Blazing New Trails With the Old School Chevy K5 PreRunner

The Chevy K5 Blazer was created to compete with the Ford Bronco and International Scout at the full-size off-road SUV market. The vehicle was introduced to the public in 1969 as a perfect vehicle for adventure seekers in the forests of the American West, swamps, and mud of the South and deserts of the West. In the early 1960s offroading in comfort was non-existent. You had to either hop in a rugged Jeep or use a bulky work truck to make it to your destination off the beaten path.

The second-generation square body Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a rugged and capable full-size SUV mashed with a pickup. The truck-based two-door vehicle gained so much popularity among drivers that it remained in production for eighteen consecutive years.

This tough and capable truck was so good, that it was widely used for military and law enforcement purposes in the 1980s. The 1977 version chosen by our today’s hero has a pickup-style fully enclosed cab, bed floorboard, detachable hardtop, and a tailgate with retractable glass.

Scott Newhan from the San Diego area kindly agreed to talk to us and share his story. He decided to take this old school K5 Blazer and build the truck of his dream for exciting adventures in the desert with his kids. It took years to complete the project but the end result is astonishing. The suspension, drivetrain, and interior of the truck were upgraded and modernized while the exterior aesthetics of the classic square body Chevy was fully preserved.

How did you become interested in off-roading?

– My older brother Mark Newhan was building trucks and I started helping him with his early racing career. I always wanted to build one of my own but couldn’t afford it till later in life.

What inspired you to choose this modification style for your K5 Blazer?

– I wanted a sleeper look that worked well enough to have fun with my kids.

What challenges did you face while putting it together?
– Money!!!

What do you love about your vehicle?

– I love how much fun it is to drive on or off-road. I love the way it sounds, smells and rides.

Do you take it off-road? If so, where and how often?

– As much as possible but at least two good trips per year.

What are your future plans for this vehicle?

– Perhaps I-Beams to get more travel in the front. Also, a TH400 transmission and hopefully a whole new Rugged Radio intercom and radio system.

Engine specs and modifications

– 383 Stroker from West Coast Engines. 450HP. MSD Atomic Fuel injected

Lift height and suspension modifications

– All custom. 15 to 17 inches of front travel. Rear is linked with about 24 to 26 inches of travel

Wheel specs

– 15″ wheels with 35×12.50 General Grabbers

Exterior mods

– All front Autofab fiberglass with a dropdown hood.

Interior

– Fully caged front to rear, built by Dok-tek Motor Sports(Viktor Doktor). Mastercraft racing seats. Fiberwerx Navi Dash and center console. Wrapped in vinyl leather by Sickels Apolstry in Escondido.

Watch the progress and find out more about this Chevy K5 Blazer Pre-runner project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @scottnewhan!

Stay tuned for more project reviews on Offroadium.com – Follow us on social media and share this write up if you enjoyed reading it using the share buttons below!