mudhog
THEGAME
im looking to buy a 94 to a say 2002 baby blazer (s10) with the 4.3 vortec 4x4 automatic. what are some things to watch out for on these blazers? known trouble spots or defects?
CK5
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baby blazer help advice
- Thread starter mudhog
- Start date
mudhog
THEGAME
oh and what kinda gas milage am i looking at?
all front end parts. thay eat them. and if disk brake rears. pads freeze up on brackets. ebrake in rotor style suck. this is if you live in a rust belt for most of it.
and thay eat gas. more than some people like .
if it was me and i was looking for somthing. jeep cheroke sport or classic with 4.0. good little tank and run for ever. other than ujoints in the fronts from time to time as to no hubs to un lock.
and thay eat gas. more than some people like .
if it was me and i was looking for somthing. jeep cheroke sport or classic with 4.0. good little tank and run for ever. other than ujoints in the fronts from time to time as to no hubs to un lock.
true. I have a '00 and have gone through wheel bearings (actually the whole hub assembly) on both sides. Also if you're used to working on a 350, the 4.3 is really crammed in there so get ready to bust some knuckles. Gas mileage is better than my k5 but not great, maybe 20mpg highway...
The 4.3 is a good motor, all I have had to replace is the crank positioning sensor but I don't know if that is common.
Oh and one other common thing is the multifunction switch(turn signal/wiper)- it was recalled on some models but not mine, it was like $80 and I had to pull the steering wheel.
The 4.3 is a good motor, all I have had to replace is the crank positioning sensor but I don't know if that is common.
Oh and one other common thing is the multifunction switch(turn signal/wiper)- it was recalled on some models but not mine, it was like $80 and I had to pull the steering wheel.
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
I'm a tech. and I've had 2 of these pieces of crap, here's some things to watch out for:
hub bearings
ball joints
idler arm
pitman arm
frozen caliper pins
frozen parking brake cam
leaking water pump
worn idler pulleys
faulty clutch fan
melted fuel injector tubes (inside manifold)
leaking intake gasket (coolant)
worn door pins
broken recliner handles on seats
rear glass squeaks on 2 door models
Gas mileage is around 18-20 if you're easy on it. Have fun.
hub bearings
ball joints
idler arm
pitman arm
frozen caliper pins
frozen parking brake cam
leaking water pump
worn idler pulleys
faulty clutch fan
melted fuel injector tubes (inside manifold)
leaking intake gasket (coolant)
worn door pins
broken recliner handles on seats
rear glass squeaks on 2 door models
Gas mileage is around 18-20 if you're easy on it. Have fun.
Run now.
I know this is a GM site but the S-series is a turd of a truck. There's other options that will get better gas mileage, last longer, actually wheel, and can survive daily driving without falling apart like those POS's.
Brand loyalty is one thing. Buying a guaranteed POS is another.
I know this is a GM site but the S-series is a turd of a truck. There's other options that will get better gas mileage, last longer, actually wheel, and can survive daily driving without falling apart like those POS's.
Brand loyalty is one thing. Buying a guaranteed POS is another.
mudhog
THEGAME
damn are they really that bad? hhhhhhhhhmmmmmm i might just need to think of something else.
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
They're better than some of the garbage SUV's out there but I'll never get another one after the two I had (figured the first one was built on a monday
). There are 4 or 5 other family members who have had them and none of them would ever buy one again. The maintenance isn't really THAT bad but replacing ball joints and hub bearings once or twice a year (even with quality parts!!!) is kind of annoying. Add the fact that the interiors fall apart and rattle, the ABS system is overactive and you get crappy MPG... you'll see what I mean when/if you ever own one. 
Also, the oil filter relocation hoses leak and are hard to replace, then the replacements leak in two or three months at the same spots. The only way to cure that is to get custom ones made with more crimping area on the hoses.
I'm not a fan of the Blazer, but my '95 ZR2 S-10 was a hell of a truck for being little. I quite enjoyed driving it, it was more than capable enough off-road for me with some mudders, and they are in general pretty reliable.
Three common problems that I know of is the vacuum activation system for the 4wd can have issues; front ball joints wear quickly; and the lines for the remote oil filter will blow out of the fitting due to bad design - happened to both my S-10s. Supposedly, GM has fixed the design, from what I've gathered talking to a few S-10 owners who've replaced theirs recently.
I know a lot of "hardcore" wheelers are very quick to talk sh*t about the ZR2, but for someone who isn't obsessed with having a truck that can roll down a hill backwards and not explode or climb a vertical wall, they're good trucks, especially for the weekend 'wheeler who needs something comfortable to drive during the week. My '95 CPI ZR2, with mudders, could get about 325-350 miles to a tank on the interstate.
Honestly, my ZR2 was more fun to wheel than my K5 is, although I still have a long way to go with it. A lot smaller, lighter, and more nimble. It never hesitated to go where I pointed it (once I got the mudders on), and other than shooting 2 rods because the oil lines blew out when I was on the highway (dealership I bought the truck from covered that), the only thing I had to replace was the alternator and the water pump.
Three common problems that I know of is the vacuum activation system for the 4wd can have issues; front ball joints wear quickly; and the lines for the remote oil filter will blow out of the fitting due to bad design - happened to both my S-10s. Supposedly, GM has fixed the design, from what I've gathered talking to a few S-10 owners who've replaced theirs recently.
I know a lot of "hardcore" wheelers are very quick to talk sh*t about the ZR2, but for someone who isn't obsessed with having a truck that can roll down a hill backwards and not explode or climb a vertical wall, they're good trucks, especially for the weekend 'wheeler who needs something comfortable to drive during the week. My '95 CPI ZR2, with mudders, could get about 325-350 miles to a tank on the interstate.
Honestly, my ZR2 was more fun to wheel than my K5 is, although I still have a long way to go with it. A lot smaller, lighter, and more nimble. It never hesitated to go where I pointed it (once I got the mudders on), and other than shooting 2 rods because the oil lines blew out when I was on the highway (dealership I bought the truck from covered that), the only thing I had to replace was the alternator and the water pump.
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
I owned both ZR2 and a non ZR2 models (both were 2 door)
Have you ripped off the harmonic ballancer they added to the rear diff yoke yet? The rubber on mine got torn out and the ring was just bouncing around on the u-joint, I had to remove the pinion yoke in a parking lot and take that part off so I could get home.
I wheeled the crap out of my ZR2 and it did alright for what it was (mine was a 5 speed
) I went lots of places my friends couldn't go in their "stock" rigs. It was fun but I was tired of replacing parts so I got rid of it.
All I'm really saying is if you're going to buy one just plan on being able to change the parts I listed above on a regular basis, expect full size truck MPG and don't expect comfortable bucket seats after 50k.
Have you ripped off the harmonic ballancer they added to the rear diff yoke yet? The rubber on mine got torn out and the ring was just bouncing around on the u-joint, I had to remove the pinion yoke in a parking lot and take that part off so I could get home.
I wheeled the crap out of my ZR2 and it did alright for what it was (mine was a 5 speed
) I went lots of places my friends couldn't go in their "stock" rigs. It was fun but I was tired of replacing parts so I got rid of it.All I'm really saying is if you're going to buy one just plan on being able to change the parts I listed above on a regular basis, expect full size truck MPG and don't expect comfortable bucket seats after 50k.
BIGCHEVY4X
Registered Member
the shop i work at does alot of ball joints, intake gaskets, and oil filter hoses but i think they are decent little trucks.....however i think i would be happier with a cherokee
mudhog
THEGAME
well one thing is it wouldnt be a wheeling rig exept for ocasional small amounts of snow. i have my 77 blazer for wheeling this would be just a daily driver and forest sevice roads (ie gravel) during hunting season
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
If you get one DON'T get the push button 4x4 it's just another thing that frequently needs attention and replacement parts.
