I appreciate your opinion on vehicles . Always function over appearance. My head just spins when I look at all the people with newer cars and car payments. I look at my 2005 Suburban as a “tool” for me to get a job done, no different than a wrench in my tool box. Yeah it’s almost 20 years old, but it starts, drives, and pulls just like a new $70k rig.
I bought my 96' Sonoma with the 4.3 used with 84,000 miles and now it's at 252,000 and running great! Just finished putting new valve cover gaskets on, there is very little room to work so it's quite a challenge! One of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
glad i found this video, these trucks have 0 power and little to no space. The most dependable easy to work on truck in America and i mean that. Have had a 98 sonoma for 15 years and have put around 50k miles on it, could sit for 5 years and with a fresh battery could take off to California. Just hit a deer in my 2024 toyota and here i am ordering winter tires and fixing up the old sonoma for another round of abuse this winter til my car gets fixed. Brake job, tires, cleaned everything inside out, painted all the rust, topped off fluids and with tires will continue to be the most reliable rig there is. This truck has fired up everytime for 15 years and will continue to do so with limited TLC. Edit: For The Last of Us fans, yes you want a s10 to survive a apocalyptic situation, specifically the 2.2l version.
I own the 2002 Sonoma extended cab 4x4. I inherited from my dad who passed away 3 years ago. He primarily used it for hunting and fishing trips in Pennsylvania. Yes, it’s a rust bucket which needs to be addressed very soon, but overall it’s a workhorse. I own 4 vehicles and two motorcycles. The Sonoma is my daily driver. 113k miles. 6:35 in addition, I pull a trash trailer on occasion like you show in this classic commercial. Very handy!
Commercial was absolute genius!! I just picked up a 01 with 53k miles one owner. Hope it treats me well for years to come. It will be my 3rd car and tool. And if and when my car dies. Hopefully I’ll have a reliable backup
I have a 2003 zr-2 Chevy s-10 yellow be my 3rd one had my 2 ND one for 17 years I love my 2003 s-10 one of the best trucks out here also it has the 4.3 vortex motor in it runs great loving it
I just bought a 1999 with 193k miles for $500... runs find after i changed fuel filter and the plugs and wires... insurance company totaled it because a trim limb fell across the bed... just used a hydraulic jack under a board that ran width of the bed to straighten it out. Plan is for it to be my daily driver/project truck... parts are so cheap for it... i want to keep it living.
So I got a 99 s10 with the 2.2 cylinder. It is my first vehicle but it was super down on power when I got it. The main things were stuff like vacuum lines rotting out, a resonator for the air intake that needed a gasket, fuel filter (get wix), air filter (GET WIX), a battery, a full bottle of diff fluid as mine was empty, spark plugs, and ran lucas fuel additive to get the injectors back in shape. I also put a serpentine belt and a tensioner. Just as a precaution but the original tensioner worked just fine still. After all was said and done 600$ was put into the truck, now it takes off pretty fast for its size. It needs shocks, a thermostat, and tires. It seems gm cheaped out on the interior and did put the money in the engine and compents. A 24 year old tensioner still going strong is crazy. And is comparible in capacity to some of the lower end half tons. And while its towing capacity is only rated at 2k, it will haul a bunch of crap around without caring too much. I mainly wanted a a ute or an el camino. But this does everthing I want it to. I get to haul around as much lumber and scrap as I want. The only downside is its a standard cab with a standard bed. It does mean the truck gets into some of the most ridiculous parking spaces because of not only its short length, its very narrow. Mine has only 111k miles, and i am hoping for a long life with it.
I just recently replaced every gasket and seal with high end felpro in my 02 after I saw a bit of cross contamination in my coolant (and got rid of that dex shit). She still sounds and runs great after I did.
