My new to me 1998 Chevy S-10 4x4

[kach22i]

My new to me 1998 Chevy S-10 4x4

Introducing the Chebby, an LS model, automatic trans. Mileage; 152k on it and the 4.3L Vortec V6, should get 20 mpg on hwy.

Using vice grips to adjust the seat angle, but it's far from falling apart underneath me.............not just yet.

Just another little bit rusty ten year old Michigan pick up truck. This one has fresh snow tires on it, something I've wanted to have for a long time.

I bought it for $3,400 cash, I needed a ride quickly, close enough and good enough for me.

It just needs Zebra Stripes.

[kach22i]

The old Geo Tracker is only 12 feet long, and a very short wheelbase too.

The short box (6-foot bed) S-10 is a couple of feet longer, quite a change.

The rear ends are lined up for this picture.


Eight years apart.

[kach22i]

The bad rust is at the rear wheel lip flairs, solid floor boards and engine bay.

A rear Wheel


Near the passenger door


Both front wheel wells are clean.


I had in mind doing a little power grinding and then coating wheel flair lips with Naval Jelly or POR-15. Then covering it up with plastic ZR-2 or Blazer arch surrounds. However my neighbors Blazer openings are about one inch more in diameter than mine (20"-21"). The ZR-2 has 33" wheels and would be even larger.





EDIT: I need a tow hitch, would the one from the Tracker fit?

[Dueller]

Good lookin' lil truck...' like the step side bed. Don't see too many of those.

[MichiganMat]

6" lift and some 34"s on there and you'll be good to git-er-done.

[aigel]

What's the red stuff coming out of the sheet metal?

George

[vash]

the ZR2 had 31 inch tires. factory.

damn, i cant see the photos.

[kach22i]

UPDATE: 03/09/2009

One of the rear brake calipers was sticking and heating up the wheel (I could smell brake pad), so I took it into the shop.

When I got it back I discovered that the truck does indeed roll.

They noticed uneven wear on the caliper the previous owner did, and realigned that too.

I'm guessing that I'll get another 2 mpg, because it felt like the truck was in 4wd when in 2wd before.

I'm considering a new paint scheme after I fix the rust. I'm still playing with the roof and hood transition stripes.

[porsche4life]

What's your deal with zebra stripes man?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What's your deal with zebra stripes man?

Camo for rust, you see the stripes not the rust holes.

The S10 might wait a few years before it gets bad enough, or I can fun with it now.

[m21sniper]

S-10s are good little trucks.

The GEO tracker should be shot, however.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

S-10s are good little trucks.

The GEO tracker should be shot, however.

Yea, that Tracker only last 19 years, what a POS.

[m21sniper]

I hope you have not been driving that zebra-striped abortion for the past 19 years....

[MichiganMat]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I hope you have not been driving that zebra-striped abortion for the past 19 years....

What an assh0le.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I hope you have not been driving that zebra-striped abortion for the past 19 years....

Find a cheaper to own (long or short term) 4x4 convertible, just try. Mine was good on gas and could keep up with the Jeeps off-road (I'm told), but I never went off road.

The rattle can paint job has been on there the last four years, the only people who laughed at it instead of with it were first class giant a-holes (total of two out of hundreds who have seen it).

Lighten up, this ain't the PARF section.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Camo for rust, you see the stripes not the rust holes.

The S10 might wait a few years before it gets bad enough, or I can fun with it now.

Try reversing the design from your sketches; i.e., put the zebra stripes around the wheel arches and along the lower part of the truck. After all, that is where your rust is gonna occur. The top of the truck looks pretty good paintwise.

You may want to do the rust repair, POR15 it, put on the plastic/rubber flares, and take it to a place that does bedliner coatings. Have them tape it off and just do the bottom third of the truck and around the wheel wells. I ddid a motorcycle tank and fenders in bed coating and it looked real trick ala "Road Warrior."

Just some thoughts.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by kach22i

UPDATE: 03/09/2009

One of the rear brake calipers was sticking and heating up the wheel (I could smell brake pad), so I took it into the shop.

When I got it back I discovered that the truck does indeed roll.

They noticed uneven wear on the caliper the previous owner did, and realigned that too.

I'm guessing that I'll get another 2 mpg, because it felt like the truck was in 4wd when in 2wd before.

I'm considering a new paint scheme after I fix the rust. I'm still playing with the roof and hood transition stripes.

I like, and the stripes are cool too!!! Do wheel solid black
I have always though the Zebra striped GEO tracker was cool!!!

[kach22i]

The aluminum wheels are kind of furry from the salt, I want to get them power coated black.

I also have been thinking about painting the chrome bar under the headlights black, but I have to sand off all the plastic chrome, and have read that paint chips will forever be a problem.

No tail, eyes or teeth, don't want to get too crazy.

Reversing the bands, not a bad idea. However I'm trying to avoid painting over plastic coated parts (some weird thick plastic paint on bumpers), stripes seemed to flake off of the Tracker's bumpers quickly.

[kach22i]

Sold today for $50 cash, with spare top, Haynes manual, owners manual, bike rack which hooks to the spare tire, extra floor mats, and a parking brake cable which was never installed.




There she goes............................


Body was rusted off the frame, just reminding myself how bad it got near the end.

[ChemMan]

George without the zebra tracker!!! What's next? Are you going to give up the hovercraft?