Did I mention I really don't like these Blazers yet?
Seriously:
Get a Cherokee but make sure it's got the CV axles up front (yes, cv axleshafts came in the Dana 30 on some models!!!) and a 4.0 with a 5 speed if you don't mind shifting. Other than rear axle bearings going bad about every 50,000 miles the Cherokees are pretty much trouble free.
Did I mention I really don't like these Blazers yet?
Seriously:
Get a Cherokee but make sure it's got the CV axles up front (yes, cv axleshafts came in the Dana 30 on some models!!!) and a 4.0 with a 5 speed if you don't mind shifting. Other than rear axle bearings going bad about every 50,000 miles the Cherokees are pretty much trouble free.
vortec
1/2 ton status
no. they aren't THAT bad. but they do wear out some stuff that should last the life of the vehicle, or dang close to it. they eat control arm bushings and are hard on the center link. that's a weird thing to have wear out.
85 4runner would be a good way to go. last year of SFA, and first year of fuel injection, plus.....detachable top...just like a k5
. the 22r (carbed) and 22re are wimpy, but very reliable engines.If you get one DON'T get the push button 4x4 it's just another thing that frequently needs attention and replacement parts.
Did I mention I really don't like these Blazers yet?
Seriously:
Get a Cherokee but make sure it's got the CV axles up front (yes, cv axleshafts came in the Dana 30 on some models!!!) and a 4.0 with a 5 speed if you don't mind shifting. Other than rear axle bearings going bad about every 50,000 miles the Cherokees are pretty much trouble free.
The only thing either of my S-10s with push-button needed was, in my '94, a new button module because the lights went out.
TruckNutzDude
1/2 ton status
The electric motors on the t-case are known to wear out and fail. Mine always gave me trouble on my '99 (would not go in low range) but my '95 had a lever... the only thing that failed on the '95 was the axle switch and the module for the 4L60E when it would get wet.
I had a boss with the GMC Jimmy version. At 80k miles he basically had to have the whole front end rebuilt from unit bearings to cv-joints to ball joints to seals and races to...you name it.
The only time that thing was EVER in 4x4 was when he needed it in the winters up here. Other than that it was just driving him to and from work for 5 or 6 years in 2wd.
I was also unimpressed by the gas mileage they get...14mpg? Might as well get a fullsize with a V8 and get 13mpg!
Go look at a Cherokee, 4Runner, Pathfinder, Trooper, Amigo, Sidekick/Tracker, Grand Vitara/Vitara/Tracker, etc etc etc of the same vintage and you'll be amazed by the better quality and also better gas mileage.
The only time that thing was EVER in 4x4 was when he needed it in the winters up here. Other than that it was just driving him to and from work for 5 or 6 years in 2wd.
I was also unimpressed by the gas mileage they get...14mpg? Might as well get a fullsize with a V8 and get 13mpg!
Go look at a Cherokee, 4Runner, Pathfinder, Trooper, Amigo, Sidekick/Tracker, Grand Vitara/Vitara/Tracker, etc etc etc of the same vintage and you'll be amazed by the better quality and also better gas mileage.
Sounds like something was wrong with his. City mileage with my truck was typically 17-20mpg, depending on how I drove.
I didn't realize the hate for these trucks was so strong
Randy92782
1 ton status
i was looking into a ZR-2 S-10 myself. just like the looks. guess it's better i didn't get it. my dad actually just got a 2005 Ford Edge but he hasn't had it very long so idk what could go wrong with it.
i think imma get a Chevy fullsize anyhow
i think imma get a Chevy fullsize anyhow
Dabba
1/2 ton status
My friend has a late 90s - early 00 and the tranny is already crapping out on him. He does beat it a bit though but, meh. Is say go for the cherokee with the straight six, i hear those things last forever. Another guy i know has one and swears by it. Plus, those things blow away the s10 on the sand, but they're still no K5
