot on driver's fender. I didn't even tell him I've rebuilt the motor, transmission, All new brakes and wheel bearings, u joints, shocks and an all new fuel system from tank to carb.

[@MerricksGarage]

as someone who has been in this game since 94, I can't believe how cheap they once were and how expensive they are now

[@jayq7463]

Sema build get your name out there

[@mountainadventures7346]

I own a Blazer and a Burb. The Blazer is my daily driver on 37’s. And I chopped the top off the burb and it’s a project. My current big project is a Dodge Cummins AEV build with a FWC camper on 40’s. Once that’s done I can pull my Jet boat and go camping. Anyhow bud have you been watching the Broncos? Mid 80’s to mid 90’s? Desolate motor sports and busted knuckle garage seems to be bringing these back to life as well. They seem to be geared more for the pre runner desert stuff versus rock crawling. They are going up up up! I’m about 6 miles from Idaho in Washington. We only have logging roads up here, too many trees. Although we have been building some trails on my ranch. But overall not much rock crawling up here. The Bronco of that era has a twin traction beam. I’m rambling but I guess just asking your opinion on that era Broncos and what are the pros and cons. Maybe a idea for a video? I have a 351 Windsor in my jet boat. It’s a good motor. And I saw a video where they bolted LS heads on a Windsor block and with a few tweaks it made HP on a dyno.

[@MerricksGarage]

you know what's funny. I may have an 89 Bronco that I am gonna start a rebuild on! I have nothing against them in particular, just always been a Chevy guy. You should check out Full Size Invasion. Couple of trips coming up that would be near you. One in Idaho, one in Utah.

[@mountainadventures7346]

@@MerricksGarage Thanks! I see an event with the Mountain Mafia guys in Bonners Ferry Idaho. I should get my ranch on the list!

[@jeffk5386]

Hey Merrick ! Where do you see the collectibility of a 98 2 door 4x4 LT barn door going ??

[@superducky307]

I paid 1200 for my running driving 87 jimmy with 4” lift and 35’s deals are still out there

[@flavaflav7769]

i have a 74, solid frame,,but needs some body work,,,,but i cant find anyone to work on it

[@paulsinger2539]

Was at Barret Jackson auction in Scottsdale a couple weeks ago...blew my mind the prices on squarebodys...to think how we treated these in highschool

[@MerricksGarage]

Exactly. We thought they were disposable lol

[@Livinguud]

Yep, these are our 57’ chevys.

[@Hammerback0]

Flipped a C-10 on a country road when I was 16. Good times

[@billallen4793]

​@Hammerback972 I flipped a 69 on 44's swerving to miss a stupid 🦌 deer. Now I drive through them! I have a horror story about a death from swerving to miss deer!...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠

[@shortcutgarage]

Inspired me to grab one to do up for my KZbin channel. Just getting started. Be sure to check it out!!

[@cjmaurer9428]

I just scored an 84 k5 454, 60/14b disc brakes all around, lockers, 12.5k winch, running driving minimal rust in South Jersey for 5500.

[@1936Glen]

75 grand went into the K30 burb? Holy crap. Lol. I'd love to see a breakdown of where the money went.

[@navarreteandy702]

Im so jealous of that 73 convertible.... beautiful truck....

[@SubePelayo928]

I love the square body chevys. But I’m building a First Gen solid axle 4runner with a Chevy drive train!

[@davidhodgkin9797]

I just got two square body’s I’m going to flip . One is a 1977 K5 in a great running and driving form with a 350 4 speed granny low . The other is an 1987 GMC regular cab 3/4 ton with a 454 4 speed granny low . The truck has the 14 corporate rear end , both of them are running driving on the road . The truck had issues in the bed , and I had to replace cross members . But they are both solid steel now . I’m having the dilemma of I want to keep one but which one lol .

[@liftedburblife]

Crew cab will fit on suburban frame

[@chanteljoshplummer8745]

I love the full convertible top, I have a 73 waiting for me to finish the engine. I can't wait to see what you do with that one specifically.

[@steelmill888]

Man I feel like I'm in school getting a great history lesson on the Square Body.Thanks so much.You have helped me alot.

[@MerricksGarage]

Glad to hear it!

