Ok, I’ll take your premise on the above for 1988.
Now 1989-1991 did not have any K5 badges at all, so now what?
Not saying that I agree with how GM did things with NBS and square bodies at the time. Also 1988 sales literature has absolutely no mention of K5. It’s referred to Full Size Blazer...
we will just have to agree to disagree about all blazers being K5.
K series trucks in 1988 were new body style, not squarebody.
there’s even a previous thread on this site with the information
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/c-k-r-v-what-do-they-mean.7283/
To answer your question OP. Full size SQUAREBODY Blazers ran from 1973-1991. 1973-1987 2 wheel drive was C series and 4 wheel drive was K series.
In 1988 GM introduced the NBS or new body style pickups. These new style trucks got the C and K designations. Blazers, suburbans, and 1 ton trucks...
New speedo, speedo cable, cluster lens, bezel and dash pad. I caught a case of the might as well as I was doing the speedo cable. Oh and all led lights in the cluster.
Sounds like you maybe have different manufacturer parts mixed up on the front end?
You should have some visible threads in the slot that would allow for any adjustments.
Without changing the tie rod, you could try to find a longer adjusting sleeve.