I have a 1999 4,3 4x4 as a daily work truck. And man I haven't been nice to it! But it takes one beating and keeps on coming. This winter I drove it off a 10 foot slope by accident.. just lifted it with a big tractor and drove it home. The engine coolent froze, so I had it running 2 hours overheating to warm it up.. changed the oil still drives! And that's just some of the thing's.. I've had LOTS off different trucks but this one really impresses me.
If you look closer on your upper driver door hinge the upper inside door hinge the hole is slightly egg shaped and the bushing wont last 2 months. Im going to fix mine here shortly but Im not changing the hinge at all. Im a retired fabricator and I have made some crazy stuff. I dont know how yet but I will smoke a bowl sit and stare at it and think about it. I have access to a machine shop.
I have a 1994 S-10 4X$ with the 4.3 V6, that I purchased brand new in 94. It has been the bet purchase I have ever made. That pickup has taken me everywhere over the years. Back in february I got a new Silverado, but, I still held on to My S-10.
Got a 2003 4.3 v6 sonoma a few years ago with 60,000 miles. It belonged to an older gentleman that barely drove and babied it. Easily the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. It’s super duper reliable and while it requires a bit of knowledge of maintenance, most of the fixes are pretty inexpensive and easy. I look at it this way, a new truck is gonna set you around $600 a month even with a big down payment… I put about $1500 year into my sonoma for maintenance and it runs like a tank. Gas mileage is about 22 highway so it certainly could be better, but for a no nonsense truck I’m happy.
Im back once again on the door hinge pin and this is whats going on. This one machinist worked this problem. A friend of his 2 years before his bushings was out and the machinist said we will try this and made them out of steel. Its been holding for 2 years. I went and got a hinge pin replacement kit with bushings and he is making new bushings for me right now. Another way is a backup plan I have and its a solid block in the upper inside hinge and drill a hole right through the block . Then position it and give it 3 hard tack welds. I made the block out of wood for a template of sorts just in case the first plan goes south on the fix.
The doors were always a problem. There is a brass bushing in the door that needs to be replaced occasionally. When you do, get the part from the dealership instead of an auto parts store. The auto parts store bushings crack. It will cost you $50 for a little piece of brass but you won't have to do it twice.
these are nice little trucks.i bought a new 1994 pickup and still have it to this day with no mechanical issues. the paint job and interior is another issue, but more or less, it's a reliable vehicle. they're impossible to kill lol!
You won't believe how handy an S-10, can be with a ladder rack ! There is no better way to haul canoes ! Mattresses, lumber, of almost any length. Plywood. The list goes on !!!
Id take a S10 over a Tacoma any day. Not sure why everyone geeks out over Toyotas. They are a pain in the ass to work on compared to other makes. Thier parts are way more expensive compared to other makes. They break just as much as anything else. Around here they rust out so bad that it's really common to have thier frames snap in half when you pick it up on a lift. I've owned 5 S10s over the years. Currently own two. A 02 2.2 beater and a 5.3 swapped 94 that is my daily driver.
I just bought one of these (funny enough mines a GMC with a Chevy front end) and it's my third vehicle. Found a rust free one in the Midwest which is unheard of.
I had an s10 for about 11 years and never had the door issues. Pretty sure i had the metal on the suicide doors. One of my fav trucks till it got totaled
I'll let you restore mine. It looks to be in better shape than the one you got. Just needs a little TLC. It's an 87 S10 Tahoe 4x4 black and chrome. Has weird options like 4:10 gears, tachometer on an auto trans, 10 gallon gas tank, and heavy duty suspension. It's never been messed with. Still bone stock.
The S-10 is an excellent work truck. Especially the 2 door, standard cab, 2 wheel drive, long bed model. And they can be kept going almost forever. All parts are available, including engines and transmissions. As long as you don't live in the salt belt, an S-10 will last almost forever. Unless you wreck it, but even then it depends upon just how bad you wrecked it. Trucks have several large parts that can be replaced. The cab, the bed, the frame, and the front clip. Hoods, doors front fenders, bumpers, and tailgates can all be replaced separately. So can engines, transmissions, and rear axles. They are a LOT simpler than cars. I prefer the first generation square body S-10, but those are becoming classics, they are getting hard to find, and if you find a really nice one, you don't want to destroy it by using it for a work truck. The first generation looks a lot better to me, it is not OBDII, it does not have airbags or ABS, so it's a LOT simpler computer wise. I also like bench seats and manual transmissions. Seats are easy to replace or have redone.
