The desire to find a car or truck that was equipped in a specific way can drive many of us to take on daunting projects, especially if such a vehicle was produced in limited quantities. This scarcity can drive up value as well, potentially making such projects worthy of investment. Military-grade trucks are perhaps one of the more affordable points of entry into a project with desirable equipment and some level of a rarity as this 1985 Chevrolet K5 Blazer here on craigslist shows us, available for just $5,500 with heavy-duty equipment still attached.
This particular Blazer was a border patrol vehicle so it has the rare option of air conditioning installed. It also has the factory diesel powerplant which was not exactly common in the K5 Blazer lineup. So, combining the desirability of an old-school square body like this with the government-spec equipment list makes this particular truck a unique opportunity for both Blazer fans and enthusiasts who like the idea of a zombie apocalypse machine that won’t get fried in the event of an EMP attack.
And, given it has been used in a desert-like climate, rust is likely a non-issue. Of course, the flip side of that coin is that the sun has been beating down on this truck for years, so you’ll have a fair amount of work to do if you want the cabin to feel and look like new again. Really, it’s probably a total gut to get this interior to be somewhat inhabitable once again. Now, the fact that it was used for border patrol is a stroke of good fortune for potential buyers of this truck as I can’t believe very many government vehicles were fitted with air conditioning.
The diesel engine is not necessarily a selling point for some buyers but I’ve also met enthusiasts who have nothing but good things to say about this battle-tested mill. I believe it rings in at 6.2L and some reports claim it could get near 20 miles per gallon. Sure, it won’t be fast, but it’s likely un-killable at this point and the extra MPGs never hurt. The potential bonus of upgraded equipment like additional cooling capacity and a heavy-duty alternator could be an incentive for a Blazer buyer, along with that sweet brush guard. Orange paint? That I could do without. How would you build it?
I’m sure most of the government rigs had air conditioning in them by this time.
My Army issued Ramcharger didn’t have air. It too was a diesel and even though I gave it my best shot, it didn’t get stuck.
The military variant of the K5 is the M1009. The M1009 had a 24 volt system, and did not come with A/C from the factory.
Many surplus units were provided, at no cost, to various govt agencies, and often were further modified, and painted.
These trucks are considered desirable among squarebody and military vehicle fans. While some purists may not want the A/C, most would appreciate the improved driving comfort.
If this truck was local, I would be very interested. I would paint it back to original OD green, but keep the A/C and 12v conversion.
I stand corrected, gents!
No air from personal experience, so it is rare…
Top speed was about 23 mph if I recall correctly, lol. Stupid low gears in those trucks. The Dodges too.
I’m not sure what vehicle you’re thinking of; I’ve had my M1009 around 65MPH on the highway with room to spare.
Granted, it doesn’t get to 65 quickly, and it’s loud, but it will do that easily.
455 Oldsmobile engine direct replacement, makes them haul.
Not an oldsmobile variant, 6.2 is a Detroit diesel based engine. 5.7 oldsmobile diesel was not used in military vehicles.
Clearly add on aftermarket a/c. Heater box is for non a/c.,compressor not in factory spot
It’s like buying a crown Vic, it hopefully was not abused much in the desert, but I doubt it as the person driving didn’t really care how hard they drove it.
I remember reading Autoweeks review of this engine
They said you measured 0-60 with a sundial
I was a gov contractor and we had an M1009 6.2, 4.56 gears no a/c, we only had JP8 and thats what they ran in it it was always in motorpool for no starts once it would fire mechanic said dont shut it off. I called a buddy of mine who had worked there as heavy equipment mechanic he told me too put a gal and half of motor oil in fuel that solved the issue. My fav truck on contract was the 60s W200 crew cab and a M37 that was still working.
Looks like Goliath, the drug-sniffing war dog, went nuts in there, chewed the bejeesus out of the interior!
Hard pass!!
M1009’s rock!
$1,500, max. This thing has been surplused at least three times. Military, maybe Border Patrol, and then some fire department. Every wire under the hood has been cobbled on, hasn’t ran in supposedly two years, I suspect longer. Don’t believe the odometers in these surplus military trucks, they were always being cannibalized for parts to repair other vehicles. The odometer could have come from a wrecked vehicle.