Info about blazers. . .

So I have read somewhere that it was possible some year models to get the blazer with a H.O. 4.3L, an auto locking rear diff, and a limited slip front diff. without getting a ZR2. . . . . . once y'all tell me if you think this is true or not I will release where I read this info at...lol I'm not wanting people to fight over this and i'm not wanting harsh opinions. . . just let me know if you feel this was a possible custom order for like fleet or factory program vehicles or for general public. .

I have an HO and mine aint a ZR2. atleast that what i was told when i bought it. the guy i bought it off said when he got it new it had the 4.3 HO idont kno bout all the other stuff.

I think there was only one engine available in any blazer in 1997. At least  that's what my brother said the dealer told him when he bought mine new, and here's a quote I found online:
 
ON THE ROAD - There's only one engine choice with Blazer, but it's a good one. The 4.3 liter V6 under the Blazer hood packs 190 horsepower and a whopping 250 lb-ft of torque. It gives excellent acceleration and throttle response, while its beefy torque figure allows for some impressive towing capabilities. It uses a durable "serpentine" belt to operate such ancillary mechanicals as the power steering and water pumps, and the alternator. The standard Blazer 4WD system uses what GM calls Insta-Trac mechanicals, a part-time 4WD system that can be shifted into and out of 4WD at speed from a floor-mounted lever. An electronic shift transfer case can be optionally added and makes selecting 4WD as easy as pushing a button. On two-door models only, a five-speed manual transmission is listed as an option and carries a price credit if chosen over the standard four-speed automatic.

hmm... well mines an '01... and I have an RPO code in my glove box that translates to H.O. Vortec 4.3L.... but i dunno bout older ones like 97.. . . i think the H.O. is just rated at 200 h.p. but I aint sure...

IDK for sure, but I have been fixing these trucks since before yours was built, and I have never heard of an optional engine on any of these...I think all of the vortecs are considered "HO" just because they are Vortecs?  here's another quote about a 2001:
 
All Blazers are powered by a 4.3-liter Vortec V6. This 90-degree V6 has a cast-iron block and head and overhead valves, and runs happily on 87 octane gasoline. Although redlined at 5600 rpm, it reaches its peak 190 horsepower at 4400 rpm. And, with a very useful 250 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm, there's little need to rev it into the red. GM's four-speed electronic automatic transmission is standard on four-door Blazers, although a five-speed manual transmission is available on the two-door models.
The four-wheel-drive Blazer LS comes with push-button Insta-Trac, which allows shift-on-the-fly between 2WD and 4WD. The more sophisticated Autotrac four-wheel-drive system is optional on the LS and standard on LT and TrailBlazer. Autotrac combines the best of full-time and part-time 4WD by adding an "Auto 4WD" button. In this mode, the transfer case remains in 2WD until wheel slip is detected. An electric servo then shifts the transfer case into 4WD until prop shaft speeds are equalized, and then returns it to 2WD. If multiple "slip events" are detected, the transfer case remains in 4WD for a longer time. Autotrac also has a transfer case neutral position for towing behind a recreational vehicle.
All Blazers use a short-/long-arm front suspension and a live axle on leaf springs at the rear (variable-rate, multi-leaf springs on TrailBlazer). 4x4 models are sprung by torsion bars up front, while 4x2's have coil springs. Last year's optional Smooth Ride Suspension is no longer offered, so most Blazers come with the Z85 Touring Suspension. Using firm de Carbon shock absorbers and stiffer spring rates, the Z85 package has a more controlled ride than the old Smooth Ride Suspension. The only suspension variations available in 2001 are the super-heavy-duty ZR2, and of course the street-performance Z87 suspension that comes exclusively with Blazer Xtreme. ZR2 substitutes stronger parts throughout the chassis, plus skid plates, a track bar for the posi rear axle, a 3.9-inch wider tread and stiffer springs with Bilstein gas-pressure shocks.
Aluminum wheels are standard on all Blazers, differing in design according to model. Four wheel disc brakes are standard, and the braking system was upgraded for the 2000 model year.

what site are you getting this stuff from.... its useful info, but it is a bit different that thins I have read from edmunds, cars.com, and even some motor trend stuff....  i'm not doubting your info, but is there a chance all of them were produced with these things standard and had optional upgrades? possibly upgrades only available to fleets for certain companies? i dunno, all I know is you can order some crazy crap on fleet vehicles...lol and my RPO codes dont match up to what these trucks are "supposed to have" I also have an RPO that translates to fleet vehicle...... im just trying to figure things out.. here is the 2001 GM Truck RPO Code list for all trucks/suv's....  http://www.gm-trucks.com/home/content/view/13/30/ whats wierd is not many of my codes match up on the list? WTF? well like 1/2 of them are on there but the other half are MIA...lol I dunno... keep looking for stuff lastcoupe, maybe you can help me solve my mystery.. haha
 
now all we need is a van and a great dane.... we could be Mystery Inc. !!! HOORAY FOR THOSE MEDDLING KIDS!!!!
 
