Thinking of a purchase, but what?

Rob_0126 · 09-02-2006, 01:50 PM

I thought of a 2nd gen blazer/jimmy but if I found a good looking 1st gen, Id get it. Looking for a 2dr 2wd blazer/jimmy because 2dr is lighter.

Now, that being said, a few questions for the blazer/jimmy owners:

What can I expect from a 4.3L vortec or mpfi blazer at specific miles just as example:
- 50k
- 75k
- 100k
- 125k
- 150k

I ask about whats the usual problems with blazers/jimmys so I know what Im getting into before I buy one with miles. Usual stuff like the 4.3L lifespan, tranny, electrical, leaks, bearings, anything you can think of.

Every vehicle has problems, I want to pick a chevy because usually they are easier to work on. My old 79 elky was a cinch; Everything had room to get to and a v8 even.

I want a blazer/jimmy because I dont want an ext. cab s-10 but I still want the room, hence a 2dr.

thanks

96blazer · 09-10-2006, 06:54 PM

95's are supposed to be troubled.

If I remember correctly on a 96 2dr I got used with 69K, I had a tranny go out at 100K , heater at 130K, radiator at 150K, another tranny and rear end at 160K. Everything else, I consider regular maintenance.

Other things were, GM factory alarm went bad at 130K, the rear latch acuator at 80K

Rob_0126 · 09-10-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 96blazer

95's are supposed to be troubled.

If I remember correctly on a 96 2dr I got used with 69K, I had a tranny go out at 100K , heater at 130K, radiator at 150K, another tranny and rear end at 160K. Everything else, I consider regular maintenance.

Other things were, GM factory alarm went bad at 130K, the rear latch acuator at 80K

when did gm goto the 4L60 tranny for the blazers? Is it possible to convert back to 700r4, in reference to the speed sensors?

man, a tranny at 100k, the prev. owner must have never changed the fluids. Heater, figured, good ole dex kewl lol.

Rear end at 160k, ouch.

Should I just stick with a vortec 93-94 then?

ugh, I cant decide. I dont mind rollup windows; power stuff is just something else to fix down the road; decisions, decisions.

thanks for info.; anymore would be great.

96blazer · 09-10-2006, 07:30 PM

95 was the first year of the new body style. In 96 they switch the intake because there was suposedly problems. We had a 95 in the family that was trouble-some. I expected the tranny to be ready to go after 100K, most vehicles we've had have had trannies go between 100K - 130K.

gchemist · 09-11-2006, 07:12 PM

I just bought a 96 Jimmy. It had the tranny replaced at 113000. No other major problems noted from the maintenance records. The previous owner did a good job of keeping receipts and maintenance records. I know everything that has been replaced for the last three years!! Only problem now is an oil leak. I think it's the rear seal. If it is I don't plan on fixing it soon. Removing the tranny from the engine is a real PIA I hear. If the oil leak is from somewhere else then I'll fix it quick.

BanginJimmy · 09-11-2006, 10:14 PM

My 99 has just short of 100k miles and only 1 problem to date. I had to replace one of the front wheel hubs. That went early though cause I used to beat the hell out of the truck(hitting speed bumps at 50mph). Wife had a 96 that had the tranny go at around 110k, but she got the truck at an auction so no clue how it was maintained. The only engine problem was on the 96. It blew a lower intake manifold gasket at about 150k.

~~Blazin810~~ · 09-12-2006, 12:54 PM

Umm, 2 doors aren't lighter...

BudRacing · 09-12-2006, 07:22 PM

I've been fortunate enough not to have any major problems from 103k I bought it with to the current 130k on it now. A bunch of little stuff though.

I've heard more negatives about changing tranny fluid than not. So I havent...

96blazer · 09-12-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blazin810

Umm, 2 doors aren't lighter...

They are, but by only 200-300lbs.

♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ · 09-12-2006, 08:26 PM

Just buy a 98+ 2wd with under 70K miles that looks to be in great shape.

nAu HaVoC · 09-21-2006, 02:35 AM

Ive got a 95 with 208k miles on it. To this day still never had any major motor problems. Although Ive gone through 3 transmissions...

