Had a 89' Silver 4x4 & that engine was a beast w/ auto transmission. It would catch 2nd & rip! I know own a 02' Blazer ZR2 with the same "tamed down" 4.3ltr. But she's a beautiful tan Blazer & still looks new inside & out with 240k miles.
Primary competitors...Ford Bronco II. I guess when they made this no one at GM knew the Explorer was coming. Or could predict how much it would shift SUV sales to the suburbs. I'm not a big Ford fan. But they really did create the right vehicle at the right time with the Explorer.