I had an issue a while back where my aluminum alternator/smog pump bracket broke and a piece of it got lost. So I couldn't weld it. Took me 3 months to find one in a salvage yard. It was a 2.8 v6.
@@geraldscott4302 I've had it a long time. My grandpa had it for 24 years before I bought it off him. It's a regular cab short bed 4x4 with an automatic transmission. Black with chrome bumpers. It barely gets driven anymore. I get offers on it almost every time I get it out. It's all original with no rust. I live in Ohio so it is rare. Most square body s10's look barely road worthy around here. Occasionally you see a nice one. That's why that bracket was hard to find. Never thought I'd see the day when a S10 part was hard to find.
@@Jscot1001 I've owned 4 S-10s. All standard cab 2 door, 2 wheel drive short beds. My current one is a '93, last year of the first generation. It's an original AZ truck, zero rust. I bought it with 71,000 miles on it. The bed is in beautiful condition, apparently it was never really used as a truck. It came with a 2.8L/5 speed. I replaced that with a carbureted 383ci V8 (bored and stroked 350) a 4 speed Muncie M21 from a '69 Nova SS, and a modified Ford 8.8 Trac-Lok rear end. It has 225/70-14 BFG Radial T/A front tires on 14x6 wheels, and 275/60-15 BFG Radial T/As in the back, on 15x8 wheels. I sold the original engine and transmission. It did have a smog pump on it, but I don't remember what the bracket looked like. While parts like that might be hard to find locally, millions of them were made, and they should be fairly easy to find online, or if you have a salvage yard locally that is connected nationwide, they can locate it have it shipped in. It should be a fairly common part. There are still a lot od first generation S-10s on the road, and most salvage yards keep them. Is this the part? tinyurl.com/2dkf6953
Ok while I absolutely LOVE the S10/Sonoma, and have owned several in my lifetime, I’m gonna call bullstuff on one point you make: gas mileage. This truck with the 4.3 has arguably the worst gas mileage of ANY V6 I’ve ever driven. It’s all the power of a V6 with the mileage of a V8. Your assessment is dead wrong in that aspect, as anyone who’s ever owned one will be quick to point out.
Honestly I feel like making a point about fuel economy in any truck is moot. I mean even brand new trucks now get at most 30mpg on the highway, and around 23mpg 'city' driving... And let's be honest, highway driving is not gonna be the usual MPG of anyone who actually uses a truck as a truck.
If is stock 2x4 it would get north of 20mpg, I get 17/18 in mine but it's a zr2 so its lifted a little and bigger tires. I know a guy that has a ranger with a 4.0 2x4 get less than 15 mpg
Ive had a 85 s10 4cyl manual (was a beast for a 4 banger) and a 98 s10 4.3 automatic that got around 23mpg. At the time I had a 30 mile drive to work. Great trucks. The 98 was way more comfortable than the 85. In the time I had it I did fuel pump,water pump, and transmission. None of these jobs were really that hard to do. A friend bought the 85 and made it into a dragster.
@@Papawforreal they’re INCREDIBLY reliable, just not fuel efficient. That’s my only gripe. And the fuel efficiency goes down drastically the more miles you put on the truck. I currently own 3 of them, all 98s actually lol. A zr2, an Xtreme, and an SS.
when i got my s10 the suicide door opened but was mushy. i bought a 15 dollar kit and fixed it but yeah those plastic retainers are super cheap and brittle.
I just got a 2000 ls with a 2.2 l and I'm thinking about upgrading the motor and use as delivery/ work truck. In process of restoring it now, its my 4 th s 10, i adore them. Extra cab means monster stereo too.
I have a 2002 S 10 extended cab LS truck has been the best truck that I have had I have all the east what is 26,000 miles on it now yeah how’s 79,000 miles on it every time I go to a gas station to put gas in it I have people asked me do I want to sell the truck and I say do you see a four sale on it That is your answer. My third door behind the seat the handle broke on me. Once I have only had to replace the handle once with in the nine years I have had the truck. I love my S-10 truck, and I would not get rid of it
My sonoma effectively costed me 500 bucks and its in one of the better shapes of ones that ive seen that were the work horses there in the market places. Its a 2.2 manual which is actually pretty good for what i wanted, I wanted to learn stick it has it. The truck actually has a heckken shift light already in it so thats AMAZING. Its also a 4 cylinder too, one of the small ish ones its old so probably the mpgs aren't great now. Though it will save something on gas, last its an actual truck and weve actually needed or wanted a truck. Ive never really seen something that like ive wanted tic almost EVERY box I wanted in a thing too but like this little guy did ALL OF THAT. also where i live my house its actually quite small i have a car port thats not so great to cover cars. I had a dodge 1500 here one time that someone else owned that i had to fix right. The truck was cool and stuff it was the crew cab oneand a really good bed size, that thing pretty much took up the whole car port where my dads hatchback was bearly under the car port. Like only like an 1/8 was covered on his car on how long that dodge was. So i was like, nope not getting a full sized one where i live currently. Some do actually have that same truck too but like, they crazy they just leave it on the road there. To me even for my lil truck i don't even want to do that even tho its still worth 500 bucks give or take. Also its a stick so they see that and already panic that they cant drive it at all anyway. I liked the lil truck and i do like it, its also my first car/truck too. And its funny like my aunt has a trans am or something like that not the good ones from back in the day the manky ones that are from the 90s. my mom told me once that one of her other sisters mentioned that she wanted to give it to me to like fix to use or sell or like to do whatever I want with it. Id probably would see how it is or fix it and see what happens. Those aint worth much either but if then i cant find a use for it, well kick it then use that money to fix muh truck. It do need a clutch and slave, its leaking there too so after a while itll not shift. Need to fix that too. There was also something that truck also checked off unknowingly because i forgot and i forgot it again too but that truck just like fit a ton of needs we had. Its crazy too how that is.
I use the Chevy on the side vortec 1996 s10 ext cab and it's fun and it runs better with a heavy load for some reason I guess the vortec. I call mine the yard truck
I've got a 91 ext cab 5 speed and it's one of the better trucks I have owned and the 4.3 is pretty damn fast for what it is just don't it to be a tow pig etc
My first car was a 1994 s10, single cab short bed. Man I miss that thing, even though it was only the 2.2 it had a manual which made it fun. I’m looking at a 2001 extended cab short bed, with the 4.3 and a manual. The guy is only asking 1200 for it too 🤔
@@sweetsweet29 i believe the dome lamp button. You push it in three times repeatedly and it may or may not make an interior sound but mine used to shut off when I did that
I have a strong desire for a 4 door S10/Sonoma with the V6, 4x4, and the manual transmission. Is that even a configuration that exists? If not, how close to that can I get?
I forget what frame they used, or if they just extended the frame it was on, but someone out there put a long bed on the 4 door cab. It looked really good. So if you’re going to have to piece it together, you could do it too
have/had 4 s10s- mechanic is good and easy to repair- problem is the electric - even the hated 4l60e...;-/ whish they didnt have all the stupid sensors and computers....
@ethanmeyers195 Yet this one he’s talking about has a full size truck engine, but the Ranger is still a far better truck! It’s capable if you have one of the bigger motors in those.
I appreciate your opinion on vehicles . Always function over appearance. My head just spins when I look at all the people with newer cars and car payments. I look at my 2005 Suburban as a “tool” for me to get a job done, no different than a wrench in my tool box. Yeah it’s almost 20 years old, but it starts, drives, and pulls just like a new $70k rig.
