I totally agree. Their normal reviews actually aren't relevant to like 97% of the country. Turbo and naturally aspirated engines react WAY different at elevation than they do at elevation. So when they compare an ecoboost or turbodiesel to a naturally aspirated silverado or ram at elevation, the ecoboost will win every time. But at sea level, they will have different results. The ramband sikverado may not beat an ecoboost, but they will be a lot closer to being even to it. On the Ike gauntlet, an ecoboost only loses about 5-6% of its power at 10-12,000ft while naturally aspirated engines lose about 30-36% of their power at 10-12,000ft. So their videos only apply to people in colorado, Wyoming, and maybe Alaska and Utah. So videos like this are very good comparisons since they would pretty much act how they do, everywhere.
OMG why was i thinking about this when i heard that a bunch of teenagers owned it with all those stickers, i actually said out loud that he better hope nobody has done anything to those seats.
I'm loving this series. Not going to lie I'm rooting for the little Blazer. I was a tech at a Chevy dealer for 10 years and I have owned 3 Blazers. My best one made it to 319,000 before I sold it. I would love to find one like Nathan's Blazer. They aren't great off-roaders but I still have a soft spot for that generation of Blazer.
And that being said.. the other ones wouldn't be what they are without the Blazer.. since it is and was the first SUV🤔 So the Lil bootie gets its props no matter what
@@thecapturban What the heck are you talking about? There's contention for a few vehicles to be called the "first SUV", and they all precede the Blazer by decades.
@@WaspMedia3D let me clarify.. it was the first to be "titled" SUV😁 We all know the suburban has been round since the 40s, but the blazer was literally the first Sport Utility Vehicle
@@thecapturban Ok, maybe, although I can't confirm that. But now you've just contradicted your original post - implying that "they wouldn't be what they are ..." - because the blazer was the first to receive a specific label? ... it no longer works to imply what you wanted to imply. :P
I average 26-27 highway at 75. Earlier this year I got 22mpg with the cruise set just over 90 for a 200 mile drive. My Sonoma probably weighs less than the blazer though.
@Self Made Auto you just saw one going uphill get 25mpg. The normal open diffs, which I assume this blazer has, and 3.42 rear-end and got a little better mileage.
I love that wj. I had a wj, my first car that I bought with my money. I drove it with a check engine light for a whole year. My only issue was valve stem seals, pcv valve was giving error codes. I remembered mine whined a bit when I was hard on the throttle. Awesome series guys! Let’s go Jeep!
That whine might be from the torque converter slipping, i think it has a broken spring in the trans pump that controls the converter lock up, it causes it to overheat in 4th gear. I've had to replace a couple
Ah, I've had a bunch of ZJ Grand Cherokee's and one WJ Grand Cherokee. Actually just bought another ZJ Grand Cherokee 2 day's ago, the absolute perfect one this time, aside from not having the factory tow package which comes with 3.73:1 axle gearing instead of the standard 3.08:1, though this one does seem to be awfully snappy for tall gearing and. Guess I'll just grab a hitch from a scrap yard, and put in the brand new 3" lift with Brand new extended shocks that I've had sitting in my garage for the last few years!! *Then it just needs a second battery, an inverter and a slamming stereo system and I'll be good to go!
Okay, sooooo: - The trany in the Jeep is giving Tommy problems. Not surprising. - The Chevy is leaking oil. Yup, no surprise there. - The Ford, er, Mazda has had a lot of work done on it and Andre is trying to baby it to make it to the end. No surprise at all. Congratulations, Nathan. Those Chevy V6s can get half-way decent gas mileage even when leaking oil . . . I know, I had a Lumina Z34. Keep up the good work, guys. I am loving this series!!
I’m pulling for Nathan. I just bought a 2002 s10 zr2 4.3 for 2k. And it’s such a good little truck. Great video guys looking forward to the next episode.
I've always had a soft spot for the s10/sonoma/blazer/tracker era ZR2s. The soft spot has only gotten bigger since buying 2020 Colorado ZR2. So much so, I de-badged my ZR2 logos and put on the old school ZR2 logo.
@@Qmocean that's awesome. I've considered getting modern ZR2 badges for mine since it doesn't have the decals. I have a vinyl cutter though so maybe I'll just do a unique design.
@@rusty2381 cool man I didn’t know they made a zr2 blazer. I agree with you on the 25 mpg thing. I don’t drive like nascar and I’m getting about 12mpg I think I got a plugged cat though.
@@theruralwrencher945 somebody also mentioned the rear axle which I didnt think about. Mine has the 3.73 so that could be a factor. Also, I got to replace the worn out mud terrains it's rolling on. I'm interested to see what I can get it up to in regards to mileage after some maintenance and a tune up.
This series definitely shows how much difference it makes to take care of preventative maintenance and treat your vehicle right. My 91 Dakota has 450k on it and my A/C is cold, original engine, trans, diff and I drive it every day.
Your Dakota if it still has the factory AC that hasn't been converted would still be running R12, far less leakage issues with it than the R134a...R12 systems always have cooled better.
@@wildbill23c yes it certainly does. I was blown away when I bought a 2018 Toyota Corolla and I’d be on road trips, pull over after driving hundreds of miles and the temp in my car on a hot day would slowly increase until I started driving again. I took it back to the dealer many many times and they finally told me that the car was operating as designed and that the new 123yf sucked and my car only head .8 lbs of it. Needless to say I was pretty pissed that my brand new cars A/C was way worse than my 30 year old pickup or my 2005 F750. I have come to realize it all comes down to the refrigerant capacity. .8 lbs of refrigerant will never cool as well as 2.5-3.5 lbs
It would be refreshing for you to comment on their mechanic and although all samples were not equal because they've been treated differently, I'd like to hear your opinion on the cheap Ford the Jeep and the antique technology Blazer
Seeing the preview of next week's episode, I'd be lying if I said I was surprised to hear Nathan say that he thinks he has a problem as he plows his way up a steep, rocky trail. Atta' boy! Beat the day lights out of that beater!! Can't wait for next Sunday's episode.
As many issues as the Mazda (Ford) has had, I still find myself rooting for it. It's the only proper truck, it's got the longest wheelbase and it's probably had the hardest life. And yet it's still there. I love it!
I love how they found a mazda that exhibits ALL of the common ranger/mazda issues in one vehicle XD Edit: I've had 2, a 97 mazda b2300 and a 99 ranger xlt 4.0 offroad edition. They had different front suspensions, both needed ball joints, the 99 needed hubs, and both had the fuel filler neck rot out right at the tank. Oh the mazda needed a headliner too.
it could well be that its because Mazda actually built the RANGER! not the other way around! or at least that was the case with the diesel B2500/ranger 2/5 diesel that we got in Europe
@@petelattimer6808 I've found the north American ranger/mazda is a mishmash of both. I still have my 99, it has ford interior components, the 4.0 L v6 is Ford, the axles are Ford, but the transmission and I think a lot of the body are mazda. They were known to be assembled on the same assembly line regardless however.
Back in the days when Ford owned a large piece of Mazda and Mazda didn't have a truck to sell in the United States so they rebadged a ranger. And the Ford Explorer also known as the Navajo
My 94 ford ranger broke down a week after getting it and it had a blown head gasket or cracked head, broken fuel pump, bad spark plugs, bad fuel filler hose, and i now only have a very load power steering pump and still and bad head or gasket.
Heat is the enemy of any transmission and in order to keep it cool here is a little trick Tommye should use on the way back up the pass, stay in ONE gear! Every time your transmission shifts it produces heat. The constant up shifting and down shifting will cook a transmission real quick. BTW, that whine that you hear is the front pump as it trying to keep up good line pressure with very thin and hot transmission fluid
@@kingofthepod5169 Yes, Chad Qualls is probably right. Whenever I have my window down and I'm turning a lot in a parking lot or driveway, my 98 Ranger (with only 42k)'s power steering pump is very whiny. Our 99 f-150 is whiny too, but not as bad.
@@kevinj2412 Exactly, it's a common issue on these transmissions, there's a spring in the trans pump that controls the Torque Converter lock-up. They break at high mileage and it causes the converter to slip in 4th gear and will burn up the clutch pack. If he stays under 4th gear the converter won't try to lock-up and it won't overheat.
Fun Fact on the Jeep there's a hidden feature on the trip computer. Hold the C/T button for about 10 seconds and it will display the true direction you are facing in the degrees. Its better suited in rural areas. Its sensitive metal objects like poles will throw it off. Have fun! Also for a more accurate fuel MPG go to the average MPG section and hold reset.
I was just at Monarch Pass last Thursday, what a difference a couple days make. I drove through snow and got some bomb pics at the top. Drove all the Delta through the snow. Oh, and I'm with Tommy. #jeeplife
I liked the older S10's and S10 Blazers when they were still the square body style. I just thought the automatics were pretty terrible in them as they were in the Rangers back then.
I just scored a 2001 4x4 blazer for 200 bucks with 209,XXX. Runs great I love this little truck. Dude was gonna scrap it cuz it wouldn't start. Swapped distributor cap and rotor and fired right up
Gunnison really is amazingly beautiful. Grew up as a kid taking family vacations there to camp near the Taylor river (Rosy Lane camp grounds I think it was called.) Awesome series!
You know, after having been a mechanic for over 30yrs, it's usually pretty easy for me to look over a vehicle as old as these ones and very easily find a $1000.00 in 'needed repairs'.
So the little Chevy comes out on top in both tests. Chevy wins again. I'm rooting for Chevy but that jeep is nicer and newer. Had a ranger that same year...hated it. Always breaking down and seemed to eat sparkplugs. I had a 1998 blazer it had 220k miles hardly any problems. Killed it in a wreck. It ran over 2 coyotes, countless rabbits and birds 8 deer, several dogs, 2 owls. It was a trooper. Always gave me 20 to 22 mpg average. Freeway it was 22 to 25 mpg even at 220k miles I was still averaging those numbers. Took it it to the mountains all the time. Hauled wood, towed trailers 4x4 when ever I could. All on original motor and tranny. Loved that rig.
I am still going for the Blazer i think its still the winner so far. Still under budget by 250 dollars still going and had the best gas Mileage so far.
my old 4.7 has 220k and still going. Simple rule is to keep them cool. Stock Rad split and started leaking coolant slowly at 170k. Replaced both the Rad and water pump, as well as upgraded the electric fan to a dual setup. Removed the power sucking crank mounted fan. Gave it to my brother at 199k and still is going strong, other than it needing a new drive shaft in the front at 215k.
@@halo37253 Knowing what it might do. I babied it. It just self destructed . The modular v8 and v6s had problems. I had a number of friends who had the v6 rams that seemed to go right around the 100,000 mark. If you were lucky enough to have it go b4 100g. Then warranty. But once the replacement parts were installed. They are OK. mine ended up holing the piston. So I traded it.
This is a fun series. I work at a car dealership and love buying up old cheap cars for fun to keep for a year or so and sell off when they die or just aren’t as fun to use anymore.
Great series! I've been a subscriber for some time and have always enjoyed your reviews, but this is unique, and one get's tired of seeing only brand new and expensive vehicles most of us could never afford. Your down to the level of the working-class guys and gals with reviews on cars within our price range while making it fun and funny all at the same time; good job! I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an excellent and reliable 4.0 liter I6, bulletproof. She has 250,000 miles and still going strong, just now broken in good; I'd drive her from Houston to Canada and back without a thought. With a set of Dura-Trax and the reliable 242 transfer case (Select-Trac), she can go where others dare not. My oldest son has a 2001 and my youngest son 2004. I've also got a 94XJ 2-door, but it's like riding a pissed-off bronco at a rodeo. I have no idea how many miles the 6-cylinder has, but we know it's over 400k. You can't go wrong with a Jeep; Tommy's got this! One last thing, you don't buy a Jeep for the gas millage; you defeat the purpose.
The downfall with the WJ in this series is whoever owned it prior never took care of the simple maintenance items...IE...changing the transmission fluid/filter every 45-50k miles...if it was maintained properly and had an auxiliary transmission cooler it wouldn't be having the issues it has...unless the issues its having are actually electronic...then being its a Chrysler products electronics/electrical problems are a given.
Nice job! My kind of vehicles. That 4.0 v6 (Mazda truck) is a tough engine. Had one in my 93 Ranger and 93 Explorer. The electronic transfer system was horrible in those vehicles, just as Toby mentioned in his inspection. The Chevy is impressive.
Can't wait, reminder is on. Gave a thumbs up & haven't even seen it yet but I know it's worthy of my 👍🏻. Thanks for all the great video's. Better than TV.
In the B4000, open the back slide window and the driver 1/3. It will suck air in the back and hit you in the back of the neck. Really helps when hot. Just don't do it if there is gravel, dirt or leaves in the back.
Our 11 Ford Ranger XLT super cab 4WD pickup has only 36K miles. We only put about 3K miles on it yearly so I change the oil and filter every 6 months (which is about 1,500 miles). I change the front and rear differential, transfer case and transmission fluid every 30K miles, but we were in Montana when it hit 30K miles so I waited until we got home from vacation. Everything was changed at 33K miles. The transmission was shifting kinda rough but after changing the fluid, it’s smooth as silk. I’ll have the brakes bled in a few months. The truck is mainly used for work around our property so that’s why it has such low mileage. Before adding a K&N intake and a 3” FlowMaster exhaust system we were getting 19mpg on the highway with the cruise set on 75mph. We now get 23mpg. I’m in my late 50s and my wife is in her early 50s. Our current Ranger will probably be the last pickup we’ll ever own. Our family can fight over it after we’re dead and gone.
This is GREAT! I have personally had a "version" of each of these engines... 2009 Dakota with the "new" 4.7L v8 15ish mpg(Miss fire on cylinder 4, replaced all 16 spark plugs/coilpacks... figured it had to be either a bad injector or headgasket), 2002 Silverado with the 4.3L v6 14.6mpg (also a misfire... but on cylinder 2, replaced spider injector and coil packs still misfired), and several Rangers 2005 and 2001 both with the 3.3L v6 both very reliable vehicles, but not fast. Got around 21mpg on both and nearly 240k on the 2005. :O) Low budget vehicles are even harder now with the chip shortage. Thanks guys for a great series, look forward to each of the new episodes.
I recently stumbled on your show, and must admit you guys have it! It is funny and very entertaining, thank you very much!!! I root for the brown Ford, because manual transmission for the win!!!
Those trip computers on the wj aren’t very accurate but I have driven quite far with my wj and open roads, it just cruises happily and does not use too much gas
The WJ requires maintenance. I bought one (04 Limited 4.7) from auction on a whim awhile back and it was not taken care of. Every fluid was flushed and replaced once I got it, among other things. The cooling system is probably the weakest link, specifically for the 4.7 engines. They used a single core radiator, probably to reduce cost, but it's barely adequate. Mine also had the hydraulic cooling fan, so I ripped that out and went with an electric and clutch fan combo, in addition to an all-aluminum 2-core radiator. I didn't even do the proper burping procedure for the coolant and mine still never even touches the middle 210 mark. That also includes having run it in Texas summer. If you address just a few things, I think these are great vehicles.
This is a really cool series. In 2016 I drove across Canada in a 1999 Grand Cherokee. I flew to Vancouver with my brother so he could buy the 1 owner Grand Cherokee from his friend and we drove it back to Ontario. That's the kind of mileage we were getting, about 18mpg. Strong motor but not exactly the best vehicle highway cruising. I also owned a 96 S10 pick up with the 4.3. That thing was a pig on gas around town but decent on the Hwy. Got rid of it in 2001. Now I drive a Cruze and the best mileage I've ever gotten on a road trip was 45.5mpg and 800kms (500 miles) on one tank.
The "supercharger whine" isn't the trans on the jeep. It's more than likely the timing chains and the tensioners. My 3.7 Dodge does the exact same thing and both of those motors are based on the same architecture.
The drive up the hill reminds me of the movie Duel.....trying to make the summit after the radiator hose broke in Dennis Weaver's Valiant...and his screaming C'mon car! while driving up the hill.
This is an unpopular opinion, but I’ve been rooting for the Mazda the whole time. It had a rough life before Andre had it. My father had a B3000 and it ran very well. Had 210,000 miles before my dad let it rot in a mechanic’s shop after he rear ended someone. The Jeep could easily make it and the Blazer has typical GM build quality problems, so I figured I’d root for the Mazda.
I'm ver amazed about Blaser consumption, it for a V6 is great. Some cars have lower fuel consumption than manufacturers says. My 1997 -Ranger- Mazda B2300 can do a bit more 27 MPG in highway, but into city the consumption goes to the moon making barely 12.5 MPG.
The 4.7 is actually pretty reliable IF it's maintained properly, it's not an engine that does well with lax maintenance. The check engine light is most likely the evap system.
They had the codes read in a previous video and they are transmission related codes which were cleared and now they're back again of course which we already knew that would happen, those don't just go away.
