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1988 Chevrolet Blazer Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Chevrolet Blazer was one of the first SUVs. Introduced in 1983, it was based on Chevrolet's S-10 pickup truck. Identical to the GMC Jimmy in all respects except some cosmetic details on the grille and rear, the Chevy Blazer was smaller than some of the behomoths 4WDs of the day, such as the Suburban.
In 1988, Chevrolet finally upgraded the weak Blazer engine with a 6-cylinder standard motor. Even better was the optional 4.3-liter (also 6-cylinder) engine that boosted horsepower to 150 (later that model year: 160). A 6.2-liter, V8 engine was another option.
Air conditioning, cruise control, power locks and windows, and a limited slip differential were options for the '88 Chevrolet Blazer.
Interestingly, as many '88 Chevy Blazer owners called the truck powerful as accused it of sluggishness. The truck's fans were often devoted and would praise it to the skies, calling it dependable and buying one after the other. Many owners complained of bad rusting around wheel wells and rocker panels, however; other negative comments include the bouncy ride, poor gas mileage, and mechanical problems such as loose steering and malfunctioning heater core.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1988 Chevrolet Blazer
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by Ed K
Sep 27, 2012
Loose steering on the road. Took a plow like a duck to water. I like it's looks. Rust ate this truck up! If you are looking at buying one. Look at the back gate, L & R posts on the gate, the spring between the body & the gate for rust. I rebuilt this in 1996 from the frame up. I got poor advice for undercoating. If I did it again, I would have primed & painted the frame w/ multiple coats.
Sep 27, 2012
by Anonymous
Dec 01, 2011
averall it is one if the best vehicles i ever had i have had it now for a long time and it has always been there when i need it to be. i have pu a lot of mile on it in the past few yeas and it is still here and running great.Dec 01, 2011
by Jessie D
Nov 24, 2011
this truck was Very powerful 4x4 v8 big block.
it did need a lot of repairs but thats because the former owner didnt take very good care of it it needed new motor mounts new muffler system the motor mounts were rotten enough that just the smallest touch of gas the motor would lift up and hit the shifter into neutral.
after we painted it it looked good black but the interior needed a lo of repairs in the back.
this truck was not cheap in gas but u cant complain with the amount of power it had.
but this car is mainly for offroading.Nov 24, 2011
User rating:
by Ed K
Sep 27, 2012
Loose steering on the road. Took a plow like a duck to water. I like it's looks. Rust ate this truck up! If you are looking at buying one. Look at the back gate, L & R posts on the gate, the spring between the body & the gate for rust. I rebuilt this in 1996 from the frame up. I got poor advice for undercoating. If I did it again, I would have primed & painted the frame w/ multiple coats.
Sep 27, 2012
by Anonymous
Dec 01, 2011
averall it is one if the best vehicles i ever had i have had it now for a long time and it has always been there when i need it to be. i have pu a lot of mile on it in the past few yeas and it is still here and running great.Dec 01, 2011
by Jessie D
Nov 24, 2011
this truck was Very powerful 4x4 v8 big block.
it did need a lot of repairs but thats because the former owner didnt take very good care of it it needed new motor mounts new muffler system the motor mounts were rotten enough that just the smallest touch of gas the motor would lift up and hit the shifter into neutral.
after we painted it it looked good black but the interior needed a lo of repairs in the back.
this truck was not cheap in gas but u cant complain with the amount of power it had.
but this car is mainly for offroading.Nov 24, 2011
by Anthony J
Jan 19, 2010
Goo at acceleration braking and handling interior good and extior mileage good for driving yes the car is fun to drive and good for of roading and good for hauling big things and having alot of people in it and campingJan 19, 2010
by Jeremy R
Dec 04, 2009
Its a beast ask anyone who has ever ridin with me. personally i like performance wise it can do 0-60 in like 6 secounds this car is fun to drive cause it has speed . I I I I I
Dec 04, 2009
by Kevin R
Sep 07, 2009
Old Pic. 1988 Olympic style S-10 blazer. 2.8L fuel injected. New paint job from father who is a heavy duty mechanic. New front grill and chrome bessels. 500km+ on full tank of gas. Need to fix squeaky brakes. New transmission. Gold/brown interior color. White exterior.Sep 07, 2009
by Mauro M
Mar 31, 2009
very big engine will not die. axels way to small for the amount of pressure on them. kinda sluggish. pop top is very cool. alot of fun to drive. easy to lift. it gets about 14 mpg but its a 350 you cant expect alot. handles very well for a big car. prolly due to how wide it is.Mar 31, 2009
by Earl S
Mar 03, 2009
Got it with 200,000+ miles on it. Replaced the
clutch
and kept it tuned and she ran, four-wheeled, and
performed like a champ. Big and bulky, not a
sportscar, and ugly as sin, we affectionately dubbed
her "the Antichrist".
Performance: Big and bulky, not meant to go fast or
be flashy
Build Quality: Ran solid at 200,000+ miles, 4x4ed
like a champ, etc.
Appearance: Originally a good, tough looking truck.
Even better with a primer black 'paint job', mildly aggressive tires, a few dents, and tons of mud.
Interior was in good condition, but worn.Mar 03, 2009
by AJ R
Feb 19, 2009
Hey guys, this is my 1988 CHevy K5 Blazer. Bought it off a guy on bargain news for 1700 cash. When I got it, it had an oil leak but I put a new Drain plug on the oil pan and the leak went away. Thats just a temporary fix though. Im putting a whole new oil pan in it soon. The body is in GREAT Shape for its age. Most of the K5s that you see now aint got much of the body left on it. There's rust spots starting around the fenders and a little bit of rust on hte bottom of the tailgate but its very minimal.
The truck's got 140,000 miles but still runs pretty good. Things are starting to go on it but i expected that just because of how many miles are on it.
It can get prety expensive to drive this sometimes, cuz the gas mileage aint that great, but i dont realy care about that cuz its realy fun to drive. I take it 4 wheelin whenever conditions are good.Feb 19, 2009
by Anonymous
Aug 14, 2008
I have owned this truck for 5 years now it lasted 2 before she rotted off the road and now sits in a field rusting in peace soon to be resurected as a street legal off road rig.
I will never sell this truck no matter what as my wife bought it for me!Aug 14, 2008
by Jaime W
Apr 03, 2008
this one caught on fire Apr 03, 2008
by Daniel D
Mar 26, 2008
3 1/2 inch body drop, Fully shaved, Bagged with 3/4 inch airlines and valves, 4.3 V6 with crane cam, edelbrok preformer intake, holley 4 barrel carb, accel plugs and wires, msd ignition, 17 inch wheelsMar 26, 2008
by Anonymous
Feb 28, 2008
The Blazer is good for off roading but it sucks everywhere else. The engines are terrible and you dont want to buy a used one.Feb 28, 2008
What users have asked
Engine swap
I have a 1988 chevrolet s10 blazer with a v6 4.3. Can I put a 1991 4 cylinder s10 truck engine in my blazer?
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1988 Chevrolet Blazer Pricing
Original MSRP
$15,241 to $16,490Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical
Audio System
AM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical