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The second-generation GMC Jimmy restomod keeps it real, updating only what it needs to, like adding an LS V8 under the hood.
Blazing the SUV Trail
Back in the late 1960s, when GM wanted to create a competitor to Ford’s new Bronco and the International Harvester Scout, they did what any frugal automaker would do, they based their new Chevrolet Blazer on their existing truck platform. Not only did this save on development costs, but it also ensured the new SUV would be every bit as tough as a pickup. Though late to the game, GM’s Chevy Blazer and analogous GMC Jimmy grew in popularity, quickly outselling the Bronco and Scout.
Today, the boxy SUV of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s are all the rage among car collectors. Not too long ago, such Blazers and Broncos were left to molder and rust in the long grass behind the barn. But as they’ve aged from merely old to actual classics, these SUVs are being snapped up, restored, and modified (restomodded) into vehicles that arguably exceed their former glory (who doesn’t love a Coyote or LS V8 upgrade, right?).
Restomodding is often fraught when it comes to the modification part of the equation. Like any automotive project, the tendency is to go too far, to add too much, to tweak and tinker until the vehicle becomes a gaudy, anachronistic mess.
That’s why we love to highlight restomodded vehicles like this 1984 GMC Jimmy, where the zeal to modernize has been tempered by a desire to honor what made this classic SUV special in the first place. The result is a perfect blend of modern tech and old school style.
Engines and Evolutions
Our 1984 GMC Jimmy is part of the Blazer/Jimmy’s lengthy second generation spanning from 1973 through 1991, a full 18 years of production. The second generation saw the Jimmy grow seven inches in total length and add 2.5 inches to its wheelbase for a more substantial look. Ironically, while the second-gen Blazer and Jimmy are known colloquially as “Square Bodies” though they were termed the “Round Line” internally at GM. Compared to the streamlined designs that followed and persist today, we’d say Square Bodies captures their aesthetic more accurately.
The second-gen Blazer/Jimmy had a few signature features, the most prominent of which was its removable roof. Owners could go completely topless with nary a roll bar to be seen. As fun and carefree as this was, GM (rightly) replaced the removable top with a fixed roof in 1976. Another key feature was the Blazer/Jimmy’s retractable tailgate glass. Once a mainstay of SUVs, this feature has largely fallen by the wayside, probably because the weight of such a large slab of glass has burnt out a good many power window motors.
In addition to the fixed roof, the Blazer/Jimmy saw a succession of changes and updates throughout its long, long generational run. A 1981 refresh gave it an even squarer look, inherited from the C/K trucks on which it was based. 1982 added a diesel option to its roster of engines, which we’ll get to in a moment. In 1983, the Blazer/Jimmy dropped its optional two-wheel drive version for a dedicated four-wheel drive only configuration. Throttle body fuel injection was introduced in 1987.
The Blazer/Jimmy was powered by a series of engines ranging from 250 cu.-in. and 292 cu.-in. straight sixes to a series of small-bloc V8s that topped off with a hefty 400 cu.-in. V8. A 379 cu.-in. Detroit diesel was added to the engine lineup starting with the 1982 model year, good for 135 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. In 1984, the available engines included the 250 I-6 (dropped after ’84), either a 305 or 350 V8, or the diesel.
The GMC Jimmy, like GMCs of today, was the slightly upscale iteration versus the Chevy version, but that was certainly a relative term at a time when these truck-based SUVs still leaned hard toward rugged utility rather than the family-friendly livability we associate with modern SUVs.
Restomod Done Right
This 1984 GMC Jimmy is an excellent example of a restomod done right. In place of a 305 or 350 V8 is a new fuel-injected 5.3L LS Vortec V8, typically good for around 300 horsepower or about double the original V8. This engine comes paired with a four-speed automatic feeding power to all four wheels. This Jimmy is on a four-inch Skyjacker suspension lift and comes equipped with cruise control and power brakes. Amenities include AC, power windows, Bluetooth compatibility, and a CD player. The interior remains true to the original with vintage cloth seats and a faux wood dashboard. Rounding things out is a stunning two-tone light blue and white paint job with refreshed chrome, including on that distinctive Square Body grille.
For a portal to a past when SUVs were just trucks with roofs, check out this 1984 GMC Jimmy for just $46,995.
