blazer or grand cherokee

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
So in our search for a family hauler I wanted to discuss these two
pros and cons. Common issues, which one is better over all. Is the fuel mileage better on the jeep than the blazer? All input is appreciated.


I have owned 2 Grand Cherokees, 2000 and 2004, both with the 4.0. Common issues for 99-00 were brake rotor warping, and on some, the "0331" head issues. Until I came on this site I never heard of the piston skirt failure despite being on several Jeep sites. I think it may have been before the 2000 model year.

2001 and up with the 4.0 and you should be fine. On both mine, I did a trans pan drop, new filter and refill (6 quarts) every 30k or so, and had no issues with transmissions. Kept the 1st one till 145k (it had the 0331), and traded for the current one, which is now at 143k.

On the highway, keeping it 60 or less I have seen as high as 23.5 mpg, hand calculating. MPG goes down with speed rapidly; at 65 I see 20- 21, 70 returns 18 or so, and 80 mph drops it to just under 17. Around town you can plan on 15-16, depending on how heavy your foot is.

Other than being rear ended in the '04 with subsequent issues, and the 0331 on the '00, there were absolutely no reliability issues with either one, and the only money spent was for routine scheduled maintenance.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Originally Posted By: Gabe
Not a Blazer. You should be expecting to replace the hub assemblies, pitman arms, upper control arms, intake manifolds, fan clutches, and remote oil filter hoses/gaskets as routine maintenance.


+1. My mechanic friends love Blazers for their suspension problems. Im not saying Grand's are great but they're alot better!


Cant screw up a solid axle!

 

[FutureDoc]

I would say early 4Runner or Highlander for late 90s early '00. There was a reason why Toyota was constantly increasing their SUV market share during the early '00s: much better overall product. I don't think the gap between products are as wide now, but the early 2000 was Toyota's peak.

 

[supton]

Only downside to the 4Runner of that era is timing belts, rust, radiators that puke antifreeze into the ATF, and purchase price. A couple other issues but those are the big ones.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'd go for a 99-04 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8. It is more reliable than the 4.0 version (transmission wise) and gets the same if not better gas mileage. The 4.0 powered Grand Cherokees are a bit slow because they are so heavy, and fuel mileage suffers. My dad had a '99 Grand Cherokee 4.7L and he could get between 22 and 24 mpg highway which I consider pretty good for something with AWD.

Besides normal maintenance and a brake caliper upgrade (only a problem on 99-2000) he had very little problems. He towed a trailer every weekend (with a transmission cooler) and sold it with 180k on it.


didnt the 4.7 have issues though timing chains , head gasket and rocker arms breaking?

I'm not sure about those 3 items, but I have heard that they can valve seats fail, sometimes fail so badly that it ruins the engine. Cylinder head rebuilders all seem to advertise fitting stronger valve seats to prevent future problems.

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: supton
Only downside to the 4Runner of that era is timing belts, rust, radiators that puke antifreeze into the ATF, and purchase price. A couple other issues but those are the big ones.


Rust depends on the area more than the vehicle... but yeah, in an area which roads are salted in the winter, 4runners can have issues. Down south, it is not a concern as much (if at all). Timing belts, ok yeah, but many vehicles of that era had them as well (Subbie for example). If it makes anyone feel better, the 4runner is non-interference design so it will not cost you an engine if it goes. Hassle but it is what it is, the radiator milk-shakes are a different story... stinks and is a "problem" (no overly semi-common like a subbie HG) for the 4runner era of toyota but it is a new radiator in most cases, not necessarily a new tranny. It might be more of a lack of maintenance issue with the radiator. Still, I will take the mechanical over the electrical issue of a Cherokee everyday.

It comes down to cost, I do think you could find a better Cherokee than a 4Runner at the lowest cost and even in the mid-priced range but the 4runner was/is the better overall vehicle IMO.

