96-01 Chevy S-10 opinions?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

gonna be getting myself a small truck

Curious if anyone had any opinions on the S-10's of that era. I see them going for very cheap. Dont want a boat of a full-size truck or a Ford.

I'd like to get an extended cab with a 5 speed. Dont need 4wd

I'm familar with the Vortec 4.3L, good powerful engine, easy to hop up, although i cant seem to find them with a manual.

Then there's the 4 cyl which i dont know about other than it's used in the Cavalier and you can find the manual rather easily.

[Brillo]

A good friend of mine has a '95 GMC S-15, basically the same thing I believe. Bought it new, has over 200K miles on it, no major issues. He has had it on dirt roads/paths, it's 2wd. He wants to get something new, but it just keeps running so well.

[jkarolyi]

These newer style trucks were made from 1994 until just last year I believe. They're pretty reliable engine/drivetrain wise, but crude as a hammer and sickle. You can pretty much disassemble the whole interior with your bare hands. Buckboard ride and loud engines, especially the four. But if you want something that just gets you from A to B and hauls some lumber sometimes, they might be a bargain.

[Oh Haha]

i had a new S-10 back in the 90's. V-6, Auto, 2WD. Great little truck for parts chasing for my hot rod. Other than regular maintenance, I had no problems. Sold it at 125,000 miles. The alternator was the only high dollar piece I had to replace.

[legion]

My best friend has a 2001 S10 with the 4.3 liter and 5 speed (with straight-cut gears--from the factory). Solid as a rock. He uses it to tow his 911...

[Tim Walsh]

I had an 86 S-10, my brother has a 95 and the fiance has a 96. I agree with Jay, great for reliability and light hauling, but crude engines and trannys. In three years of working on Steff's truck all I've had to do is replace the water pump($20) and replace the plug wires(PITA for such a simple job). Just a warning the 2.2 has no balls, never driven a 4.3 so I can't compare the two.

Another option is a tacoma, toyota reliabilty. My dad has a 96 and loves it, even with the 2.4 it hauls porsche parts with ease

[vash]

jerad i have a 96. bought new. it is an effen tank. i got the ZR-2 package that is all jacked up and has the better suspension. they are going cheap. i am thinking of selling mine. but i just cant let go.

if i had to pick the "issues". bad gas mileage. 16 ave. and the brakes are undersized to handle the off road package. i swear, i havent even burned out a lightbulb in 10 years. i am on my third set of tires. typical chevy interior squeaks. i hate the pushbutton 4x4, and i think it first showed up in that era. my truck is still looking great, and i have alot of life in it. chevy coughed up a free new crate motor when the blew it fixing a leak. the 4.3 liter rocks! spark plugs are a b, to get to.

if i were to sell, i would ask for $2500.

[IROC]

Originally posted by vash
"i swear, i havent even burned out a lightbulb in 10 years."

and then...

"chevy coughed up a free new crate motor when the blew it fixing a leak."

It seems that "not even a burned out bulb" and "needing a new engine" are contradictory? :>)

Mike

[legion]

I thought he was implying that whoever was working on the engine destroyed it, not that it self-destructed.

[vash]

i dont blame my truck and label it crap just because it got into the hands of a dumbass mechanic. the bigbrain was given the task to change out a gasket. warranty fix for a leak. he elected to clean the gasket surfaces with a power wire brush. he forgot to protect the insided from the brush material. when they pulled it apart, they found bristles! they tried to blame me, right up until i pulled out the reciept. their next sentence was, "a new crate motor okay with you?" it took them half day to install it. i have 50k miles on it to date.

[IROC]

Yeah, but why were they working on the engine if the truck never even "burned out a lightbulb"? I know...I'm just being picky. No offense intended.

A friend of mine sold a full sized Dodge Ram pickup not too long ago that he advertised as not ever having *any* problems. When I asked him about all the times it had been back to the dealer for repairs, he said "Oh, those didn't count - they were all done under warranty." I doubt the new owner of his truck would have appreciated his logic...

Mike

[vash]

i see where you are getting at...

well, all my 911's leaked more. and at the time, my warranty was about to expire. i ponied up for the extended warranty, and my cheap chinese mentality was not about to let them get away with taking my money for nothing. so i slid under/around/about, my truck just looking for things to fix. i found wetness at the intake, and wetness at the remote oil filter. hindsight, it was a mistake. i could have lived with it. no oil hit the garage floor. but in all honesty, i feel the timebomb ticking. i have used all my truck luck. i am getting a tundra next.

bottomline, if jared gets one, i hope he gets one of the good ones.

[tobster1911]

My family has had great luck with S-10's except for one. Here is how the story goes.

My '87 S-10 2.8L 5spd
Over 200K with no major problems. Bullet proof engine but low on power on the Interstate. Unstoppable off-road.

My Dad's '90 S-10 X-cab 4.3L 5spd
220K so far with only a few things like a clutch and needs automatic hubs fixed. Great power still out of the 4.3L

My '92 S-10 X-cab 4.3L 5spd
I sold it at 130K and there was absolutely nothing wrong. Only problem I had was a pickup coil when bad. Symptom was you could start when engine was cold but would not fire when warm.

My brothers '89 S-10 4.3L Auto
Was a POS. The engine was very strong but the auto could not handle it. We would have to rebuild the tranny all the time. Also burned up fuel pumps like crazy.

I would definitely buy another S-10. They will eat the Ford Ranger in performance and reliability. I wanted a full size that is the only reason I got rid of mine. Go with the 4.3L and a 5spd and you will not be sorry.