The Chevrolet (S-10) Blazer and its badge engineeredGMC (S-15) Jimmy counterpart are compact/mid-sizeSUVs manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet and GMC from the 1983 through 2005 model years, over two generations – until the early 1990s alongside these brands' full-size SUVs with near identical nameplates, but lacking removable hardtops. From the 1992 model year, GMC's full-size Jimmy had become the "Yukon", and so, the S-15 prefix was dropped on the smaller GMC Jimmy. Starting with the 1995 second generation, the large Blazer was rebranded as the Chevrolet Tahoe, and these mid-size SUVs were simply launched as the "all-new Chevrolet Blazer".
Upon launch, these models were 14.5in (37cm) shorter and 14.9in (38cm) narrower than the full-sizeK5 Blazer,[1] sometimes leading to the nickname of "baby Blazer".[2] Like their full-sized counterparts, the S-series Blazer and Jimmy were originally offered only in a two-door body style. In 1991, four-door versions were added, with a 6.5 in (17cm) longer wagon body.
In the United States, retail sales of four-door Blazer models ended in 2004, though production of two- and four-door models for fleet sales continued into 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, continued in production in Brazil through 2012 with its own sheetmetal stampings which were also used on the Chinese, Indonesian, and Russian versions. 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 (for the 1995 model year) from Pontiac West Assembly in Pontiac, Michigan, which closed in 1994.
First generation (1983–1994)
Motor vehicle
First generation
1991–1994 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
Overview
Alsocalled
GMC Jimmy (1992–1994) Chevrolet S-Blazer (1993–1994)
In 1982, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, and its rebadged GMC S-15 Jimmy variant, as 1983 models. They were based on, and co-developed, with the 1982 Chevrolet S-10pickup truck, introduced one year prior, to replace the Isuzu-based Chevrolet LUV truck. Similar to the pickup models, these versions are sometimes internally referred to as the S/T series to denote two- and four-wheel-drive models respectively (similar to the full-size Chevrolet C/K trucks) despite all versions being badged with "S" nomenclature.
Unlike their full-sizeK5 counterparts, the S-series Blazer and Jimmy did not feature removable hardtops. For their first eight model years, they were only offered in a two-door bodystyle; only in March 1990 were four-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy introduced as 1991 models, with a 6.5in (17cm) greater wheelbase and length. While significantly smaller in all dimensions than the K5 Blazer, interior space was comparable or larger thanks to better packaging – the luggage area, for instance, was 21.0cuft (595L) rather than the 20.1cuft (569L) of the older, larger model.[4]
1983–1990 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 2-door1985 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 2-door, rear view
Base power was provided by GM's 2.0-liter OHVgasolineinline four-cylinder engine, producing up to 83 horsepower (62kW). A 2.8-liter 110hp (82kW)V6 was offered as an option (coincidentally, this engine was also used in Jeep's competing Cherokee until 1987). Due to emissions laws, a 1.9-liter gasoline inline-four built by Isuzu was offered as the base model engine in California in place of the 2.0-liter engine, while an Isuzu 2.2-liter diesel engine (also used in the S-10/S-15 pickups) producing 58hp (43kW) was offered as an option.
The 1.9L, 2.0L gasoline, and 2.2L diesel engines were dropped after 1984, replaced by the larger 2.5L Iron Duke engine. The V6 was refitted with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986 in order to improve performance and fuel economy.
In order for it to keep being competitive, the Blazer and Jimmy received a new 4.3L (262cuin) V6 option for 1988 (also used with the S-10/S-15 pickups, Astro/Safari vans, G-series vans, and C/K 1500 and 2500 trucks), based on the Chevrolet small-block V8 engine, producing a respectable 150hp (112kW). Power output was increased to 160hp (119kW) for 1989, while the four-cylinder engine was dropped. The 2.8L V6 was discontinued after 1989, making the 4.3L the sole available engine. A 5-speed manual transmission (Getrag 290/Hydramatic 290/5LM60, sourced from the GMT400) was added to the option list, replacing the BorgWarner T-5.
1994 Chevrolet S-Blazer 4-door, rear view
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 100.5in wheelbase, six inches (152mm) longer than the Ford Bronco II) and a one-piece front grille with a painted black insert (1990 two-door S-10 Blazers and Jimmys had the three-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 4WD models only; 2WD versions commenced production thereafter. 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.
