The Chevrolet Blazer (4WD model T-10) and its rebadged variant, the GMC S-15 Jimmy (4WD model T-15), are compact/mid-size SUVs manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet and GMC from 1982-2005 across two generations.
The S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy were based on the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15 pickup trucks and were manufactured in Pontiac, Michigan; Linden, New Jersey; Moraine, Ohio; Shreveport, Louisiana; Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; and São Paulo, Brazil.
In the United States retail sales of two-door Blazer models ended in 2004; all other models were sold until April 20, 2005. In the Canadian market, four-door models of the Blazer and Jimmy were sold until the 2004 model year and until the 2005 model year for the two-door models of both.
The Brazilian variant, based on the second-generation S-series, continues in production in Brazil with their own sheetmetal stampings as well as in Canada with the Brazilian, Indonesian and Russian sheetmetal stampings). In North America, the Moraine, Ohio plant produced only 4-door vehicles, with both 2- and 4-door models being produced at Linden, which was the main assembly plant after the switch (some time after 1995) from Pontiac, Michigan, which became a full-size truck plant.
Video Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
First generation (1982-1994)
Chevrolet introduced the S-10 Blazer in 1982 along with its rebadged variant, the GMC S-15 Jimmy, and S-10 pickup truck, the latter replacing the Isuzu-based Chevrolet LUV. The Blazer and Jimmy appeared as 1983 models.
The S-series Blazer and Jimmy did not feature removable hardtops like their full-size counterparts and were only offered in a two-door bodystyle.
Base power was provided by GM's 2.0 L OHV four-cylinder engine, producing 83 hp (62 kW). A 2.8 L, 110 hp (82 kW) V6 was offered as an option (coincidentally this engine was also used in Jeep's Cherokee until 1987).
Due to emissions laws, a 1.9-liter I4 gasoline engine built by Isuzu was offered as the base model engine in California in place of the 2.0-liter engine, while an Isuzu-sourced 2.2-liter diesel engine (also used in the S-series pickups) producing 58 hp (43 kW) was offered as an option.
The 1.9-, 2.0- and 2.2-liter diesel were dropped after 1985, replaced by the larger 2.5-liter engine. The V6 was refitted with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986 in order to improve performance and fuel economy.
Jeep replaced the Cherokee's 2.8 V6 with a new, more powerful 4.0 L, 173 hp (129 kW) I6 in 1987. In order for it to keep being competitive, the Blazer and Jimmy received a new 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 option in 1988 (also used with the Astro/Safari vans, short wheelbase G-series vans, and light duty C/K (1500 series) trucks), based on the ever-present Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engine, producing a respectable 150 hp (110 kW). Power output was increased to 160 hp (120 kW) in 1989. The 2.8L was discontinued in 1990 for the Blazer and Jimmy where the 4.3L became the de facto base motor (truck models kept the 2.8L), and a 5-speed manual transmission (Getrag 290/Hydramatic 290/5LM60, sourced from the GMT400) was added to the option list, replacing the Borg-Warner T-5 (T5s were still used with the truck models when coupled to the 2.5 and 2.8L).
In March 1990, 4-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy were introduced as a 1991 model; the 4-door had a 6.5in longer wheelbase (2-doors had a 100.5 in wheelbase - six inches (152 mm) longer than the Ford Bronco II) and a one-piece front grille with a painted black insert (1990 2-door S-10 Blazers and Jimmies had the 3-piece grille). This new grille also did away with the separate metal filler panel under the grille, since the grille is taller and took its place. Early production models between March and August 1990 were initially available as a four-wheel drive only; 2WD versions commenced production around Summer 1990. This came just months ahead of the introduction of the Ford Explorer, which replaced the Bronco II; six-and-a-half years after the segment-leading Cherokee debuted with four doors. Snowflake alloy wheels (similar to the ones used on the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari) were introduced, either painted charcoal gray or argent silver.
The upscale Oldsmobile Bravada appeared the next year featuring an All-Wheel-Drive package called "Smart-Trak" (using a BorgWarner 4472 transfer case, shared with the AWD Astro/Safari). Although the first generation S-series Blazer and Jimmy were initially sold as 2-doors upon its original introduction, an episode of Motor Trend TV (c. 1991) stated that the thumbs up was for the introduction of the new bodystyle, and the thumbs down was that the 4-door bodystyle was based on the first generation model, which was in the process of a makeover.
