Rovertrader
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78Bronco pegged it, '78 & '79 Bronco- do some simple searches and you will see why, small model run, but very desirable, and tough to find in good condition.
Ford Bronco or Chevy K5 Blazer
- Thread starter jmartinez748
- Start date
rpnp
New member
I was in the exact same situation a couple years ago....
I first bought an 80 series land cruiser and after having it for 6 months, I ended up selling it for a 6.2/700r4 K5 which is perfect for me. (I know, I know... It's blasphemy trading my Yota for a Chevy)
here's how i seen it for my location (CA)
- FJ62/60
- initial cost/after market parts expensive
- poor mpg
- expensive up keep, especially smog every 2 yrs
- Toyota Reliable
- FJ80
- initial cost high, although cheaper then FJ62/FJ60
- poor mpg
- OEM/aftermarket parts expensive
- possible electric lockers
- coil suspension
- Toyota Reliable
- disk brake 93+
- smooth ride
- K5 Blazer 6.2 Diesel / 5.7 TBI
- Cheapest to acquire for my area
- No Smog in CA for diesels
- 21 mpg diesel / 15ish for my old 91 Blazer
- 31 gallon fuel tank possibility
- cheap to gear + add lockers (probably cheapest second only to Wranglers)
- aftermarket support
I also had the K5 and 80 series next to each other and they have almost the exactly same interior space. I personally don't like the Broncos for lack of a solid front axle in the "newer" ones and in CA the older Broncos can get expensive. Same reason for the 4 runners.
I first bought an 80 series land cruiser and after having it for 6 months, I ended up selling it for a 6.2/700r4 K5 which is perfect for me. (I know, I know... It's blasphemy trading my Yota for a Chevy)
here's how i seen it for my location (CA)
- FJ62/60
- initial cost/after market parts expensive
- poor mpg
- expensive up keep, especially smog every 2 yrs
- Toyota Reliable
- FJ80
- initial cost high, although cheaper then FJ62/FJ60
- poor mpg
- OEM/aftermarket parts expensive
- possible electric lockers
- coil suspension
- Toyota Reliable
- disk brake 93+
- smooth ride
- K5 Blazer 6.2 Diesel / 5.7 TBI
- Cheapest to acquire for my area
- No Smog in CA for diesels
- 21 mpg diesel / 15ish for my old 91 Blazer
- 31 gallon fuel tank possibility
- cheap to gear + add lockers (probably cheapest second only to Wranglers)
- aftermarket support
I also had the K5 and 80 series next to each other and they have almost the exactly same interior space. I personally don't like the Broncos for lack of a solid front axle in the "newer" ones and in CA the older Broncos can get expensive. Same reason for the 4 runners.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
After my earlier Ramcharger post, I'll redeem myself to the op by adding some info. I gave owned both a '78 Bronco with 351 4spd, and a '89 K5 with 305 4spd. Bronco had 33" MTs, Blazer had 33" ATs and I loved them both. The Ford was better built, with a more solid feel, but I think I would take the K5 if I had to choose between the two for the simple reason that it got almost twice the mpg that the Bronco did. Parts are everywhere and cheap for both, size is basically the same, ride is similar, looks go to the Ford (in my eyes), but the ability to go further on less fuel wins.
rxinhed
Dirt Guy
My cousin had numerous automatic transmission failures, bad door fitment, and similar on his several Blazers. I have only auto parts store and wrecking yard experience with the Blazer. Some were ordered with dual front shocks. The removable hardtop is interesting. Probably most easy to find parts for.
I've had some experience good and bad with the two Ramchargers I've driven, and prefer them over the similar Blazer because of other Dodge fullsize trucks I've owned. The Ramcharger is available with a 34-gallon fuel tank and the afore-mentioned Cummins will generally bolt in...along with all the other 1-ton goodies.
I have seen many Bronco fullsize in wrecking yards and they have not had door hinge issues that plague the Chevy and Dodge platforms. The early to mid-90s F250 Dana 50 TTB axles are an interesting upgrade for the Bronco. The engine bay would hold a 7.3L diesel or 460-gasser. If you're up for go-fast parts, the sky is not even the limit for this chassis. Total Chaos makes a long travel front suspension kit. Numerous fiberglass replacement parts are available for fenders, hood, doors, rear quarter panels. The rear top is removable, so you could install a truck camper if desired.
I like an expression I've read elsewhere: "Dodge, built Ford tough with Chevy parts."
Some is choice. I'd have a Ford if not for my Dodge.
Russell
I've had some experience good and bad with the two Ramchargers I've driven, and prefer them over the similar Blazer because of other Dodge fullsize trucks I've owned. The Ramcharger is available with a 34-gallon fuel tank and the afore-mentioned Cummins will generally bolt in...along with all the other 1-ton goodies.
I have seen many Bronco fullsize in wrecking yards and they have not had door hinge issues that plague the Chevy and Dodge platforms. The early to mid-90s F250 Dana 50 TTB axles are an interesting upgrade for the Bronco. The engine bay would hold a 7.3L diesel or 460-gasser. If you're up for go-fast parts, the sky is not even the limit for this chassis. Total Chaos makes a long travel front suspension kit. Numerous fiberglass replacement parts are available for fenders, hood, doors, rear quarter panels. The rear top is removable, so you could install a truck camper if desired.
I like an expression I've read elsewhere: "Dodge, built Ford tough with Chevy parts."
Some is choice. I'd have a Ford if not for my Dodge.
Russell
zoomad75
K5 Camper guy
I'm partial to the K5. Just think of the mass range of compatability of 14 years of production on top of further compatibility to later powertrains. Under the hood of the K5 it can have any small block from the original Gen 1 to the LS Gen III's, Big blocks up to the monster 8.1L or 6.2-6.5 diesel or a 12v Cummins. Transmissions range from bulletproof dump truck shifting sm465 manuals to th350, th400 or 700r4 to swapping in 4l60, 4l80 or a NV4500. As far as axles go you can't beat the 14b for brute strength and a D60 is a bolt in swap.
I think all three options are great, but the k5 costs to do about anything seems to be less than the others.
I think all three options are great, but the k5 costs to do about anything seems to be less than the others.
Mrknowitall
Adventurer
It all depends on what you need from an expo rig. I had an 80 Bronco for years- eventually with a 400M/C6/NP208.
for a mild truck, my preference would be to the Bronco, especially since you can get them a few years younger. A late one with the 300-6 and 5speed (only ever saw 1- new at Copper Country Ford) would return awesome range and fuel econ.
For a Baja explorer, I would also go the Bronco route- there is no end to the long travel set-ups you can get for the TTB.
If you feel you need at least 35's and a manual trans, then by all means- get the K5. The swap options are easy (even Dodge D-60's will fit with a little persuasion).
If you run either of them hard without a top, you'll get some body tweakage around the B-pillar. The rain gutters on the GM are just for looking at- don't count on them to hold up a big basket.
for a mild truck, my preference would be to the Bronco, especially since you can get them a few years younger. A late one with the 300-6 and 5speed (only ever saw 1- new at Copper Country Ford) would return awesome range and fuel econ.
For a Baja explorer, I would also go the Bronco route- there is no end to the long travel set-ups you can get for the TTB.
If you feel you need at least 35's and a manual trans, then by all means- get the K5. The swap options are easy (even Dodge D-60's will fit with a little persuasion).
If you run either of them hard without a top, you'll get some body tweakage around the B-pillar. The rain gutters on the GM are just for looking at- don't count on them to hold up a big basket.