I’m 17 and bought my s10 for 850 and I love it !
I bought my 96' Sonoma with the 4.3 used with 84,000 miles and now it's at 252,000 and running great! Just finished putting new valve cover gaskets on, there is very little room to work so it's quite a challenge! One of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
Bro your 100% right these trucks are super reliable
Thank you I have a 1996 s-10 Extended cab 4x4 and it isn't a joke it idles up my gravel hill in 4hi thx Chevy for bringing us the s-10
I’ve had 3 s10s and still have my 96 4 wheel drive!!! Best vehicle GM ever built!!!!
I still got an 87 S10 4x4.
glad i found this video, these trucks have 0 power and little to no space. The most dependable easy to work on truck in America and i mean that. Have had a 98 sonoma for 15 years and have put around 50k miles on it, could sit for 5 years and with a fresh battery could take off to California. Just hit a deer in my 2024 toyota and here i am ordering winter tires and fixing up the old sonoma for another round of abuse this winter til my car gets fixed. Brake job, tires, cleaned everything inside out, painted all the rust, topped off fluids and with tires will continue to be the most reliable rig there is. This truck has fired up everytime for 15 years and will continue to do so with limited TLC. Edit: For The Last of Us fans, yes you want a s10 to survive a apocalyptic situation, specifically the 2.2l version.
That ad at the end made me go straight to marketplace to find an s10 great job
I just picked up a 98 with 97k 4.3. Regular cab auto, maintained with records. Clean some dents 3,500. My first Chevy. Happy so far.
I own the 2002 Sonoma extended cab 4x4. I inherited from my dad who passed away 3 years ago. He primarily used it for hunting and fishing trips in Pennsylvania. Yes, it’s a rust bucket which needs to be addressed very soon, but overall it’s a workhorse. I own 4 vehicles and two motorcycles. The Sonoma is my daily driver. 113k miles. 6:35 in addition, I pull a trash trailer on occasion like you show in this classic commercial. Very handy!
Commercial was absolute genius!! I just picked up a 01 with 53k miles one owner. Hope it treats me well for years to come. It will be my 3rd car and tool. And if and when my car dies. Hopefully I’ll have a reliable backup
I had to replace the door pins on my 2000 Sonoma. But only once in 23 years. I bought it new.
I have a 2003 zr-2 Chevy s-10 yellow be my 3rd one had my 2 ND one for 17 years I love my 2003 s-10 one of the best trucks out here also it has the 4.3 vortex motor in it runs great loving it
I just bought a 1999 with 193k miles for $500... runs find after i changed fuel filter and the plugs and wires... insurance company totaled it because a trim limb fell across the bed... just used a hydraulic jack under a board that ran width of the bed to straighten it out. Plan is for it to be my daily driver/project truck...
parts are so cheap for it... i want to keep it living.
I have had a 1998 s10 for 12 years and never plan to get rid of it!
So I got a 99 s10 with the 2.2 cylinder. It is my first vehicle but it was super down on power when I got it. The main things were stuff like vacuum lines rotting out, a resonator for the air intake that needed a gasket, fuel filter (get wix), air filter (GET WIX), a battery, a full bottle of diff fluid as mine was empty, spark plugs, and ran lucas fuel additive to get the injectors back in shape. I also put a serpentine belt and a tensioner. Just as a precaution but the original tensioner worked just fine still. After all was said and done 600$ was put into the truck, now it takes off pretty fast for its size. It needs shocks, a thermostat, and tires. It seems gm cheaped out on the interior and did put the money in the engine and compents. A 24 year old tensioner still going strong is crazy.
