Hey guys, I'm looking to pick up an old mud truck for about $1000-2000 tops that is in good running condition.

I want something that I don't have to fidget with much, such as lifted with tires already.

I need the solid front axle so ultimately, that rules out the 80+ Broncos.

In all of your opinions, cost being an issue, what is going to be:

1. Easier to find and get a hold of
2. Easier to work on
3. Better in the mud
4. Cost factor

This is all between the 78-79 Bronco and realistically the K5 Blazer. I believe all he K5s had a solid front axle so I think it'll be easier to find one than a Bronco, even though I've wanted a 78-79 since I was a kid and never thought the K5s were even attractive until about three days ago. Hey, when you just need a mud truck to beat up on every two weeks at the mud bog, anything will do. Money can't change my brand loyalty

-rockstate

 

I don't know much about the Dodges, but Good luck finding a running K5 for under 2k. What do u have against a TTB bronco? They do fine in the mud, just not for jumping or competition rock crawling...

 

78-79 Bronco still had a solid Dana 44 front axle. The TTB D44 didn't start 'til 1980. And out of sheer curiosity, what answer were you truly expecting to get from a Bronco Forum? The K5's were rust buckets anyway (not to mention the lousy structural integrity of a body that had no support across the doors when the top was removed) and the Ramchargers did not have a removable top section.

The TTB has proven itself time and again off road and on anyway. Yes, there are a few more moving parts but assuming they are inferior is a misnomer. But if you are serious about a 78-79 the TTB discussion is a moot point.

 

You'll bust the frame on the Chevy WAY before you break the TTB. 78-79 Broncos are hard to find cheap, you might do better to get an 80-84 Bronco and then convert it to straight axle (been done to death) if you just gotta have that.

 

I have done a little reading on the TTB Broncos and I've heard they're good up to about 35s. I'd be running whatever the guy has on there til they wear out, then upgrade.

I don't have the mechanical know how to do a swap, nor do I have the money or the lift to do one.

I don't know anything bout the Ramcharger but I did see one at the mud bog on Saturday.

I found a sweeetttt 78/79 Bronco on 39's with 4.56 locking front and rear that "runs good" wtih a 351M in it for $1700. If I can get the funds, I'll be driving the 140 miles with a trailer this morning. I don't think he'll want to keep it til July til I can buy it though.

-rockstate

 

Lets get one thing settled first... the Dana 44, regardless of whether or not it's in it's solid or Twin Traction Beam format has an unsprung weight rating that will only let it accommodate 35-36's before you start damaging u-joints and steering knuckle components. Tires larger than that are going to cause premature failure rates on the D44. Not saying it won't work for a while, just saying the axle is simply not going to withstand that kind of abuse that well no matter whether its a solid or TTB version.

 

We ran 40" boggers on the TTB for 4 years. Only broke 1 hub and the drivers side axle ujoint. It did wear the tie-rods and drag link out a lot faster then normal, but for use just ever couple weeks it's not a concern..

We actually just SAS'ed our bronco so the steering will last longer.

The Dana 44 is a strong axle and can handle 40's, just have to be smart with the skinny pedal..

 

Thanks for the last two posts guys. These are things that I like hearing for informative purposes.

The Bronco is a beaut, thats for sure.

Here's a pic of 'er



It has a black top as well in the other pic.

-rockstate

 

That's an awesome looking 78/79. I love the red/black color scheme.

78/79s were known as the KING of off-roading vehicles. They're around 5000 - 6000 lbs stock, and most of the weight is just from being tough. 80+ Broncos (by all means, avoid any 80 or 81 that has a swiss cheese frame), are very tough as well. Their only "downside" for a true off-roader is their TTB. That being said, I've never run into a problem with mine. I'd like to have a solid axle, but I never really miss it.

Blazers did come with a solid axle, which is a plus. But as you said, they're an unsightly rectangular box. They also just didn't have the strength of a Bronco, and if they're not in peak shape, are generally complete rust buckets. Broncos have areas prone to rust, but Blazers usually fall apart from it.
Secondly, I've had several long time mechanics attest that from all the Broncos vs Blazers they've worked on, bolt for bolt, the Bronco is just beefier. Bolts are thicker, beams are stronger, frame is sturdier, etc etc. From a guy who sees what everyone else doesn't, that's good info.

Ramchargers are known to be good rigs, but not great. They were made to fill a hole in the market and were never nearly as popular or had anything stand-outish about them. Their downside was their unpopularity as they never really had the huge aftermarket that you can get for a Bronco or Blazer. That aside, my uncle bought one new back in the late seventies/early eighties and completely abused that thing to no end (more out of negligence than anything else), and it took 20 years to bite the dust. They're also all full-time four wheel drive, so unless you're looking to install a hub kit, they're going to get pretty poor mileage compared to the rest.

They all have their perks and downfalls, so there's something to consider for each. But the fact that many more people own a Bronco than Blazers and Ramchargers put together says something more than just fanbase.

 

Well i'll probably be austricised from the community, but my '85 Blazer hasn't steered me wrong yet scored me a good deal on one the original owners son blew the motor swapped in a '97 350 and 4L60E trans, still working out some details on it but a strong truck especially with the easy option to swap a Dana 60 and 14 Bolt in the future. To rectify my Brotherhood with Fords I would love a '78-'79 Bronco to relive my experience when I lost my '76 F-250. Good Luck Shopping.

RED460

 

I had a 76 Ramcharger years ago and loved it. It handled more abuse than any other vehicle I've ever owned. That being said, it also had the most rust problems and electrical ghosts I've ever encountered.

 

It sure would look great anywhere around Lubbock with big Double-T logo on the doors. Git yer guns up. Go Tech!

 

i personally would go with the bronco simply because for the last three years i have just beaten on mine and it still runs well.... mines not varied much from stock but even so it still takes a beating and keeps on powering through.

 

I've caught more air with TTB than Ford ever planed for without problems on my F150, heavy steel and 4 pivot points isnt a bad setup

 

ok so i found this because im a schemer/planner. my little side question is would it be possible to get the body parts for the ramcharger and the fullsize blazer except slightly larger scale? so that some one could say mount heavy duty magnets to them and attach them to the body of a similar vehichle for the strange of mind?