Cherokee vs Blazer

[JoulesWinfield]

Im new round these parts, and I just wanted to get yalls opinion.

Could anyone provide a good comparision between the 98 Cherokee and a 98 Blazer.

I am interested in going off road and haulin the Sea-Doos across the state.

Thanks.
(PS, yes I posted this in the Blazer forum also. I just want both sides.)

[GunnyJeep]

in Blazer are you talking full size or S-10?

I have not owned a s10 but did own a 84 K blazer years and years ago. -during the last 15 years I have only owned Jeeps (started with a 81 CJ-7 then an 94 Wranger and finally my current 87 Cherokee for the last 3 years. - as for towing - I buy wreaked/junked Cherokees and either fix them up or part them out - I tow them to my place with my 87 Cherokee (that is not bad - towing a equal weight), I just towed a BMW from Indiana to Georgia with no problems a few months ago and I have a (old solid non plastic) 1971 Venture 18 ft popup that I tow camping.

XJ (Cherokee) vs Blazer -

Blazer (full size) - pro: V8 power, stock height, towing ability

Con: V8 MPG, width, IFS front, Does not say Jeep on the Front

S10 - Pro: V6, dims are close to that of an XJ

Con: IFS front, weak rear axle - does not say Jeep on the front.

XJ - Pro: It's a Jeep need I say more - ok ok - 4.0 motor - one of the most dependable engines produced - 300,000 miles without engine work is the norm (my 87 XJ has 290,000 miles with only a water pump having to be replaced), Solid front axle, AW4 transmission (Automatic) / AX15 transmission (91 - 2001 5 speed manual) are excellent trannys that hold up with the engine, easy to wrench on / modify to your tastes and you can buy them fairly cheaply - just about everything is interchangable between 1987 - 95 (except for some engine components 87-90 non HO motor - 91 to 2001 HO motor) and the 96 - 2001 were interchangable.

Con: stock height is lousy, gas mileage when running 31" tires is the pits (unless you regear - I am running 32x11.5 tires and getting an avg. of 20 mpg when on the highway) 1984/85/86 V6 (2.8 GM motor) was/is not a dependable/powerful motor for the XJ.

as you can tell I am a "Jeeper"

Gunny

[spooleffect]

I have to disagree with the low stock height. Jeeps have EXCELLENT ground clearance when compaired to other compact or midsized truck and suv's. My Jeep only has coil spacers and shackles and I have never had a problem with ground clearance even with 28"s.

Also, all of what Ive experienced and heard about the GM 2.8 is that it is underpowered but absolutely hardcore reliable. Like the 4.0 they are very hard to stop, ive seen some really f'ed up s-10's that have 200k - 300k miles and very abusive owners and they still won't quit. Id still prefer the 4.0 of course, but the 2.8 is a very reliable mototr as well but its very underpowered.

[MagicRat]

I would agree on the earlier comments. I have a 2.8 L XJ. and I have owned several S10's.

If you are buying used, it depends on the equipment it has. For the '98 Blazer and '98 Cherokee, it depends on the equipment it has, price and condition. If both are equal, (and the Blazer is not a full size) I would suggest the Blazer, if you are going to be mostly on road as the IFS is more comfortable. However, the Cherokee is superior off road.

As for towing, the Chevy 4.3 tows just as well as a 4 L Jeep.

The 2.8 L Chevy engine, whether its in an XJ or Blazer is just fine, but too underpowered except for light duty applications. The ones made after mid 1985 are more reliable, as GM made the engine bearings larger. Until then, the engines had a tendancy to spin the #5 rod bearing if it was regularly revved past 5000 rpm.

Also, the 2.8 power can be easily increased. My XJ came with 110 hp, but I installed a camshaft, headers, 4 bbl and Fiero cyl heads (bigger valves) about 15 years ago. It is almost as fast as a stock 4 L so I guess about 150 hp.

I have had a 2.8L S-10 with 260,000 miles and running perfectly.
However, my XJ engine was thrashed by 80,000 miles, (Excessive cylinder wear. ) I suspect 50,000 miles with a poor air filter system was the culprit.

[JoulesWinfield]

Thaks guys.
The type of S10 Blazer Im thinkin about would be with a 4.3.

One of the things that Im interested in is someone told me that the XJ is uni-body and therefore more susseptable to twisting of the body. Whereas the S10 is a full frame and more rigid.
Im not sure if all thats true or not.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by JoulesWinfield

Thaks guys.
The type of S10 Blazer Im thinkin about would be with a 4.3.

One of the things that Im interested in is someone told me that the XJ is uni-body and therefore more susseptable to twisting of the body. Whereas the S10 is a full frame and more rigid.
Im not sure if all thats true or not.

You are correct in that the XJ is unit body and the Blazer is a full frame, but generally it is the XJ that is more rigid.

The Blazer frame is designed to be slightly flexible. Full frame cars and trucks are generally quieter and smoother than a unit body, because the frame twists and shakes just a bit as it goes down the road. The body sits on rubber mounts that allow the frame to twist a bit and isloates the cab from some vibration.
In a unit body car or truck, there is no frame to twist and no subsequent isolation. The Jeep chassis is very strong because every panel except for the doors is structural. Also if you look underneath there are full length frame rails welded to the chassis.

Neither one is better. However, the Blazer has a better ride, but is a couple of hundred pounds heavier due in part to this design. The XJ would perform better because there is less weight to haul around, if all else were equal.

[JoulesWinfield]

How bout stibility @ 80mph pulling two Sea-Doos?
Or any inhernt bs like bad water pumps, rusting out steering boxes, things like that.

I cant say I have heard any really bad things about either of them.