K5 blazer or jeep cj

[ATCcountryboy]

So, I am thinking about getting my first car soon. I want to know some opinions about these two vehicles. I love old classic off road cars and I have narrowed it down to a k5 blazer or cj7. The cj is probably more fun because it is so versitle, but the blazer is safer and rare especially the first gens. Which one do think has the ''cool'' factor, like when you see it pass you and you think ''man, thats a cool car''. The blazer is big and tough, but the jeep just seems like more fun. Are blazers fun to drive with the top off? Which do you like best? Thanks

[dirtjunkie85]

In my personal opinion the cj7 would be my route. Yeah there not like a bronco but I had a jeep and it was the funnest thing I had ever spent money on. Put a little life (like 4") with some 33" tires and you're unstoppable. I took it to the dunes, I took it to here in Moab, Ut. Everywhere. It didn't climb all the big nasty rocks but just the fact of going out to have fun in the ol' jeep was the best. And it was my daily driver. Gas wise depending on the motor you will get better gas mileage too. Safety now that can be discussed quite a bit but if you just add a little bit to the original roll bar and wear your seat belt at all times I'm pretty sure you'll be just fine. This is just my opinion though

[jb2wheels]

IMHO - the first gen Blazers (pre-73), especially topless, have more "cool factor". The CJ is a better off-roader due to size if nothing else.

I had a 2nd gen (75) K5 years ago. 400 SBC, 3.73 posi-trac in both axles. Last year the whole roof came off 'em. It was a lot of fun until we got drunk, started jumping it for hang time, and snapped the front 10-bolt like a pretzel.

Both will empty your wallet at the gas station.

I'd get the CJ.

[stillhunter]

Jeeps are hard on gas, you hear all the road noise all the time,they suck in the snow,and theres no room for anything so your always pulling a trailer. That being said ,I wouldn't trade mine for anything I love it ,It's a jeep thing. Lots of.people ask why I drive a jeep or why I ride a trike and my answers always the same "If you have to ask , you just wouldn't understand". Get the jeep

[85 Jimmy]

I may be biased, but I like K5's. I have a 91 Blazer on locked 1 tons, some suspension mods, and once I get my wheel spacers it'll be sitting on 39.5" TSL's. There's more stuff done to it, but it's too much to list.

You need to figure out what you want to do with it. Are you going to go wheeling? If so, what does everyone else have? If you get the K5 and you're in an area like I am where everyone else has a Jeep it can get interesting. I used to ride with Jeeps and they'd go down little 4 wheeler trails. I'd follow, but the trail would get wider and my body got beat up. Also if you get stuck and the only thing that's around are jeeps it'll be fun getting out (ask me how I know)...

Or are you going to be cruising the mall? If that's all you want then either will do that for you.

If you end up getting the Blazer and have questions or if you want to look around, stop by CK5.com there's alot of good guys on that site.

[Dirtcrasher]

I too love the K5, IDK what year it was, but suddenly you could,t remove the top. And was a HUGE reason in buying one. There's plenty of parts too.....

The even older Bronce was awesome, but tough to find a good one.

Honestly, base it all on your gas,travel and needs..........

If you want to play in the dunes, get a cheap jeep and lift it/big tires.

The driveshafts can snap on a suspension lift but the body lifts (cheap/easy/fast) break/crack holes.......

[85 Jimmy]

91 was the last year for the removable top, in 92 you couldn't take off the top.

[jb2wheels]

91 was the last year for the removable top, in 92 you couldn't take off the top.

True for the back 1/2, but 75 was the last year you could pull the whole top off from the windshield back.

[YAMAHA_Jim]

Jeep all the way. CAUTION:Buying a jeep is just the start of a very expensive addiction,maybe not.This is my dads 93 wrangler.He bought it stock in 02.It got outta hand after that.When he needs something he builds it.He had his first rollover last year,since has added the long shocks and added a new frame from midway back.air lockers,(his)custom susp,on board air,welder,etc.rear axle moved back 10 inches,full disc brakes,too much to type.This jeep might be for sale in Pickens,SC if anyone interested. Not sure if dad went through with deciding to put it up for sale yet.Not sure if its road legal either,lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PBtSmL6CnY
Goodluck with whatever you choose to buy.

[Jerm1179]

I love jeeps.... Just sold my 94 yj with 4 inch procomp and one inch poly body lift..... But if you get a cj.... Find one with a fiberglass body.... They are rust buckets.... And check the frame out really good before you buy it

[Dirtcrasher]

And if you use a FBB, make sure to reinforce the cab mounts are. They already are but need a metal sandwich.

My bud and I did one back when I was 18, we dropped a 383 in there, Super Swampers; The thing was nasTY!!

Drive shafts became a problem

[brapp]

i ahve a 81 cj7 with 31 10.5 13's and a 250 in it and a 3 inch lift work in progress but it s been on hold since i blew the clutch out in the woods a few years ago lol

[fabiodriven]

I've never owned either, but the Blazer has some weak spots depending on which year it is and if it's already been modified. I'd personally take the Jeep unless the Blazer had a four or five speed and 3/4 or 1 ton axles. If the K5 has 10 bolt axles and a 700R4 that's a garbage drive line. The GM 10 bolt breaks if you look at it funny and the 700R4 isn't much better unless properly modified. The Turbo 350 and Turbo 400 are both great trannys, but neither have overdrive. I personally won't buy a vehicle with an automatic transmission and a lot more Jeeps are stick than K5's. And like somebody said, toss a V8 in that Jeep and look out! I'd do a 304, a 340, or a 360 personally. The hell with that SBC crap IMO.

One weak spot to look for on a Jeep is body/frame rot. A lot of them like to rot on the frame right in front of the rear wheels. There's a bend in the frame there that likes to collect crap and rot from the inside out.

This is just based on what I would buy. You gotta figure out what's good for you.

[coolpool]

Make a pros and cons list and judge both equally. Since I'm guessing you are only going to be off-roading, what 5% of the time, you should be looking at things like road comfort, passenger comfort, towing abilities and things that you'll be dealing with on a day to day basis. Jeeps are cool and fun, I get it, but mostly impractical as a comfortable daily driver IMO. I owned a 79 K5 for 22 years and it was a good all around rig. I sold it with 350, 000 miles on it too and never had axle issues, even with four tire chains on it in deep snow. It wasn't a duner, but with 33" tires, 4 speed tranny and 8000# winch it was very off road capable; and I could tow a good sized trailer, hear the radio on the highway, not freeze to death in the winter and slide a deer in the back. I did take the top off my Blazer the odd time but found it too much of a pain in the azz. I never did buy a soft top for it but they are available. I will own a 40's Willys jeep one day though. Good luck.

[200xman123]

go with the k5 if its first car the cj is topheavy and can tipp over easily me and my dad built one from the frame up