Love these old ZR2s! I was obsessed with these as a kid. I finally got a white ext cab ZR2 when I was 18 and had it for about three years. Broke a lot of stuff in the IFS offroading it. It was super capable when things weren't broken but apparently they're known to break parts in the front suspension more than the full size of this era.
Nice man, we are the same age I definitely remember these. My buddy had one they were awesome. I bought a brand new 2002 S10 ZR2 4x4 black pickup truck in Nov 2001 wish I still had that truck. It was such a cool truck.
Been driving my 2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 here in South Carolina for 7 years. It has 253,771 miles everything works. The only things I had to do was replace Radiator, Ball joints, rotors and brakes, oil change, tires. I did put some new socks oh yeah had to get the muffler welded where the cat had been removed before I purchased. Great car!! Will continue to drive until it won't drive anymore.
Good luck and looking forward to watching more vids. I have a 2001, it's the last new vehicle I purchased and I too live in the midwest. I've had it parked for about the last 5 years, more or less. Recently decided to try and get it going again. It's been fun tracking down brake line leaks.
I have 240k miles on my 2000 Blazer and aside from issues they're notorious for (like EVERY manufacturer), it's been a good truck. Still better than the unibody junk they're making today
I currently have a 2003 GMC Jimmy ZR2, It's been Krown protected since it came out the factory, so the chassis is 99.9% rust free. It currently has 142k KM's or 80k+miles (this specific year/model etc only available in Canada) I truly believe I am going to be able to sell it for a hefty price one day. The fact they don't make vehicles like this anymore, such as the body design and engine size, is what is so attractive about them in a way. Im 29 now with my 03 jimmy, and i get compliments/offers on it uncomfortably too often.
I love em. However, I did have to dump more than what I paid into it. New Tranny, the stock tranny Sunshields snap easily. Paid $3k for mine in Houston TX 6yrs ago & it runs & looks new w/ 300k miles on it. Fuel Trims are 0.1 on bank 1 & 0.0 on bank 2. Gets 16 in town & 18 on highway. I use it for beach running or towing my Kayaks. Know one ever sat in the passenger or rear seat when I bought it. Super clean ZR2. New Bilstein shocks, no lift & mostly stock. Did replace the Distributor, Cap, wires, plugs & general maintenance. She's been a great driver. Plenty of power with that 4.3 vortec
You are 100% correct about the ZR2 models still being at their “low window” price, but the window is quickly closing and these will start exploding in price over the next 5-10 years…. and prices will get stupid on these. Happens with every generation.
@@jvogler_art4708as for the S-series platform and collectibility, the “ZR9” Syclone performance package is the holy of holies, followed by the Typhoon… probably next on down the list is the “ZR2” Highrider performance package. The ZR2 was a purpose built truck. It was produced as an off road 4x4. Not a work truck with heavy payload, not a cruiser with comfort. The ZR2 was built for the off road enthusiast. rpocodes.blogspot.com/
Do the bravada shaft in the front. Fixes the unreliable 4wd. I got my 00 zr2 blazer in 2013 for $1000. Guess the value has already gone up since then🤣no rust and very clean. Just needed a fuel pump. Been a great ride. Just drove it 4 hrs towing to ride atvs.
I went to Colorado (I live in Delaware) because mine had the manual transmission. Like you, it's been very disappointing, but still doesn't have as many issues as yours. I did want to share a word of caution: if you come out and a perfectly good battery is dead, know that the switch on the driver's side power seat goes bad and will drain the battery. I am in the process of converting to the manual seat but getting a decent one, with tracks and covers, is harder than you would think. Good luck
Dude, i just bought a 2002 xtreme blazer , and while the outside of it looks ok , it's suspension is completely worn! I mean EVERY bushing 😆. The rotors are warped , but have new pads 😆. The sunroof has broken parts wrapped in electrical tape, and the transmission spewed its guts out the second day I drove it. What is it about these vehicles that make people use them and never seemingly do any maintenance? Amazing
Anyone thinking there s10 of any year needs a new transmission make sure that you change the speed sensor easy to change and only cost 15 dollars. That will fix 95% of them . Most shops will tell you need new transmission.
