A 2000 Blazer LS.....?

Yeah, I know, like other folks who post here, I often ask about the "finer points" of this car/truck or that car/truck....without ever pulling the trigger. However....

Could folks fill me in on the pros and cons of a 2000 Blazer with the 4.3 engine and a MANUAL transmission. If I ever bought an SUV I figured it would be a 4WD model of something and certainly NOT a Chevy, but when an interesting vehicle comes along....

With only 2WD I won't be doing any serious off-roading. And the manual transmission, I would assume, might make towing even a SMALL trailer a bit iffy. So fill me in on the mechanical "bits". I have noticed on here that some folks think the 4.3 is an okay engine, but will the year be a factor in whether this is a good engine?

BTW, the Blazer in question is a 2 door model, if that makes a difference.

Drivetrain is great. Change the EGR valve and upper intake gaskets and run another 100k miles. Sadly the rest of the truck sucks. Actually.... I don't want to say "sucks".... it's just not that great. the 2wd would be the better to buy, probably needs a pitman and idler arm on the steering. They're easy to fix, parts are cheap and they're fairly simple mechanically. Don't expect anythign electronically to work after 10 years. A/C probably a no-go. But to drive and pull a 3k lb trailer you should be fine.

integraguy wrote: I have noticed on here that some folks think the 4.3 is an okay engine, but will the year be a factor in whether this is a good engine?

Yes, absolutely. The 4.3L engines seemed to have horrible QC issues from about '98-'01 or so. We install 3 or 4 a week at the shop I work for. We've got two in the shop right now in fact, and we've only got three mechanic's bays.

4.3 should be fine if cared for. +1 for 2wd. The 4x4's eat front end parts and are $$ to fix. Trailer should be no issue, just don't tow in 5th gear unless it's under 1500lbs. CPI units go bad, but aren't too expensive (under $200)

forget offroad.

lower it, big sway bars, sticky tires, fun times.

I just put a motor in an 01 4.3 blazer 2 weeks ago, and ive rebuilt plenty of 4.3 trannies as well.

In my opinion, the best thing about them is driving them, which isnt saying much. The 4.3, when working correctly, is torquey, and some of those trucks (not many, but all Xtremes obviously) have some decently fun-to-drive suspensions.

BUT, they suck to work on. I say this only because you most likely WILL have to work on it. If its not the never-changed factory coolant turning to mud and clogging everything, the lower intake gaskets leaking a steaming mist of coolant you'll never notice until it runs hot, the upper intake manifold gasket leaking slightly (which makes it run like E36 M3 since its MAF), the intake 'spider' breaking/having issues, the sun shell in the trans snapping, the 3-4 clutch pack burning up, on and on and on..

Now, having the manual addresses the issues with the auto, unless it has its own issues.. im not experienced enough with them to know. I do know you shouldnt treat it as being able to tow LESS than the auto. If anything, it should be able to tow MORE without breaking, believe me. It'll be a little harder to get rolling with a few thousand extra lbs behind it, but unless you tow every day its not going to make your clutch fail in 7k miles or anythying.

I remember i broke a customer's recline handle once.. Pissed me the hell off because it almost fell off in my hand, and i had to pay for it. Pay to replace something that shouldnt have broken with something that will break again. Grr

This example LOOKS like it's been lowered, slightly, or it could just be the wheels.

I assumed that towing wouldn't go as well with a manual as it would an automatic (not really an issue, anyway) because of the difficulty in "take-off" caused by having to nearly slip the clutch.

I am aware of the problems ALL domestic manufacturers "seem" to be having with leaking intake manifolds. I wish there was a "Big 3" that didn't have a rep for leaking/plastic intakes.

Finally, a bit more about this particular Blazer:

2 door, LOOKS lowered on Enkei brand wheels, has 75K on the odometer, and appears to be brand new....but that's mostly by way of an awesome detailing for sale done by the independent, used cars/trucks only dealer who's asking only $6K for this truck.

I'm really a Blue Oval fan, with next to no BowTie experience (a '72 Vega, a '77 Nova, and a '66 Impala) and would probably prefer a Ranger over this Blazer....but my "waffling" over the deals that come my way have let more than a few decent Rangers slip through my fingers.

$6k? There's no s-10 blazer worth that by now, sorry. Id say blow that popsicle stand and find one in private hands.. for 3-4k at most.

Also, every time you use the clutch you're slipping it, no nearly about it. Like i said, as long as you dont tow every day, do drag launches with a trailer, and know how to drive a stick, you'd be BETTER off with the manual than the 4l60, based on the 4l60's numerous issues in stock condition.