A ZR2 is 3.5 Inches higher than stock, and has 31 inch tires. To get what you are you looking for you would want to be running either 32's or 33's. To achieve this you would need a 5-6 inch lift kit, Trailmaster makes one now, and Superlift is coming out with one shortly. Fabtech makes lifts for 2wd s-trucks, but I dont know about Blazers. To answer your question about thinking you are an idiot, no not really, they make think you have wasted your money, but most of these guys seem to at least have some respect for time and effort put into making a nice truck, Remeber, there are a lot of nice prerunners out there, that many 4x4 owners would love to own as well. Hope this helps some.

Ryan

-I shoulda been a cowboy-

 

thanks for the post ryan, do you happen to know what web-sites or magazines would have good pictures and articles on s-10 blazers and suspensions/tires similar to what i'm looking to do? i want to do some comparison and also wouldn't mind getting some other good ideas for what to do to it.

one more thing. how much should i expect to spend by putting a five inch lift, 32" tires, and nice rims?

thanks,

 

If you're not into off roading, then you might as well just get a 2wd (less expensive) unless you drive where the snow flies, in which case I'd go for the 4x.

There are a lot of off road trucks that are 2wd. They're the variety known as "pre runners". They drive 'em at high speeds across washes, in the sand, etc...

If you try to take it into the mud (deeper mud at least) I'm sure plenty of people would think you to be an idiot, but then again since you're not into off roading that won't be an issue... /wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif

It's pretty easy to tell if it's a 4x4 or not. The front of a 4x has CV shafts that are immediately recognizable but as I said, 2wd off road trucks are somewhat common (at least in certain places) anyhow... Around here we can tell if it's an off road truck or 4x just by how the paint is... If it doesn't have at least a few minor scratches, we can tell it's just used for show... /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif Good luck...

Tim "Sandman"

ORC Land Use columnist:
My May Column

 

S10-4x4.com has a lot of good stuff.
On the 5" 4x4 lift expect to pay about 1100 with shocks. Than if you want it installed plan on another 600 at least after alignment and all. The tire depending on what you want will be about 800 for some good ones. The rime any where from 30 a piece to 200, that is all on the preference. When you do the lift I would also go with Moog ball joints and moog idiler arm as well. These are far superior to stock and will last a lot longer. about 300 for upper and lower balljoints and also the idiler arm. When you get the bigger tires you will be pushing it with the normal gears for the 4.3l engine. I would suggest 4.10 gears as well. Those you can get for about 250 used. Than expect to pay about 600 to get them installed. I am not telling you this to detour you from the lift just letting you know what you are getting into. Hope that helps some. Later.


1995,4X4,4.3L/TBI,3"Body,Bushwhackers,31's,Westin Nerfs,K&N 11"x6",TB/Shackle Lift,Grill/Brush Guard,Double Rear Bar,Edelbrock IAS shocks,Code Alarm,Steering Stabilizer,6 KC's.

 

rsharpe is right on the money for price. as for tires and that, i have a 96 blazer with a 5" kit and i still rub the back of the front fender once and a while with only 31" BFG ATs. as for the height, i can pull up beside a zr2 and his roof is about 3" lower. as for the gears, 4.10s are the ones you want for 31s, i went with 3.73 and it could be better. just a note, zr2s have 3.73 gears.

Brute strength and stupidity will get you anywhere
1996 S-Blazer 4DR 5" TM Lift 31" BFG AT's
1980 Toyota PU 7" lift 350ci Sm Blk

 

This is a little long, I know...

I am not a huge 4x4 enthusiast, and I just had a few questions about lifting a 96-98 s-10 blazer.

Ok, here we go!

I plan on buying 96-98 s-10 blazer and probably putting a lift on it, but i don't know what size lift to get or what size tires to put on it.

Generally speaking, with a good lift, you can expect that 31" tires will fit well. Everything over that might be construed as a need to buy a Sawzall to do some fender trimming. /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

I want it to be about an inch or two higher than the current ZR2 editions, with tires that are about and inch or two larger. I don't want it to be too high, just enough for it to look tougher than a ZR2.

Well, you could get a regular model s-series and get the 5"-6" lifts from Trailmaster or something. Lots of work. Or you could get yourself a ZR2 (just priced a new one in CA for about $26,000) and then put a lift on from places like BDS Suspension. Still lots of work, but it might be worth it. The ZR2 by design is built to have about a 3" wider stance than the regular S-series, and the axles are a little beefier than "regular" s-series. Something to consider. Oh, and you get about 15-25 more horsepower (195) than the "regular" models.

on a side note, let's just say i end up getting a 2 wheel drive (i'm really not into off-roading, just the looks). can people who are 4x4 enthusiasts look at a 2 wheel drive that is lifted and instantly know that it isn't 4x4? if so, do they look at the person driving that as an idiot? just wondering.

The main difference in looks betwixt the 4x2 and the 4x4 are that the front end is missing an axle in the 4x2 (kinda hard to miss). There are no axle stubs on the front end, and the connections to the tires are located more towards the center of the truck. The front end is also coil-sprung, instead of using torsions. There are other body differences such as trim packages and the like that sort of give it away rather quickly. They are also lower to the ground by design off-the-lot.

As far as being caught by the so-called real off-roaders, it all depends. Here in San Diego area, most of the [ sarcasm ] cool people [ /sarcasm ] are drving 4x2's for looks anyway. What matters the most is what YOU WANT, not what other people start talking sh*t about.

I don't look at another person driving a truck as an idiot until they do certain things:
1. Take corners and highways faster than their ability and their vehicle is allowed. Too many super heroes out there. Explains the rollovers and road rage a little, doesn't it?
2. Getting stuck in the sand. 4x4's or 4x2's, it doesn't matter. If you try to go out prove something to someone other than yourself you're going to get stuck. I'll laugh a while and then pull them out.
3. Drive in the "Fast Lane" because their SUV has poor rear visibility and they feel more comfortable with no traffic on their left.
4. People who can't see over the steering wheel.
5. Immaculately clean trucks 100% of the time. /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

I've seen some pretty good pre-runners out there as s-10's that just blow me away, and I am always jealous because I can't get my 4x4 to LOOK that way.

Here's something for you to check out -- Fabtech Motorsports. These guys like building 4x2's into pre-runners. This might be a good option for you. No sense in getting a 4x4 if you don't plan on using it!

You can create a decent looking, COOL pre-runner that makes most 4x4's look shamefull. It's an idea, anyway.

Hope that helps.

J.R. /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

http://members.nbci.com/desertride/index.htm

 

thanks for all the replies guys. you got me scared though. i'm thinking i might have gotten in over my head. let me give you some more background info.

i have a ZR2 LS pickup right now. i love it. but the first year of the lease comes up in 6 days and i'm already at 25k miles on a 45k/3 year lease. so i need to get rid of it.

also, the reason i'm going with an older s10 blazer is that i like the blazer and i need to get a lower payment. so i can get a 96 - 98 blazer for between $9-11k at the dealer auction (my dad's a chevy dealer) and then i was going to spend another $1-2k to lift it up and make it look a little hardier as this would still be less expensive than buying a newer ZR2.

so, i really can't be replacing rearends or getting to involved.

what do you guys think of this.

a 3" suspension lift
Canterline HT cast 15x8 w/4.5 bs
Bushwacker Large fender flairs front & rear
31x10.5 BFG Radial All Terrains tires

will i have enough room for 31's with only a 3" lift. probably not huh? if not then i'll get 30's.

do you think that would make a weak and timid 96-98 s10 blazer look a little meatier, while keeping the cost down and not having to do any MAJOR rearend or engine work or cutting fenders. will it run ok? how much $$ would i be looking at for the above mods.

thanks again for all your help.

 

dont quote me on it but i seem to remember seeing a cheaper lift kit that only did about 2-3" suspension lift. as for power, the same 4.3 was used in all 96+ blazers(195hp). the pickups however got a slightly less powerful motor(185hp), unless you got the zr2(195hp). the 31" BFG ATs will fit with no lift on the stock rims with minimal frame rub.

Brute strength and stupidity will get you anywhere

 

Been there and done it.. Yea its a truck and not Blazer but going with 33's does take quite a bit of $$$.. Here is 7" lift with 33x12.5's.. 3" Rancho 2" body and 2" from SAW torsion bars.. Going with 2WD will cost half as much..

 

Well, just to let you know on the 2wd side, if you want to fit 33s, it will be about $2500, http://www.bajaconcepts.com/S-10Kits.htm. they seem to have the most complete kits out there. that will give you about 12" of suspension travel and hold up to anything you throw at it. then you need to regear the rearend, you can get 4.56 gears, and it is a lot cheaper doing the rear end then it is the front on a 4x4...

Craig

'89 S-10 P/U 4.3L 31" Yoko M/Ts
'99 S-10 2.2L 2WD 5 Speed Stepside Totally Stock /wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif