1992 vs 1993

So I have been looking around on the internet about the s10 blazers and I found this forum. I am in the need of a new vehicle and I am debating to buy a 1992 or 1993 s10 blazer 4.3l 4x4. I am test drove both of them and they both run rather well. The 1993 idles rough for some reason and has some minor interior damages and a minor eletrical short in the rear defrost, The 1992 idles fine and runs very well. I dont know these vehicles very well so i am leaving it up to you guys to help me decide.

I heard that the 1992 s10 blazer has to have its front end re built ever 40,000 miles, is this true?

What about the 1993, are there any common problems the 1993 version has vs the 1992.

One other thing... The 1993 has 140,000 miles and the 1992 has 180,000 miles, both are asking 2,500, the 1993 needs new tires badly and the 1992 does not.

Thanks guys!

Did you note what engine either or both had? Did they both have Vortec engines? Most of these have similar problems, or things that need attention from time to time. Really would be helpful to know what motor, whether type W or Z. W is Vortec motor with CPI fuel injection, Z is throttle body, looks a bit like a carb. Both have front end issues. Are these trucks fully loaded, digital dash, cruise, auto 4 wheel drive, or plain janes? I bought a 93 with 64K for 2800 bucks two years ago, but plain jane type, no extras except a/c. How are the bodies? They tend to rust under the doors among other places. Not bad trucks but they can cost a bit at times like all 4 wheel drives. Good for a lot of miles though overall. If both are similar types I would opt for 40K less and try to negotiate a better price. Get them to get the idle taken care of. May be a CPI problem.

The one with the rough idle sounds like trouble.. I'd stay away from it if I were you. CPI problems are but the beginning of a host of others.

Might be happier with a 96+ truck. They look nicer and have less injector troubles. Still though, advise us what types of motors are in those trucks.

Both models are almost identicle for the freatures, both have a/c, power windows, locks, rear defrost, the 1992 has an alarm and a cd player with new speakers and a sub. As for the engine types, I know the 1993 has the Z type engine because it is owned by someone in the family. And as i recall, the 1993 had some major issues about 5 years ago, it had a new cadalydic converter put on, and pretty much the whole fuel injection system was replaced, and last year the transmission was serviced. As for the 1992 I dont have any clue what type the engine is, the guy who is selling it says he has only had it for about two years and hasnt had any bit of trouble with it, and says he does regular maintenance on it. Which type is better Z or W? Let me know if more information is needed.

P.S. Both engines are 4.3l and 4x4. The 1993 model goes into 4x4 with a push of a button and the 1992 has a stick on the floor (if this makes a difference).

P.P.S Both have cruise control and no digital gauges. The 1993 the speedometer sticks a little bit, and on the 1992 the guy said the dash light burned out. On the 1993 for the interior, the headliner is haning down in the front by the windshield, and the 1992 has a minor seat rip... I think thats it for now.

z has more power, but the cpi will leak (probibly the work that was done on the fuel system) once fixed they run like a raped ape

excuse me, the w has more power, miss typed myselfe

I can't say as I've seen a "Z" engine in a push button 4x4 Blazer. You can verify what both vehicles have with the eight digital of the vin, which will be a Z or a W. Z being the TBI (would have a normal looking air breather assembly on top the motor, W will be labeled "Vortec".

As has been mentioned, the vortec "W" tends to get the leaky fuel pressure regulator which is part of the injector unit in the upper plenum. As in my case, my regulator wasn't leaky, but rather the "nut kit"/fuel lines running to the injector inside the plenum. A leaky regulator or nut kit will provide you with a rough idle (sounds more in line with what you are describing with the 1993 model).

The W engine has 30 to 40 more horsepower over the Z model.

I made a mistake. I just looked at the 1993 blazer and it is the "W" type. According to the people who own it they were always told by the mechanics that it was the "Z" type but the vin has the W and it is Vortec. I will know the 1992 engine type later today...

I made a mistake. I just looked at the 1993 blazer and it is the "W" type. According to the people who own it they were always told by the mechanics that it was the "Z" type but the vin has the W and it is Vortec. I will know the 1992 engine type later today...

The 1992 engine has the W type also..... Now what?

