Ok my friend wants to start four-wheeling and can't decide between a bronco or a K5 blazer. I am kind of bias towards the bronco partly because I have a 67 bronco and Im sure most of the replies will also be biased towards broncos. Any positives or negatives of each would be appreciated. He doesn't want anything real nice as far as body condition. Would like good power to turn 35's but doesn't want to spend a small fortune upgrading the front and rear ends.

 

This is a Ford site, so you're not going to see too many replies in favor of the chevy. I also think that you're going to see a lot more level-headed responses in here than you would in a chevy forum.

The Bronco has a removable top, so that is a big plus for wheeling. The early broncos (pre '78) are pretty expensive and obviously not nearly as big as the '78 & up years. 78 and 79 come with a solid front dana 44, same as the K5, but they have a 9" rear axle, which is one of the best half ton axles ever made. I believe the K5 will have a c-clip rear, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

What else... oh yeah, the Broncos are just way cooler.

 

If just starting out, I would keep an open mind to Toyota, IH Scouts, and others in addition to the GM and Ford rigs. Find one in running condition that doesn't need alot of work, and go forth from there. I've had several K5's and they're easy to work on with the solid front axle. The tops are also removeable up thru 87, and the tailgate on older models has a manual crank for the window. JSM84

 

If you HAVE to ask, get the chevy. If he gets mad at that comment get a Toyota .

In reality its all preference. Serious if he just wants a mean wheeler both will do fine. You could go back and forth all day as to why one would make a better wheeler than the other.

"Doesn't want to spend a small fortune...." What I say to that is find a different hobby. Wheeling gets expensive. Especially if something goes wrong. And they can just by going through a (what appears to be and sometimes is) small mud puddle. Most people beef up their rigs to be proactive instead of reactive. If you want to wheel your gona have to get a lift and you can get gears for the same price.
Nothing short of a big block will come stock and handel 35's. (still might need a rear end up grade)

My friend has a toyota and we have tons of fun in that too. He did put a chevy 350 in though. He runs 37's.....Just my two cents

 

My buddy has a jimmy and he thinks gm is the best up untill he has to get out and crank down the rear window. I point and laugh at him. Thats why broncos are better. Power rear window standard.

 

Blazer was bad about poor chain drive NP203 transfer case, most broncos have the NP205 Gear drive (78/9)......other than that the blazer was not a bad one - speaking from owning one and now totaled. That would be the big factor for me in buying either a bronco or blazer - xfer case..and rearend..oh, and the rear window

 

There's good and bad in both. But Bronco's are better looking.

 

I know nothing about K5 blazers, i am sure they work good for wheeling because I have seen them out there. I just don't know anything about them.

I just bought a 79 bronco for under $1,000 and I am putting about $1,000 into the motor(needed a valve job from the start, but I am also adding a 4 bar carb and intake and headers) and the 9" lift I want will clear 40"+ tires and only cost about $900 with springs in the rear not blocks.

$3,000 not counting wheels and tires but counting the price of the truck. This is deffiently a cheap way to go.

Personally I would get a 78-79 because they have a solid axle up front. Not that the TTB is bad but I like the solid axle. The 9" rear is a great axle. The 351/400M are not that bad of a motor. Getting some parts are not as easy as a 351W but you can still get them. A 460 swap could not be any easier, the trans is the same bolt pattern.

Lift link
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...k_bushings.htm

 

There is the factor that Chevy's have a tendency to respond well to cheap bolt ons. Stock dana 44's are at their max strength limits in turning 35 inch tires, and a dana 44 is a stock half ton front axle. The 78-79 4x4 F-250's did come with a heavy duty verision of this axle.

Really, like they said above, you will always upgrade to keep from breaking parts. So it is best to get a truck that you can Frankenstien cheaply from scavenged parts in a wrecking yard. If you have alot of Chevy's in the local wrecking yard, go with a Chevy. Same with Ford, Dodge, or Jeep. I can not do it justice but someone has already said that the factory doesnt make the perfect truck, an owner with a will and a budget for tools makes it perfect.

 

i'm not aware of much bad in the older small and big bronco's. they are awesome. i put 30k on a blazer and it's suspension was crap compared to my bronco...hit the break hard and an automatic lane change was immenent if you werent alert. some of the older blazers might be better but unless it's an early 70's model (which are the best looking suv ever) they are ugly as sin.

Nothing beats the 78-up bronco imo. especially the 78-79 with a 400 that's rebuilt to give better mileage and 300+hp. no 302 or 300 unless geared real low.

 

Neither of these trucks came with overwhelming HP or torque, nor did they have the gearing necessary for 35" rubber. There's no way to get that without... Ca-Ching$$$$!! Both the 351 and 350 respond well to typical hot rod upgrades.. cam and exhaust. A 9" equipped Bronco will be towing out the broken 10 bolt K5 every weekend btw.

 

Good point on the rear end, I did have to replace the 10 bolt on the '79k5.....

 

I might be wrong but I think the the axles on the Blazer where alot weaker. 10bolt and 12 bolt. 9" is one of the best rear ends. 351M-400 will run with0 oil pressure 78-79s.

 

Blazers got a weak frame so I've heard.