I am likely purchasing an '03 Blazer 4x4 next Wednesday, assuming it passes an inspection in a few days. It is being sold by a private seller, $2300, with 102k miles. No body damage, rust, etc. However, its previous owner got sick and did not drive it for two years (which explains the low mileage). There were relatives who started the vehicle multiple times per week and drove it around the block to keep the fluids moving, battery alive, and gas fresh.

What maintenance should I be looking at doing right away? I was thinking of oil change, tranny fluid flush and change, diff fluid change, new spark plugs and wires. If it gets a clean bill of health from the shop, anything else that should be done at 100k for a vehicle that hasn't been able to stretch its legs in two years?

 

I would add some synthetic grease to every zerk fitting in the front end and the U-joints.

 

Unless documented to have been done previously, replace the lower intake manifold gasket. They are prone to leaking and then catastrophically failing dumping coolant into the lifter valley and into the oil system. BTW, there is one upgraded version of these from Fel-Pro. Be sure to use these, they have the metal carrier for the gasket that seals the passageways.

After 100k miles I'd have the power steering fluid replaced eventually.

Definitely do the suspension grease fittings as Rusty Nuts suggested.

I think you might have been thinking of these but consider also replacing the following:
Transfer case fluid (if is a 4-button type, use the right fluid)
Front differential fluid
Brake fluid
Rotor and cap
Coolant

If nothing else, doing all of these replacements will ensure you have a good start on the maintenance.

 

Thanks for the heads up about the manifold gasket. Greasing the zerk joints is a good idea as well. I'll get on it!

 

Howdy Christine,
Thanks for the info :-) I've been focused on basic maintenance items like filters and fluids and, in general, things I've found to be fixed. That's a valuable info for a freshly baked Blazer owners like me. Already ordered the gasket set You've mentioned.

And, to be honest, I have been checking out the fluids lately yet again and found coolant tank completely dry. Dunno if it was low level since I bought a car or I have a leak somewhere. I've top up the tank and I'm observing the level. Luckily there's no dripping underneath a ride, but yet there could be intake gaskets or a radiator. A friend of mine told me a heart-fainting story how his truck AT got busted by mixing an ATF with coolant into a common radiator...

@Jabroni
For my ride 1st maintenance I have also:
- ordered a new fuel filter cartridge
- checked a CV boots condition - one had a small leak, but in general the rubber wasn't perfect so I've decided to replace them all at once
- while doing the boots I had an easy access to the front diff sealings, so I've decided to replace them (they cost almost to nothing, but it is a very time consuming to replace them)
- if You are going to replace the oil in a rear diff, You may also want to replace the dust covers (mine were half eaten by a rust). Sometimes they come as a split set that can be installed without rear axle extraction, but not for my model. I will do the rear diff oil change with dust covers and a parking brake shoes at once.
I will skip other items I did, as I don't think are a part of a regular maintenance

 

My my ex wife has a 2003 blazer if it were me i would not flush transmission but i would have a filter change do and have transfer case fluid level checked and if the transfer case is over full i would keep looking for a diffrent blazer