100 Things I have learned from my Blazer
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,003
From: Eastern Central New York State
Another forum I'm on has one of these...I'm curious what we can come up with. 
There are tons of things that we know now, that we didn't know before. Things that had we never purchased our Blazers, we may have never learned. Everything from basic to advanced mechanic skills, to the inner workings of the 4x4 community, or just the way of the world in general.
Things I Learned from my Blazer:
1. Oil cooler lines are prone to leakage.
2. Never trust that the guy at the quick lube place has done his job correctly or at all.
3. An alignment is absolutely necessary after tampering with the torsion bars.
4. An old pipe is perfect for adding leverage while wrenching a stubborn nut.
5. Never curl your thumbs around the steering wheel while off-road.
6. if you lose something and the truck still runs, or runs better without it, you didn't need it.
7. You always remember the part you need after the parts store has closed.
8. A BFH is one of the greatest tools ever invented.
9. Wal-mart does not have anything that you really need for your truck.
10. Spotters are very important.
11. Too many spotters is a bad thing.
12. It is not a good idea to use a chain or steel hooks to "un-stuck" someone.
13. Custom pin-stripes and metal fabrication can be done from inside the vehicle.
14. You can never explain to your non-internet buddies how you meet guys online without them making fun of you.
15. No, it's not a hunting vehicle.
16. The more you have to change out the same part, the faster you get at changing out that part.
17. After-market support isn't necessary...but it would be helpful.
18. Anti-Seize is your friend.
19. Always have tools in your truck.
20. Rear sway bars are useless.
21. Ask first, replace second...repeat.
22. Salvage yards do not save skid plates.
23. If you tell most people that you go "offroading" they instantly think less of you, when you try to explain, they lose interest.
24. Buying your wife a (matching) rig makes things MUCH easier.
So who's got #25??
There are tons of things that we know now, that we didn't know before. Things that had we never purchased our Blazers, we may have never learned. Everything from basic to advanced mechanic skills, to the inner workings of the 4x4 community, or just the way of the world in general.
Things I Learned from my Blazer:
1. Oil cooler lines are prone to leakage.
2. Never trust that the guy at the quick lube place has done his job correctly or at all.
3. An alignment is absolutely necessary after tampering with the torsion bars.
4. An old pipe is perfect for adding leverage while wrenching a stubborn nut.
5. Never curl your thumbs around the steering wheel while off-road.
6. if you lose something and the truck still runs, or runs better without it, you didn't need it.
7. You always remember the part you need after the parts store has closed.
8. A BFH is one of the greatest tools ever invented.
9. Wal-mart does not have anything that you really need for your truck.
10. Spotters are very important.
11. Too many spotters is a bad thing.
12. It is not a good idea to use a chain or steel hooks to "un-stuck" someone.
13. Custom pin-stripes and metal fabrication can be done from inside the vehicle.
14. You can never explain to your non-internet buddies how you meet guys online without them making fun of you.
15. No, it's not a hunting vehicle.
16. The more you have to change out the same part, the faster you get at changing out that part.
17. After-market support isn't necessary...but it would be helpful.
18. Anti-Seize is your friend.
19. Always have tools in your truck.
20. Rear sway bars are useless.
21. Ask first, replace second...repeat.
22. Salvage yards do not save skid plates.
23. If you tell most people that you go "offroading" they instantly think less of you, when you try to explain, they lose interest.
24. Buying your wife a (matching) rig makes things MUCH easier.
So who's got #25??
Most of the 100 is completely true, but I would have to disagree with #9 since Walmart has alot of car related stuff. Some of the LED light stuff, oil, paint, some stuff for the interior, cleaning supplies, fuel and air filters, bulbs, fuses, electrical stuff, my new fog lights and other junk like that I have for my car I got at Walmart. True, alot of stuff you CAN'T get there, but for general maintenance of the car, if you are at college and all you got nearby is Walmart, you can get by.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 76
From: Westminster, MD
I would think it's probably because my grandfather owned it before me, he rarely drived, drived carefully, took amazing care of it and just treated it great. It was almost as if I got a brand new Blazer when it got passed down to me. I mean there's only about 85k miles on it, and did have some small work done a little before I got it.
