Im shopping for a 4wd 4dr blazer, Im looking at 1998 and up. My biggest concern is the transfer case, which one is most durable? I know how they work, just worried the clutch in the 4button case might be a weak spot. I dont see myself using the Autotrac mode, I can decide when I need 4wd. What year got what cases? or was it an option on all years?? Anyting else I should avoid or look for in a blazer? Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated Thanks!!!

 

just get urself in a blazer .... noone can put details on love, otherwise i woulda never married my wife. more defects on her then jeeps transmitions lol

 

Well the 4 button transfer case was an option on all blazers 98+ I THINK, (by 4 button i mean 4hi 4lo 2hi and auto4) but i think i have heard about physical problems with the transfer case once on here and im on here a lot, so in other words the transfer cases on these things are pretty bullet proof and problems are rare. same with the 4L60E tranny and 4.3 engine. Electrical problems happen sometimes with them, but still pretty rare.

 

I have replaced quite a few of the transfer cases in customers vehicles, but every time it was due to lack of maintenance causing the clutches to burn or bearings to overheat.

 

I loved our 97 Blazer 4x4. I burned the tranny @ 90,000 so bad it was pumping black fluid out the vent tube. Flushed it twice & drove it another 90,000 mile with no trouble. So the 4L60E is as stated bullet proof if you add a cooler & service them. The only problems with the three button T/C is vacuum & sometime electrical. I used the crap out of ours & only had to replace rotted vacuum hoses.
What I like about our 98 over the 97 is 4 wheel disc brakes, factory CD, if you own a dog don't get the split rear hatch. I like the cloth seats better than leather.
I dislike AWD period. I just sold my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. I hated the AWD oh it is good in snow & stuff but I'm smart enough to know when I need 4x4 I can still push a button so AWD isn'\t for me. Plus they are not as tough a transfer case on Jeeps anyway.
As said just buy one & fall in love.