K5 blazer or full size ford bronco? (2009, SUV, fuel)

[GTOlover]

My best friend is looking for a 4x4 to haul his boat and do some off roading and he asked me what truck I would choose he is looking at a 91 K5 blazer with a 350 or a 95
full sized bronco with a 351 windsor being that I own a 91 f250 I am biased toward ford trucks so I said the bronco anyways what would you guys recommend? One thing that hit during this thread was dodge made the ram charger also I might as well throw that up too seeing as the trucks are all pretty much even

[jazzlover]

None of the above. All had pretty dismal reliability records and were gas hogs. I owned a '78 Blazer and it was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned. I will grant that it was backcountry capable--but it was too big for many narrow trails. That is, when it wasn't in the shop, which it was--a lot. Also, with today's fuel quality, I would not own a carbureted vehicle--to much hassle with today's low flash point fuels, which cause all kinds of vapor-locking issues in older carbureted vehicles.

[RopeS]

The blazer and the bronco are F.I. Not familiar with the Ram, but I think it would be also. I'd personally go with the K5, but either the Ford or Chevy should be fine.

[GTOlover]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

None of the above. All had pretty dismal reliability records and were gas hogs. I owned a '78 Blazer and it was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned. I will grant that it was backcountry capable--but it was too big for many narrow trails. That is, when it wasn't in the shop, which it was--a lot. Also, with today's fuel quality, I would not own a carbureted vehicle--to much hassle with today's low flash point fuels, which cause all kinds of vapor-locking issues in older carbureted vehicles.

this will be his second vehicle and the ford broncos from late 80's on were EFI my f250 is fuel injected and I have never had any problems with it so far knock on wood LOL. I don't think he cares about MPG's or the size he just wants to take 4 people and tow his boat when he travels and goes camping he has a mid-size car for city drivng. He really wants a good off roader but only wants to spend 5K and he does not want a ford explorer or jeep grand cherokee.

[ferretkona]

I had both. A 76 Blazer with the 400 ci and a 94 Bronco with a 5.0 liter.
Had a couple Suburbans as well.

I will never own a GM again, too many break downs. If and when a Ford breaks you can still make it home. I keep my trucks up on maintance and no money is withheld. My mechanic knows to make no short cuts and use new parts. There is no excuse for what GM has been selling for decades.

[filmsniffer]

All three are fine. Since none of them are still in production, it's all personal preferences today, anyway.

However, I'd pick the Bronco because of its looks. The Blazers were dated...same crap since '73!

[filmsniffer]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

None of the above. All had pretty dismal reliability records and were gas hogs. I owned a '78 Blazer and it was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned. I will grant that it was backcountry capable--but it was too big for many narrow trails. That is, when it wasn't in the shop, which it was--a lot. Also, with today's fuel quality, I would not own a carbureted vehicle--to much hassle with today's low flash point fuels, which cause all kinds of vapor-locking issues in older carbureted vehicles.

Regardless of your experience with your Blazer when Carter was in the office: this is 2009. It is irrelevant.

[MKE-Ed]

I would go with the Ford Bronco. I had friend back in the early 1980s that owned a Chevy K5 and it rode like a truck and it spent a lot of time in the shop. One thing that you can say about all three is that they were the sport utes of that time. Unlike todays SUVs, most of which are nothing more than glorified station wagons.

[73-79 ford fan]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

None of the above. All had pretty dismal reliability records and were gas hogs. I owned a '78 Blazer and it was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned. I will grant that it was backcountry capable--but it was too big for many narrow trails. That is, when it wasn't in the shop, which it was--a lot. Also, with today's fuel quality, I would not own a carbureted vehicle--to much hassle with today's low flash point fuels, which cause all kinds of vapor-locking issues in older carbureted vehicles.

Both of my vehicles are carbureted and neither have vapor locking issues at all with todays gas. As for the Blazer or Bronco, if the Blazer has a solid front axle that would be better over a 90s Bronco twin traction beam front axle. A 1978 or 1979 Bronco would be the very best choice though.

[GTOlover]

Originally Posted by 73-79 ford fan

Both of my vehicles are carbureted and neither have vapor locking issues at all with todays gas. As for the Blazer or Bronco, if the Blazer has a solid front axle that would be better over a 90s Bronco twin traction beam front axle. A 1978 or 1979 Bronco would be the very best choice though.

out here 78-79 broncos are very hard to find in decent shape either they are really beat up or really modified and command a premium price if I could find a nice solid axel bronco I would buy it LOL. Since it is going to be doing alot of towing and freeway driving would the TTB bronco not be a better truck for towing a 22FT boat?