Blazer or 4X4 pick up truck? (fuel, brakes, MPG, buy)

[Deez Nuttz]

Sort of a toss up here.

I've been for awhile wanting a 4X4 pick up truck. But now I'm beginning to wonder if I should buy a Blazer instead?

I've always been a pick up truck guy, and have never owned a truck with a roof over the cargo area.

I have a small family. I don't do much hauling but I do want to be able to haul engines and stuff. I've often thought of a pick up to be the work horse and the Blazer to be more of a luxury vehicle.

I've been told a Blazer would suit my needs better....because with them you can haul stuff, there's a back seat for the kids...

Not sure which i should go with here. Thoughts?

[Jezer]

What's more important- the kids or the pick up?





Get the pick up.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Most P/U's just haul air. Don't forget the roof comes off the Blazer. Since I owned one of each, the Blazer is more adaptable except for towing.

Blazer would be my choice, of course price might change my mind.

[yachtcare]

Yep, if your towing is light, and infrequent, the Blazer will do. Kids and grocery bags are well suited to that type of utility vehicle.
If you find yourself doing a fair amount of hauling heavy items, or alot of towing, the bed and a longer wheelbase is a better way to go.
Towing heavy? longest wheelbase you can find, and duallies on the rear.
If you want it all...they've been making extended and crew cab version pick ups since the early 90's, even with duallies.......
It all comes down to you simply looking at your needs in a realistic manner, and then buy the truck built to suit your needs.

[Deez Nuttz]

Yeah I almost forgot I want to eventually buy a boat so I'll want/need something to tow that.

My biggest fears of a crew cab is they eat more fuel than all of them. Though I'd consider that if I were a job foreman hauling around a bunch of workers and tools.

[texdav]

When considering 4X 4 you need to look at the weight also. I had a friend with a Blazer and the only good it was as a 4X4 was to get you stuck so far back in the woods you better have a good winch. It really is a light duty as far as a 4x4 because of the weight, JMHO

[Deez Nuttz]

So what are you saying? The heavier the better?

[M3 Mitch]

DN, the pickup in your photo is a 3/4 ton if my eyes don't deceive me, so it's in a different league for hauling heavy loads and towing. At least I think I see 8 lug nuts on each wheel. The Blazer is essentially a half-ton.

To help confuse things further, you can always put a cap on the pickup, although you'll be buying that separately.

A lot of 3/4 ton trucks have high-numerical gears, by that I mean 4.11 or similar, great for getting a big load started but not so hot for MPG and the engine will be buzzing/roaring at freeway speed.

All boils down to if you want a lighter-duty vehicle (which will cost less to run and maintain) with a back seat for your kids and a pre-installed "cap", or a "real" 4X4 truck.

[Deez Nuttz]

It might be a 3/4 ton, that's not why I posted it, I posted it to show you the diff. between what I've considered vs. what I'd like to find....in reality a 1/2 ton 4X4 was what I was after....just most seem to be hillbillied to high heaven/beat to death/rusted. Seems I find more Blazers in good shape.

[ferretkona]

GM made the Blazer with the 350 tranny where they should have used the 400.
I went thru 4 trannys on my 76 Blazer.
I think you will always find the blazer in better shape as they are harder to use as a truck. Little too tall, glass has to be lowered all the way or it breaks in the tailgate.

In many ways a 3/4 ton is better has they have bigger brakes, heavier axles, thicker frames and the 400 tranny.
You night want to consider the Suburban. You get 9 feet in the back with the rear seat folded. The blazer only has 4 feet when folded.