Bought over 2 years ago for a grand. 96lt 4x4. Had to do drivers side balljoint and new ac compressor(just done for baby) And a bird took out my radiator last summer. Has never left me stranded and I have beaten it moderately

 

Got it back in August (2011) and sofar, the only real major purchase was a fuel pump/sending unit.

 

How many miles BEFORE the Rebuild?

Are these engines (lifters and Cam) only good for 150K miles?
I keep reading horror storyies on these 4.3's. From the unbalanced ones to the Roller Lifter ones with the counter balance. Seems like they can't get nearly the miles of the small block V8

 

No Engine work?
My daughters '99 has cost more in three years then All my cars put together.
Her engine ruined a Cam and Lifters AGAIN.. so I'm not going there again. She is wanting another 2nd Gen and I don't know if I wantto buy a 4.3 with 150ish K miles.
See my Footer below.. I can get Big miles out of my cars but not if the engine isn't able

 

I am not sure about the ones in the 89's, but the 4.3 vortec in my 93 has 177k in it and its still running strong.
My previous 94 with the vortec (both 93 and 94 vin W) had 202k miles before some dumb kid hit and insurance totalled it out, that one was running extremely strong as well.

 

Bought my Blazer in 2004.

Replaced:

Fuel Pump
Engine Mounts
Rotors
Brake Pads
Replaced tires with BFG All Terrains (actually went through 2 sets of 4 BFGs)
Door pins on Driver's side door (twice)
MAF Sensor
Original Air Filter with K&N Air Filter

About to Replace:

4WD Issues
O2 Sensor

 

I've owned my 1998 Blazer since 2006.
and I've replaced
the front end like everyone else
Ball joints all four
tie rod ends
idler arm
pitman arm
all four rotors
two calipers{one front one rear}
rear tranny seal
rear diff grears {broke the spline gear}
vac switch on the transfer case
complete stereo only had one speaker working and wanted cd instead of cassette
catalytic converter and muffler
glued on the rear window catch
door pins drivers side
that is about it for now
ohh yea I'm going to replace the drivers side window motor tonight,

 

Got mine new July 10, 1999 after a SEVEN month wait (!!!) for the build order - they were backlogged at the NJ factory they said. Because I wanted a 2 dr, 2WD, loaded LS w/ 5-speed and sunroof ... I was told it was gonna be almost one of a kind; Potamkin Chevrolet, Miami, gave me attitude the whole wait time, and their service dept sucks - AVOID THEM!

Hard to remember everything, but here goes. Money? No time to add up the mountain of receipts:

Replaced the factory garbage tires on day 3 w/ Pirelli Scorpion Zero's 255/60 x 15 - huge handling improvement.
More warranty work first 3 yrs than I could ever type
@30,000 mi new Yokohama Avid S4 tires 255/60 x 15
@ 40,000 mi ALL the plumbing failed, water pump, heater core, A/C compressor. Thank goodness I had a extended wty - it was $1800!
@ 50,000 mi replaced alternator, added cat-back Flowmaster dual exhaust, K&N intake, MSD ign. and Taylor plug wires. Replaced diff. cover w/ a finned alum one, holds more oil, no more unwanted clutch lock-ups in there.
Between 40 - 80,000 miles replaced window switches at least twice (Ebay)
@ 60,000 mi replaced seized rear calipers & pads, installed stainless brake hoses all around, replaced spark plugs, cap & rotor. New Yokohama tires again.
@ 80,000 mi replaced upper ball joints and idler arm
@ 90,000 mi replaced A/C comp., AGAIN grrrr (no Delphi this time). Replaced rear window release servo, button, etc. New Mickey Thompson street tires. Replaced cat. converter.

I didnt list routine stuff, belts, brake pads, annual coolant and hydraulic fluid changes (yes annual), fuel system cleaning, etc. Now @102,000 mi we got: howling front wheel bearings, dead rear speakers, broken fuel gauge (many yrs), sloppy steering on-center, and a driveability issue with A/C on since day 1 I've never found a cure for I'll post a cry for help w/ that later.

 

found my Blazer on CL on Feb 24, 2011 for $1,300.
it had a slight trans fluid leak and took it in to the trans shop and come to find out it has a brand new t-case but the person who put it on didnt bolt up tight enough. to have the trans all serviced and it bolted back on tightly $140.
had to put new wheel cylinders on the back, along with all new brake hardware and drum on the passenger side (didnt have time to do it on my own so i had my mechanic do it :/) $320
Brand new steering and front end parts(Tie rod ends in and out, tie rod Adj sleeves, pitman and idler arm, up and low balljoints, and brand new steering box) $1,000 (parts and installation)
new fuel pump and lines $460
new exhaust (intermed pipe, muffler, tailpipe)- $205
new alternator- $100
new stereo and speakers- $180
4 Rancho RS5000 shocks- $200
Undercoated (6.5 cans in total)- $30

this list doesnt include tune up, oil changes, filter changes, etc

what it still needs- tires(inc spare), all new weatherstripping, paint, headliner, abs wheel speed sensor in the front.

 

got my Jimmy noverember 2008 with 28 000km. Auguest 2012 and im looking at 180 000km... have had to do alot of work over the few years but all wearable parts i messed up by treating it like a full size mud truck