I bought mine for $5000.00 (yes over priced). It required a new rear hatch and spare tire carrier, needed a new engine and transmission. Oh, it required a new exhaust system. It still requires a new fan for the heater and something is off with the electrical system as it has issues with the cigarette lighter doesn't work so no charging your cell phone. They had installed a CD player in the center map box, but the guts are missing and no one and no search has brought up what fits into the slot. It still as the cassett player. Radio works. Still, it is my summer runner and I bought collector plates for it. Anyway, it is a fun ride!
Did you not crawl under this thing before you bought it? It looks like it was in a flood, from all the rust and rot underneath. That could also explain why the engine had to be swapped. Water probably got pulled into the intake or seeped into the oil pan. You should unload this thing as a parts car and find a better one. You're going to end up pouring more money into it than it's worth. It's better to just spend that money on a better one.
I see these in Phoenix in running condition for $1600. What's a new 4x4 running right now? Maybe $50k - $70k?? I'd rather dump another $3k - $4k in this and have a valid off road vehicle.
I bought a 05 with the 5 speed. 2 door but not zr2. Only had 160k for the year. Rockers are gone on mine as well. But I still absolutely love this machine
Lol when I first started working on cars it was all bolts in one bucket now a days haha just what you said labeled bags and pictures exactly I love the zr2 blazer you have I have the 4door Lt 2000 and I love mine to death but I have 4x4 work to do blah but fun truck :) hope you enjoy urs and just watched this video so hope to find more!
Man I just paid $800 for on 4x4 never used and while the mile were high the old lady said they were all highway Ac blows cold body solid And Don't use a drop of oil . I had to put an ignition in it because the key was lost when her husband passed . But I was worried until I seen your video Man you should have gotten mine and I should have got that for what you paid. And I've got leather. Power everything.
Not a lot of those around in decent condition still so at least it’s your little nightmare! I bought a clean 4 door 4x4 for the same reasons as you. The body and frame of mine were in incredible condition. We live in Appalachia so virtually zero rust or salt with our mild winters. Vacuum lines were flawless lol. Interior was perfect including the original black headliner. Everything is so insanely cheap and available on it so I’ve been rebuilding and “bullet proofing” in the limited places it needed. The entire brake system needed to be replaced from M.C. To pads and that was the only pain in the ass. It has grown on me so much, I now drive it more than the Silverado. I’ve always been a Chevy GM guy since I was a boy but the old blazers are something unique from the era. In many ways they defined the modern SUV and set consumer standards (real SUVs not crossovers). Before the Blazer the SUV market was insanely small. Where I live we have an incredible market for old school trucks and SUVs, I could turn around and sell it for at least twice what I have in it right now very easily. Yours is going to be even cooler if you take the same route.
I have this exact truck and it sucks. I had it for 6 years now and it only gets 9mpg. Its rusting like crazy now. Its noisy due to the plastic interior. The rear hatch release button freezes at every chance. Check engine light stays on even after multiple times to the shop to fix it. A.C leaks. Passenger side power window stop working. Driver Side window randomly stop working at times. ABS and Brake lights randomly goes on and off. Even when parked. Wheel hubs have to be replaced every year. And I recently replaced the ignition coil. And no matter how many times i take it to the shop the problem is only fixed for a few months. 🤣 Most of the time I just believe the Chevy dealer that I take it to only do patchwork and never really fix the problems. Because every time I personally work on the vehicle, that specific issue will go away. But from the dealer it's one thing after another. But I don't have the space to do the really big time consuming jobs. I only do about 150 to 200 miles a week. But at 9mpg it gets really expensive.