If they replaced the injecton system already that is a plus. Ditto on cat converter. Just a concern on the idle, however these do not always idle smooth anyway. I would vote for the 93 based on CPI assy being replaced (d/c this!) and if there are no other big issues, but, I would try to get a lower price for it. 4x4's are not excatly getting top dollar right now with gas being so high. Tires are an issue too. If you are wanting a Blazer just beware you will have to put money in them from time to time. Weak items on them are, steering(depending on care), heater cores, EGR valves (getting dirty) fuel pumps, rust, door handles, key locks, injection systems, among other things. They need to be kept tuned as they use a distributor with rotor cap so a tune up is a little more involved than just plugs and wires. Keep the fuel filter changed on a yearly basis, change your fluids and filters. Not trying to discourage you, I love my old 93. But they do require a bit of work from time to time. Check the bodies very carefully and keep on top of any rust forming. can get out of hand in a hurry if you let it go.

The only real big difference I can think of between the '92 and the '93 is the enhanced powertrain package that was offered. All that meant was that in 93 if you had the "W" engine, the only transmission that came with that engine was the 4l60e, the electronic transmission. The 92 "might" have had it, but you mentioned that the 4x4 was the floor shift design, so its likely that its not electronic version of the 4l60(700R4), usually the push button got the electronic trannies at that time. With the vortec "W" engine in 93, with the electronic transmission you also got the heavy duty cooling option, with the trans/engine oil coolers. The ABS system was also different in 93 and 92. The 93 had a three channel system, as compared with the 92 it most likely had the 4 channel system. The 4 channel system had sensors at each wheel, while the 93 had two speed sensors at the front (each wheel), with a third sensor mounted on the transmission. Really no difference, other than in the '93 you wouldn't have to worry about the sensors getting dirty and bad in the rear, causing ABS problems. Still wasn't a major issue, just thought I'd add it here, since we are talking about differences. Other differences included the option of having keyless entry, which was first offered in '93. The middle console was made higher and bigger in '93, along with two cup holders..also '93 was the first year these trucks recieved the center roof mounted console(but no display). The '92 was the last year of that fin, or whatever you want to call it, on the rear glass, also the cargo carrier on the roof was changed and recontoured for the '93 model year. Now not all the trucks recieved these options(like keyless entry, roof console), but thats when they were first offered, I just thought I'd give you an idea.

In my opinion, I liked the enhanced powertrain package offered in 93 (it was one of the main reasons we bought a '93 back in the day(1993), because the electronic shifted smoother, and just felt better. I've only had to replace the CPI and EGR once on this truck, along with two wheel bearings in its 13 years, and have never had any other problems, other than regular manitenance with it. You note both trucks have the CPI anyways, so theres no difference. Basically, look at the maintenance done of each truck, whichever one was looked after better, chances are that truck will give you the most trouble free driving. Options, in my opinion, should not really be a determining factor, rather you should look closely into the maintenece records of each truck and go from there. I hope this gives you an idea.

So based on everybody's responses I took the 1993 down to a shop and had them take a look at the rough idle problem. The results were not in my favor and the mechanics said that the vehicle needs a new engine. They said that a couple of the cylinders were low in compression.

Does anyone know about how much a new engine would cost?

Should I have the 1992 looked at or should I find a different vehicle?

Any comments or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks guys!

Get the 92 looked at.

Get the 92 looked at.

Sounds to me like someone is trying to dump there junk on you for a piss pot full of money. You can buy a 96 or later for 3,000.00. I'd go that route, the're more dependable... with the exception of the cpi, and the intake gasket. Anything you look at though take it to a mechanic and have him look it over. Best of luck

You can buy a 96 or later for 3,000.00. I'd go that route, the're more dependable... with the exception of the cpi, and the intake gasket.
The '96 and up were not any more dependable than the earlier trucks, if anything they were more troublesome and costly. Examples such as the transmission valve body problems, the earlier trucks did not have those problems, if you don't have a scanner for the newer trucks, and your ses light comes on, be prepared to spend some money - the older trucks all you need is a paper clip to read the codes. Parts in general cost more on the second generation trucks, than do the first gen trucks, with the exception of the CPI unit, but you can't classify that as a first gen problem, because they were used in the '95's also, the '96 and up injecter system had a whole load of problems also, from sticky poppet nozzles to leaking units.

Take a look at the '92 for sure, if the '93 needs a new engine, forget it.

If you want a Blazer would suggest you keep looking. If I remember you said the 92 had 180,000 miles? The motors are good for 200-250000 PLUS miles, but a 13-14 year old truck with 180000 miles will dollar you to death. Might be OK for an occasional truck, but you can find a better deal elsewhere for that kind of money - especially with gas like it is.