[@Clappedoutgarbage]

6k!? A buddy offered me one in a little worse shape for the time to get it off his property.... wish I had some where to put it

[@duanewhite3184]

If you're going to be into square bodies blazers trucks suburbans make sure that you look up off-road design they got parts here probably going to be interested in shackle flip kit for the rear end for the height you desire steering box kits also front end kits check them out they got a lot of variety

[@MerricksGarage]

go take a look around my channel. I know who they are. lol

[@Iamthestig42069]

I know of a k5 chalet in a field that’s saveable

[@seangill7985]

Where??? Any details on it? Do you know what serial number the camper is? It's on a tag by the back door.

[@HarrysBigShed]

I bought my '73 K5 in 2004 for $2K USD then waited 18 months for it to arrive in Australia. She's stuck in a corner of the shed at the moment while I get my Silverado back together. She still runs, but isn't pretty. You will have to pry the keys out of my cold dead fingers before I would ever think about getting rid of it. Keep up the good work M8...you are an inspiration to many.

[@MerricksGarage]

cheers Harry!

[@stefandijk5339]

Hi Merrick, love your work and enthusiasm regarding the square bodies. I hope to start with my journey of owning and working on a square body. Your video’s are very clear and I like your new consultantcy business case. As I get further on my journey I will definatley make use of your time and pick your brain. Keep up the good work! Best, Stefan

[@MerricksGarage]

thanks man!

[@joebarcena6265]

I seen that blazer for sale but I was waiting for some money someone owned me congratulations on it

[@guyanderson3042]

First generation blazer for me👍

[@mohsenpourghasem399]

Best

[@LOC-rl9ty]

I have 1974 k5 blazer and payed 4k for it love this year 73 to 75 all the same

[@benjamindover9553]

I bought my k5 back in November of 2020, at the time I lived in oregon and just had $2500 to my name (I was in highschool) and manage to find a 77 k5 on offerup for 3500. I didn’t even know what these trucks were and I found your channel and realized that they are sweet! He ended up marking it down to $2500 and I went out and took a look at it. No rust on frame, it started right up and ran, and the tags on the license plate were from 1997. It’s been sitting that whole time In a garage. I ended up fixing it up and drove it cross country in October of this year. My friend and I zig zagged across the US from oregon to South Carolina and went to glacier, Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Mount Rushmore all in one trip. I got really lucky considering how cheap I got my truck and I’m sure glad I spent every penny I had to get it

[@elijahcbr6009]

Man, that's bad ass.🤘

[@firefighteruppy9121]

SCORE! Keep that baby!

[@BurntTransGarage]

I love all your builds, James. I'd LOVE to have a convertible K5. My first car was an 84 K10 short bed (bought in 2002, I got my permit in 2003, I'll let people do the math for my age). It's an original Colorado truck with plenty of rust. 350 4-speed manual, no lift, 3/4ton axle swap: I've had that truck up Redcone, Wheeler Lake, and other 8/10 trails in Colorado. It's the absolute underdog...but just continues to kick butt; total beast. I've been up those hard trails, through blizzards, etc. and I've only once needed a tow once (that was a cocky move gone wrong). I'll always be a die-hard square body fan; working on a K5 project now. Anyway, your videos are the authority on square bodies, so I love all the content. Thanks for sharing. Hope to catch you on the trail.

[@Livinguud]

Love these videos mang. Im feeling pretty good about my 1985 chevy crew cab 4x4 dually camper special barn find. The story in its self would blow any square body junkies mind. Long story short and being a service plumber i merly asked the home owner if he had any old chevy small blocks laying around for i was wanting to build a motor with my teenage son. And he replied “yeah i have a 454”, and i then replied do you have a tractor or anything to load it into the back of my truck. He then replied “ no you have to take the whole thing”. Being confused i then said whole thing? He then pointed out to the back 40. There she was. Complete running with 93k and 20 k on a rebuild. new trailer breaks and running. Just gave it to me! Very straight with cherried interior. Came back a day later and drove it up onto the flat bed with clean title in hand and the rest is history. This was two years ago. I have since given her a 6”lift with 37” tires and black wheels. Its currently getting a 3/4 restoration to show quality. Stock blue paint with a bit more flak to give it some style. Its blacked out. Super dream find of a lifetime. She will come in at a very nice market price for these are super rare and hardly any for-sale. Only sell though if the price is right, but my son says “ no sale dad”. I said, ok buddy just for now.