I'm in the same situation , man. It's like someone just abused the hell outta my blazer xtreme , and NEVER , I mean literally NEVER, did preventative maintenence, let alone routine maintenance. 😒 However these trucks are long lasting and are going to be valuable one day, so im fixing everything in detail.
im junking my 2000 4 door RUST JUNK,,just picked up a 2001 4 dr. in ct. thats pretty much rust free....working on cleaning up the cooling sysyem,,and switching over the plow...its only june..lol
S10 owners? How many fuel pumps are you on now? I'm on # 5, but currently it needs # 6. My dad got it off the lot and I've had it for about 15 years, I took my drivers test in this blazer. So in very familiar with them, went through many fuel pumps including Bosch's and even a couple oem pumps. They last about 3 months to 7 years in my experience. Also changed entire spider fuel injection system, regulator etc, 3 sets of front 4 sets of ball joints, 3 sets of wheels bearings, the aftermarket drivers door bushings available only last about a week..so I quit changing them and need to lift up the door to close it😅 then ofcourse the oem driver door panel was destroyed (by anger) and I have it replaced with a non matching grey one.. then the 4l60e went out at approx 165k and I'm now at about 190k. 4 wheel drive hasnt worked in 15+ years (I still need to fix that one) I love these zr2 blazers and mine has been like a family member, I've always thought I'd never sell it but sometimes think about it.. it's been setting in my shop a few years now waiting on me to fix that fuel pump.. After the 3rd pump went out in a few months..I never put the skid plate back on the tank in 2010ish.. Even though the 4x4 has been out most of its life ive only been stuck once (believe me ive drove through some serious mud and snow on mountain side 2 tracks) Even pulled a stuck forest service guy out way down one of those roads. It definitely does well off road (minus eating ball joints while doing it).
I just bought one of these exactly and I’m just going to buy a whole new front suspension kit and on rock auto there are 2 kits for the 4wd front suspension, one says offset tie rods and the other doesn’t, does anyone know which I need for the zr2?
I saw those and wasn't sure either. I got a kit from Detroit Axle, plus a few odds and ends from Rock Auto. All of that work will be featured in Part 4. We'll find out together if it fits.
@@PhillipsHomeRepair i did some looking on some forums and the kit to get it’s the one around $450 on rock auto. You need the one with offset tie rods and blue parts
@@jamiel3504 yeah but they are cray expensive.. For what they cost I could have some custom door panels made and covered with some premium leather, tweed.
I'd far prefer a 1995- 1999 Tahoe 2dr or a 90s bronco than these junk things . S10 transmissions were pure junk. If need A dirt dirt cheapo 4x4 look at suzuki sidekick, grand vitara.
I know these transmissions have a bad rep, but it's the only part of this one that is working fine! Basically every other moving part has been replaced or needs work.
Had one of these years and years ago…. Love that truck to this day and wish I never got rid of it. That thing is amazing
Love these old ZR2s! I was obsessed with these as a kid. I finally got a white ext cab ZR2 when I was 18 and had it for about three years. Broke a lot of stuff in the IFS offroading it. It was super capable when things weren't broken but apparently they're known to break parts in the front suspension more than the full size of this era.
Nice man, we are the same age I definitely remember these. My buddy had one they were awesome. I bought a brand new 2002 S10 ZR2 4x4 black pickup truck in Nov 2001 wish I still had that truck. It was such a cool truck.
Been driving my 2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 here in South Carolina for 7 years. It has 253,771 miles everything works. The only things I had to do was replace Radiator, Ball joints, rotors and brakes, oil change, tires. I did put some new socks oh yeah had to get the muffler welded where the cat had been removed before I purchased. Great car!! Will continue to drive until it won't drive anymore.
@He's us Christ... Any advice on where & how much to get intake gaskets replaced? Independent shops don't want the job.
I have a 2000 Blazer LT with 58,700 miles. It's total expense to me so far hasn't even hit 12,000 dollars
@@kylecoger8759 man you one of the lucky ones, take care of her and she will last you a lifetime
@@hesuschrist9527 I will upload my how-to guide for switching from gasoline
@@kylecoger8759 please do
Good luck and looking forward to watching more vids. I have a 2001, it's the last new vehicle I purchased and I too live in the midwest. I've had it parked for about the last 5 years, more or less. Recently decided to try and get it going again. It's been fun tracking down brake line leaks.
