End of an era
 

A few weeks ago I sold my '04 Blazer, which was an end of an era for me. I was on a 25-year streak of owning S-series trucks. This was my first, a new 1993 GMC Sonoma:


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...4ccff6a4ac.jpg
It was the last of the first-gens. I quickly discovered that black and snow don't mix well. It was the first and last black vehicle I've ever owned. I was young, single, traveled light and had no use for extended cabs. I wanted that 7-foot bed, for this:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...460565b19b.jpg


The '93 eventually went the way of the Jorts, and I bought a new 1996 Sonoma:


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...7d2adcf38c.jpg


Basically an identical truck, but a 2nd-gen. Dealers didn't carry many of these long bed 4x4's, and both trucks had to be special ordered. The '96 stayed with me for 17 years. Sold it to a college girl after the transmission started going out after >200k miles. I did a lot of this in the truck:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...a9a4a4a75c.jpg


This was a very cold raceday morning...didn't want to have to change into my riding pants, so I wore them to the race. I was an idiot, yes. The Sonoma was with me through 8 different addresses in two states. Here's me, where I worked around 1999-ish:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...7e4375ec4e.jpg


I learned a lot about auto repair with this truck. Did all the standard things we accept with the S-series, like oil cooler lines, LIM gaskets, etc. This was the transfer case switch, trying to get rid of transmission fluid in the vacuum lines:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...97321bcb45.jpg
Not fun trying to get to the vacuum actuators. In 2004 I bought the Blazer. Here's me picking it up brand new from the dealer:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...cb78381b04.jpg


I had a lot of fun with the Blazer. I kept the Sonoma, but sometimes it was more convenient to go racing with the Blazer:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...922e33deb6.jpg


I added some train horns:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...c2a8b539e5.jpg


It was the most unprofessional install in S-series history, but boy did those get people's attention. Also upgraded the stereo system. I thought I was so clever, hiding an amp in the storage compartment:


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...4eb80cf355.jpg


Just about got hit head-on after a snow storm. The road was cleared wide enough for 1.5 vehicles. A guy in a car thought he was up to the challenge. Fortunately it only ended with this:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...24f78a01d4.jpg


Then came marriage and kids, a pickup truck with a back seat and a minivan. The Blazer served as a backup vehicle for a few years, then I sold it to my teenage nephew. I predict a ticket or two for excessive use of horns. Here it is on the day of sale:


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...6725c7ac6a.jpg


Goodbye, old friend.

Looks like the S10s and Blazer served you well. Our vehicles can become a big part of our lives, eh?

It can really be nostalgic moving on from something that's been a big part of your life for a long time. Glad they seem to have served you well.

You may not be with the S-Series, but the S-Series will always be with you.
Great read.
Happy trails.

Nice story. Still got my 94' S10 I got new then.

Feel for ya' mannnn....
 

Just getting into this blazer thing and letting go of 27 years worth of two old school Subarus. An '87 and an '88....

I can't believe it took you until 2004 to finally get a proper dirt bike. :icon_mrgreen: