I prefer the vintage iron for sure. For me it's the Chevy variety, but I can appreciate the love for an early Bronco. I've helped my Dad work on multiples as a kid and had a buddy in college that built a couple. One of which we ended upside down in on an icy highway, spoiler alert we both walked out of that one. But still, as others have said they are very capable rigs to run in for sure. Not sure you can do a two week trip out of one without being really creative on what you carry and how you stow it. For a 2-3 day type weekend trip with two people it's totally doable. Just leave the rear seat at home.
Like others have said, it's really not much different in size than a FJ40, CJ5-7, YJ or TJ Jeeps. Lightweight backpacking gear does help save space for sure.
I'd agree with idea of modernizing it too. EFI and OD are a must to make it livable. I'm on my 2nd K5 and the comparison between my first and second is night and day. The first was a 75 with a carb'd 350, 465 granny gear non-od trans and a cranky demeanor hot or cold. My 91 has been LS swapped with a 5.3, 700r4 trans, better gearing for the size of tire I'm running and modern truck driveability. The 75 you had better plan on an extra amount of time to coax it to life if it was cold or after you had run it when it was hot and needed restarted. It was the main thing that annoyed me about it. My 91 lights off on the first twist of the key, at 5 degrees or 115 degrees. It's made it a pleasure to drive as I don't have the looming fears in my brain if it's going to give me any fits or not.
Granted I'm rambing about my Chevy in Bronco thread but the same concept applies. 5.0 injection setups are plentiful, or going with a complete 5.0 take out from an Explorer and an AOD trans or NV3550 or 4500. It will make the driveability SOOOO much better to not be a pain or chore to drive. Hell a Holley Sniper or other throttle body based self learning EFI system is another option that is coming down in price too.
Another post earlier did indicate there are better platforms to work with out of the box. True point. My last two major off road trips to the desert had a 16 Power Wagon with us. Went everywhere my built Blazer did without a problem. He also had $50 grand into the truck and goodies too. It's a hell of a truck to do what it does off of the showroom floor. But, it don't have the soul of the vintage steel. You don't see these rigs on the trail at all. Be it a K5, EB, fullsize Bronco, Ramcharger or truck of any of the big three. I just did a weekend run in the central part of CO outside of Salida and all I saw was Jeeps, Toyotas/land cruisers, Side by sides and quads. Of the jeeps they were all JK's with a few TJ's and 1 YJ (in my group) a CJ-5. The CJ-5 was the oldest one I saw on the trail all weekend. If you are OK with the shortcomings I say go for it. The thumbs up and people taking pics of your rig on the trail will make it worth it. It sure does for me.
