Chevy Trailblazer

[Spartan_0388]

First off, I wold like to say Hello to all the wonderful members of this forum, I have already gained a vast knowledge just browsing the posts. I am a college student from KY and am in the market for a new vehicle. I came across a few today that I liked (04 Grand Cherokee, 05 Liberty) and test drove an 04 Trailblazer. (all 4x4) I liked the ride but am not sure of the off road capability and modification potentials. (so far only found one lift kit..and nothing else) I wanted an informed opinion, and figured you guys(and girls) would be of some assistance. Feel free to address advantages and disadvantages of all the vehicles mentioned. Thank you for your time and answers

Logan

 

[absolute]

If I had my choice I would pick the 04 Grand Cherokee... Solid axle, coil sprung front and 4.7 V8
The Grand has a great following with the Aftermarket compared to the TrailBlazer. If your looking for a vehicle to get you off pavement for adventure the Grand would be better suited

I will be honest though I'm Biased based on my XJ, but I also own a few Chevy's!

Let me be the first to welcome you the Expo, Nothing but great folks on this board.

 

[Spartan_0388]

yeah the Grand Cherokees were great but all 7 the dealers had on the lot were the I6. Thanks for the welcome, just looking for more info on the Chevy because I don't know much about them.

 

[jeffryscott]

If you want to build it up, then of the three mentioned, the bigger Jeep is probably the best option. And if the I6 is the 4.0L that was in the Cherokees and Wranglers, it is a GREAT engine by all accounts.

Also, since you are looking at late model vehicles, what about Xterra's or 4Runners?

For the best advice, give us ideas of your goals with the vehicle and price range to get into a vehicle, then the helpful folks here will be able to help a whole lot. And welcome.

 

[TheRoadie]

I would have to agree on the Jeep. I've been building up a 2004 GMC Envoy into an expedition vehicle (sister to the Trailblazer). The only lift kit is from BDS, and you get just under 3". Larger tires can get you another 2". The evil GM designers bolted the front diff to the side of the oil pan and a shaft goes THROUGH a tube in the pan, so larger lifts are essentially impossible. That said, a group of us in San Diego take them offroad all the time, mostly in the Borrego desert. See my Youtube videos for some examples.

If you do get the Trailblazer, there is a wonderful support forum at trailvoy.com - especially the "offroad" sub-forum. And MOST IMPORTANT - it's a useless 4X4 without the G80 automatic locker option. No other aftermarket locker will fit - and it's an inexpensive factory option. Look for G80 in the glovebox list of options when you look at vehicles. Absolutely required for the trails.

 

[Spartan_0388]

If you want to build it up, then of the three mentioned, the bigger Jeep is probably the best option. And if the I6 is the 4.0L that was in the Cherokees and Wranglers, it is a GREAT engine by all accounts.

Also, since you are looking at late model vehicles, what about Xterra's or 4Runners?

For the best advice, give us ideas of your goals with the vehicle and price range to get into a vehicle, then the helpful folks here will be able to help a whole lot. And welcome.

I have looked into the Kia Sorento, Xterra, and 4runners. The problem is the area I live in is selling them all at hi prices and availability seems low. I was outlooking the best deals on an 06 Sorento was 20,000 miles at $18,888 and an 02 4 runner with 80,000 miles for $16,000 and I have seen similar vehicles go for far less on autotrader.com and the dealers around here are not willing to make any deals on imports so I have all but given up. (unless someone knows of a good dealer near Bowling Green KY)

As for use it would be seeing a lot of weekend camping and the occasional 1-2week trip
most trips being 2people and a dog, with an occasional 4 people
price range is under $15,000

Sorry his was so long I believe all the searching in vain for a vehicle is tugging at my temper and i needed to vent. But thank you both for the quick responses and the warm welcomes

 

[Spartan_0388]

Wow

I would have to agree on the Jeep. I've been building up a 2004 GMC Envoy into an expedition vehicle (sister to the Trailblazer). The only lift kit is from BDS, and you get just under 3". Larger tires can get you another 2". The evil GM designers bolted the front diff to the side of the oil pan and a shaft goes THROUGH a tube in the pan, so larger lifts are essentially impossible. That said, a group of us in San Diego take them offroad all the time, mostly in the Borrego desert. See my Youtube videos for some examples.

