I started this message thread 6 years ago and my Chevy Blazer is still going strong....257,000 miles on the original 4.3 engine....never been rebuilt. The Blazer is still running strong and I would not hesitate to take it on a long trip. Not bad for a 18 year old truck!

 

I just bought my 'new' 2003 Blazer with 4WD and the trusty 4.3L with only 82k. I now have only 83.5k. It runs good and I enjoy driving it more and more. My goal is to drive it til 325K or 350K without an engine rebuild. I think the trans--4L60E-- is good for about 200-300K. I think the secret is Maintenance-regular maintenance-- with quality oil and filters. Yes, I know about the intake manifolds, W spiders, ICM, and so on. I will give the GM gods that sacrifice to enjoy the truck.

 

2000 4x4 4dr LT. Bought it in 2002 with 50K. Been strong and dependable and now has 277,000. She still looks great too! I'm about to invest in the fourth set of tires and expect to go well beyond 300. Biggest issue was that my transmission fell victim to the failed reaction shell. (no 2nd ,reverse).

 

Had a 94 Safari Ext with 325,XXX with the odometer showing once every few months, haha, and sold it about two years ago.. still see it motoring around town, wish I had it still. Just turned 114,000 and don't plan to quit on it anytime soon.

 

I have 140k miles and you wouldn't know it didn't roll off the lot yesterday outside a few minor things

 

I just hit 190,000m today, ive only had it a little while but The motors strong... ive been told that the 4.3 is basically a 350 minus 2 cylinders. If thats true, i have a 93 k1500 with 375k miles on it... she smokes a little and leaks every fluid i put in her but she keeps on truckn... bought it at 200k miles for 2500 bucks best used truck ive ever got!

 

I posted early on in this thread back in May of '09. I now have 230,000 and the engine is still going strong. I had the tranny rebuilt a few months back, along with replacing the cat a couple of weeks ago. Now the water pump took a crap.

I can't complain in the least. Much cheaper to keep up the maintenance than to make a monthly payment!

 

A friend has an 02 Astro delivery truck with a 4.3L engine. I've done all of the service work on it since it was new. Sits outside year round. Replaced intake gaskets around 80K, 10 or 12 trans fluid & filter changes, a few rear axle fluid changes, and almost 100 oil changes. Original engine, trans and rear axle, 388K miles, still going strong, and driven almost every day. These things will last as long as you want to maintain them.

 

I bought my 1997 4x4 LT with 63k in Jan 2003, clean history. Now driving at 236k+. No rebuild on engine or trans. Live in Nashville and drove to Niagra Falls NY in April 2013, round trip was approx 1600 miles. No problems. It's pushing me to drive to California.

 

I have 326K on my 96 Blazer, I bought in 1998 with 22,000 miles. Original engine and transmission. Still runs great!! Its been coast to coast 5 times.