Curious about your thoughts???

[vintageracer]

In October I purchased a 1974 Blazer from the original family owners. Like most it needs a restoration but is complete with all the sheet metal included that needs replacement. 73-75 Square Body Blazers have full removal top which is why I purchased this truck. I am not interested in a 1976 up Blazer.

TODAY I was presented with the opportunity to purchase a 1991 2500 3/4 Ton Suburban at a reasonable price given the condition. I have looked for one of these for a longtime with most I have found overpriced in my mind given their condition. 1991 is the only year model Square Body Suburban that is TBI injected AND has a factory installed Overdrive transmission which is why I like that year only.

The 1974 Blazer restored would be a fun cruiser with the top off and not much else.

The 1991 Suburban would be built out to travel and Overland the outdoors if you will.

This leads to my question:

IF you were going to build only ONE without regard to the cost of either one to build WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BUILD AND WHY????

I look forward to your responses!

 

[driveby]

The real answer to this question isn't which one, but which one first?

 

[simple]

Since you are weighting two different use cases, you cant really pit them against each other.

The blazer is cool if you love doing projects. In the end, driving a classic car here and there on a lark doesn't have much appeal to me. It's just a thing and requires a lot of insurance and maintenance just sitting around. If it sparks joy, go for it.

Like the Blazer, the Suburban would also need serious suspension upgrades especially if you are doing long trips or long distances on fire roads. Would you still be into it if you have to rebuild all the moving parts? If it sparks joy, go for it.

They are both cool trucks but I would question if they are cool to look at, or cool to own. All depends where you want to spend your energy, time and money.

 

[Atl-atl]

2500 'burban is easily capable of towing the blazer on any adventure, do both!!

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Those old Blazers, though...my dream truck since I was like 5 years old. Love the short wheelbase covered truck with a back seat!

Then again, in the last 10 years I have found out that Suburban K2500's have been a thing...

Do both if possible. If I could only do one, I'd do the Blazer and drive it every damn day. Theres not many left. Those 2500 suburbans...they are all over the place even though not all your favorite year

 

[NevadaLover]

Those old Blazers, though...my dream truck since I was like 5 years old. Love the short wheelbase covered truck with a back seat!

Then again, in the last 10 years I have found out that Suburban K2500's have been a thing...

Do both if possible. If I could only do one, I'd do the Blazer and drive it every damn day. Theres not many left. Those 2500 suburbans...they are all over the place even though not all your favorite year

I've been DDing my 2500 suburban for well over a decade, it has been flawless for every use I have for it, I've had a couple blazers and enjoyed them immensely, but in the end I need the extra length for my uses, either way you will enjoy them.

 

[p nut]

I've been DDing my 2500 suburban for well over a decade, it has been flawless for every use I have for it, I've had a couple blazers and enjoyed them immensely, but in the end I need the extra length for my uses, either way you will enjoy them.

I DD a 1500 Burb. It is so useful. Including lunchtime naps in the back House projects, camp trips, etc. The best DD I’ve ever had (and I’ve had lots).

Blazers are cool, too. I’d only get it as a second vehicle (to the Burb).

 

[hemifoot]

I had a '74 Jimmy, Dana 60 axles,400 stroker.it was one of my favorite trucks I've owned,sadly,it got written off after I hit a pole in the middle of a snow storm.I preferred the look of the Jimmy over the blazer.

 

[redthies]

How many people will be with you regularly? There is plenty of room in the back of a K5 Blazer for two. If you have a full family, you might want the ‘Burb. I’ve owned both of what you are looking at, and I’d take the Blazer 100 times out of 100 over the Suburban. Restored to a similar standard, the Blazer will ALWAYS be worth double if not triple what the Suburban would be.

 

[vintageracer]

How many people will be with you regularly? There is plenty of room in the back of a K5 Blazer for two. If you have a full family, you might want the ‘Burb. I’ve owned both of what you are looking at, and I’d take the Blazer 100 times out of 100 over the Suburban. Restored to a similar standard, the Blazer will ALWAYS be worth double if not triple what the Suburban would be.

Value wise there is no doubt the Blazer will always be worth more than any Suburban and will escalate in value much faster than a Suburban in a good collector car market!

 

[TubaDoor]

Full-size SUVs like a suburban or excursion are pretty hard to beat as the options are pronounced for versatility and aren’t terribly challenging to DD physical space wise. Length of commute is a consideration if a concern about fuel economy is part of your equation. My Ex has gullwing windows for easily accessible vertical storage, two five foot drawers out the back under a subfloor and still has a middle row of seating. Spacious indeed!

With your skill set and the value related comments above, it might be a good idea to restore the Blazer, sell it to a worthy buyer and then upgrade to a platform that suits your needs.

A pro and con list of your own might be the best way to pull the trigger on a decision.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

You could always split the baby. A first gen Tahoe (GMT400) from 1995 to 1999 or 2000 is a 4 Door Blazer or a shortened Suburban. Best of both worlds/worst of neither world scenario

 

[plh]

I owned a '76 GMC Jimmy (evil mean and two tone green) a long time ago... 35 years ago perhaps. Had a 400 small block. Never really any issues with it. Beat on it pretty hard back then. I slept in the back with the rear seat removed several times.