The upscale Oldsmobile Bravada appeared later in the year featuring an All-Wheel-Drive package called "Smart-Trak" (using a BorgWarner 4472 transfer case, shared with the AWD Astro/Safari).
For 1992, the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy received an updated rear back glass (which 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 S-10 Blazer also introduced an upscale Tahoe and Sport trim packages, the Tahoe LT, which was rebadged as the LT in 1995 while the Tahoe package was rebadged 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 remote keyless entry. The sport package had bigger sway bars, slightly modified suspension, and 30×9.5" or optional 31×10.5" 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 the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy was available with an NP233 electronic transfer case. This deleted the manual gear range selector with a three-position switch located to the left of the gauge cluster in the place of the rear defrost button found on other models (the defrost button assembly on models with the electronic transfer case 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 engine was modified where the air pump was eliminated and further lightened.
From at least 1991 onward, all S-10 Blazers and Jimmies came with four-wheel anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. The first two years of the ABS system had axleshafts with pressed-on ABS toner rings, which were eliminated during the latter half of the 1993 model year (rear ABS control was now done via the vehicle speed sensor). A five-speed manual transmission remained standard through 1994, but only with the TBI engine. Only the two 4.3L (262cuin) engines were offered as options, the base TBI and the CPI (introduced in 1992 for the S-10/S-15 and Astro/Safari vans; the latter had the "Vortec" logo on the intake plenum).
1993 had a few changes; the S-10 Blazer was renamed "S-Blazer" while the full-size Blazer became just "Blazer." The center console was raised (with a dual cup holder), and the 4L60-E 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 five-spoke alloy rims on 2WD models (which were basically a copy of the third-generation Camaro Z28 15" alloy rims).
Although the second generation S-10/S-15 pickup debuted in 1994, the S-Blazer and Jimmy continued unchanged for that year, with the only significant changes being a third brake light and the discontinuation of the rear spoiler. 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) also used R134a. The 1994 S-Blazer and Jimmy seem to have used R-12 until the end of their production run.
The all-new Blazer was introduced in 1994 as a 1995 model year. This time, it lost the S prefix for simpler identification, as the full-size Blazer was discontinued and renamed the Tahoe. (The Tahoe package, which was the base trim for past S-10s, was redesignated as the LS.) Exterior and interior size were increased, bumping it up to a mid-sized SUV.[7] 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. The 1995 Blazer was also awarded North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The second-generation Blazer was available with the 4.3L V6 engine only, and most models featured four-wheel drive via an electronic transfer case; 1997 was the last year a manual transfer case (with floor-shifter) for four-wheel drive was offered. A driver-side airbag came, but a passenger-side airbag was not immediately introduced.
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 headrests 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. Four-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 continued to use single-piston disc brakes. The folding mirrors received a refresh for 1999, while 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.
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.
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 and 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 being sold only in Canada and, in the 2005 model year, 4-door models sold to vehicle fleets.
At the same time, a Blazer Xtreme (only on the 2-door model) was added to the lineup, based on the S-10 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 its track approximately 3.9 inches wider. It also lifted the Blazer about three inches higher, allowing it to clear 31×10.5" tires on 15-inch wheels. Enhanced front (7.25" ring gear) and rear (8.5" ring gear) axles with a 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio, larger wheels and axle bearings, a stronger front anti-sway bar, skid plates, and Bilstein shocks were also added. This package cost a little over $1,000 and was first introduced on the S-10 pickup in 1994 and carried over to the Blazer in 1996.
In Canada, a ZR2 version of the GMC Jimmy was also offered.
The right-hand-drive Blazer has been assembled in Indonesia since 1995.[5] In 1998, General Motors launched the right-hand drive version to be built in the United States for the export to the countries with left-hand rule of road.[9] The S-10 Blazer destined for the Japanese market had some modifications to suit the Japanese people: turn-signal stalk moving closer to the steering wheel, external rear-view mirrors electrically folding in to fit through the narrow streets, brake pedal changing its angle for easier reach, larger wheel arches, and a few miscellaneous changes.[10]
The right-hand-drive dashboard was also used for Holden Suburban with the passenger (left) side stretched to fit the wider Suburban.
The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five- or six-passenger pickup truck that was manufactured by General Motors. The Avalanche was a hybrid between the Chevrolet Suburban SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, sharing the chassis with the Suburban. Unlike a typical pickup truck where the bed is mounted separately from the cab on the frame, the bed of the Avalanche was integrated with the cab body.
The Chevrolet S-10 is a compact pickup truck produced by Chevrolet. It was the first domestically-built compact pickup of the big three American automakers. When it was first introduced as a "quarter-ton pickup" in 1981 for the 1982 model year, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version of the latter was released in 1991, called "Syclone". The pickup was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000, but only in North America. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. These models are sometimes internally referred to as the S/T series to denote two- and four-wheel-drive models respectively despite all versions being badged with "S" nomenclature.
The GMC Envoy is a mid-size SUV manufactured and marketed by General Motors for the 1998 to 2009 model years over two generations. Adopting a nameplate used by GM Canada, the Envoy was phased in as a trim variant of the GMC Jimmy alongside the similar Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
The General Motors LS-based small-block engines are a family of V8 and offshoot V6 engines designed and manufactured by the American automotive company General Motors. Introduced in 1997, the family is a continuation of the earlier first- and second-generation Chevrolet small-block engine, of which over 100 million have been produced altogether and is also considered one of the most popular V8 engines ever. Spanning three generations, a new, sixth generation is expected to enter production soon. Various small-block V8s were and still are available as crate engines.
The Chevrolet small-block engine is a series of gasoline-powered V8 automobile engines, produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in two overlapping generations between 1954 and 2003, using the same basic engine block. Referred to as a "small-block" for its size relative to the physically much larger Chevrolet big-block engines, the small-block family spanned from 262 cu in (4.3 L) to 400 cu in (6.6 L) in displacement. Engineer Ed Cole is credited with leading the design for this engine. The engine block and cylinder heads were cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan.
The General Motors 60° V6 engine family is a series of 60° V6 engines produced for both longitudinal and transverse applications. All of these engines are 12-valve cam-in-block or overhead valve engines, except for the LQ1 which uses 24 valves driven by dual overhead cams. These engines vary in displacement between 2.8 and 3.4 litres and have a cast-iron block and either cast-iron or aluminum heads. Production of these engines began in 1980 and ended in 2005 in the U.S., with production continued in China until 2010. This engine family was the basis for the GM High Value engine family. These engines have also been referred to as the X engines as they were first used in the X-body cars.
The Oldsmobile Bravada is a mid-size luxury SUV that was sold by Oldsmobile from 1991 to 2004. The only SUV ever marketed by Oldsmobile, the Bravada was the first light truck offered by General Motors outside of the Chevrolet and GMC divisions since 1924. The flagship of the GM midsize SUV line, the Bravada served as the most luxurious GM SUV prior to the introduction of the GMC Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade.
The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since the 1935 model year. The longest-used automobile nameplate in the world, the Chevrolet Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, introduced for 2021. Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size SUV, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.
The Chevrolet Tahoe, and its badge-engineered GMC Yukon counterpart, are full-size SUVs and other trucks from General Motors, offered since 1994 and 1991, respectively. Since 1982, Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their "Blazer" and "Jimmy" nameplates, by introducing the smaller S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy for the 1983 model year, below the full-size Blazer and Jimmy models. This situation lasted into the early 1990s. GMC first rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the "Yukon" in 1991. Chevrolet however waited until 1994, when they rebadged the redesigned mid-size S-10 Blazer the "new Blazer," while renaming the full-size Blazer as the "Tahoe." The name Tahoe refers to the rugged and scenic area surrounding Lake Tahoe in the western United States, and was originally used as a trim level on S-10 models. The name Yukon refers to the Yukon territory of northern Canada.
Atlas is a name for a family of modern inline piston engines for trucks from General Motors, used in the GMT355 and GMT360 platforms. The series debuted in 2002 with the Oldsmobile Bravada, and is also used in the Buick Rainier, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Colorado, the GMC Envoy and Canyon, the Hummer H3, Isuzu Ascender and i-370, and the Saab 9-7X. The engines use GM's Vortec name, and Straight-4, Straight-5, and Straight-6 engines are all part of the same family, sharing the same manufacturing equipment, rods, pistons, valves, and other parts. They feature coil-on-plug ignition systems, variable valve timing on the exhaust side, electronic throttle control, and a special oil pan with a pass-through for the half shafts in four-wheel drive vehicles. The inclusion of VVT on the exhaust camshaft side allows the Atlas series to meet emissions standards without the use of EGR, simplifying the engine design and increasing power for a broad power curve. The LL8 shares 75% of its components with the LK5 and L52; while the LK5 and L52 share 89% of their components.