 

I went and pulled the build sheet for my 96 LT; it does not list as having a front limited-slip, but it does have a locker.  And I wish I had, but don't, Auto 4x4 with the netural option.

a-tack...I was just looking on line for this stuff, but if you want your truck's specifics...I do have access to G.M's database lol.  I can tell you EVERYTHING about your specific truck if you want...just PM me your last 8 digits of the VIN and you won't believe the stuff you will find out!  I can even give you a complete claim history for all repairs/recalls done by dealers and when and where it was purchased litterally everything.  And it will decode every option that you have...maybe even which fleet purchased it, most likely a rental car though.

that sounds great. . . i will try to do that in the next couple of days or so.... i am getting ready to go back down to school right now so I dont have time..... i have a feeling the crap ive been reading is just that,.... crap...lol yea.... Ill try to pm u the digits and my e-mail and u can e-mail me what u find.... thanks alot!

i dont know how you would tell if it had the HO or not all i know is that i was told mine had it. it might not i do not know. but i would like to know.

I e-mailed you all of the data Aaron...let me know what you think.

quote:

ORIGINAL: lastcoupe

a-tack...I was just looking on line for this stuff, but if you want your truck's specifics...I do have access to G.M's database lol.  I can tell you EVERYTHING about your specific truck if you want...just PM me your last 8 digits of the VIN and you won't believe the stuff you will find out!  I can even give you a complete claim history for all repairs/recalls done by dealers and when and where it was purchased litterally everything.  And it will decode every option that you have...maybe even which fleet purchased it, most likely a rental car though.

 
This is why I said to just take it to your local GM dealership. They can do the same. Print out via your vin code, and can give you everything they have on file about that vin.

so from what ive read above the zr2s all came with a limited slip in the rear, and the insta trac comes with a locker up front. is this right, and how would i tell?

I've never heard of a factory front locker from GM for the blazer platform.  I'm curious as to the source of this info.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zygoat

so from what ive read above the zr2s all came with a limited slip in the rear, and the insta trac comes with a locker up front. is this right, and how would i tell?

 
No, intsa-trac does not include a front locker.......G.M. never offered a front locker.   There are very few usefull reasons  for the front to be locked at the same speed, straight line off roading such as a tractor pull is the only one that comes to mind if that (your front comes up alot doing that even, so you would still want some steering i would think), you would barely be able to turn the wheels if on and kind of hard surface at all.

what about the limited slip on the zr2

Limited slip is not a locker...see other current post......and those are rear axles...not front ones.   A limited slip axle is a G80 option code and it is what is refered to by most people as a "posi"  A locker is completely different, there IS NO SLIP in a locker no "differential" meaning there is no ability for the tires to turn at different speeds like they do around corners (all corners).  That's why a welded axle will hop and squeal around a corner...the axles are forced to turn at the same speed and the out side tire needs to turn faster than the inside tire (and vise versa).

i know the diffrence between posi and lockers and i know that the posi would be found in the rear but the quote above said their was alocker in the front. i know these are two seperate things. from what you are saying the posi was an option for the rear do you know if this was part of the zr2 package or is it seperate.

I didn't catch the quote above about a front locker....but if someone has one.....it's definitely not original equipment.

I thought the front diff housing was aluminum?
 
Would it even be able to hold up to the stress of a limited slip or locker?

It is alluminum, and IDK...I have seen aftermarket air-lockers installed in the full-size (silverado) front diffs, which are also alluminum, but they are bigger than the t-trucks.

how would a lock make any diffrence in the stress on the housing? the internals, ring gear and carrier and so forth sure, but the housing, it just holds all the stuff inside, it doesnt play a role in actualy moving the vehicle.

Well, there's gotta be a reason why you can't find any... lol
 
What's the size/specs and whatnot for the front diff, anyway?

i have found several, arb makes one i believe.

I forgot about ARB... lol
 
I think for a DD I'd rather have LSD up front, though...