Says you and every other Blazer owner with a 4.3. That motor was never known for its economy. It's based on a 1950s design of a 350 engine - 2 cylinders.
Especially one that you just got, adds so much fun to the experience, I bought a 2003 c class and 2 weeks later drove it all the way across the country and there's nothing more satisfying than making it across the country in a car under $3k
The Blazer is the best looking vehicle, IMO, but I like the grilles of the '98/up S10s. Also not a fan of electronic four-wheel-drive systems, as those actuator servos like to fail, but that can be mitigated w/ an after market set of manual hub lockers. That Nathan got 25 MPG is quite good, as those 4.3 V6s, while plenty peppy, weren't known for their economy. I did an LS swap to my S10 and gained 150 HP and ~5 MPG, while losing 150 lbs. Best upgrade or modification you can make to your S10 of any year and it decreases the inherent under-steer, by lightening the front end, as well.
The check engine light is probably for an emission issue, like a "bad" 02 sensor, and nothing that would harm the engine. BTW, the Oil Pressure "gauge" is not really a gauge a tall. It's an idiot light in gauge form. If oil pressure is good, the needle is at that one point. If not, it falls to the bottom. I wouldn't be surprised if that high-pitched wine wasn't actually coming through the speakers, caused by the cassette adapter. I'm surprised the v6 in the MazdaFord had trouble. A friend of mine had a 98 ranger with the 4 liter v6 and it was fantastic. We called it the "Stealth Ranger" because of how it would surprise you with its performance.
As always great video!! That was very impressive they all did very well on fuel I have a 01 ranger 3.0 engine automatic transmission super cab 2wd it only gets 14 to 17 mpg can't understand why. I was sure one of them would go down goin up steep grade. Thanks for sharing ya'll be safe have fun
This series might just be the best thing TFL truck has ever done.
It has been fun
I’ve been enjoying it
shit theses guys are idiots they are not car people they cant even change a tire
@@Richierich1285 That’s what makes it good. It would be boring if they did everything right.
I totally agree. Their normal reviews actually aren't relevant to like 97% of the country. Turbo and naturally aspirated engines react WAY different at elevation than they do at elevation. So when they compare an ecoboost or turbodiesel to a naturally aspirated silverado or ram at elevation, the ecoboost will win every time. But at sea level, they will have different results. The ramband sikverado may not beat an ecoboost, but they will be a lot closer to being even to it. On the Ike gauntlet, an ecoboost only loses about 5-6% of its power at 10-12,000ft while naturally aspirated engines lose about 30-36% of their power at 10-12,000ft. So their videos only apply to people in colorado, Wyoming, and maybe Alaska and Utah. So videos like this are very good comparisons since they would pretty much act how they do, everywhere.
I dare Tommy to shine a black light in that Grand Cherokee lol
@Self Made Auto you seek help.
Blocked me😂🤣
OMG why was i thinking about this when i heard that a bunch of teenagers owned it with all those stickers, i actually said out loud that he better hope nobody has done anything to those seats.
More than a little human DNA in there, I'm sure. Plus dog hair, pee, poop, child snot, etc. A giant petri dish.
Yes
I was kinda rooting for trx to be the one to break down. That would be hilarious
Not a Chance
Lol
I'm loving this series. Not going to lie I'm rooting for the little Blazer. I was a tech at a Chevy dealer for 10 years and I have owned 3 Blazers. My best one made it to 319,000 before I sold it. I would love to find one like Nathan's Blazer. They aren't great off-roaders but I still have a soft spot for that generation of Blazer.
And that being said.. the other ones wouldn't be what they are without the Blazer.. since it is and was the first SUV🤔
So the Lil bootie gets its props no matter what
@@thecapturban What the heck are you talking about? There's contention for a few vehicles to be called the "first SUV", and they all precede the Blazer by decades.
@@WaspMedia3D let me clarify.. it was the first to be "titled" SUV😁
We all know the suburban has been round since the 40s, but the blazer was literally the first Sport Utility Vehicle
S10 blazers are trash crappy ball joints hub bearings trannys fuel pumps there money pits
@@thecapturban Ok, maybe, although I can't confirm that. But now you've just contradicted your original post - implying that "they wouldn't be what they are ..." - because the blazer was the first to receive a specific label? ... it no longer works to imply what you wanted to imply. :P
I was so excited when they were coming out with a new no payment needed series. This series is amazing! Thanks for making my day tfl. Stay Safe :)
thank you for the kind words.
I accidentally hit the dislike button. I fixed it
No payment needed, but "...WAY OVER BUDGET" on one of them - and still issues that should have been fixed!
8:31 your full throttle whine is the power steering pump, this is pretty normal on a 4.7L WJ under load uphill mountain road
4.7 the one that has a hydrolic fan
@@Dankcatvacs I think it’s his transmission. I have heard transmissions whine when you get heat in them. That’s a sign of bad things to come
Or it could be a pulley bearing wearing out
@@Dankcatvacs yup the one that uses the hydraulic fluid from the power steering pump
@@jasonamerica7618 I have two 4.7L WJ and they both do this. This is a Jeep thing for sure lol
4.3 V6 was always a decent fuel economy Vehicle and for the most part pretty bullet proof when when maintained.
Never have they gotten 25 mpg ever.
I average 26-27 highway at 75. Earlier this year I got 22mpg with the cruise set just over 90 for a 200 mile drive. My Sonoma probably weighs less than the blazer though.
Think they put that engine in a lot of boats.
@@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel correct and the boat motors had real fuel rail injection.
@Self Made Auto you just saw one going uphill get 25mpg. The normal open diffs, which I assume this blazer has, and 3.42 rear-end and got a little better mileage.