1992 models were similar to 1991s - the only way to tell the difference is the rear back glass (the rear glass does not have any trim to which two black buttons serve as the back glass strut mounting points) and front grille (chrome shell with argent silver inserts). The interior was a carryover from 1991 with the exception of the center console and steering wheel (X-bar style similar to the one used in the GMT400 trucks). Also, the "S-15" name was dropped from the Jimmy. The S10 Blazer also introduced an upscale Tahoe and Sport trim packages, the Tahoe LT, which was rebadged as the LT in 1995 whilst the Tahoe package was renamed as the LS. The Tahoe LT had its own exterior décor with faded lower body lines on the lower rockers along with Tahoe LT badges - this also included an overhead console and keyless remote door locks). Sport package had bigger sway bars, slightly modified suspension and 30x9.5 or optional 31x10.5 tires. Body trim included also black plastic fender flares, front fog lights and spare tire carrier on the tailgate. 1992 was the first model year where the S10 Blazer and Jimmy offered an NP233 electronic transfer case for as a drive train option. This deleted the Manual gear range selector with a 3 position switch located to the left of the gauge cluster in the same location that the rear defrost button would be located on non-electronic transfer-case and 2WD model Blazers and Jimmies (when optioned with the electronic transfer case the defrost button assembly is positioned below the headlight switch). The electronic transfer-case added luxury however there was no neutral position with the electronic transfer case, so the owner's manual stated that the drive shaft had to be removed when the vehicle was being towed. The fuel lines, which were routed on the driver side frame rail to the TBI fuel injectors, were redesigned where the fuel inlets entered the rear of the engine (same as the GMT400). This was phased in because of the L35 option which used a similar fuel line setup. The serpentine accessory drive for the 4.3L motor was modified where the air pump was eliminated and further lightened.
From at least 1991 onward, all S10 Blazers and Jimmies came with 4 wheel anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. The first two years of the ABS system had axleshafts with pressed-on ABS toner rings which was eliminated during the latter half of the 1993 model year (rear ABS control was done via the vehicle speed sensor). The 2.8L V6 was dropped as an option on the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy in 1990, though it was offered as an option on the S-10 and S-15/Sonoma pickups through 1993). A 5-speed manual transmission remained standard through 1994, but only with the TBI engine. Only the two 4.3 L (262 cu in) engines were offered as options - the base TBI and the CPI (introduced in 1992 for the S-series and Chevrolet Astro minivans; the latter had the "Vortec" logo on the intake plenum).
1993 had a few changes - the center console was raised (with a dual cup holder), and the 4L60E transmission replaced the 700r4. The grille (alongside the S-10 pickup) was revised (which was a chrome-plated version of the base work truck grille found on base S-10 pickups), along with the addition of optional 5-spoke alloy rims (for the 2WD model - basically a copy of the 3rd generation Camaro Z28 15" alloy rim).
Although the second generation S-series Pickup debuted in 1994, the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy continued unchanged in 1994. Much like 1993 the 1994 model year added a third brake light and the rear spoiler was discontinued. 1994 was a transition year for many automakers when it came to switching from R-12 Freon to CFC-free R134a refrigerant. The redesigned 1994 S-10 and Sonoma pickups used R134a refrigerant. Despite being nearly identical to the 1993 models, the entire 1994 model year full-size pickup and SUV lineup (C/K, Sierra, Suburban, Yukon, etc.), also used R134a. The 1994 S-10 Blazer and Jimmy seem to have used R-12 until the end of their production run and subsequent replacement with redesigned 1995 models that looked like new-for-1994 pickups.
Maps Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
Second generation (1995-2005)
The all-new Blazer was introduced in 1994 as a 1995 model year. This time, it lost the S-10 prefix for simpler identification due to the full-size K5 Blazer being discontinued (the GMT400-based Blazer was rebadged as the Tahoe; the Tahoe package which was the base trim for past S10s was redesignated as the LS.) The Blazer was Playboy magazine's Truck of the Year for 1995 and was also the unanimous winner of the Motor Trend 1995 Truck of the Year. Exterior and interior size were increased, bumping it up to a mid-sized SUV. A drivers air bag came, but a passenger airbag wasn't immediately introduced. This Blazer appealed to more customers because of the less rugged appearance and rounded styling, and many storage spaces- a key feature for families. It was available with the 4.3 L V6 engine only, and most models featured four-wheel drive via an electronic transfer case; 1997 was the last year a manual transfer case for 4 wheel drive (floor shifter for 4 wheel drive) was offered. In 1998, the interior and exterior received some cosmetic changes. The makeover offered a new dashboard with larger buttons and more ergonomically correct driving controls, as well as larger door handles, and head rests for the rear bench. A passenger airbag is now standard. A front grille similar to the Chevrolet C/K pickup line's stacked-headlight system replaced the older single-headlight system, similar to the full size GMT400 trucks. 4 wheel disc brakes became standard equipment, fitted with aluminum dual piston calipers (the front disc brakes were redesigned with the dual piston calipers and 11" diameter brake rotors (steering knuckles now have sealed hub assemblies) while the truck models retained the 1978-era single piston disc brakes originally sourced and shared from GM's G-body lineup). In 1999, new folding mirrors replaced the old folding mirrors. 2000 saw new front bumpers and the trim running along the sides and bumpers was removed. For the 2001 model year, the truck received a new center console.