-Joe
I do stuff like that all the time too
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 847
From: Charleston, WV
Yeah maybe the radio thing is just me with the radio. But I got a jvc deck and dash kit for a 94 and back s10/blazer. The radio hits the back of the dash and sticks out about 1.5 inch or so. Shakes alot and skips. And when I open the dashbox you can see into the dashbox from the edges of the dash kit cause it doesn't fit right.
But, hopefully should be getting a new deck this weekend and I checked crutchfield and they say it fits, so here goes.
But I also agree with the guy that said he's never had any problms like we've talked about. I have completly removed my torsion adjuster bolts, and now they are turned all the way up. No alignment and dries straight no tire wear problems. But that is just me. Alignment coming soon anyways.
But, hopefully should be getting a new deck this weekend and I checked crutchfield and they say it fits, so here goes.
But I also agree with the guy that said he's never had any problms like we've talked about. I have completly removed my torsion adjuster bolts, and now they are turned all the way up. No alignment and dries straight no tire wear problems. But that is just me. Alignment coming soon anyways.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 76
From: Westminster, MD
Beginning Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 33
73. too many sensors that are in very inconvenient places
74. brakes are garbage...and when you dont have any antilock brakes because that stopped working you end up with a mile of useless brakeline thats impossible to bleed really good and take up space under the hood
75. after you just got new front pads put in break them in on the way to the store to pick up new brake pads
74. brakes are garbage...and when you dont have any antilock brakes because that stopped working you end up with a mile of useless brakeline thats impossible to bleed really good and take up space under the hood
75. after you just got new front pads put in break them in on the way to the store to pick up new brake pads
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 847
From: Charleston, WV
104. You never notice how many Blazers are out there untill you own one and start looking for them.
105. STILL NOBODY makes bumper relocation brackets for the 1st gens.
106. I don't know where I buy more parts from, Advance auto parts or Lowe's!
107. Some vehicles don't like thier factory electrical loads, let alone anything extra.
108. Camaro rims look better on Blazers than camaros!
109. If your battery post extender breaks, a bolt and nut will also work.
110. Deer only have two meanings in life; Dinner and damaging blazers.
111. It will teach you to be a backyard mechanic, because things break/fail alot but alot of it is fairly easy fixes.
112. Any small thing you do to it gets noticed cause most of them on the road are bone stock.
113. Learn the diffrence between 2wd backspace and 4wd backspace before you even THINK of buying rims/tires.
114. Living in a state with Modified Auto Inspections means you better have your truck inline like it came lifted from the factory and if a bird craps on the windshield you will fail!
(not really, but they are strict)
105. STILL NOBODY makes bumper relocation brackets for the 1st gens.
106. I don't know where I buy more parts from, Advance auto parts or Lowe's!
107. Some vehicles don't like thier factory electrical loads, let alone anything extra.
108. Camaro rims look better on Blazers than camaros!
109. If your battery post extender breaks, a bolt and nut will also work.
110. Deer only have two meanings in life; Dinner and damaging blazers.
111. It will teach you to be a backyard mechanic, because things break/fail alot but alot of it is fairly easy fixes.
112. Any small thing you do to it gets noticed cause most of them on the road are bone stock.
113. Learn the diffrence between 2wd backspace and 4wd backspace before you even THINK of buying rims/tires.
114. Living in a state with Modified Auto Inspections means you better have your truck inline like it came lifted from the factory and if a bird craps on the windshield you will fail!
(not really, but they are strict)
Starting Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 119
From: Austin, Texas
-i dnot know if anyone mentioned it yet, but a stock 4.3L blazer always shows a stock 5.0L explorer who's boss.
-locking rear diffs may not always lock up when they should, but when they do be ready to correct quickily.
-locking rear diffs may not always lock up when they should, but when they do be ready to correct quickily.