I love that wj. I had a wj, my first car that I bought with my money. I drove it with a check engine light for a whole year. My only issue was valve stem seals, pcv valve was giving error codes. I remembered mine whined a bit when I was hard on the throttle. Awesome series guys! Let’s go Jeep!
Even the the new trx wined on camera lol
That whine might be from the torque converter slipping, i think it has a broken spring in the trans pump that controls the converter lock up, it causes it to overheat in 4th gear. I've had to replace a couple
As you can see from my picture I'm all for the WJ. But I have a lot of money invested in it.
@@knockout_wj8886 Junk it. The engine is smoking heavily according to your pic😁
Ah, I've had a bunch of ZJ Grand Cherokee's and one WJ Grand Cherokee. Actually just bought another ZJ Grand Cherokee 2 day's ago, the absolute perfect one this time, aside from not having the factory tow package which comes with 3.73:1 axle gearing instead of the standard 3.08:1, though this one does seem to be awfully snappy for tall gearing and.
Guess I'll just grab a hitch from a scrap yard, and put in the brand new 3" lift with Brand new extended shocks that I've had sitting in my garage for the last few years!! *Then it just needs a second battery, an inverter and a slamming stereo system and I'll be good to go!
A very entertaining series ... I'm curious to know what mpg the TRX got doing the same route escorting the old school '4x4'.
Wondering the same thing
same here
Under 14mpg for sure lmao
This is a great series. Lots of fun to watch. I hope you get the viewers you want with this one so you'll do more like it. Thanks guys
Okay, sooooo:
- The trany in the Jeep is giving Tommy problems. Not surprising.
- The Chevy is leaking oil. Yup, no surprise there.
- The Ford, er, Mazda has had a lot of work done on it and Andre is trying to baby it to make it to the end. No surprise at all.
Congratulations, Nathan. Those Chevy V6s can get half-way decent gas mileage even when leaking oil . . . I know, I had a Lumina Z34.
Keep up the good work, guys. I am loving this series!!
With how much abuse that thing took i am surprised the worst thing is a leaking oil, that Mazda/Ford sure is a crazy vehicle.
Illumina how to completely different 2.8 or 3.2 l engine. Doesn't share any components with a 4.3
A small budget series that I’ve actually watched. Love you guys. TFL has come a long way
I’m pulling for Nathan. I just bought a 2002 s10 zr2 4.3 for 2k. And it’s such a good little truck. Great video guys looking forward to the next episode.
I got a 98 zr2 blazer a couple years back. I love it. Never seen it get anywhere near 25mpg though.
I've always had a soft spot for the s10/sonoma/blazer/tracker era ZR2s. The soft spot has only gotten bigger since buying 2020 Colorado ZR2. So much so, I de-badged my ZR2 logos and put on the old school ZR2 logo.
@@Qmocean that's awesome. I've considered getting modern ZR2 badges for mine since it doesn't have the decals. I have a vinyl cutter though so maybe I'll just do a unique design.
@@rusty2381 cool man I didn’t know they made a zr2 blazer. I agree with you on the 25 mpg thing. I don’t drive like nascar and I’m getting about 12mpg I think I got a plugged cat though.
@@theruralwrencher945 somebody also mentioned the rear axle which I didnt think about. Mine has the 3.73 so that could be a factor. Also, I got to replace the worn out mud terrains it's rolling on. I'm interested to see what I can get it up to in regards to mileage after some maintenance and a tune up.
I love this series!!! These guys are the best! Can't wait!
Thank you.
This series definitely shows how much difference it makes to take care of preventative maintenance and treat your vehicle right. My 91 Dakota has 450k on it and my A/C is cold, original engine, trans, diff and I drive it every day.
Your Dakota if it still has the factory AC that hasn't been converted would still be running R12, far less leakage issues with it than the R134a...R12 systems always have cooled better.
@@wildbill23c yes it certainly does. I was blown away when I bought a 2018 Toyota Corolla and I’d be on road trips, pull over after driving hundreds of miles and the temp in my car on a hot day would slowly increase until I started driving again. I took it back to the dealer many many times and they finally told me that the car was operating as designed and that the new 123yf sucked and my car only head .8 lbs of it. Needless to say I was pretty pissed that my brand new cars A/C was way worse than my 30 year old pickup or my 2005 F750. I have come to realize it all comes down to the refrigerant capacity. .8 lbs of refrigerant will never cool as well as 2.5-3.5 lbs
We need more adventurous series like these ones. Fun to watch and well edited/filmed.
As a tech of 20 yrs now I really enjoy this series I still see these very vechiles rolling into my shop.
It would be refreshing for you to comment on their mechanic and although all samples were not equal because they've been treated differently, I'd like to hear your opinion on the cheap Ford the Jeep and the antique technology Blazer
I’ll be ordering some BFG K02’s for my 03 Sequoia tomorrow. Thanks for helping make this happen, BFG!
Show any proof of a KO3 coming soon… there is none!
Get the KO2 and enjoy your machine now!
Seeing the preview of next week's episode, I'd be lying if I said I was surprised to hear Nathan say that he thinks he has a problem as he plows his way up a steep, rocky trail. Atta' boy! Beat the day lights out of that beater!! Can't wait for next Sunday's episode.
As many issues as the Mazda (Ford) has had, I still find myself rooting for it. It's the only proper truck, it's got the longest wheelbase and it's probably had the hardest life. And yet it's still there. I love it!
I love cheap vehicle challenges. Keep them coming guys.
A seriously fun series. Keep up the good work, can’t wait for next week.
