So, my grandfather passed recently, and he left his 1997 Chevrolet Blazer to me. It's nothing fancy, just the RWD/LS model with Vortec 4300/4AT under the hood. It's not working, though I'm certain it only needs, for lack of a better choice of words, a wake-up call. I know for a fact the fuel pump is out on it. As far as the condition of the truck/wagon/SUV (whichever term you prefer), he kept it in very good condition for as long as he was able, but around 2018, he wasn't able to do much anymore and it became, for the most part, used as storage. Right now, I drive a Scion with more than a few problems (not the least of which is that it's so small I don't have to worry about using a seatbelt) and I was looking to get the Chevy on the road. I have a new (relatively speaking) battery for it, and the engine still fires just fine (some of the men in my family came up with a solution to feed gasoline into the engine directly). As for the state of the gasoline in the fuel tank, it's four years old and my grandfather never let it get below half a tank. Like I said, he took care of that thing for as long as he possibly could. Cosmetically, it was in a worse shape than it was mechanically (That's since changed, thanks to a day-long car wash). It's missing the passenger side mirror (probably a poor choice of words as the mirror is actually in the cargo area wrapped in a blanket next to a lamp) and the rearview mirror has come off from the windshield. While I'm not wanting to "pimp it" or anything, I would like to replace the speakers and Delco tape deck with a modern unit as it would be nice to have working speakers and navigation, so nothing fancy, but it could wait until I head to see the other side of my family in it if need be.
Anyway, back to my original issue: It's been sitting for about four years and I was wondering what all needed to be done on it. I'm also not sure how to replace the fuel pump on it as I've heard you have to drop the fuel tank. Any help would be greatly appreciated because it was always a good car when it was in service and I'd like to preserve it for as long as I can.

 

Rule of thumb would be to drain the fuel, purge the fuel lines, replace the fuel filter and then change the oil/put fresh gas in. Since you'll be dropping the tank to do the fuel pump, you should only need to purge the fuel lines and replace the fuel filter. I just had the fuel pump done on my 03' and it cost about $1600 since I didn't have a lift. Also the dealer here in Colorado said that there were some parts related to the filler neck that are getting hard to come by so you may run into that if your filler neck was as deteriorated as mine was when they go to pull the tank. These are good trucks if well maintained (my Dad's 96' is still on the road back in Indiana).

 

Thanks! I'll definitely add that on my list. Getting it running is my main priority at the moment, and this helps greatly!

 

That's some big bucks to spend on a 1997 truck. Is is possible to install a fuel pump outside the tank? While you're there, maybe siphon out the fuel.

When i got mu 02 Blazer in 2015 it had been sitting for two years. I put a couple cans of cleaners in the tank and ran till it was near empty. Never had a problem, that was 40,000 miles ago. I have changed out an air/fuel sensor but don't think that was fuel related.

 

Watch this video on replacing the fuel pump on 2nd Gen Blazer.

Search You Tube for fuel pump replacement if this video does not play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_i1WLoPOPk