I owned two Blazers, a 1972 and a 1977.
Had the '72 for four years and drove it all over Cameroon, across the Sahara, and then around Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Pictures at:
http://www.pbase.com/diplostrat/bolivia76
The '77 incorporated all that I learned from the '72. I had it for fourteen years in Panama, Washington, D.C., Liberia, and Botswana. (Sadly, no pictures)
Notes:
-- A Rough Country suspension makes all the difference in the world. Only two inches of lift, but lots of wheel travel. Sadly, most modern suspensions are nowhere near as good. (N.B. Front U-Joint wear will be severe if full time 4x4. Change once a year.) The '72 had various double shock kits, coil overs, etc. With the '77, I did it right, right from the start. Remember, the goal is wheel travel, NOT stiffness or lift. You could always run air bags or upgrade the rear suspension if you need more.
-- 11.00 or 12.00 tires are good for ground clearance and traction. Be sure to up a load range or two - not for weight, but for cut resistance.
-- 3.07 gears are way too low, even with an automatic, worse with a manual. (Turbo 400 was, however trouble free for 14 years.)
-- Locking rear differential is very nice.
The first truck had three fuel tanks, the second five. The suspension/tire kit is so good that you can get the whole beast airborne and land without bottoming. Not recommended, but I didn't see that drift coming:Wow1:. Absolutely the most comfortable ride on washboard that I have ever found.
Never had axle or engine problems. The 350 would not shut off over 8,000 feet, so I had to stall the engine with the clutch. Starting over 10,000 feet occasionally required that one hold the autochoke flat open, but once the choke opened the engine ran well. Nothing has power at that altitude.
Based on my experience with the diesel on my Land Cruiser, I would say that a “classic” diesel Blazer with the right gears might well be the ultimate weapon. Especially if combined with a roof tent. Such a pity the Vic Hickey's catalog is no longer available.