In 1999, Chevrolet introduced a limited edition 'TrailBlazer' appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LS and LT trims. The package featured gold-accented alloy rims and trim along with several interior/exterior modifications and upgrades. This package was marketed until the introduction of the GMT360 series for the 2002 model year. The Trailblazer's headlamps, which featured daytime running lamps, would be available on various Blazer models until production ended. Upon introduction of the 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the GMC Envoy, production continued after their successors came to the market, with the Jimmy only being sold in Canada and in the 2005 model year, 4-door models sold to vehicle fleets. Another upscale model was the 1998 GMC Envoy. It used the same engines and had many of the same upgrades as the Bravada. The 1998 model Envoy featured an optional upgrade to High Intensity Discharge headlamps, and several other visual modifications. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Jimmy nameplate, the Jimmy Diamond Edition was launched. Not too different from the Envoy, it featured leather seats with a diamond pattern, special diamond logos, and an aluminum silver plate along lower sides of the SUV.
At the same time, a Blazer Xtreme (only on the 2-door model) was added to the lineup, based on the S10 Xtreme. This sub-model lasted until 2004.
The second-generation Blazer was officially sold in Taiwan, between 1995 and 1996.
The ZR2 Package
The ZR2 package was only offered on the 2 door Blazer as the 2 door had the shorter wheelbase. It had a wider ladder type frame which made the track for the truck approx. 3.9 inches wider. It also lifted the Blazer about 3 inches which made it be able to clear 31x10.5 tires on 15 inch wheels. An enhanced front (7.25" ring gear) and rear (8.5" ring gear) axles w/ 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio. Larger wheel and axle bearings. A front anti-sway bar, skid plates, Bilstein shocks, and a beefier rear axle. This package was a little over $1000 and it was first introduced on the S10 pickup in 1994 and was carried over to the Blazer in 1996.
IIHS gave a P for poor in the frontal offset crash test.
Trims and Models
Second generation engines
- 1995 - 4.3 L (262 cu in)Vortec 4300 L35 V6, CPFI, 200 hp (149 kW)/260 lb?ft (353 N?m) (VIN W)
- 1996-2002 - 4.3 L (262 cu in) Vortec 4300 L35 V6, CSFI, 190 hp (142 kW)/250 lb?ft (339 N?m) (VIN W)
- 2002-2005 - 4.3 L (262 cu in) Vortec 4300 LU3 V6, MPFI, 190 hp (142 kW)/250 lb?ft (339 N?m) (VIN W)
- (Indonesia and Middle East only) 1996-2005 - 2.2 L (134 cu in), GM Family II engine L4, MPFI, 138 hp (103 kW)/144 lb?ft (195 N?m)
Brazilian Engines
- 1996-2001 - 2.2 L (134 cu in), GM Family II engine L4, MPFI, 106 hp (79 kW)/144 lb?ft (195 N?m)
- 2001-2011 - 2.4 L (145 cu in), GM Family II engine L4, MPFI, 128 hp (95 kW)/158 lb?ft (214 N?m)
- 1996-2001 - 4.3 L (262 cu in), Vortec 4300 V6, 180 hp (134 kW)/250 lb?ft (339 N?m)
- 2001-2005 - 4.3 L (262 cu in), Vortec 4300 V6, 192 hp (143 kW)/250 lb?ft (339 N?m)
- 1996-2011 - 2.8 L (170 cu in), MWM Sprint 2.8 Turbo Diesel L4, 140 hp (104 kW)/250 lb?ft (339 N?m)
References
External links
- Chevrolet Blazer at Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of article : Wikipedia
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