}} In 1982, General Motors introduced the
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, and its rebadged
GMC S-15 Jimmy variant, as 1983 models. They were based on, and co-developed, with the
1982 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, introduced one year prior, to replace the
Isuzu-based
Chevrolet LUV truck. Similar to the pickup models, these versions are sometimes internally referred to as the
S/T series to denote two- and four-wheel-drive models respectively (similar to the full-size
Chevrolet C/K trucks) despite all versions being badged with "S" nomenclature. Unlike their
full-size K5 counterparts, the S-series Blazer and Jimmy did not feature removable hardtops. For their first eight model years, they were only offered in a two-door bodystyle; only in March 1990 were four-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy introduced as 1991 models, with a greater wheelbase and length. While significantly smaller in all dimensions than the K5 Blazer, interior space was comparable or larger thanks to better packaging – the luggage area, for instance, was rather than the of the older, larger model. Base power was provided by GM's 2.0-liter
OHV gasoline inline four-cylinder engine, producing up to . A 2.8-liter
V6 was offered as an option (coincidentally, this engine was also used in
Jeep's competing
Cherokee until 1987). Due to
emissions laws, a 1.9-liter gasoline inline-four built by
Isuzu was offered as the base model engine in
California in place of the 2.0-liter engine, while an Isuzu 2.2-liter
diesel engine (also used in the S-10/S-15 pickups) producing was offered as an option. The 1.9 L, 2.0 L gasoline, and 2.2 L
diesel engines were dropped after 1984, replaced by the larger 2.5 L
Iron Duke engine. The V6 was refitted with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986 in order to improve performance and fuel economy. In order for it to keep being competitive, the Blazer and Jimmy received a new V6 option for 1988 (also used with the S-10/S-15 pickups, Astro/Safari vans, G-series vans, and C/K 1500 and 2500 trucks), based on the
Chevrolet small-block V8 engine, producing a respectable . Power output was increased to for 1989, while the four-cylinder engine was dropped. The 2.8 L V6 was discontinued after 1989, making the 4.3 L the sole available engine. A 5-speed manual transmission (
Getrag 290/Hydramatic 290/5LM60, sourced from the GMT400) was added to the option list, replacing the
BorgWarner T-5. In March 1990, 4-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy were introduced as a 1991 model; the 4-door had a 6.5 in longer wheelbase (2-doors had a 100.5 in wheelbase, six inches (152 mm) longer than the
Ford Bronco II) and a one-piece front grille with a painted black insert (1990 two-door S-10 Blazers and Jimmys had the three-piece grille). This new grille also did away with the separate metal filler panel under the grille, since the grille is taller and took its place. Early production models between March and August 1990 were initially available as 4WD models only; 2WD versions commenced production thereafter. This came just months ahead of the introduction of the
Ford Explorer, which replaced the Bronco II; six-and-a-half years after the segment-leading Cherokee debuted with four doors. The upscale
Oldsmobile Bravada appeared later in the year featuring an All-Wheel-Drive package called "Smart-Trak" (using a
BorgWarner 4472 transfer case, shared with the AWD Astro/Safari). For 1992, the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy received an updated rear back glass (which does not have any trim to which two black buttons serve as the back glass strut mounting points) and front grille (chrome shell with argent silver inserts). The interior was a carryover from 1991 with the exception of the center console and steering wheel (X-bar style similar to the one used in the
GMT400 trucks). Also, the "S-15" name was dropped from the Jimmy. The S-10 Blazer also introduced an upscale Tahoe and Sport trim packages, the Tahoe LT, which was rebadged as the LT in 1995 while the Tahoe package was rebadged as the LS. The Tahoe LT had its own exterior décor with faded lower body lines on the lower rockers along with Tahoe LT badges; this also included an overhead console and remote keyless entry. The sport package had bigger sway bars, slightly modified suspension, and 30×9.5" or optional 31×10.5" tires. Body trim included also black plastic fender flares, front fog lights, and spare tire carrier on the tailgate. 1992 was the first model year the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy was available with an NP233 electronic transfer case. This deleted the manual gear range selector with a three-position switch located to the left of the gauge cluster in the place of the rear defrost button found on other models (the defrost button assembly on models with the electronic transfer case is positioned below the headlight switch). The electronic transfer case added luxury; however, there was no neutral position with the electronic transfer case, so the owner's manual stated that the drive shaft had to be removed when the vehicle was being towed. The fuel lines, which were routed on the driver side frame rail to the TBI fuel injectors, were redesigned where the fuel inlets entered the rear of the engine (same as the GMT400). This was phased in because of the L35 option which used a similar fuel line setup. The serpentine accessory drive for the 4.3 L engine was modified where the air pump was eliminated and further lightened. From at least 1991 onward, all S-10 Blazers and Jimmies came with four-wheel
anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. The first two years of the ABS system had axleshafts with pressed-on ABS toner rings, which were eliminated during the latter half of the 1993 model year (rear ABS control was now done via the vehicle speed sensor). A five-speed manual transmission remained standard through 1994, but only with the TBI engine. Only the two engines were offered as options, the base
TBI and the CPI (introduced in 1992 for the S-10/S-15 and
Astro/Safari vans; the latter had the "Vortec" logo on the intake plenum). 1993 had a few changes; the S-10 Blazer was renamed "
S-Blazer" while the full-size Blazer became just "Blazer." The center console was raised (with a dual cup holder), and the
4L60-E transmission replaced the 700R4. The grille (alongside the S-10
pickup) was revised (which was a chrome-plated version of the base work truck grille found on base S-10 pickups), along with the addition of optional five-spoke alloy rims on 2WD models (which were basically a copy of the third-generation
Camaro Z28 15" alloy rims). Although the second generation S-10/S-15 pickup debuted in 1994, the S-Blazer and Jimmy continued unchanged for that year, with the only significant changes being a third brake light and the discontinuation of the rear spoiler. 1994 was a transition year for many automakers when it came to switching from
R-12 Freon to CFC-free
R134a refrigerant. The redesigned 1994 S-10 and Sonoma pickups used R134a refrigerant. Despite being nearly identical to the 1993 models, the entire 1994 model year full-size pickup and SUV lineup (C/K, Sierra, Suburban, Yukon) also used R134a. The 1994 S-Blazer and Jimmy seem to have used R-12 until the end of their production run. == Second generation (1995–2005)==