2001 Chevy Blazer 4X4 Rock Crawler Magazine Project and Cover Truck

2001 Chevrolet Blazer LT Description

I built this 2001 Chevy Blazer for myself and my family, but it hates me and I'm tired of fighting it. I guess it needs to go to another home where hopefully it will be happy and the new owner will enjoy it for what it is. I bought it as a clean 120k 100% stock Blazer that used to belong to an old man. It was clean with only a few small issues. I built a Ford High-Pinion full-width Dana 44 front axle and full width Ford 9-inch axle for the truck in 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine. I also, did a solid axle swap, built a NP231 T-case, and spent lots of time and money making the rig safe and durable (much of this was covered in the magazine). All the while the truck fought me. First it needed a water pump, then it needed fuel injection service (I added the aftermarket MPI spider to replace the poppet style factory injection). Then more...and so on and so forth. I replaced everything that has broken over the past two years with quality parts all while upgrading the truck to turn it into an awesome rock crawler and all around family rig (which it is). The frame has been plated with 1/8th inch steel, it has a beautiful Rob Bonney Fabrication front bumper and an RBF internal and external roll cage. It also has stout rocker guards, Tom Wood's Driveshafts, Skyjacker shocks, and more. Last winter one of the oil cooler lines popped off and the stock engine's oil bled out and the engine seized. I replaced the engine with a junkyard engine of dubious history. Last month that engine developed a rod knock, so I went to the GM Dealership and got a GM warrantied GM remanufactured 4.3L (what the dealer would install). This engine is running great and carried me and the truck on P4WOR's 2017 Ultimate Adventure this year where the truck did really well if I do say so myself. Truck has a 4L60E transmission that I suspect was rebuilt. It shifts well and has nice red tranny fluid. I really like the truck but it still fights me left and right and I am growing weary. As said it did well on UA, but as I was driving it around to unload it one of the hydraulic steering ram assist lines blew and spewed PS fluid all over. I give up after a good fight. As said I like the truck, but everyone who I trust says I should sell it. They equate it to the guy (me) who is dating a girl (the Blazer) who is all wrong for him and constantly hurts him, but he thinks he is in love and somehow its worth it. I understand the analogy and I'm tired of being hurt. Either way I am ready to try some other rig.
So to reiterate the truck has:
Pros:
-Interior is clean with average wear for the trucks age and shows no signs of having been smoked in
-A clean AZ title
-A new GM rebuilt 4.3L
-New A/C system, I replaced everything except the evaporator and two of the hoses which were all thoroughly flushed prior to drawing vacuum and charging with r134. Installed at the same time as the new engine was installed.
-newish radiator
-newish water pump
-newish aftermarket MPI fuel injection spider
-new crank position sensor
-new spark plugs
-new wires
-new cap
-k&n conical air filter
-Optima Blue Top
-A 1975ish High-pinion Dana 44 with 5.13:1 gears, a Detroit Locker, RCV shafts, 30-spline Warn premium hubs, Reid Racing knuckles, brand new spindles from Yukon, new everything (under 3000 miles). The axle is about as strong as a Dana 44 can be built (but it does weep a little gear oil from the welds wen parked. The housing is welded to the tubes). The Ford based Reid knuckles allow easier install/removal of the RCVs than with Chevy/Dodge/Jeep/IH Dana 44 knuckles.
-A 1972ish Ford 9-inch rear axle with 5.14:1 gears, and a Detroit Locker. I also have Factory TEN Chromoly shafts for this axle that need to be installed and may be included in the sale at "buy it now" price.
-A GM NP231 with 6-gear planetary and wide chain (so its as strong as an NP241) and a Novak 231 Shifter.
-A Rob Bonney Fabrication Front Bumper
-New (only used once) Warn 9500 winch with synthetic rope included at full "buy it now" asking price or above (or I'll include a new 9500 lb Superwinch with synthetic rope (never been used))
-An interior and exterior roll cage (1.75-inch .120 wall DOM) with rub rails and provisions for a rack 90% built at Rob Bonney Fabrication
-Stout rocker guards designed and built by me
-Sturdy rear bumper with rear quarter protection and d-ring mounts built by yours truly
-Tom Wood's Custom's drive shafts (I even have a spare rear that I may include in the sale depending on how bad you beat me up on price).
-Redneck Ram hydraulic assist steering
-Heavy Duty tie-rod and Drag Link with parts from RuffStuff Specialities
- Flowmaster Muffler (its not loud at all)
5-nearly new 37x12.50R17 Falken M/Ts and 4 nearly new Method Race Wheels Bead Locks at the full "buy it now" asking price or above (or I'll bolt on some scuffed up non-bead lock wheels and 35-inch tires if you just meet my reserve).
-I'll toss in some UA 2017 Swag and a copy of the magazine with this truck on the cover for the new owner
Cons:
-May need a fuel pump before long, I have a replacement (Delphi) pump that will go with the truck
-Has a few dings and dents from use off-road. It is not a mall crawler.
-Driver door has a ding and you have to use the key to lock that door. The electric locks work on all the other doors.
-As said the front axle weeps a little gear oil
-Oil and trans cooler lines leak a little at the radiator. I was going to replace them with external aftermarket units before I decided to dump this bit...of Chevy. I'll do this if you buy at full buy it now price. If you get a deal you can do that :).
I also have the carpet, headliner, and other interior bits which were recently removed for the roll cage install that are uninstalled but you can have if you buy the truck.
I'll fix the hydraulic steering ram hose....I have to to move it.
This will be a cash only transaction. $500 paypal deposit, due upon winning the auction, is non-refundable to prevent any time wasting.
I may be willing to trade for another project
I can make changes to the vehicle for $$$ based on the buyers needs/wants
I may be able to deliver the Jeep for fuel and expenses
I have over $15,000 in this pile if not $20k with all the labor. I know I'm taking a loss on it. Its a nice truck and it really does work well. I think I have exorcised all of the demons out of it, but I cant make any promises. You may want to have your priest, rabbi, or shaman lay hands on it.