S-10 Blazer vs Bronco II

Had an 89 s10 blazer. 4.3. Top of the line. Piece of junk.

Complain all you want about the front end work needed on the GM truck. At least they don't have that terribly stupid twin I beam crap on the Fords.

Also this, "The Insurance Institute looked at fatalities in rollover accidents between 1986 and 1990 involving single-vehicle crashes for small pickup trucks and some small utility vehicles. For the rear-wheel-drive Bronco II, it found 3.78 deaths for every 10,000 registered vehicles; the rate for the Samurai was 1.11. The rate for the four-wheel-drive version of the Bronco II was 1.74. About 88 percent of all occupant deaths in either version of the Bronco II occurred in a rollover accident, the highest for any vehicle studied by the Insurance Institute."

Terribly nasty little things.

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: Complain all you want about the front end work needed on the GM truck. At least they don't have that terribly stupid twin I beam crap on the Fords. Also this, "The Insurance Institute looked at fatalities in rollover accidents between 1986 and 1990 involving single-vehicle crashes for small pickup trucks and some small utility vehicles. For the rear-wheel-drive Bronco II, it found 3.78 deaths for every 10,000 registered vehicles; the rate for the Samurai was 1.11. The rate for the four-wheel-drive version of the Bronco II was 1.74. About 88 percent of all occupant deaths in either version of the Bronco II occurred in a rollover accident, the highest for any vehicle studied by the Insurance Institute." Terribly nasty little things.

I remember when I was a teenager I was looking at a bronco 2 and my dad wouldn't even let me think bout it he said you'll roll it over and kill yourself.

That's half the fun :) Hoping that #s play in my favor as I hardly drive now a days. And when I do its down the street for food or entertainment.

I had a '93 S-10 PU. 2.8 5 speed 2wd and it really wasn't bad. Added a color matched cap for "redneck SUV" points and drove the wheels off it for a couple of years. One of the revvier truck motors I've ever encountered. No real hp to speak of but seemed happy enough to get wrung out regularly.

I may be too late, but I'll echo these guys and say that an XJ 4.0 would be my pick over any Bronco II or any S10 save the syclone/typhoon

NickD wrote:

HappyAndy wrote: My personal opinion, don't buy either one, buy the best XJ or ZJ with a 4.0 that you can afford.

I second the motion. Get a ZJ. They have the best seats ever, pretty capable in stock trim and the 4.0L is a honey of an engine. Plus, cheap ZJs seem pretty common.

In reply to nepa03focus:

I had two B-IIs over a 7 year period, I had one very near rollover incident. It involved a downhill entrance ramp, black ice and potholes.

I'm sure that if I had tagged the curb I would have gone over.

As with all off-road oriented vehicles, the the things that make it capable off-road are the exact same things that make it less stable at highway speeds . (short wheelbase, soft springs with a lot of travel, high CoG that comes with high ground clearance)

There was a tan 87 or 88 rwd 4.3 auto S10 that passed through a couple of my friends in or early driving years. We beat the freaking crap out of that truck doing stupid teenage E36 M3 and it kept coming back for more. I still see the truck around every once in a while and seems to be doing fine, aside from a little rot in the cab corners.

The 4.3 is what I would be looking for, it's actually pretty torquey if not exactly the best sounding motor ever built. Not a rocket ship, but gets out of its own way. Also, a tbi 350 swap may very well be about the easiest swap on the planet to execute, from what I gather. There are factory Bilsteins off of I think the Z71 or ZQ8 package trucks available from the junk yard, and I believe G-Body front suspension pieces fit (i.e. roundy roundy parts galore.)

I actually REALLY want an S10 for the proposed $2017 truck class. I'm sure it would not be the only one in attendance.

I wonder if you could stiffen the springs to makenit safier? Anyways.. I go on then highway about twice a month.

Let's post up some s-10 rwd in my area for sale! Raleigh nc

Furious_E wrote: The 4.3 is what I would be looking for, it's actually pretty torquey if not exactly the best sounding motor ever built. Not a rocket ship, but gets out of its own way. Also, a tbi 350 swap may very well be about the easiest swap on the planet to execute, from what I gather. There are factory Bilsteins off of I think the Z71 or ZQ8 package trucks available from the junk yard, and I believe G-Body front suspension pieces fit (i.e. roundy roundy parts galore.) I actually REALLY want an S10 for the proposed $2017 truck class. I'm sure it would not be the only one in attendance.

Yeah, if your heart is set on a S-10 Blazer, than the 4.3L is the best engine to get. And because the 4.3L is literally just a 350 with 2 less cylinders, a 350 bolts right in place.

The front suspension is based off of a G-body, but narrowed. So, G-body control arms, shocks and springs (Probably the wrong rate though) swap over onto the 2WD model, but sway bars and steering gear parts do not.

