Hey everybody. I'm not even new to the Blazer world, haven't even bought a Blazer yet. I'm a Blazer zygote I guess. But I finally decided to scrap my old Cherokee and start a new project with the one better looking rig I've seen out there.
So, because I wish I did this with my Cherokee before I bought it, I want to ask you experts what things I should look for when buying a Blazer. This Blazer will be used for offroading and will rapidly be receiving a linked SAS up front. I'm looking for a 4 door model as well, and so far it looks like I'll be in the 1998-2001 range.
I'm hearing lots of rumors about Blazers and haven't gotten it sorted out for sure which is right. I heard after 1999 the 10 bolt rear (right?) got upgraded to a posi. Is that true? Is the piece even worth coveting or does it just break anyway? Any other bad/good years and models I should be looking for? Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum!

You might want to start a new thread in the tech section..but to get ya started, the 4-doors and non-ZR2 models got the 10-bolt 7.625' rear end, with open diffs. It was an option to get a towing/heavy duty package with 3.73 gears and a G80 gov-lock posi. The ZR2 models got the 8.5' rear end, and in somewhere around 97 it became standard to have the G80. The biggest complaints are that the G80 doesn't work all the time, and when it does, it takes 100 rpm of wheel spin difference to lock up.

Any reason why you want the 4 door over a ZR2? If you want it to be trail ready and SFA friendly, ZR2 would be the way to go.

 

I want the 4 door just so it's easier for people to get in and out of. haha.
To clarify, are you saying ALL Blazers got a standard G80 in 97, or just the ZR2s?
Any other structural differences I should know between ZR2s and 4 doors?
PS Thanks for your help.

 

Only the ZR2s got a standard G80, post 97 range...it might be 96..but yea, non ZR2 blazers always had the option of one..to find out if it has the posi, look at the RPO codes in the glove box. The code G80 will be there if its got the posi.

No other real significant differences between non-Z 2 doors and 4 doors...now if you get a ZR2..the frames stronger, track is wider and wheel wells are larger (they come stock with 31x10.50s).

Check out this beast of a 4-door (oober from ZR2USA)

 

Yeah I've been watching his build on Pirate. Inspirational. Thanks for the tips.

 

Its phenomenal. It gives us 4 door guys hope

 

Welcome.