What to look for when buying a Blazer

[Joeb905]

Hey guys,

   Brand-new to the forum, and I joined in hopes that I could become a long time contributor. Before that I need to actually get a Blazer. Ive been looking online and I've seen a great number of them in various conditions, but I have no idea what I'm actually looking for. When I see a truck that is reasonably priced and I go inspect it, I would like to know what to ask and what to look for

   So far I've seen:
      Look for rust on floor boards, and quarter panel of the truck,
      and to make sure nothing is leaking (obviously)

I'm not sure which questions I should ask the owner also

I am very NEW to all of this, so any help, would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
    Joe B

[Irish_Alley]

they also rot out where the tailgate bolts up. not a deal breaker but make sure you can roll down the rear window. other than the floor i dont know of any other rust problems except the doors. other than that they are just like our trucks. if rears have been replaced then think about abuse like from mudding or power braking. think about what damage could be done to the trans check that fluid. give her a smell shouldt smell burnt, if it looks red like it just came out of the bottle then think why did they just change it right before they sell it. could they be trying to fix a slip or hide a problem? same deal with motor oil

[Joeb905]

Thanks for the advice, especially with the oil color, hadn't thought of that

[Irish_Alley]

test drive it, or let it warm up and listen for a knock then try to see if the trans is slipping

[Displaced_Txn]

big problems are rust, check what irish said for rust areas, floor pans are a big area on them along with rockers. what years are you looking for?

[Captkaos]

Rust areas:
Battery Tray
Core support under battery tray
rear of inner fenders
front of inner fenders where they meet up to core support
front of hood (where latch is)
Cowl area where the firewall meets the cowl (If water is in the floor, this is where it will come in)
Seam at the firewall
bottoms of the front fender both front and rear
bottom of doors
rocker panels
front body mount support
Rear body mount/floor support (Blazer)
Front floor pans (on Blazer, rear floor pans behind front seat)
rear b-pillar at the bottom where it meets the floor
Rear drop off at the bed and floor transition
inner rear fender lips
rear gastank hump
rear of bed
rear cross sill under bed
tears at the window opening on the tailgate (Blazer)
wheel opening on front and rear (lips are bad about holding water and mud if not cleaned)

Electrical:
All accessories work:
radio
Speakers
Lights in cluster
AC fan on all settings
power windows  (roll them all the way up AND down)
power locks  (lock them and make sure they lock and unlock)
dome light
floor light
Cigarette lighter
turn signal lights
brake lights
head lights


Mechanical:
AC works (blow cold)
heater works (gets warm
engine cranks, runs with good pressure (compression test is good telltale)
brakes (get it up to speed on isolated road and stop in simulated panic)
Trans shifts correctly (under load, up hill down hill driving down highway)
transfercase works (do this off of pavement) will it shift in and out of all gear ranges
Do the hubs work (automatic or manual)
check ujoints and kingpins for slot
Tires for bearing slop
driveshaft joints
axles for leaks at pinion seal
back of tire for wheel cylinder leaks
body damage

[nlauffer]

I used to have a check sheet that looked like the list Capt posted, but it was broken down in sections and had areas for notes and places for measurements, like tread depth or others.  I don't know where I got it, but that would be awesome if someone could make one and post on here in the Tech section for just these kinds of questions from people new to 73-87's.  Also, pics of those problem areas as examples.

[Joeb905]

Thanks guys all this info is SUPER helpful, I am looking for an 85-86 but if I see a good deal on a earlier model than I will most likely jump on it

[Bitzer!]

Chris - I think I have all the rust bits and poss found several more!

[dvdswan]

just remember depending on where you live about emissions.  most states if its older than 25 yrs it may be exempt.