1988 Chevrolet Blazer s10 from North America - Comments

Besides normal wear and tear such as brakes, water pump, exhaust, etc.

The tailgate lock has broken twice

The lines going to and from the oil filter have cracked and leaked

The 4x4 has been fixed twice.

Not too bad for a 15 year old truck.

If buying an 80's Blazer beware of the common problems that I've had to fix in at least 2 trucks already: water pump, alternator, rusted tail light sockets,

and most of all... ball joints.

This is my 3rd Blazer/Jimmy, I find them to be very tough and reliable trucks, the problem I encounter that causes me to part with them is body rot from salt on the roads. I recommend replacing the rear quarter panels as soon as you see signs of rot. Be prepared to replace ball joints every year or so, all Blazers have a bad front end.

I just got a 1988 Blazer free from the relatives. The Teenagers in the family take turns learning how to drive in it and ramming it into stationary objects and other cars. So, I got it with the front end smashed and the maintanance overdue... That said I am having a blast rebuilding it. I picked up sheet metal in great shape at the Junkyard - updated the whole front to GMC 93 model (You have to make sure and get the radiator support to use the new style grills) Shocks, brakes, silicon around the window rubber, inside junk (Not too fancy, my teenager has not wrecked it yet!!) Even updating the Throttle Body to a 91+ model - works great if you get the new style TPS and connector. The only thing that worries me is the brakes have a lot of travel - they stop, but not till it is close to the floor. Stuck a sub-woofer in it I had laying around, and I think I am going to be jealous of his ride soon! The turning radius is amazing on these things and you sit up nice and high for such a smallish truck.

Overall - I think at 147k miles and lots of wrecks, this is one tough built truck. And spare parts are all over for them in the junk yards and auto parts stores.

I have had my 1988 2WD S-10 Blazer with the 4.3 engine since March of 1993. I enjoy it very much. It is great to get around town in, and for transportation to and from work. It had 89K on it when I bought it, I knew the owner and knew he took excellent care of the vehicle. I felt I got a bargain being able to buy it for loan value.

The big problems I have had were with the pickup coil 3 times replaced, and the starter twice replaced, but now has a lifetime guarantee from General Moters/Delco (The model I have has a non-standard starter, It was a dealer only item). The A/C has been rebuilt by the dealership soon to be 3 times.

My biggest complaint is the poor design on the back glass/hatch. It rattles and squeeks. I have found you can wrap electric tape around the "U" latch and it will be quiet until it wears through. And another design flaw is the middle sparkplug on the left side is directly in front of the steering rod.

I have had the front end rebuilt and replaced the transmission once. Out side of normal wear and tear and normal maintenance and repair, I am very happy with it. And it still gets 20 to 24 MPG. I currently have 345,000 miles (as of Aug-2005) and it still runs very well.

(However it has cost me twice as much to operate as my 1979 Toyota truck I drove 14 years and 300,000 miles).

I bought my Blazer at 135,000 miles, and have put on appx 20,000 miles, and just now have had any major problems (fuel pump/fuel relay system.) The 4x4 is awsome, I accidentally rolled down a ditch one day and it got me out (no towing for me!) Even without a tailpipe, I haven't had any problems there. Had to replace the oil pressure gauge, after it was leaking oil. Oil pressure gauge jumps around a lot, but it could be the age of the motor/the fuel problems I was having. Tires hold up well. Had the same problem with the back hatch window, the window wouldn't catch on the lock, so I have to slam it shut to get it to stick. Ciggarette lighter fuse blew, and took the radio with it, but had fuses replaced and was back to rocking out! The body isn't easily destructable, I've been hit in the rear without damage. The only problem I had was it was slowwwww. Impossible to keep up on the highway without fearing it will blow a major part. Goes up to 60 or 65 mph, but not on hilly roads. Otherwise, gets you around great, if your patient for it to pick up the speed you need!

I've had my 1989 S-10 Blazer for 3 years. I received it from my grandparents and it now has 130K on the 4.3L. I've had most of the problems listed above, but overall it is a great truck with lots of life left. The 4x4 has been fixed twice and the ball joints replaced four times (lots of off-road driving). I have also had plenty of starter problems. The speed is horrible for a 4.3L, but I'm willing to sacrifice that for now, due to its awesome off road ability. A lot of the paint has peeled through to the primer, but who needs paint anyway (ha-ha).