A modern take on the body-on-frame K5 Blazer is something Chevrolet won’t give us, using the nameplate for an FWD-based crossover and an EV crossover instead. However, Flat Out Autos’ Chevy K5 Blazer ZR2 Conversion for 2023, 2024 and beyond is an aftermarket way of filling that void.
Arkansas-based Flat Out Autos calls its creation the KR2, which is a mix between the legendary K5 Blazer and the ZR2 badge Chevrolet uses for its off-road-savvy derivatives these days—we first discussed the vehicle when it was previewed back in February, including a realistic 3D rendering by Oscar Vargas (aka wb.artist20).
A simple glance at the KR2 will reveal this is an SUV built on a shortened version of a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado. The specialist used the 1500 WT regular cab (single row of seats, long bed) iteration of the pickup truck. However, the wheelbase is now 22 inches shorter, while the rear of the cab was cut to accommodate an open-air rear seat that also gets a carbon fiber cover (aka removable hardtop).
Flat Out Autos’ KR2 gets serious off-road gear, including 37-inch tires
As is the case with Chevy’s Silverado ZR2, this modern K5 Blazer gets tracks that are 7 inches wider, which explains the widebody fenders. These welcome 37-inch Nitto Trail Grappler mud-terrain tires wrapped around beadlock wheels. The heavy off-road stuff also includes long-travel suspension offered by Dirt King and Fox Racing shocks with external reservoirs.
The Chevy K5 Blazer ZR2 Conversion—we find this name as fitting as the official KR2—is powered by the Silverado’s factory 5.3L V8, which works with a ten-speed automatic transmission. However, Flat Out Autos can also add a Whipple supercharger featuring HP Tuners software, which makes for 467 hp and 440 lb-ft of twist at the rear wheels.
The utilitarian cabin of the Silverado has been completely transformed for a plush feel. For one, the seats have dropped their textile covers and now sport a Katzkin leather finish, seen here in red. This means the interior meets the expectations one has when seeing that Silverado ZR2 front end and the Glacier Blue Metallic exterior finish and then some.
The pricing
This modern-day Chevy K5 Blazer starts at $178,000. And with options like the $14,950 supercharger, its price can hit $202,000, which, even including the price of the donor truck, is a lot by any standards. The figure was shown on the window sticker at SEMA 2023 where the KR2 made its debut.
Speaking of paying top dollar to enjoy a contemporary incarnation of old-school body-on-frame American icons, while Ford makes this possible with the sixth-gen Bronco, getting this with a V8 is almost impossible.
The silver lining here is that Flat Out Autos has a record of producing top-notch conversions. So for last year’s SEMA show, they introduced a modern-day iteration of the GMC Jimmy, which can be based on the 2023 GMC Sierra or 2023 Chevy Silverado using a similar recipe to the machine described above. You can see the modern K5 Blazer and Jimmy next to each other in the final part of the gallery below.
Now, if you’re into retromodding, which means making new cars look like old ones to enjoy the best of both worlds, Flat Out Autos also offers a 2-door Chevy K5 Blazer based on a 2018 Chevy Tahoe, albeit featuring retro-looking body panels. And, as you may have guessed, this was the company’s main build for SEMA 2021, having become an auction star meanwhile.
