I recently bought a '97 Blazer with the 4.3 and took it in for an inspection yesterday. I found out I have the following things wrong with it:
Air bag warning light
Rough idle
License plate light out
Hi mount brake light out
Air filter is dirty
Intake is leaking
Valve covers leaking
Left outer tie rod has severe play
Idler arm and pitman arm have movement
Front main seal, timing cover, pinion seal, seal between trans and transfer case, rear differential pinion seal, and the front axle seals are all leaking (not severely)
Brake fluid is turning green
Trans fluid has a burnt smell (which I don't understand because I had it completely changed out a couple weeks ago)
Coolant is discolored
Front shocks are blown out
Sway bar links on the front are coming loose

So which of these should be my primary concern at this point? And which ones would I be able to do myself? About much would each of these things cost me? And would it be ok to drive for about 2 weeks just around town until I can get some money for it? Thanks in advance.

And it's 4x4 if that matters at all.

 

It really depends how it acts on the road. I personally wouldn't risk driving it in that condition because all it takes is loosing a single steering component to put you into a wall or into oncoming traffic.

The leaks, if slow might be ok to wait on, depending on where they are. If you're getting coolant in the oil, that needs fixing right away.

The brake light and license plate light are probably low on the list. Air filter is probably the lowest, but one of the cheapest fixes.

If you are good at wrenching, you could probably do almost all of this yourself. The only hard stuff would probably be the various seals.

Good luck man, you'll probably need it. My blazer had a few of these issues, and when I'd fix one, two more would pop up.

 

License plate light being out will get you pulled over around here in a heartbeat. Just sayin.

 

Ahh, well, here it isn't a law to have one.

 

Really.....LUCKY

 

In all seriousness, Thogert gave good advice.