 

[rslifkin]

The Jeeps aren't perfect reliability wise, but they're not too bad if they're taken care of. The big faults with the 4.0 are that the 96+ ones occasionally crack piston skirts, although it's rare (I've heard of it, but never known anyone who's had it happen). The 99+ ones with the 0331 head occasionally crack the heads (about 20% do, the 03 - 04 ones are much better). The V8s in the Grands are pretty solid, although the 93 - 98 5.2s (and 98 5.9s) do like to blow intake manifold plenum gaskets (but there's a kit available to fix the cause so it doesn't happen a second time).

I'd tend to lean towards the Jeep if nothing else, just because they're fairly easy to work on and don't feel nearly as cheap as the Blazers. The Jeeps drive pretty well (especially for solid axles at both ends) and are pretty comfy on the inside. The Blazer feels a lot more like a truck.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
The Jeeps aren't perfect reliability wise, but they're not too bad if they're taken care of. The big faults with the 4.0 are that the 96+ ones occasionally crack piston skirts, although it's rare (I've heard of it, but never known anyone who's had it happen). The 99+ ones with the 0331 head occasionally crack the heads (about 20% do, the 03 - 04 ones are much better). The V8s in the Grands are pretty solid, although the 93 - 98 5.2s (and 98 5.9s) do like to blow intake manifold plenum gaskets (but there's a kit available to fix the cause so it doesn't happen a second time).

I'd tend to lean towards the Jeep if nothing else, just because they're fairly easy to work on and don't feel nearly as cheap as the Blazers. The Jeeps drive pretty well (especially for solid axles at both ends) and are pretty comfy on the inside. The Blazer feels a lot more like a truck.


The other advantage of the Jeep is they are super common in junkyards.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: supton
Only downside to the 4Runner of that era is timing belts, rust, radiators that puke antifreeze into the ATF, and purchase price. A couple other issues but those are the big ones.


Rust depends on the area more than the vehicle... but yeah, in an area which roads are salted in the winter, 4runners can have issues. Down south, it is not a concern as much (if at all). Timing belts, ok yeah, but many vehicles of that era had them as well (Subbie for example). If it makes anyone feel better, the 4runner is non-interference design so it will not cost you an engine if it goes. Hassle but it is what it is, the radiator milk-shakes are a different story... stinks and is a "problem" (no overly semi-common like a subbie HG) for the 4runner era of toyota but it is a new radiator in most cases, not necessarily a new tranny. It might be more of a lack of maintenance issue with the radiator. Still, I will take the mechanical over the electrical issue of a Cherokee everyday.

It comes down to cost, I do think you could find a better Cherokee than a 4Runner at the lowest cost and even in the mid-priced range but the 4runner was/is the better overall vehicle IMO.


Good points, and swapping in a new radiator is cheap insurance. I know the recommendation was to avoid anything in which the ad stated "new radiator and recent transmission flush"...

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
"Grand Cherokee" covers 4 generations, only two of which are similar. The WJ and ZJ are pretty similar (ZJ: 93-98, WJ:99-2004), but the WK(05-10) is completely different, and the WK2 (2011 up) is totally different again.

The WK the only one I would avoid- mostly because it suffers from massive bloat. The ZJ and WJ are both very simple and rugged vehicles and the most conventionally "Jeep-like" Super-capable offroad, but a little jittery on-road (solid axles). The WK2 is the most complex, but is an excellent vehicle.

If I were looking for an inexpensive, reliable, used SUV on the smallish side (5 people max, and the 3 in back will be cozy) I'd look for an 03-04 WJ with the 4.7/45RFE drivetrain.



wouldnt consider the 4.0 from that vintage?


I would, but with a few caveats. The 4.0 had some pretty serious hiccups in 2000/2001 when they changed over to the new head casting for coil-on-plug ignition. They got it sorted (and it was more of an issue in the hotter engine bay of XJs than ZJs, but still... Plus the 4.0 always had the 42RE tranny in the ZJ, whereas the 4.7 got the 45RFE / 545RFE which is more reliable and more fuel efficient.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Until I came on this site I never heard of the piston skirt failure despite being on several Jeep sites. I think it may have been before the 2000 model year.