I have 240k miles on my 2000 Blazer and aside from issues they're notorious for (like EVERY manufacturer), it's been a good truck. Still better than the unibody junk they're making today
I currently have a 2003 GMC Jimmy ZR2, It's been Krown protected since it came out the factory, so the chassis is 99.9% rust free. It currently has 142k KM's or 80k+miles (this specific year/model etc only available in Canada) I truly believe I am going to be able to sell it for a hefty price one day. The fact they don't make vehicles like this anymore, such as the body design and engine size, is what is so attractive about them in a way. Im 29 now with my 03 jimmy, and i get compliments/offers on it uncomfortably too often.
I love em. However, I did have to dump more than what I paid into it. New Tranny, the stock tranny Sunshields snap easily.
Paid $3k for mine in Houston TX 6yrs ago & it runs & looks new w/ 300k miles on it. Fuel Trims are 0.1 on bank 1 & 0.0 on bank 2. Gets 16 in town & 18 on highway.
I use it for beach running or towing my Kayaks. Know one ever sat in the passenger or rear seat when I bought it.
Super clean ZR2. New Bilstein shocks, no lift & mostly stock. Did replace the Distributor, Cap, wires, plugs & general maintenance. She's been a great driver. Plenty of power with that 4.3 vortec
You are 100% correct about the ZR2 models still being at their “low window” price, but the window is quickly closing and these will start exploding in price over the next 5-10 years…. and prices will get stupid on these. Happens with every generation.
You could be right but I just don’t see it. Very niche appeal, only low rare low mileage survivors will sell high in my opinion.
@@jvogler_art4708as for the S-series platform and collectibility, the “ZR9” Syclone performance package is the holy of holies, followed by the Typhoon… probably next on down the list is the “ZR2” Highrider performance package. The ZR2 was a purpose built truck. It was produced as an off road 4x4. Not a work truck with heavy payload, not a cruiser with comfort. The ZR2 was built for the off road enthusiast. rpocodes.blogspot.com/
@@jvogler_art4708yes, of course the low mileage factory original examples is what brings the $$$$$
Even when new, these cool trucks were rare sights. Congratulations on finding and sharing this example.
Do the bravada shaft in the front. Fixes the unreliable 4wd. I got my 00 zr2 blazer in 2013 for $1000. Guess the value has already gone up since then🤣no rust and very clean. Just needed a fuel pump. Been a great ride. Just drove it 4 hrs towing to ride atvs.
I have the proper headliner for your truck, it was removed out of my 2003 blazer with graphite black interior. Headliner has moonroof option also
I don't suppose you're anywhere near Iowa?
I went to Colorado (I live in Delaware) because mine had the manual transmission. Like you, it's been very disappointing, but still doesn't have as many issues as yours. I did want to share a word of caution: if you come out and a perfectly good battery is dead, know that the switch on the driver's side power seat goes bad and will drain the battery. I am in the process of converting to the manual seat but getting a decent one, with tracks and covers, is harder than you would think. Good luck
My dad thinks these things are hideous but loves the S10 series lol
I had a 98 zr2 for my first car. Body was immaculate but engine started to knock so I sold it. I wish I had kept it and put a motor in later on.
Dude, i just bought a 2002 xtreme blazer , and while the outside of it looks ok , it's suspension is completely worn! I mean EVERY bushing 😆. The rotors are warped , but have new pads 😆. The sunroof has broken parts wrapped in electrical tape, and the transmission spewed its guts out the second day I drove it. What is it about these vehicles that make people use them and never seemingly do any maintenance? Amazing
Anyone thinking there s10 of any year needs a new transmission make sure that you change the speed sensor easy to change and only cost 15 dollars. That will fix 95% of them . Most shops will tell you need new transmission.