I love how they found a mazda that exhibits ALL of the common ranger/mazda issues in one vehicle XD
Edit: I've had 2, a 97 mazda b2300 and a 99 ranger xlt 4.0 offroad edition. They had different front suspensions, both needed ball joints, the 99 needed hubs, and both had the fuel filler neck rot out right at the tank. Oh the mazda needed a headliner too.
it could well be that its because Mazda actually built the RANGER! not the other way around! or at least that was the case with the diesel B2500/ranger 2/5 diesel that we got in Europe
@@petelattimer6808 I've found the north American ranger/mazda is a mishmash of both. I still have my 99, it has ford interior components, the 4.0 L v6 is Ford, the axles are Ford, but the transmission and I think a lot of the body are mazda. They were known to be assembled on the same assembly line regardless however.
Back in the days when Ford owned a large piece of Mazda and Mazda didn't have a truck to sell in the United States so they rebadged a ranger. And the Ford Explorer also known as the Navajo
My 94 ford ranger broke down a week after getting it and it had a blown head gasket or cracked head, broken fuel pump, bad spark plugs, bad fuel filler hose, and i now only have a very load power steering pump and still and bad head or gasket.
Heat is the enemy of any transmission and in order to keep it cool here is a little trick Tommye should use on the way back up the pass, stay in ONE gear! Every time your transmission shifts it produces heat. The constant up shifting and down shifting will cook a transmission real quick. BTW, that whine that you hear is the front pump as it trying to keep up good line pressure with very thin and hot transmission fluid
I have an 04 ranger that whines when accelerating hard. Coming from a stick it feel weird but if it's consistent it shouldn't be an issue.
@@kingofthepod5169 That wine is likely your power steering pump. Ford power steering pumps wined from the factory.
@@kingofthepod5169 Yes, Chad Qualls is probably right. Whenever I have my window down and I'm turning a lot in a parking lot or driveway, my 98 Ranger (with only 42k)'s power steering pump is very whiny. Our 99 f-150 is whiny too, but not as bad.
The torque convertor produces the most heat, especially when they are unlocked.
@@kevinj2412 Exactly, it's a common issue on these transmissions, there's a spring in the trans pump that controls the Torque Converter lock-up. They break at high mileage and it causes the converter to slip in 4th gear and will burn up the clutch pack. If he stays under 4th gear the converter won't try to lock-up and it won't overheat.
Can't wait tell the next episode, this series is awesome! I am cheering for the blaze, i own one and they are awesome little SUV's.
These challenges are why I follow this channel, keep up the great content!!!
Andre! Open the slider window on the cab, it will make the air flow through the cab a million times better.
The part about fixing the 4wd instead of the fuel leak was hillarious, sounds like something I would do too lol
Fun Fact on the Jeep there's a hidden feature on the trip computer. Hold the C/T button for about 10 seconds and it will display the true direction you are facing in the degrees. Its better suited in rural areas. Its sensitive metal objects like poles will throw it off. Have fun! Also for a more accurate fuel MPG go to the average MPG section and hold reset.
Fantastic series gentlemen! Nothing better than waking up, grabbing a large cup of coffee and watching the newest video!
I can't tell you how much I'm loving this series!!!! Thanks guys!!!
Same here! Brings back good memories of Top Gear!
I was just at Monarch Pass last Thursday, what a difference a couple days make. I drove through snow and got some bomb pics at the top. Drove all the Delta through the snow.
Oh, and I'm with Tommy. #jeeplife
I really enjoy your no payment needed videos looking forward to next video great job guys
I have to say, the tires make all three trucks looks Awesome!! Great job guys. Very entertaining!!
This is my favorite part of TFL. Keep these episodes of this series coming! 👍
Glad you got to see me at Blue Mesa Reservoir Andre! 😉
Still driving my 1988 S10 4x4 Blazer with the 4.3 and 180,000 miles. Great series guys!
I liked the older S10's and S10 Blazers when they were still the square body style. I just thought the automatics were pretty terrible in them as they were in the Rangers back then.
I just scored a 2001 4x4 blazer for 200 bucks with 209,XXX. Runs great I love this little truck. Dude was gonna scrap it cuz it wouldn't start. Swapped distributor cap and rotor and fired right up
Love this content guys. Been watching since Aundre appeared randomly and spoke Russian. Your my favorite UA-cam channel.
Sunday morning with a large mug of Java and TFL! Perfect Thanks boys. 🤘🏻🙏🍀
I love that you guys are heading to do the trails i like to take in and around Ouray. Love this series.
Gunnison really is amazingly beautiful. Grew up as a kid taking family vacations there to camp near the Taylor river (Rosy Lane camp grounds I think it was called.) Awesome series!
You know, after having been a mechanic for over 30yrs, it's usually pretty easy for me to look over a vehicle as old as these ones and very easily find a $1000.00 in 'needed repairs'.
So the little Chevy comes out on top in both tests. Chevy wins again. I'm rooting for Chevy but that jeep is nicer and newer. Had a ranger that same year...hated it. Always breaking down and seemed to eat sparkplugs. I had a 1998 blazer it had 220k miles hardly any problems. Killed it in a wreck. It ran over 2 coyotes, countless rabbits and birds 8 deer, several dogs, 2 owls. It was a trooper. Always gave me 20 to 22 mpg average. Freeway it was 22 to 25 mpg even at 220k miles I was still averaging those numbers. Took it it to the mountains all the time. Hauled wood, towed trailers 4x4 when ever I could. All on original motor and tranny. Loved that rig.
that Chevy Vortec is a well made engine.
Absolutely loved this video once again thank you guys for another great video once again. Have a Blessed day everyone
I am still going for the Blazer i think its still the winner so far. Still under budget by 250 dollars still going and had the best gas Mileage so far.
Had one of those 4.7 lit. Blew up at 127,000 mi. The other few 4.0 I had , still on the road. One 92. Wrangler still in the family.
my old 4.7 has 220k and still going. Simple rule is to keep them cool. Stock Rad split and started leaking coolant slowly at 170k. Replaced both the Rad and water pump, as well as upgraded the electric fan to a dual setup. Removed the power sucking crank mounted fan.