[@maditrent9081]

Would be cool if you made a old school prerunner truck out of it with a center drop fiberglass hood

[@CrankAddict]

The '73 on my channel was purchased 1 yr ago for $10K complete and running. The engine and trans was traded even for a junkyard 6.0/4l80e.

[@ivanperkes6006]

Your channel is why I bought the hellroaring isolator combiner. I finally got it installed but not in the 79 suburban I had planned but in an 03 2500 yukon xl. Now I want to build a 203/205 off-road design doubler that will hook up to my 4l80e transmission. I bought the 205 because of you too.

[@MerricksGarage]

Heck yea. The hellroaring is amazing. Look at the magnum box from ORD. Huge improvement over the doubler. I have one in the blazer

[@ivanperkes6006]

@@MerricksGarage I have the 203 already. I wish I could send you pictures of it. Maybe on your Facebook?

[@205_bowties]

I bought an 89 k5 January 3 of 2020 it was great timing. few months later the prices went crazy. Paid 7500 and been offered 18k

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea serious. There are some crazy buyers out there right now.

[@esmechanics8691]

In 2005 I paid 2000 thousand for a 74 Cheyenne super 10 people thought i was crazy including my family but it ran good and It was straight with no rust . Now Aday’s you cant find a roller for that.

[@TheDriller100]

6000😂... i would pay 600 lol

[@crazielegz4735]

I'm looking for a 74 2wd frame by any chance you now anyone with one?

[@captainflatbed.7927]

Heck yeah I just bought a 80 Gmc jimmy 454. Gonna stroke it 496 and get it sitting right and slicked out. Awsome

[@jdkoons1234567890]

So I sold my K5 awhile back because all my friends went to UTVs. But I have 76 3/4 ton long bed truck that’ll be mine soon. 4 speed manual which is sweet too. It’s rough around the edges since it was a ranch truck before it was parked but the parts are solid. Just $1000 and it was a runner when it was parked. It’ll never be a show queen and I don’t plan to turn it into a crawler. Just plan to get it up and running and back to a little better than stock. Pretty excited about it.

[@MerricksGarage]

Sounds killer. Hope you learned lesson about selling. Ha ha.

[@jdkoons1234567890]

Can only afford so many toys and the Blazer was suffering. It went to a good home with an owner who had deeper pockets. Only regret is I should have held out for a little more cash. But who knew the world would go crazy? I do miss it, but I miss the cj I sold to buy the K5 too. All part of life my friend.

[@danielfiske9849]

Merricks Garage is my #1 Channel!! Pumped

[@danielfiske9849]

Replacement parts are readily available. Great 2nd vehicle.

[@aspirino1973]

Nice proyect ! I’m working on the same project but in Chile.

[@MerricksGarage]

Awesome! If you ever need help with parts I might be able to help 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@peterhatch1583]

I have one cheap

[@jimmydee8880]

The only crazy price is what you are charging, but that's just my opinion 😉

[@Antonio1974K5Blazer]

Love your channel bro been subscribed since you cut the fenders on your first K5 to fit bigger tires. Love to see your channel growing. Broke my rear shaft. Can you tell me who makes good strong front and rear drive shafts that have some flex in them?? I own a 74 K5 with a 84 front end.

[@MerricksGarage]

Call up Tom Woods Driveshafts. They just have the driveshaft game dialed

[@Antonio1974K5Blazer]

@@MerricksGarage Thank you Mr. Merrick!

[@jefferychittick4627]

I have a 1975 K5 blazer both the driver and passenger side doors need replaced do you know anyone that makes an aftermarket door for those or am I gonna have to try to do this cutting myself ?cannot seem to find any doors for them thank you for your channel it has helped me a lot on my build

[@mattjohnson3741]

No one makes an aftermarket for the 73-75 blazer as far as I know. You can still get the upper and lower caps for the door but you’ll have to cut the door frame and brace the rear window guide/frame for the glass.

[@johnduncan7039]

Are you in California

[@joefrank3662]

Help!

