96 blazer 4dr ls. In the recent snow i've noticed that my 4wd doesn't work. The light comes on on the button, i can hear it engage in the transfer case, but the tires don't spin. After investigating i saw my vacuum actuator switch under my battery tray is completely ripped. Instead of spending the (around) 50 bucks for a brand new replacement right now, is this a part that i can get off a blazer from a junkyard temporarily, or is it a part that i NEED to buy brand new?

 

The chances of you finding a vacuum actuator that is in acceptable condition are probably pretty slim I would think. Unless maybe you found one that had been recently wrecked and has an actuator that had already bee replaced. I could be of course wrong, but buying new would be the way I would go in your shoes. If I remember correctly they don't cost all that much at all. And there's the whole "suck" issue of a used one failing on you when you need your 4wd the most.

 

Just pull the cable out and clamp it with a small pair of vice grips. Been there done it. The front diff will always be engaged but no big deal. Astro vans and Bravada's were built that way. A lot of guys replace the passenger side of the diff with parts from a Bravada and drive them like that all the time. There is no load on the differential when in 2wd. If it bothers you come spring release the vise grips.
In the mean time plug that hose. You have a vacuum leak anytime the transfer case is in 4wd. Which isn't good for the engine.