Gave it to my brother at 199k and still is going strong, other than it needing a new drive shaft in the front at 215k.
@@halo37253 Knowing what it might do. I babied it. It just self destructed . The modular v8 and v6s had problems. I had a number of friends who had the v6 rams that seemed to go right around the 100,000 mark. If you were lucky enough to have it go b4 100g. Then warranty. But once the replacement parts were installed. They are OK. mine ended up holing the piston. So I traded it.
I swear this series is the best you guys ever have done!!!!!
Well guys the bf Goodrich's look great on the vehicle's. Enjoying the series thanks
This series is just too good and you guys are just having so much fun!
Nice guys like the scenery. Me my just put it on our Bucket list for next year’s trip back Co.
This is a fun series. I work at a car dealership and love buying up old cheap cars for fun to keep for a year or so and sell off when they die or just aren’t as fun to use anymore.
This series is awesome. I’m really liking all the testing. 👍
Love these reminds me of top gear when they get old cars and do challenges
Great series! I've been a subscriber for some time and have always enjoyed your reviews, but this is unique, and one get's tired of seeing only brand new and expensive vehicles most of us could never afford. Your down to the level of the working-class guys and gals with reviews on cars within our price range while making it fun and funny all at the same time; good job! I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an excellent and reliable 4.0 liter I6, bulletproof. She has 250,000 miles and still going strong, just now broken in good; I'd drive her from Houston to Canada and back without a thought. With a set of Dura-Trax and the reliable 242 transfer case (Select-Trac), she can go where others dare not. My oldest son has a 2001 and my youngest son 2004. I've also got a 94XJ 2-door, but it's like riding a pissed-off bronco at a rodeo. I have no idea how many miles the 6-cylinder has, but we know it's over 400k. You can't go wrong with a Jeep; Tommy's got this! One last thing, you don't buy a Jeep for the gas millage; you defeat the purpose.
The downfall with the WJ in this series is whoever owned it prior never took care of the simple maintenance items...IE...changing the transmission fluid/filter every 45-50k miles...if it was maintained properly and had an auxiliary transmission cooler it wouldn't be having the issues it has...unless the issues its having are actually electronic...then being its a Chrysler products electronics/electrical problems are a given.
You guys are awesome. Love this series and this channel. Keep up the good work!
I lived in Gunnison and almost went off Monarch when I was 19...Loved seeing the area
25.52mpg! For that Chevy / GMC that's fantastic.
Nice job! My kind of vehicles. That 4.0 v6 (Mazda truck) is a tough engine. Had one in my 93 Ranger and 93 Explorer. The electronic transfer system was horrible in those vehicles, just as Toby mentioned in his inspection. The Chevy is impressive.
Can't wait, reminder is on. Gave a thumbs up & haven't even seen it yet but I know it's worthy of my 👍🏻.
Thanks for all the great video's. Better than TV.
You are too kind.
Now that's quality entertainment!!!!
The whole gang doing it up right!
I love the confidence in the Jeep. Until the trans is about to fail then it’s time to pull over.
In the B4000, open the back slide window and the driver 1/3. It will suck air in the back and hit you in the back of the neck. Really helps when hot. Just don't do it if there is gravel, dirt or leaves in the back.
Our 11 Ford Ranger XLT super cab 4WD pickup has only 36K miles.
We only put about 3K miles on it yearly so I change the oil and filter every 6 months (which is about 1,500 miles).
I change the front and rear differential, transfer case and transmission fluid every 30K miles, but we were in Montana when it hit 30K miles so I waited until we got home from vacation. Everything was changed at 33K miles.
The transmission was shifting kinda rough but after changing the fluid, it’s smooth as silk.
I’ll have the brakes bled in a few months.
The truck is mainly used for work around our property so that’s why it has such low mileage.
Before adding a K&N intake and a 3” FlowMaster exhaust system we were getting 19mpg on the highway with the cruise set on 75mph. We now get 23mpg.
I’m in my late 50s and my wife is in her early 50s. Our current Ranger will probably be the last pickup we’ll ever own.
Our family can fight over it after we’re dead and gone.
This is GREAT! I have personally had a "version" of each of these engines... 2009 Dakota with the "new" 4.7L v8 15ish mpg(Miss fire on cylinder 4, replaced all 16 spark plugs/coilpacks... figured it had to be either a bad injector or headgasket), 2002 Silverado with the 4.3L v6 14.6mpg (also a misfire... but on cylinder 2, replaced spider injector and coil packs still misfired), and several Rangers 2005 and 2001 both with the 3.3L v6 both very reliable vehicles, but not fast. Got around 21mpg on both and nearly 240k on the 2005. :O) Low budget vehicles are even harder now with the chip shortage. Thanks guys for a great series, look forward to each of the new episodes.
I’m less than 6 minutes in and I had to pause it and comment. The red tow hooks on the Jeep crack me up each time I see them.
You know that makes it a Rubicon.
I'm a jeep guy but I'm all in on the blazer! Go Nathan!
I recently stumbled on your show, and must admit you guys have it! It is funny and very entertaining, thank you very much!!! I root for the brown Ford, because manual transmission for the win!!!
Those trip computers on the wj aren’t very accurate but I have driven quite far with my wj and open roads, it just cruises happily and does not use too much gas
Love this series one of my favorites!
The WJ requires maintenance. I bought one (04 Limited 4.7) from auction on a whim awhile back and it was not taken care of. Every fluid was flushed and replaced once I got it, among other things. The cooling system is probably the weakest link, specifically for the 4.7 engines. They used a single core radiator, probably to reduce cost, but it's barely adequate. Mine also had the hydraulic cooling fan, so I ripped that out and went with an electric and clutch fan combo, in addition to an all-aluminum 2-core radiator. I didn't even do the proper burping procedure for the coolant and mine still never even touches the middle 210 mark. That also includes having run it in Texas summer. If you address just a few things, I think these are great vehicles.