09-02-2006, 01:50 PM	#1
Rob_0126 Registered User Age: 33 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 97 Location: Quitman User is: OffLine	Thinking of a purchase, but what? I thought of a 2nd gen blazer/jimmy but if I found a good looking 1st gen, Id get it. Looking for a 2dr 2wd blazer/jimmy because 2dr is lighter. Now, that being said, a few questions for the blazer/jimmy owners: What can I expect from a 4.3L vortec or mpfi blazer at specific miles just as example: - 50k - 75k - 100k - 125k - 150k I ask about whats the usual problems with blazers/jimmys so I know what Im getting into before I buy one with miles. Usual stuff like the 4.3L lifespan, tranny, electrical, leaks, bearings, anything you can think of. Every vehicle has problems, I want to pick a chevy because usually they are easier to work on. My old 79 elky was a cinch; Everything had room to get to and a v8 even. I want a blazer/jimmy because I dont want an ext. cab s-10 but I still want the room, hence a 2dr. thanks
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-10-2006, 06:54 PM	#2
96blazer """"""""""""""""""""""""" Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 28,374 Location: ? User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? 95's are supposed to be troubled. If I remember correctly on a 96 2dr I got used with 69K, I had a tranny go out at 100K , heater at 130K, radiator at 150K, another tranny and rear end at 160K. Everything else, I consider regular maintenance. Other things were, GM factory alarm went bad at 130K, the rear latch acuator at 80K
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-10-2006, 07:22 PM	#3
Rob_0126 Registered User Age: 33 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 97 Location: Quitman User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? Quote: Originally Posted by 96blazer 95's are supposed to be troubled. If I remember correctly on a 96 2dr I got used with 69K, I had a tranny go out at 100K , heater at 130K, radiator at 150K, another tranny and rear end at 160K. Everything else, I consider regular maintenance. Other things were, GM factory alarm went bad at 130K, the rear latch acuator at 80K when did gm goto the 4L60 tranny for the blazers? Is it possible to convert back to 700r4, in reference to the speed sensors? man, a tranny at 100k, the prev. owner must have never changed the fluids. Heater, figured, good ole dex kewl lol. Rear end at 160k, ouch. Should I just stick with a vortec 93-94 then? ugh, I cant decide. I dont mind rollup windows; power stuff is just something else to fix down the road; decisions, decisions. thanks for info.; anymore would be great.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-10-2006, 07:30 PM	#4
96blazer """"""""""""""""""""""""" Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 28,374 Location: ? User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? 95 was the first year of the new body style. In 96 they switch the intake because there was suposedly problems. We had a 95 in the family that was trouble-some. I expected the tranny to be ready to go after 100K, most vehicles we've had have had trannies go between 100K - 130K.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-11-2006, 07:12 PM	#5
gchemist Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 356 Location: Austin User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? I just bought a 96 Jimmy. It had the tranny replaced at 113000. No other major problems noted from the maintenance records. The previous owner did a good job of keeping receipts and maintenance records. I know everything that has been replaced for the last three years!! Only problem now is an oil leak. I think it's the rear seal. If it is I don't plan on fixing it soon. Removing the tranny from the engine is a real PIA I hear. If the oil leak is from somewhere else then I'll fix it quick.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-11-2006, 10:14 PM	#6
BanginJimmy Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,615 Location: dallas, ga User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? My 99 has just short of 100k miles and only 1 problem to date. I had to replace one of the front wheel hubs. That went early though cause I used to beat the hell out of the truck(hitting speed bumps at 50mph). Wife had a 96 that had the tranny go at around 110k, but she got the truck at an auction so no clue how it was maintained. The only engine problem was on the 96. It blew a lower intake manifold gasket at about 150k.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-12-2006, 12:54 PM	#7
~~Blazin810~~ Banned Age: 22 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,474 Location: Northeast Iowa User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? Umm, 2 doors aren't lighter...
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09-12-2006, 07:22 PM	#8
BudRacing Molon Labe Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,924 Location: Statesboro, Ga User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? I've been fortunate enough not to have any major problems from 103k I bought it with to the current 130k on it now. A bunch of little stuff though. I've heard more negatives about changing tranny fluid than not. So I havent...
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09-12-2006, 08:22 PM	#9
96blazer """"""""""""""""""""""""" Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 28,374 Location: ? User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? Quote: Originally Posted by Blazin810 Umm, 2 doors aren't lighter... They are, but by only 200-300lbs.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-12-2006, 08:26 PM	#10
♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ It's a Blue thing... Age: 24 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,065 Location: ♠ So★Cal ♠ User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? Just buy a 98+ 2wd with under 70K miles that looks to be in great shape.
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09-21-2006, 02:35 AM	#11
nAu HaVoC Blazin 4Dr Age: 23 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 294 Location: Prescott, AZ User is: OffLine	Re: Thinking of a purchase, but what? Ive got a 95 with 208k miles on it. To this day still never had any major motor problems. Although Ive gone through 3 transmissions...
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