Me just looking around, which I suck at and having a hard time finding RWD ones-

http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/cto/5501464477.html http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5512492363.html http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/5495937165.html

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: Complain all you want about the front end work needed on the GM truck. At least they don't have that terribly stupid twin I beam crap on the Fords. Also this, "The Insurance Institute looked at fatalities in rollover accidents between 1986 and 1990 involving single-vehicle crashes for small pickup trucks and some small utility vehicles. For the rear-wheel-drive Bronco II, it found 3.78 deaths for every 10,000 registered vehicles; the rate for the Samurai was 1.11. The rate for the four-wheel-drive version of the Bronco II was 1.74. About 88 percent of all occupant deaths in either version of the Bronco II occurred in a rollover accident, the highest for any vehicle studied by the Insurance Institute." Terribly nasty little things.

A guy I used to with had his wife killed in one. Got tapped from the back at about 40mph, it rolled over, roof collapsed and killed her. Not get graphic, but they found pieces of her scalp and other items a half mile away. He pocketed 7 figures from Ford in a lawsuit. Back then, they had an account set up to payout instead of fixing the problem. It persisted through to the early Explorers.

Before all this happened, it was always at the dealer getting fixed. It was a HUGE POS even before the accident.

racerdave600 wrote:

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: Complain all you want about the front end work needed on the GM truck. At least they don't have that terribly stupid twin I beam crap on the Fords. Also this, "The Insurance Institute looked at fatalities in rollover accidents between 1986 and 1990 involving single-vehicle crashes for small pickup trucks and some small utility vehicles. For the rear-wheel-drive Bronco II, it found 3.78 deaths for every 10,000 registered vehicles; the rate for the Samurai was 1.11. The rate for the four-wheel-drive version of the Bronco II was 1.74. About 88 percent of all occupant deaths in either version of the Bronco II occurred in a rollover accident, the highest for any vehicle studied by the Insurance Institute." Terribly nasty little things.

A guy I used to with had his wife killed in one. Got tapped from the back at about 40mph, it rolled over, roof collapsed and killed her. Not get graphic, but they found pieces of her scalp and other items a half mile away. He pocketed 7 figures from Ford in a lawsuit. Back then, they had an account set up to payout instead of fixing the problem. It persisted through to the early Explorers. Before all this happened, it was always at the dealer getting fixed. It was a HUGE POS even before the accident.

Good lord. My girlfriend sometimes drives my car and putting myself in your friends shoes, whew... The Chevy S-10 blazer has different support beams on the roof? I'm not buying a car from the 80s thinking it's the safest thing ever, but still would like to know a bit more about the rollover protection haha.

This one looks good enough? You can just put it in 2 wheel drive and enjoy?

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5512492363.html

This one is clean on inside. http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/5495937165.html

That looks like a good deal to me. A '88 4x4 should have a 4.3 TBI. That tach is a rare option!

I had an '88 2.8 5spd rear drive and liked it. No issues for nearly 200k when I sold it. The 2wd and 4x4 have completely different front suspensions. 4x4 has torsion bars while 2wd has coils springs. 2wd seems pretty good on front end parts, but the 4x4 tends to eat ball joints and torsion bars mounts. I really like these trucks.

I'm just wondering if I should wait and try to find a two-wheel drive because I won't really use the 4 wheel drive that much. Though I do go camping every once in awhile and do white people outdoor stuff

Also how can I check if the car needs suspension work

I like the first grey Blazer, looks nice and is price about right. Keep in mind these were also sold as GMC Jimmy's so you can search for them too.

A test drive will tell you generally about the front suspension. Look for wandering or clunks. Also look for uneven wear on the front tires.

and how about rust? I can sort of spot rust on the white one.

Didn't read the entire thread but agree w/ Tuna on the XJ. Watch out for floor pan/ box frame rust and HG issues. Otherwise they're pretty stout.

Coldsnap wrote: and how about rust? I can sort of spot rust on the white one.

You southerns are a funny lot. The dark grey one for $1800 would be a $4k in Wisconsin and would be labeled a "Survivor!"

In reply to Coldsnap:

Honestly I would hold it for a2wd one.

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote: In reply to Coldsnap: Honestly I would hold it for a2wd one.

They seem sort of rare? Not much coming up while searching.

Help!

2wd is 'less common' but not unheard of. Easier to find in the south. listen for squeaks and rattles, wandering on road. Remember, you're looking at 20-30 year old stuff here so anythings possible at this point. Oddly enough, the newer 94-04 body is easier to find in 2wd, chassis is the same. The newer trucks have bigger sway bars that can be fitted to the older stuff easily too.

Commom rust spots are: low on rear 1/4s fore/aft of wheel wheel opening frt/rear if it has the plastic flares bottom edge of doors roof near hatch hinges

the trim around the rear window rots and as best defeated with a 91-93 rear window that does not need the trim.

I'd go with a Blazer.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=29601&endYear=2017&driveGroup=RWD&modelCode1=BLAZER&showcaseOwnerId=1071964&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=1981&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=300&maxPrice=5000&showcaseListingId=425412232&mmt=%5BCHEV%5BBLAZER%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=404707653&Log=0

Might be a little bit of a drive but here is a newer 2wd stick shift Blazer: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/663603477/overview/