There were far newer trucks parked up with the hood open on that mountain road so not too shabby for some old klunkers.
This is a really cool series. In 2016 I drove across Canada in a 1999 Grand Cherokee. I flew to Vancouver with my brother so he could buy the 1 owner Grand Cherokee from his friend and we drove it back to Ontario. That's the kind of mileage we were getting, about 18mpg. Strong motor but not exactly the best vehicle highway cruising. I also owned a 96 S10 pick up with the 4.3. That thing was a pig on gas around town but decent on the Hwy. Got rid of it in 2001. Now I drive a Cruze and the best mileage I've ever gotten on a road trip was 45.5mpg and 800kms (500 miles) on one tank.
The "supercharger whine" isn't the trans on the jeep. It's more than likely the timing chains and the tensioners. My 3.7 Dodge does the exact same thing and both of those motors are based on the same architecture.
Been a silent TFL watcher for a long time... but this was a surprise... some of the best content you have ever done! Keep it up! Love the episodes!
THIS IS SO ADDICTING TO WATCH! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
19:30 the filler neck is bad on the Mazda. Common fail on the 3rd gen Rangers. Happened on my 93 Ranger and 96 Mazda.
Another great episode guys keep up the great content
The drive up the hill reminds me of the movie Duel.....trying to make the summit after the radiator hose broke in Dennis Weaver's Valiant...and his screaming C'mon car! while driving up the hill.
This is an unpopular opinion, but I’ve been rooting for the Mazda the whole time. It had a rough life before Andre had it. My father had a B3000 and it ran very well. Had 210,000 miles before my dad let it rot in a mechanic’s shop after he rear ended someone. The Jeep could easily make it and the Blazer has typical GM build quality problems, so I figured I’d root for the Mazda.
Rooting for the most reliable is no fun.
Can't wait for the next episode already, awesome series 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I absolutely love these series!
I'm ver amazed about Blaser consumption, it for a V6 is great. Some cars have lower fuel consumption than manufacturers says. My 1997 -Ranger- Mazda B2300 can do a bit more 27 MPG in highway, but into city the consumption goes to the moon making barely 12.5 MPG.
Tommy my nose hurt from my tea shooting out of it because of the suppositorie comment. Just awesome!
The 4.7 is actually pretty reliable IF it's maintained properly, it's not an engine that does well with lax maintenance. The check engine light is most likely the evap system.
They had the codes read in a previous video and they are transmission related codes which were cleared and now they're back again of course which we already knew that would happen, those don't just go away.
This kind of thing is why milage is the most important thing for me. Garaged. Owned by a retired guy that barely drove it.
I wish my blazer got that good of gas mileage, mine gets around 15. Diggin' this series.
Says you and every other Blazer owner with a 4.3. That motor was never known for its economy. It's based on a 1950s design of a 350 engine - 2 cylinders.
Love the series! Andre’s truck with the leaking gas tank is hilarious.
These guys really rock. Awesome content, very entertaining.
Everyone should road trip in a beater at least once in their life. This is the real american experience!! Great video guys!
Especially one that you just got, adds so much fun to the experience, I bought a 2003 c class and 2 weeks later drove it all the way across the country and there's nothing more satisfying than making it across the country in a car under $3k
My wj hit 280k and still going strong! Love that thing!
I've owned a bunch of 4.3s-S trucks and blazers,C/K series,NBS,I would NEVER have guessed that it would win a mileage challenge.
The Blazer is the best looking vehicle, IMO, but I like the grilles of the '98/up S10s. Also not a fan of electronic four-wheel-drive systems, as those actuator servos like to fail, but that can be mitigated w/ an after market set of manual hub lockers. That Nathan got 25 MPG is quite good, as those 4.3 V6s, while plenty peppy, weren't known for their economy. I did an LS swap to my S10 and gained 150 HP and ~5 MPG, while losing 150 lbs. Best upgrade or modification you can make to your S10 of any year and it decreases the inherent under-steer, by lightening the front end, as well.
I can’t wait for the next vid in this hilarious, fun, unsafe series! 😂🙏☘️
I bought one of those blazers new back in 97. What a flaming p.o.s. Overheated and left me stranded on the Florida turnpike.
The check engine light is probably for an emission issue, like a "bad" 02 sensor, and nothing that would harm the engine. BTW, the Oil Pressure "gauge" is not really a gauge a tall. It's an idiot light in gauge form. If oil pressure is good, the needle is at that one point. If not, it falls to the bottom. I wouldn't be surprised if that high-pitched wine wasn't actually coming through the speakers, caused by the cassette adapter.
I'm surprised the v6 in the MazdaFord had trouble. A friend of mine had a 98 ranger with the 4 liter v6 and it was fantastic. We called it the "Stealth Ranger" because of how it would surprise you with its performance.
That stretch between Salida and Montrose on Highway 50 has to be some of the best scenery in Colorado.
Armenian flag is red, blue, orange 🇦🇲 but close enough! Thanks for the shout out Nathan 😂
Another great video for another great series
LOL! Burning your nose trying to smell a burnt smell. That is pretty awesome. Thank you for including that in the video!
As always great video!! That was very impressive they all did very well on fuel I have a 01 ranger 3.0 engine automatic transmission super cab 2wd it only gets 14 to 17 mpg can't understand why. I was sure one of them would go down goin up steep grade. Thanks for sharing ya'll be safe have fun
I wish you would've shown the mpg on the TRX. Towing a trailer over a long distance is always something good to know.