Looking at a Blazer

[1990SSchevy65]

Hi

I am in the market for a full size blazer and I am new to the 4x4 blazer scene. I found a 1986 4x4 full size Blazer that is black/gray and I called the guy and he said that everything works on the truck and it has alittle over 100k miles.

What I am wanting to know is besides looking for rust since I live in Indiana, is how do you know if the 4x4 actually works and what other trouble spots do I need to look for before trying to purchase this blazer. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks


Scott

[Josh]

Best way to check 4x4 operation is to get it on a gravel road and put it in 4lo and see how it works. Check the rear quarters, windshield frame and cab supports for rust. Make sure it runs alright, they use a computer controlled carb on em and it can be a pain in the butt to get tuned right if its off (easier to swap to a regular carb.) They're pretty good and solid reliable vehicles, as long as theyre nto overly abused.

Josh

[longhorn71]

one more spot to check for rust.Just inside the tailgate on the floor.The tailgate windows were a commonly leaking area and lots of these trucks have holes or crusty floors in the rear.

[1990SSchevy65]

Ok. Thank you for the replies so far. My next question is this: I am looking at this blazer to be a DD to replace my 1991 s10 that the tranny died on. What would be the gas mileage of this blazer? 12-16? Maybe or is that even too high. I still have the oppunity to fix the s10, but it will cost me $1K I do not know if it is worth fixing the s10 for that proce or should I spend the money on a blazer that's 6 years older, now granted I have not seen this blazer yet ( I will be looking at it on tuesday evening). Anyway, I have a decision to make that I am not sure what to do. On one hand if my Dad knew I spent $1k on a truck that has 250k miles on it I think he would kick my butt. My bro in law thinks I should just suck it up and fix the s10 and buy a blazer later as a DD.

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant and vent its been a fun two weeks.

Thanks,



Scott

[streetstar]

I have an '88 with a tbi 350 with stock size tires -- it got 15 mpg on a 200 mile trip at 80 mph. I was happy with that, because my new Ford F150 only gets about 16.

Around town though, the mileage is pretty grim. The gas tank holds about 30 gallons, so i havent been able to put a whole tankful through it yet to verify how bad it is around town, but i would guess 10 or 11.

Go for the Blazer if it doesn't put you in the poor house to do it --- you only live once.

[kevinr1970]

1986 GMC 1/2ton 4x4, 350/700r4, 3.73's - about 12-1/2mpg but I had some carb/running issues and haven't checked it since. But I'm not hoping for more than about 14mpg

1982 Chev K5 Blazer 2wd, 350/350, 3.08(or 2.73?) - about 12-1/2.

I have heard claims of 15-16 on a carb'ed 4x4 with proper driving technique; read: not leadfooting it.

[longhorn71]

our 87 305 tbi injected 4x4 gets around 15-16 on the hi-way

our 82 2wd gets around 20ish with the 2.73 gear in it and a 350/th350 combo IF ikeep my foot outta it SO it get around the 12 mark most times

[Walts_restoration]

My 86 has a carb and 700r4 overdrive and 3.08s, havent ever drove it so dont know mpg, haha, i judge by the E part of the gauge.