In the last couple of months my folks bought a new vehicle, and I have moved about 12 miles down rural, gravel roads. This lead me to buying their previous SUV, a well loved, well taken care of, completely garaged '98 Chevy Blazer. For years, I had dreamed of owning this beauty and now I do.

Here's the thing. It's completely stock. It has guts, but it has crap for mpg. My previous vehicle - a '96 Mazda Protege, used 26-30 mpg city, 28-32 Highway. I'm looking for ways to increase gas mileage, prepare for the wear and tear of county roads, and make people stare. (in jealousy...)

Any ideas for a newbie with no mechanical aptitude, but is willing to learn? I'm a 24 y/o guy who only knows spark plugs/oil changes/general maintenance. Oh yeah..and I have about 3500 bucks to blow.

 

Welcome from New Zealand.

 

Welcome to the forum! About wear and tear I would say give it a shackel and torsion bar crank lift with more aggresive tires say 30x9.5x15 or squeaze 31x10.5x15 and possibly rub. Fuel mileage is a different story there are a few threads on here about that and the best thing I have found is just don't beat on it. Good luck and don't forget to post pictures.

 

Hello from the same state of Nebraska! I have improved my performance of my blazer by replacing the OEM cat with a 2 1/2" ID high flow cat, and taking out the 3 foot muffler and installing a turbo muffler. Having a fuel induction and/or rail service done will improve fuel mileage. the obvious.... the proper amount of air in the tires.

 

Another warm welcome from New Zealand.

 

Welcome!

If you really want great milage, take the $3500 and by an econocar for a DD and make the blazer a toy.