I bought mine for $5000.00 (yes over priced). It required a new rear hatch and spare tire carrier, needed a new engine and transmission. Oh, it required a new exhaust system. It still requires a new fan for the heater and something is off with the electrical system as it has issues with the cigarette lighter doesn't work so no charging your cell phone. They had installed a CD player in the center map box, but the guts are missing and no one and no search has brought up what fits into the slot. It still as the cassett player. Radio works. Still, it is my summer runner and I bought collector plates for it. Anyway, it is a fun ride!
Miss my Z. Such a great truck. I've owned several s10 blazers but the Z was my favorite by miles
Did you not crawl under this thing before you bought it? It looks like it was in a flood, from all the rust and rot underneath. That could also explain why the engine had to be swapped. Water probably got pulled into the intake or seeped into the oil pan. You should unload this thing as a parts car and find a better one. You're going to end up pouring more money into it than it's worth. It's better to just spend that money on a better one.
I see these in Phoenix in running condition for $1600. What's a new 4x4 running right now? Maybe $50k - $70k?? I'd rather dump another $3k - $4k in this and have a valid off road vehicle.
I bought a 05 with the 5 speed. 2 door but not zr2. Only had 160k for the year. Rockers are gone on mine as well. But I still absolutely love this machine
Lol when I first started working on cars it was all bolts in one bucket now a days haha just what you said labeled bags and pictures exactly I love the zr2 blazer you have I have the 4door Lt 2000 and I love mine to death but I have 4x4 work to do blah but fun truck :) hope you enjoy urs and just watched this video so hope to find more!
I've owned 3 S10 Blazers and an S10 pickup they keep running ,but they are hard to work on in some ways and need little repairs they all leak oil.
ZR2 models were so kickass in the ‘90s and early ‘00s
Man I just paid $800 for on 4x4 never used and while the mile were high the old lady said they were all highway Ac blows cold body solid And Don't use a drop of oil . I had to put an ignition in it because the key was lost when her husband passed . But I was worried until I seen your video Man you should have gotten mine and I should have got that for what you paid. And I've got leather. Power everything.
lol i like how you started the video off like doug dimouro sweet ride man
I got a 2002 s10 zr2 and so far it has been awesome. Mine also has a new transmission, alternator, a touch screen. For 3250.
Not a lot of those around in decent condition still so at least it’s your little nightmare! I bought a clean 4 door 4x4 for the same reasons as you. The body and frame of mine were in incredible condition. We live in Appalachia so virtually zero rust or salt with our mild winters. Vacuum lines were flawless lol. Interior was perfect including the original black headliner. Everything is so insanely cheap and available on it so I’ve been rebuilding and “bullet proofing” in the limited places it needed. The entire brake system needed to be replaced from M.C. To pads and that was the only pain in the ass. It has grown on me so much, I now drive it more than the Silverado. I’ve always been a Chevy GM guy since I was a boy but the old blazers are something unique from the era. In many ways they defined the modern SUV and set consumer standards (real SUVs not crossovers). Before the Blazer the SUV market was insanely small. Where I live we have an incredible market for old school trucks and SUVs, I could turn around and sell it for at least twice what I have in it right now very easily. Yours is going to be even cooler if you take the same route.
I have this exact truck and it sucks. I had it for 6 years now and it only gets 9mpg. Its rusting like crazy now. Its noisy due to the plastic interior. The rear hatch release button freezes at every chance. Check engine light stays on even after multiple times to the shop to fix it. A.C leaks. Passenger side power window stop working. Driver Side window randomly stop working at times. ABS and Brake lights randomly goes on and off. Even when parked. Wheel hubs have to be replaced every year. And I recently replaced the ignition coil. And no matter how many times i take it to the shop the problem is only fixed for a few months. 🤣 Most of the time I just believe the Chevy dealer that I take it to only do patchwork and never really fix the problems. Because every time I personally work on the vehicle, that specific issue will go away. But from the dealer it's one thing after another. But I don't have the space to do the really big time consuming jobs. I only do about 150 to 200 miles a week. But at 9mpg it gets really expensive.
I’m looking at a 1999zr2 today with 150 miles
I'm in the same situation , man. It's like someone just abused the hell outta my blazer xtreme , and NEVER , I mean literally NEVER, did preventative maintenence, let alone routine maintenance. 😒 However these trucks are long lasting and are going to be valuable one day, so im fixing everything in detail.
