2000 Boring Blazer Build
 

I figured I should finally start a build thread on my 2000 blazer. I am not trying to make a hardcore off road vehicle or anything. I will probably keep it at stock height since my wife drives it sometimes. I will mainly be using it as a daily driver. Other than that I don’t have a real direction that I want to go in. I just work on it when the mood strikes me, or more likely when I actually have time, which isn’t very often. Not with a 9 month old and a wife who works weird hours. Let me start with what I have had repaired so far. Here is a quick list - So far I have replaced the Head unit, rear door speakers, wheels, left front hub, all ball joints, trans pan, trans cooler lines, transfer case seals, front axles, oil pan, Oil cooler lines at the block, and had front diff. rebuilt. her are some pictures from when I first got it. Just your typical stock blazer.


Attachment 31756

Attachment 31757

Looks pretty clean! Good luck with the project. If you don't mind me asking, what is the white vehicle in the background?

Thanks

That is a 1992 Plymouth Colt Vista. It is my mom's car.

Here is some pictures of the flares that I installed. They don't look great (they look terrible actually), but they keep barney Fife off my back, since the wheels stick out about 2" past the fender. I didn't measure the backspacing on the wheels when I had them installed (oops).
Sorry for the dark photos, I wanted to just grab some quick shots while I still had a little bit of light left.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1367933404


https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1367933404

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1367933404

Here is my post for my wheels.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/tires-...-wheels-73110/

I say you should leave the edges silver and paint the center black. I like those wheels, they are kinda like mine.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1368020654

I am actually replacing those wheels with a set of camaro wheels. I will post pictures and details later on in the thread.

i got some 2" wheel spacers for the back.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1368212077

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1368212077

it makes a huge difference, it actually fills out the flare.

Whats up with the weird angle of your rear tire?

Was gonna say the same rear tire is at a hell of an angle there...

I think it might be the way it was parked. My driveway is shaped a little weird.

I am thinking of doing the Big 3 this weekend to help with the amp draw from my e-fans (will post pictures soon), and my amp. My question is how much wire should I get? I was thinking of doing 0/1 or 2 gauge depending on what my local audio shop carries. I don't want to buy too much because it is expensive. However, on the other hand I don't want to buy too little either. I plan on removing the factory wiring because it is brittle and corroded, and I would rather just get rid of it. Any ideas would be a big help.

I dont remember how much I used on my 93, but you will need less... get 5-6 feet just to be safe. better to have extra than too little.

Side note, I do not know why people go with such a large gauge of wire, 0/1 or 2 is over kill IMO. I am running HID's, and 1000w amp for my sub, and can have the AC on high and I rarely drop below 14v, lights never dim, and I am using 4 gauge for the big 3

So I did an electric fan conversion. I'll start with the boring stuff, then on to pictures. I used a set of second generation Dodge intrepid fans I got from the junk yard for $20. I like them because with just a little bit of trimming they fit the blazer radiator perfectly. Also I like the way they are wired. Basically they have 3 wires, 2 positive and 1 ground. When either positive gets 12v they run at low speed. but when they both get 12v they go into high speed. I wired them so that when my temp switch gets to about 190 degrees low speed will come on. Also when my AC comes on the low speed comes on. If I have the AC on and the engine gets to 190 degrees they kick into high speed. The one draw back is that this drops my voltage to below 14v and it sounds like it is going to take flight. However, they don't run for too long. I do have to apologize for my lack of picture taking. I usually get into what I am doing and forget to take pictures. I will draw up a quick drawing of my wiring diagram then post pictures of the install.

Here is the fan controller that I picked up from my local advance.
Buy Imperial Adjustable Thermostatic Fan Control 226203 at Advance Auto Parts

Here is my wiring diagram (I am not an artist).

