Rick B said:
Well, I run a fullsize Bronco. It has yet to fail to go anywhere in Utah or Colorado I've asked it to go & I have less than $10K total in it. Yeah the gas mileage sucks, it gets about 13-14 highway, but everyone always asks me to haul some of their gear because I'm the only one with any room. I can't begin to tell you how many times some dumbass has told me my rig is too big for this or that only to have me prove them wrong. Others are always glad to see me when they need a tow too. You could get a later model Bronco with the OD auto tranny or get one with the 5 speed manual & expect better fuel mileage. I have a buddy who has one with the 5 speed & regularly gets 16-18 highway mileage.
A fullsize Blazer would be a good choice IMO as well. Pretty much the same as a Bronco but somewhat cheaper to modify & already has a solid front axle.
Good points, and that was similar to my experience with my '85 bronco and '74 blazer, after growing up in a '75 blazer.
My scrambler w/ full-width has basically the same footprint as a bronco/blazer. However, some of the places I've taken it, I was glad the body was not as wide as the tires, and where it didn't fit on the trail, I could go over stuff or didn't care if the tires went in the ditch, etc.
In my burb on the dugway down into June's Bottom on the Green, I was TOO WIDE...we made it, but with some nasty spotting and tires on the edge. Maybe a shorter wheelbase would have helped, but the width was the main problem. Taking my jeep, which is actually wider than the burb at the tires, I'd just mash the tires into the rocks and uphill side since I wouldn't have to worry about the sheetmetal. Yota 80's that were on the trip with us didn't have a problem.
It is funny though, that a lot of rigs are built into what blazers and bronco's already are . Put on 33's, add lockers, and go. If you want 35's, add 4" lift...regearing is still optional.
Reminds me, I have a friend that bought an '87 blazer, put 33s on it, 3-4" lift, a lockrite in the back (and maybe the front) and has driven it daily, hunting, camping around the state, and to Moab a couple times a year for about 8 years now, no problem. No, he doesn't take it on Pritchett or Constrictor...but that's not what it's for.
They seem kind of narrow to me.