I like how these have 4 wheel disc brakes and my 2009 Silverado has rear drums 💀
im junking my 2000 4 door RUST JUNK,,just picked up a 2001 4 dr. in ct. thats pretty much rust free....working on cleaning up the cooling sysyem,,and switching over the plow...its only june..lol
fixed my nightmares too.
This is an awesome project to restore though!!! ZR2 models will bring premium $$$$$ in the next 5-10 years too.
I'll take it if you don't want it. I'm trying to replace a 2003.
I have a 98 blazer and it's the best car I've ever had113 k on it and no problem with it I'm 44 yrs old live in KS but I do have the 4 dr
Awesome video....
How do I know if I have a zR2? I just bought a 2000 2 door LS 4x4 looks just like yours!
@@yearsago6218 thanks i just saw this!
ZR2s have a 3 inch wider stance hence the fender flares. If you don't have the factory flares it isn't a Z. Also they only came in 2 door
S10 owners? How many fuel pumps are you on now?
I'm on # 5, but currently it needs # 6. My dad got it off the lot and I've had it for about 15 years, I took my drivers test in this blazer.
So in very familiar with them, went through many fuel pumps including Bosch's and even a couple oem pumps. They last about 3 months to 7 years in my experience.
Also changed entire spider fuel injection system, regulator etc, 3 sets of front 4 sets of ball joints, 3 sets of wheels bearings, the aftermarket drivers door bushings available only last about a week..so I quit changing them and need to lift up the door to close it😅 then ofcourse the oem driver door panel was destroyed (by anger) and I have it replaced with a non matching grey one.. then the 4l60e went out at approx 165k and I'm now at about 190k. 4 wheel drive hasnt worked in 15+ years (I still need to fix that one)
I love these zr2 blazers and mine has been like a family member, I've always thought I'd never sell it but sometimes think about it.. it's been setting in my shop a few years now waiting on me to fix that fuel pump.. After the 3rd pump went out in a few months..I never put the skid plate back on the tank in 2010ish..
Even though the 4x4 has been out most of its life ive only been stuck once (believe me ive drove through some serious mud and snow on mountain side 2 tracks) Even pulled a stuck forest service guy out way down one of those roads.
It definitely does well off road (minus eating ball joints while doing it).
Hope I’m as cool as you when I’m older
U board, car guy, those builds you made were pretty cool
I fuckin love it 👍
I just bought one of these exactly and I’m just going to buy a whole new front suspension kit and on rock auto there are 2 kits for the 4wd front suspension, one says offset tie rods and the other doesn’t, does anyone know which I need for the zr2?
I saw those and wasn't sure either. I got a kit from Detroit Axle, plus a few odds and ends from Rock Auto. All of that work will be featured in Part 4. We'll find out together if it fits.
@@PhillipsHomeRepair i did some looking on some forums and the kit to get it’s the one around $450 on rock auto. You need the one with offset tie rods and blue parts
you should've stuck to first gen 2door 4x4's
Oh yeah I need new front door panels..
What is it with the door panels on these? Seems to be the first thing to go missing from parts cars.
@@jamiel3504 yeah but they are cray expensive.. For what they cost I could have some custom door panels made and covered with some premium leather, tweed.
If you don't like why bye it
I think they are cool looking too
2003 Lincoln Navigator.
CRV 4x4 like 3000 bucks
Disagree about White letter belong on inside of tire. They look so tacky on the outside. 😂
That is one rusty mother. Going to say if you're happY...
1996 Chevy Blazer.
I'd far prefer a 1995- 1999 Tahoe 2dr or a 90s bronco than these junk things . S10 transmissions were pure junk.
If need A dirt dirt cheapo 4x4 look at suzuki sidekick, grand vitara.
I know these transmissions have a bad rep, but it's the only part of this one that is working fine! Basically every other moving part has been replaced or needs work.
You dramatic put a ls in one then there a nightmare and better