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1368806787

Before I bought my blazer it was wrecked and apparently the body shop that fixed it didn't replace the fan shroud. So I didnt mind cutting it up to mount the fans since it was already cracked. I cut the shroud and screwed the top of the fans to it and I added a metal tab in the middle of the fans to sit in the factory slot at the bottom. I didn't grab a picture because I was running out of light. I also cut the edges off tabs and the sides off of the fans because they hit the tanks on my radiator. I'll clean up the cut on the top eventually. I was more focused on getting the wiring and operation done, and then focus on appearance.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369147938
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369147938

fan controller box
 

Here is the controller box that I build inside of a project box from Radio shack. It fits perfectly on the plastic panel inside the bumper. I ran some small screws with nuts through the panel to hold it in place. the wiring goes as follows. Black = Ground, yellow & blue connected to white = 12v to fans, yellow wires connected to red = 12v from batt., light blue = signal from temp sensor, green connected to light blue, signal from AC.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

Here is the box mounted to the panel (this was mounted after all the wiring was done. Just in case some of this seems out of order.)
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

from underneath
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369149626

More Efan install pics
 

Here is my fan controller. It has a temp sensor which is attached to the radiator with the supplied hardware. The wire on the left goes to the engine temp relays and the one on the left comes from a wire on the core support (wiper motor harness) to tell it the key is on. This way the fans won't come on unless the key is in the ignition. This doesn't supply power, it just tells the relays when to turn the fan on. the larger bolt is also where the fans ground. The bolt it self is rusty but the metal underneath is clean. I know this wiring looks messy, but I took the picture of the temporary set up just to test it. It has all been cleaned up since then.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

The green wire here is from the AC clutch that goes to the fan relays to tell the AC fan to come on. the blue one in the back goes to the fan controller. I actually ran them inside the wire looms down to the fuse box. This way they look nice and clean. at the fuse box I ran them out of the loom and under the fuse box. This is also where I connected the 12v and i put them all in some split loom and ran it down to the controller. the sigal for the controller comes out of the loom at the core support and goes to the controller. The the wire from the controller goes into the loom.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

Here is where the power wire connects and meets the signal wires and goes into the loom. In the second picture you can see the harness before I ran it through the firewall and put the connector on the end. In the third you can see where it goes down to the core support by the washer bottle.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

Here is the harness coming through the fire wall. I didn't get a picture, but the grounds for the relays are connected to the firewall.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

Here the harness with the end on it. I used the stock connectors from the Intrepid since they have the right number of connectors and they are weather proof. I might shorten the loom up later because it is a little bit long. I just connected my wiring with crimp connectors, so shortening it wouldn't be a big deal.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369322964

Richphotos, I tend to agree with you on 0 gauge be on overkill. I used 4 gauge on my 93 corolla. However, I have a 5 channel amp and electric fans. I would also like to run some fog lights and a power inverter at some point. Also, my local audio shop only charges a few cents more per foot for 0 gauge as opposed to 4 gauge.

More efan pics!

my signal wires are run inside the stock looms and taped up looking very factory

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

I didn't get a picture of the connector on the fans themselves because it was a weird spot. What I did was unhook them from up top and zip ties them to the frame on the bottom of the fan and ran them under the core support.

Here is the connector coming from the bottom of the fans.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

Here is the wire coming up to the back of the bumper to connect to the controller box

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

Fans mounted. the connector in this picture has been moved down to the bottom. It was much easier to connect it to the controller that way.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369792776

Got some clear turn signals
 

I decided not to really do a how to on this since it is very simple. Just pull the grill off and pop out the old lights and put the new ones in (make sure to install amber bulbs).

Here is is with the stock lights

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369844215

I have defaced my blazer!

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369844215

Old and new lights

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369844215

New lights in. I think it looks way better.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369844215

Indiglo Gauges!
 

