This Restored 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer 4x4 Will Likely Make You Want a K5

Brian Kaufman’s K5 Blazer is a fullsize time capsule.

Joshua ElzeyWriterJul 29, 2021

Brian Kaufman wanted to restore a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser , so he went to many of the major Land Cruiser restoration companies around the country to check out what they had to offer.

During the search he happened across a 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer parked on a street corner in Jupiter, Florida. Brian approached the owner and was told that the vehicle was purchased from Mecum Auctions recently, but there was the possibility for Brian to purchase the K5.

The 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer was in great shape given its age, due in part to spending most of its life in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. A deal was struck and the K5 was brought to its new home in Massachusetts where it would spend summers serving Brian's needs.

About the 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer

The 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer was a key year for Chevy's smallest fullsize SUV model as the company strove to keep many of the features geared to 4WD enthusiasts. This model did shed weight, the optional 305ci V-8 in 4WD models had new Electronic Spark Control to be more efficient, and GM eliminated the need to get out to lock the front hubs for 4WD by integrating auto-locking hubs. The Chevy Blazer was marketed to those who liked to wheel, but the company didn't forget those who were not into off-roading by integrating comfort features.

One of the K5s unique features was the retractable tailgate glass, which was either driven manually (like Brian's K5) or via electric motor. Brian's K5 is equipped with the Silverado package, considered top-of-the-line at the time, and it features several premium updates to the interior. For the 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer models the exterior was restyled to be more aerodynamic with updates to the fenders and hood while a new grill kept the older ice cube tray iconic look. New bumpers housed the turn signals and the parking lights. The beltline went full body allowing for cleaner two-tone paint options.

Brian's Plan For The 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer's Restoration

After driving the Blazer for a while, Brian realized it needed some mechanical work, so he went on a search for a shop. While on the hunt for a shop to restore an old Land Cruiser, Brian had looked into Greg's Restorations in Rutland, Massachusetts. The company specializes in frame-off restorations of vintage cars, trucks, and 4x4s, so Brian chose the company to work on the Blazer. Initially, the project was just to be a mechanical restoration but as time went on Brian decided to pull the trigger on a full resto. Greg Ward of Greg's Restorations welcomed this project, especially given the SUV's life in in the Southern climate. This, combined with low miles, meant rust was not a huge issue unlike most of the road salt-damaged New England restorations the shop is accustomed to.

More Power For Brian's 1981 Chevy K5 Blazer

One of the big items to change was the factory 305ci V-8 engine. Just saying "305" sounded wimpy for a K5 Blazer, although when the Blazer rolled off the assembly line the engine was quite popular given the U.S. economy was on recovery following the energy crisis of the late 1970s. A 350ci V-8 was an option for the Blazer and it would have a bit better performance, power, and torque, so with that in mind Brian chose a Summit Racing 300hp crate motor that included an upgraded cam and lifters to power the K5. The engine bay was a challenge to restore because there were not many pictures available showing what the compartment looked like when it came off the end of the assembly line.

In the end, everything was plated or painted to look as OEM as possible based on research. Even the factory air cleaner was adapted to work with the Holley Sniper EFI. Reproduction decals were also researched and ordered. The fuel tank was upgraded to a 32-gallon unit to increase the miles between fill-ups.

Challenges Along The Way

One of the hardest parts of the restoration was obtaining parts hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many companies were shut down. Some of the parts that were hard to find were factory trim parts and weatherstripping. It was also a challenge to find a company to re-plate the factory bumpers and rebuild the transmission and T-case. On the upside, these delays created time to fit and modify aftermarket parts such as the front Hickey brushguard mounts, the dash pad, the seat belts (the factory belts with new components), and wheel well trim. Power is routed from the 350ci V-8 to the TH350 three-speed transmission and NP208 T-case before being routed to the axles.

Suspension Mods

Suspension mods include a 2 1/2-inch Skyjacker lift kit with Bilstein shocks. Among other things, the suspension, along with the larger 33-inch tires, gave the Blazer a more muscular look compared to the stock ride height. Greg and Brian didn't want too much lift, just the sweet spot of nice ride height that didn't ruin the comfort of the vehicle. Another concern was meeting Massachusetts' strict mandatory vehicle regulations.

Exterior Mods

The Blazer's exterior also needed some TLC. Among other things, the painted hardtop was returned to the factory coating spec. Brian and Greg also felt the factory Cardinal Red was too blah for the truck, so they decided to vary the shade using a custom color from the Sherwin Williams Rods and Restorations paint book. Other exterior mods included KC Lights Daylighter LED fog and reverse flood lights, and these are a nod to the Blazer's off-road heritage.

Interior Mods

Inside, the well-optioned interior also went through a full restoration by Seamless Custom in Leicester, Massachusetts. And on the subject of the interior, the K5's tech was brought up to speed with an upgrade that allows the factory radio to use Bluetooth as well as an array of Alpine speakers.

The Finished Product

The Blazer is a tip of the hat to the nostalgia of the early '80s and the impact the K5 had then and continues today. Brian now has something that looks like it's off the showroom floor to enjoy with his wife and pets and Brian routinely gets thumbs up from folks and often an earful of stories as the truck sparks memories for others.