If you do get the Trailblazer, there is a wonderful support forum at trailvoy.com - especially the "offroad" sub-forum. And MOST IMPORTANT - it's a useless 4X4 without the G80 automatic locker option. No other aftermarket locker will fit - and it's an inexpensive factory option. Look for G80 in the glovebox list of options when you look at vehicles. Absolutely required for the trails.

I was just looking through that site before i checked back here and was just reading through a post about that exact topic, what a coincidence and great info on the site and looked at a couple of your videos, very impressive rig. My thought behind the TB was the interior room with the smaller size of the other two vehicles mentioned.

 

[jeffryscott]

I have looked into the Kia Sorento, Xterra, and 4runners. The problem is the area I live in is selling them all at hi prices and availability seems low. I was outlooking the best deals on an 06 Sorento was 20,000 miles at $18,888 and an 02 4 runner with 80,000 miles for $16,000 and I have seen similar vehicles go for far less on autotrader.com and the dealers around here are not willing to make any deals on imports so I have all but given up. (unless someone knows of a good dealer near Bowling Green KY)

As for use it would be seeing a lot of weekend camping and the occasional 1-2week trip
most trips being 2people and a dog, with an occasional 4 people
price range is under $15,000

Sorry his was so long I believe all the searching in vain for a vehicle is tugging at my temper and i needed to vent. But thank you both for the quick responses and the warm welcomes

It's challenging trying to find the right vehicle at the right price ... glad to know you've looked at the other options. The big Jeep is capable and certainly has the most to offer aftermarket. I don't think I'd let the I6 bother me, if it is indeed the same one in the other vehicles I mentioned. I think the Liberty would be too small for your needs (seriously looked at those before my 4Runner to replace my Suzuki Vitara (4door). The Suzuki aftermarket items are extremely limited which made me both a pioneer and frustrated. If you plan to build, look at the aftermarket. It is no fun to find such limited solutions. Good luck in your quest.

 

[calamaridog]

From a reliability standpoint, my dad put over 100k miles on his Trailblazer with no drivetrain problems, however the brakes needed warranty service several times. This was not a 4wd, however.

The Liberty is small. I know, I own one. Good motor, fun to drive, easy as hell to park too. I bit small for long trips, 4 people, dogs, etc.

The Grand Cherokee with the I6 is a nice package. Don't fool yourself. Check out this one, it does nice off road:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=538

 

[pete.wilson]

Spartan; for all of the vehicles you have mentioned I would go for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have two 99's, one with the 6cyl. and one with the 4.7v8; the V8 IMHO is the best way to go. Uses a little more gas but the power is much better. Plus there are more aftermarket stuff for the Jeeps in general, keep in mind even with lifts, tire sizes are limited on the smaller side. Both of mine are awesome in snow. Because I have a need to haul a lot of camping gear and equipment, sometimes kids. I chose an older 94 suburban 4X4. Buy the most vehicle you can afford; sometimes, older modified vehicles are really better suited our needs and are better deals in the long run than new off the shelf models.

 

[Spartan_0388]

Spartan; for all of the vehicles you have mentioned I would go for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have two 99's, one with the 6cyl. and one with the 4.7v8; the V8 IMHO is the best way to go. Uses a little more gas but the power is much better. Plus there are more aftermarket stuff for the Jeeps in general, keep in mind even with lifts, tire sizes are limited on the smaller side. Both of mine are awesome in snow. Because I have a need to haul a lot of camping gear and equipment, sometimes kids. I chose an older 94 suburban 4X4. Buy the most vehicle you can afford; sometimes, older modified vehicles are really better suited our needs and are better deals in the long run than new off the shelf models.

I think my decision is going toward the Grand Cherokee, but as for buying an older vehicle my grandparents are actually helping me out. Part of our agreement of them helping was that I had to purchase a newer model low mileage vehicle so the idea of premodded vehicles is out of the questions.
Thanks everyone for all the info you have been a great help and I look forward to being an active part of this forum I will keep everyone updated when the purchase is made