First of all, these gauges look better than stock IMO. However, they do not fit great. I liked the way they looked once I got them install, until I drove it. All the needles had to be removed, and I got them all to read correctly, sort of. They did not come with instructions, but I have done indiglo gauges before. I think you are supposed to remove the factor gauges faces and install these in their place. However, the stock ones are glued on, and these don't have the tinted plastic that covers the PRNDL2 and odometer lights. also the stock ones hold the trip odometer reset button in place. So I put these on over the factory gauges. Once installed they actually buckled the tachometer and speedometer after i put the needle rest pins back in. Now my tach and speedo get stuck in certain spots. I did open up the holes for the needle rest pins and pulled the speedo and tach needles out a little but, it works better but they still stick. I am debating weather to take them back out or mess with trying to get them lined back up. But anyway, here is some pictures.

New gauges. I wired them to the factory headlight switch.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

Stock (dirty) gauge cluster

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

stock gauges without the plastic cover, on my coffee table

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

Needles off and new faces on

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

all back together

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

At night, the first pictures is in Green (teal, i don't like it), and the second is blue (this I like). For some reason the camera made them look the same.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1369845914

I really like your wheels, what kind are they?

the new cat back exhaust
 

I really didn't do all these projects in one day. I just finally got around to putting them on my computer, resizing them and putting them on Photo bucket. I got the Dynomax 19331 catback system from Amazon. It fits almost perfect. the rear hanger has to be trimmed to avoid hitting the frame. I cut the curved end off with a cutoff wheel, heated it and added a new bend and it fits perfect. Other than that it is inexpensive and very easy to install. the pictures aren't great because I had to use my parents' very cramped garage. I need to buy a place with my own garage. I have had it on for a couple months. It is very quite. It has a slight rumble on start up and is quiet during driving. It is a little too quiet for me. Here is a link to the exhaust I, and some pictures.


Here is the exhaust un-boxed. It comes with everything except the tools

Attachment 31729
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps48db592d.jpg

Here it is next to the giant stock muffler. It doesn't show up really well in the picture but the stock tailpipe was smashed quite badly. I put a red circle around it. sometimes I wonder what the PO did to this blazer

Attachment 31730

I didn't weld it yet just used the supplied clamps. I might get a flowmaster, i like my exhaust to make a little more noise.

Attachment 31731
Attachment 31732
Attachment 31733

New (old) wheels
 

I don't think anyone is really reading this thread, but I'll update it anyway. I grabbed a set of 15" Camaro wheels of CL for $200 with tires. I sold the tires for $30 since they were car tires. The wheels were aqua, so I didn't want to keep that. I wanted to go gunmetal but keep the polished edges. So I primed them and painted the inside with black hammer finish paint. I used the red primer because I had a bunch of it. After 2 wheels I switched to dark gray because the red kept popping through. for the front of the wheels I primed them, and they sanded the edges, painted with 3 coats of duplicolor hammer finish then sanded the edges. then cleared them. There are some blemishes and dings and knicks in the wheels, but then again they are old and not really that expensive. when i was done painting i sanded the exposed eges with 150 grit, then 320 grit. That gave me the polished look I was going for. After that i put 3 coats of duplicolor clear on them. The guy I got the wheels from drilled and tapped the alignment holes for the factory center caps and used some small screws to hold on the aftermarket caps. Surprisingly the caps fit perfectly in the small recess in the center bore of the wheel. Sorry for being so wordy, I will just post a bunch of pictures now.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

removing the center caps

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

washing and scuffing

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

scuffed (front and back) and ready for priming

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

priming the back

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

all black

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

On to the front

taped and ready for paint

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

primer

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

Paint!

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

first one painted, sanded, and cleared. the sanding of the polished edges during coats took forever. Oh and the carpet, is an old carpet in my basement, not my living room or anything.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

half way there

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

4 15s in the back of the blazer!

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

mounted and on the blazer.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

with center caps

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

parked next to my wife's forester with my dogs. They ride around in the back of my blazer all the time.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

we went out for my wife's birthday and I parked next to this nice looking first gen.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1370450035

Looks good!

The rims look great in the gunmetal, and I like that you polished the edges. It really sets off the dark gunmetal. Excellent job.

Thanks!