Same here- I've never heard of it being an issue other than on BITOG, despite being on 3 XJ forums over the years and knowing a whole lot of Jeepers.

I honestly ignore the "piston skirt issue" completely, but the 331 head casting issue is real, as are heat-induced annoyances (#3 injector vapor-lock) because of the switch to cast iron exhaust manifolds and dual pre-cats right below the intake in 2000.

 

[strat81]

What about a Trailblazer? Choice of I6 or 5.3L V8, both making ~270 to 290hp. Available with extended wheelbase (3rd row) and 4WD (with low range gear). I have a Rainier (Buick version of the TB) with 5.3L with air suspension and the highway ride is fantastic. It's a bit ponderous around town compared to our CR-V, but it's not like driving a Tahoe or Suburban. It's a great family hauler.

Noted problems include poor ignition switches, hub bearings, front axle actuators, and transfer case encoder motors. All are relatively easy to fix.

Both engines come paired with the 4L60-E transmission. If the prior owner towed a lot or abused it, expect reduced life.

They're not as reliable as a CR-V or Corolla, but not terrible vehicles, especially if you do your own wrenching. If you hate working on vehicles, don't get a Trailblazer. FWIW, the replacement for ours will probably be a Highlander or Sequoia.

GMTNation.com is the place for all things Trailblazer and Envoy.

PS - If you have an itch that needs scratching, the Trailblazer SS has a 6.0L V8 making ~400hp.

 

[440Magnum]

I think overall I'd go for a ZJ,as late in the production run (say 2003/2004) as you can find. Don't worry too much about 4.0 versus 4.7. Look at overall vehicle condition, mileage, maintenance, etc.

Of course part of that is 'the Devil I know' versus the one I don't. The Trailblazer reported issues seem bigger to me than the annoyances with Jeeps, but then I've owned Jeeps and know how to keep 'em going cheaply and reliably and I don't have that comfort level with GM products. Others probably feel the reverse.

 

[kkreit01]

Check CR for the little black dots. I'm thinking both will have many.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Check CR for the little black dots...


... then use it to line the cat's litter box and forget you ever read it.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Until I came on this site I never heard of the piston skirt failure despite being on several Jeep sites. I think it may have been before the 2000 model year.


Same here- I've never heard of it being an issue other than on BITOG, despite being on 3 XJ forums over the years and knowing a whole lot of Jeepers.

I honestly ignore the "piston skirt issue" completely, but the 331 head casting issue is real, as are heat-induced annoyances (#3 injector vapor-lock) because of the switch to cast iron exhaust manifolds and dual pre-cats right below the intake in 2000.



My mom's 99 WJ had the 0331 head crack about a year ago (around 110k miles on it at the time). I caught it pretty quickly after it happened and put a new head on it, no issues since. It's the updated coil-on-plug 4.0, never had an issue with vapor lock though (and it does have the pre-cats tucked up to the exhaust manifolds). FWIW, the updated 4.0 started in 99 in the WJ and 2000 in the XJ and TJ.

 

[FXjohn]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Check CR for the little black dots. I'm thinking both will have many.

good lord, that's how you buy used cars???

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: FXjohn
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Check CR for the little black dots. I'm thinking both will have many.

good lord, that's how you buy used cars???


It is a good place to start... you know who has reported the most problems and which years are more problematic than others.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Check CR for the little black dots. I'm thinking both will have many.

good lord, that's how you buy used cars???


It is a good place to start... you know who has reported the most problems and which years are more problematic than others.


Keep in mind, what some owners see as a a problem is just a minor inconvenience for others and vice versa. I take things like that with a grain of salt. Then again, I also don't mind working on a vehicle to keep ti in good shape, as long as I can count on it to be reliable and do what I ask when I need it to.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I think overall I'd go for a ZJ,as late in the production run (say 2003/2004) as you can find.

The last year of the ZJ was 1998...