[@deegan727]

I bought my 15-18k Blazer for 5800 2 years ago by spring it’ll be worth 30+k to the right ass with money he doesn’t want.😂

[@jackrockholt2823]

Have to refresh the video to get sound

[@BurbanOverland]

Square body's are the best. I am currently acquiring parts for my 1990 suburban. CUCV axle swap, LS stroker motor, TM-4050, with a NP205. I will be making videos of the process and posting on my page.

[@MerricksGarage]

Pay attn to the TR4050 to NP 205 adapter. The small bore GM bearing figure 8 205s work best

[@BurbanOverland]

@@MerricksGarage that is what I got.

[@Rays_Bad_Decisions]

You can find a cheap squarebody but it will be in bad shape. There's sooo many squarebodies made they were treated terribly

[@liftedburblife]

You can look it up k5 around little rock Arkansas the kid hasn't sold it for 15.000 face book market place now he is starting to part it out

[@jameshall4385]

I love square bodys but the prices are ridiculous. I paid $750.00 for my 89 k5, 4 years ago and now the same condition blazers are going for 4 to 5 thousand dollars. Nice ones are going anywhere from 15 to 40 thousand dollars. I can buy tri five chevys cheaper than some square bodys.

[@jonnysprojects6549]

Glad I got my k5 when I did the prices in the uk are nuts at the minute

[@MerricksGarage]

What does a blazer go for in the UK?

[@jonnysprojects6549]

@@MerricksGarage few and far between there's a project on ebay atm for £12k and a 87 6.2 on marketplace for £17k n keep up the Great content 👍

[@darrellhenderson913]

I have a 1985 blazer it is in decent shape and was wondering what you would charge to go through it not a restoration but a lot of upgrades. Are you interested in talking about something like that? Thanks

[@cooldawg5981]

I have a 74 if anyone is in the market . Running . It is a project tho

[@crazielegz4735]

How much?

[@cooldawg5981]

@@crazielegz4735 located in Northern Ca asking 8500

[@joshpeterson7216]

i have so much square stuff laying around... need to sell it....

[@ethanslape8889]

yikes $250 seems a little steep for an hour. $50-100 seems a little more reasonable

[@MerricksGarage]

It’s all relative. I think it’s a fair deal.

[@ethanslape8889]

@@MerricksGarage I think a lot of people would be more interested in doing it if the price was lower therefore having more people do the service. rather than less people paying $250, have more people pay maybe 75 or something. Maximize your volume profit. I did that with my small business and it helped a lot. just a thought!

[@seangill7985]

It's not about making it reasonable, it's about making it sustainable and profitable. There are plenty of people ready, willing, and able to pay $250/hr. They don't usually have any problem with the total build cost either. Unfortunately, making this service "affordable" to the average person just won't pay the bills. It's not personal, it's just business!

[@peterhatch1583]

I have one you could have it for $3k

[@LPWSzzz]

Man you should move your business out if California, maybe Colorado or anywhere else that’s more business friendly, you’d probably be bringing in an extra 100,000 a year or more I obviously don’t know what you make but if your business is mostly manufacturing and mailing out parts I would move out of there

[@johnjr3870]

75K for the parts retail. Sure there were "deals" in there with advertising parts. 6K for the 73 blazer, I can see that.

[@MerricksGarage]

Oh yea there were sponsored parts. But full pop that’s where it comes in at. It all adds up. Several hundred in fluids for example.

[@jrbarriga8357]

Are u looking for projects only or are u interested in all original immaculate condition squares too

[@MerricksGarage]

What do you have?

[@eastonhalleman1092]

I bought my k20 2 years ago for $3600 and delivered on a trailer to my door from 200 miles away for only $200 more no doubt in my mind I could sell it for at least $6500 right now

[@trevin1691]

What’s the best coil spring configuration for 77 square body? Sorry, but I didn’t see the show where you spec. your front end geometry

[@campnoutdoors1621]

That'll be $250

[@MerricksGarage]

Ha ha.

[@campnoutdoors1621]

@@MerricksGarage just trying to get everyone on the right page here.....Lol

[@danielfiske9849]

Click Away? No way in Hell....G.O.A.T is my leader!!🤗

[@kerryengdahl7931]

No sound

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea KZbin Has been super difficult to get working right this week.

[@FlawedOffroad]

I miss my 87 custom deluxe, that was my first ride when I was 16 and to date the only squarebody Ive owned