Nice project i hope u keep us updated

I do have a few projects I want to get into in the near future. I want to black out the front and paint the bowtie silver. Upgrade my alternator to a DR-44G, which I have, but it has the 2 pin voltage regulator, I just ordered my 4 pin. Do a big 3, I have all the parts for that. Do my entire stereo, which I have most of, just need some wiring. I am going to Summit Point Motorsports Park this weekend and my wife works next weekend. So not much will be getting done in the next couple of weeks.

How far are you from summit point? I used to go up and ride track days on my R1 but that's been about 5 yrs:(. I'm about 1.5 hour away.

I am about 90 miles, but it takes 2 hours.

So, I decided to replace my Dynomax muffler with a Flowmaster super44. I also decided to weld it this time. The only issue I have so far is that the strap that came with the Dynomax is too big for the Flowmaster and now it rattles, very annoying. However, the Flowmaster sounds a lot better as in it isn't super quiet. It is not loud at all, but it puts out a little rumble, as much as you can get with a V6 anyway. I had to use 2 extension pieces I grabbed from Advance auto parts and I painted it with black exhaust paint. Now, behold my awesome welding skills.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371561599
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371561599
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371561599

So I got my DR44G alternator a couple weeks ago for $50 on ebay. However, I got the one with a 2 pin voltage regulator. After some research I found out that you can swap the voltage regulators. So I ordered one for $41.70and I got it the other day. I also got a smaller pulley for the alternator for $20 on ebay. So I am into this alternator for $111.70 :(. Here are some pictures of swapping out the pulley and. voltage regulator.

Here is a blurry alternator when I first got it.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Wow, my dad's workbench is a mess. Anwyay, I used and old belt and vice grips to hold the pulley and an impact to break the nut off. It comes right off.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Old and new pulleys
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

The new pulley goes on the same way the old one came offhttps://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Now for the regulator

first remove the back cover
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Removed the 3 screws (I used a 4mm 6 point socket) and the sleeve on the alternator post, it is a press on, need a lot of force and patience with this.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Then I had to remove the solder from the connector that I am using a screwdriver to point out. Once again it took about 10 minutes to melt the solder, much patience was required.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

And the old regulator is off
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Then I put the new one on in the reverse of how the old one came off
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

I had to modify the back cover to get the new one to fit. I also cleaned off the melted plastic from the dremel tool.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471
Dat blur!
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1371564471

Now I just need to put it on, I have me 1" longer belt already.

I really like those parkers- where'd you get 'em? I was thinking of buying them for awhile. I found a clear pair for $35 somewhere- dont know what you paid for em. I think they look good, they really clean up the look of your front end. I think they would look great with my black bowtie!

The exhaust looks identical to mine lol! I just didn't use a hanger at all when I put mine on. It seems plenty solid to me. Nice job on the alt mods as well!

What did you use to make your fender flares??? I used rubber cove base (commercial base boards), been happy with them. I picked up a 120ft roll off CL for $20 and have plenty left over to make replacement flares. I have the same wheels, did you use the spacers with the camaro wheels???

https://blazerforum.com/forum/member...ight-26483.jpg

Here is the exact lights I bought.
Chevy GMC 98 04 S10 Blazer Sonoma Bumper Lights Corner Signal Lamp | eBay

Thanks Rex. I hoped to get some more done this weekend but I got roped into looking at replacing my brother in law's broken tail light on his Lexus, hopefully that won't take too long. tommyraybradley, I bouight a flexy flare kit from Amazon, I think it was around $40 or so. I had my blazer inspected when the swapped the wheels and Mr. Tire had to take off the spacers since they aren't legal in PA. I did put them back on of course.

I got my alternator in this weekend. Now when my fans kick on high speed I don't drop much below 14 as opposed to barely getting 12 with the old one. once I got the old alternator out I spun it and sounded like I had a bearing going bad. So I guess it was a good time for a replacement anyway. Also the 96" long belt I got fit perfectly.

With the old alternator and both fans on high
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1372084329

Old alternator
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1372084329

No alternator
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1372084329

New Alternator, pulley and belt
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1372084329

voltage with both fans on high with the new alternator, major difference.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1372084329