The 122 engine was designed by Chevrolet and was used in a wide array of General Motors vehicles. The 122 was similar to the first two generations of the General Motors 60° V6 engine; sharing cylinder bore diameters and some parts. The 122 was available in the U.S. beginning in 1982 for the GM J platform compact cars and S-series trucks.
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a full-size sport-utility vehicle that was built by General Motors. Being GM's smallest full-size SUV, the K5 Blazer is part of the C/K truck series. Introduced to the Chevrolet line for the 1969 model year, the K5 Blazer was replaced for 1995 by the Chevrolet Tahoe. In 1970, GMC introduced its own model of the truck, called the Jimmy, which was discontinued in 1991 and replaced by the Yukon. The "Jimmy" name was chosen to reflect how GM may sound in a similar manner to how Jeep was thought to be a pronunciation of GP in the competing market. Both were short-wheelbase trucks and available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Despite all Chevrolet versions from 1969 to 1988 having the "K5" badge, GM never internally referred to the model as the K5 Blazer/K5 Jimmy. Officially, the vehicles have always been referred to as the Blazer/Jimmy, without the K5 prefix. After the release of the S-Series Blazer/Jimmy in 1983, the models were officially renamed "Chevrolet Full-Size Blazer" and "GMC K-Jimmy", though they are often unofficially still addressed as "K5" to avoid confusion.
Regular Production Option ZR2 is a special off-road/suspension package offered by General Motors on their mid-size pickup trucks and SUVs. It debuted in 1994 on the Chevrolet S-10 and the GMC Sonoma pickup trucks. The Sonoma ZR2 was known as ZR2 High-Rider. In 1996 it was expanded to the two-door Chevrolet Blazer and later offered on the Chevrolet Tracker. The ZR2 package was gradually phased out with the S-Series pickup and SUV lines. However, it has made a comeback as an option on the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado.
The Chevrolet 90° V6 family of V6 engines began in 1978 with the Chevrolet 200 cu in (3.3 L) as the base engine for the all new 1978 Chevrolet Malibu. The original engine family was phased out in early 2014, with its final use as the 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 engine used in Chevrolet and GMC trucks and vans. Its phaseout marks the end of an era of Chevrolet small-block engine designs dating back to the 1955 model year. A new Generation V 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 variant entered production in late 2013, based on the LT1 small block V8 and first used in the 2014 Silverado/Sierra 1500 trucks.
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The second generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions from the 1967 to 1972 model years, this generation was given the "Action Line" moniker by General Motors. As with its predecessor, the second generation C/K included full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty commercial trucks.
The third generation of theC/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1973 to 1991 model years. Serving as the replacement for the "Action Line" C/K trucks, GM designated the generation under "Rounded Line" moniker. Again offered as a two-door pickup truck and chassis cab, the Rounded Line trucks marked the introduction of a four-door cab configuration.
The fourth generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by the Chevrolet and GMC brands from the 1988 to the 2002 model years, this is the final generation of the C/K model line. In a branding change, GMC adopted the GMC Sierra nameplate for all its full-size pickup trucks, leaving the C/K nomenclature exclusive to Chevrolet.
The first generation of the Chevrolet Silverado is a series of trucks manufactured by General Motors from 1998 until 2007 under the Chevrolet brand and also as the GMC Sierra. Built on the new GMT800 platform, the Silverado/Sierra 1500 and 2500 pickup trucks were first released in August 1998 as 1999 models. The "classic" light-duty GMT400 C/K trucks were kept in production alongside the new types for the first model year, while the heavy-duty GMT400 pickups were continued until 2000, with the new GMT800 Silverado/Sierra HD released in model year 2001. A 3500 model was added later for 2001, with the introduction of the HD moniker. A refresh for 2003 models was introduced in 2002, bringing slight design changes and an upgrade to the audio and HVAC controls. The 2007 GMT800 trucks, built after the new GMT900 had gone on sale, used the name Classic to denote the difference between the two generations.
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