I need a BLAZER!

[jesdude7789]

I have a full size 87 gmc but i need to have another more gas friendly vehicle for going to work and with room for friends.

I like the square bodied mini blazers or jimmys of the same era as my own truck so that would be what I want, i dont really like anything 1995 and up but If thats what i have to buy to get the 4 cyl and auto trans then so be it. I just dont know all the options the blazers had through the years. any info on that would be appreciated as well.

My 87 has the tbi system and i like it so i would like the blazer to have it or whatever they have that is just as good. but i'm not totally against a carburetor either.

I've been looking on craigslist in the houston area but i'm not finding any of the 4 cylinder versions, only v6.

what kind of gas mileage would i get with the 4 cyl versus the 6 cyl?

and is s10 for the chevy and s15 for the gmc? I need to know the right terms for the trucks so i can search for them better.

thanks again

[68C15]

S10= chevy 2wd
T10= chevy 4wd
S15= GMC 2wd
T15= GMC 4wd

realistically though most people call them all S10


if I am right the Blazers only came with a V6. very few came with a manual.
do NOT overlook the 92-95 CPI Vortecs with the aluminum upper intake plenum. these things rock.

[gchemist]

Yea, I think 96 and later all had 4.3 V6 engines.
My four door gets about 16-17.5 MPG in the city. 21-23 on the highway, empty.

[truckerboy]

the 2.5l 4 cylinder was available on some blazers from 85 till 88. If you are looking for more MPG's, dont be stuck on the 4 cylinder blazers. I had a 87 T15 (TBI 2.8, 700R4, 4x4) that got somewhere in the low 20's empty in 2wd. The only problem that i have seen with the blazers is a lack of life in the 700R4. (0-3).
If you really want to have better MPG's then get a 5 speed. If you dont know how to drive one, then find someone that will teach you. Its really better than automatics in the long run.

[jesdude7789]

Originally Posted by truckerboy

the 2.5l 4 cylinder was available on some blazers from 85 till 88. If you are looking for more MPG's, dont be stuck on the 4 cylinder blazers. I had a 87 T15 (TBI 2.8, 700R4, 4x4) that got somewhere in the low 20's empty in 2wd. The only problem that i have seen with the blazers is a lack of life in the 700R4. (0-3).
If you really want to have better MPG's then get a 5 speed. If you dont know how to drive one, then find someone that will teach you. Its really better than automatics in the long run.

really?! that would be pretty good thanks for the info on that. I would definitely like to stick with the models with tbi since thats what my 87 has and i'm already used to working on it. its a good simple system.

i have driven stick before but i know for a fact with me wanting this to be my new daily driver it HAS to be automatic or i'll go crazy. the low 20's mpg would be great and overall the blazer would be more versatile for me.

Also i'm not too worried about the tranny since it would be less that 1000 bucks for a rebuild and i bet if i added an external cooler it would make it last alot longer. i've had two fullsize trucks, 87 and 89, with the 700r4 and if i've learned anything, its that the factory integrated cooler in the radiator just isnt good enough to keep it cool when working harder or in stop and go traffic.

also if anybody has some good pics under the hood or of your interior i would be interested in seeing what you've done to yours whether its custom or factory clean looking.

thanks

[truckerboy]

I have had good luck with the 700R4 in full size trucks, a 87 K2500 and a 89 K2500 (350 TBI, 4x4, corp. 14 10.5 on both) with external coolers. I think that the 2.8 radiator just dont have the best flow to cool the trans and engine. You can get a external trans cooler at advance for less than 50, so that will help. You also want to keep the fluid full and clean.

As for the mpg, you will see a direct link between the driving style and mpg. The blazer is made to get you point a to point b at a steady pace. If you have a light right foot, and a good tune up, then you will get the optimal MPG, around 20 mpg.

[Myself]

Here's a nice ride but they need to come down on price about $1000. Other than that this looks about as good as it gets for a first gen.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1915562497.html

Don't forget about the Bravada http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1942576263.html

The 2wd get better mpg but not a big difference. 2.8 with auto is fine but they will only run about 200,000 if they've been maintained really well. They usually spin #1 or #2 rod bearing. The 4.3 will go 350,000 with good maintenance. Of course you don't know how it's been treated unless you get service records. 2.8 and 4.3 are also really close in mpg. A 2 dr 4x4 with 4.3 and auto will usually do low 20's on the highway and 18/19 in town. The four door versions will cut that mileage by about 2mpg.

[jesdude7789]

man that is nice! it sucks that its too far away from me and yes they need to be asking less for it. it a little too nice for my purposes. I'm more concerned about the drivetrain being well cared for and not so much the paint be cause i would rattle can it black or something. I dont want to worry about scratches in the parking lot.

the ones i'm finding are either torn apart, heavily modified with stupid seats or v8 conversions or something. hard to find just semi-nice ones for around 2-3 grand.

thanks anyway though!

[c10sport]

I get about 20 with my 1991 4x4 4.3 4 door. With the A/C on too.