I've been driving 2wd Blazers for about 15 years now, my current Blazer has always been a great truck but it's getting close to retirement and I will be in the market for another Blazer very soon.

After driving around 300,000 miles between 3 Blazers I became quite self sufficient when it came to repairs and maintenance on these 2wd trucks, but that's where my knowledge stops lol.

I have always shied away from buying a 4wd drive model because I've always heard of them "going out", being expensive to fix and I just didnt have any experience with them.

Lately, while on the quest for new ride, I have seen several very clean 2000-2005 4wd models with 72,000- 88,000 miles on them going for decent prices.....so I've got some questions.

1. Are there a lot of common problems with the 4wd in these trucks? (with the mileage range I'm looking at)

2. What kind kind things should I look for or listen for when buying a 4wd model?

3. Are repairs and service easy for a "youtube video assisted mechanic" to perform ?


Any other buying advise would also be appreciated as well. Thanks

 

the more stuff you have on a truck the more stuff that can break, more seals and gaskets that can leak, more moving parts that can wear etc.

mostly these trucks have problems with the vacuum going to the front axle to engage the 4x4

 

And the encoder motor seems to be pretty common as well. That was my issue with my 4wd.
Got rid of that for a 2wd TB.

 

Is the encoder motor the one that blots to the side of the transfer case? I've never owned a blazer and the one I'm looking at, the guy said "needs motor that bolts to the side of the transfer case for 4x4 to work"

 

Yup, that is the motor that bolts to the side of the transfer case