What year did??

96 Vortec · October 1, 2001

Computers first appear in GM trucks?

I'm contemplating an old Blazer for tinker toy. I am having trouble deciding what year to set my sights on. I know I want to stay away from computers but I had an 87 K5 and always wanted a 91. I am pretty sure that, should my wife agree to this, I am gonna shoot for a 73-79.

Another question, which would you prefer, a full convertible or the fixed cab with removable rear topper?

Chev4Ever · October 1, 2001

Out of the two i d go for the fixed cab with the removable top..

Shaners · October 1, 2001

GM went to fuel injection in 1987.

October 2, 2001

In around '78-'79 and on through the '80's, there was a very basic (crappy) computer on carbed engines. They were easily bypassed with a vacuum distributor and older carbuerator, though.

Jeff (76BBSub) could probably give you more accurate info. He's the man for the old stuff.

chevy4x4trucks · October 2, 2001

If you want it as just a toy to tinker around with I'd go fully convertible. You might as well, what's the point of having the top off behind you???

76BBSub · October 2, 2001

Computers started in '81, and controlled only some parameters on the QJet carbs at the time. They can be extracted pretty easily if you replace the carb and distributor with non-computer stuff.

As for convertible/fixed cab it depends on what year you get. A guy I used to work with told me that '76 is the last year for the fully convertible top on a Blazer/Jimmy. I haven't seen anything newer than that with a fully convertible top, so that seems to be right.

The advantage to the half-cab convertible is that they are MUCH less rust prone. If the front of the top on the full-convert leaks (and it will leak!) you are talking about some serious rust damage to the windshield frame, firewall, door jambs, and body mounts just in front of the doors. If you look at a full-convert check these areas VERY carefully. The half-cab also has better roll-over protection, which is the reason why GM changed to that body style, and should have a little better structural rigidity. One more thing for the half-cab...if you get caught in the rain without the top you won't get nearly as wet!

Post any questions you may have, we'll try to help ya out!

Jeff

Pastmaster · October 2, 2001

Is the early computers the same as ESC?

I'm looking for a blazer too. I recommend getting a pre-1981 model. The later one's have 10-bolts, and from what I've heard, they're the weak link. If I get a later one, I'm planning to swap a 12-bolt off a junked '78 Jimmy.