And is comparible in capacity to some of the lower end half tons. And while its towing capacity is only rated at 2k, it will haul a bunch of crap around without caring too much. I mainly wanted a a ute or an el camino. But this does everthing I want it to. I get to haul around as much lumber and scrap as I want. The only downside is its a standard cab with a standard bed. It does mean the truck gets into some of the most ridiculous parking spaces because of not only its short length, its very narrow. Mine has only 111k miles, and i am hoping for a long life with it.
I’ve had my 02 for over 15 years, I still love it despite some of the problems which you pointed out.
I just recently replaced every gasket and seal with high end felpro in my 02 after I saw a bit of cross contamination in my coolant (and got rid of that dex shit). She still sounds and runs great after I did.
@@Jabulayawhich coolant do you use now
I have a 1999 4,3 4x4 as a daily work truck. And man I haven't been nice to it! But it takes one beating and keeps on coming. This winter I drove it off a 10 foot slope by accident.. just lifted it with a big tractor and drove it home. The engine coolent froze, so I had it running 2 hours overheating to warm it up.. changed the oil still drives! And that's just some of the thing's.. I've had LOTS off different trucks but this one really impresses me.
Had 2 of those backdoor handles break. And it was always when someone else opened that damn door.
If you look closer on your upper driver door hinge the upper inside door hinge the hole is slightly egg shaped and the bushing wont last 2 months. Im going to fix mine here shortly but Im not changing the hinge at all. Im a retired fabricator and I have made some crazy stuff. I dont know how yet but I will smoke a bowl sit and stare at it and think about it. I have access to a machine shop.
Greetings from Conyers,Ga. I just discovered your channel and I am really enjoying your content.
I have a 1994 S-10 4X$ with the 4.3 V6, that I purchased brand new in 94. It has been the bet purchase I have ever made. That pickup has taken me everywhere over the years. Back in february I got a new Silverado, but, I still held on to My S-10.
Damn now I want a Chevy S10 lol 😂
Got a 2003 4.3 v6 sonoma a few years ago with 60,000 miles. It belonged to an older gentleman that barely drove and babied it. Easily the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. It’s super duper reliable and while it requires a bit of knowledge of maintenance, most of the fixes are pretty inexpensive and easy. I look at it this way, a new truck is gonna set you around $600 a month even with a big down payment… I put about $1500 year into my sonoma for maintenance and it runs like a tank. Gas mileage is about 22 highway so it certainly could be better, but for a no nonsense truck I’m happy.
Im back once again on the door hinge pin and this is whats going on. This one machinist worked this problem. A friend of his 2 years before his bushings was out and the machinist said we will try this and made them out of steel. Its been holding for 2 years. I went and got a hinge pin replacement kit with bushings and he is making new bushings for me right now. Another way is a backup plan I have and its a solid block in the upper inside hinge and drill a hole right through the block . Then position it and give it 3 hard tack welds. I made the block out of wood for a template of sorts just in case the first plan goes south on the fix.
The doors were always a problem. There is a brass bushing in the door that needs to be replaced occasionally. When you do, get the part from the dealership instead of an auto parts store. The auto parts store bushings crack. It will cost you $50 for a little piece of brass but you won't have to do it twice.
these are nice little trucks.i bought a new 1994 pickup and still have it to this day with no mechanical issues. the paint job and interior is another issue, but more or less, it's a reliable vehicle. they're impossible to kill lol!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought this
You won't believe how handy an S-10, can be with a ladder rack ! There is no better way to haul canoes ! Mattresses, lumber, of almost any length. Plywood. The list goes on !!!
Id take a S10 over a Tacoma any day. Not sure why everyone geeks out over Toyotas. They are a pain in the ass to work on compared to other makes. Thier parts are way more expensive compared to other makes. They break just as much as anything else. Around here they rust out so bad that it's really common to have thier frames snap in half when you pick it up on a lift. I've owned 5 S10s over the years. Currently own two. A 02 2.2 beater and a 5.3 swapped 94 that is my daily driver.
"that's yesterdays chevy truck" that is hilarious
My grandpa had a s10 I hope to get one myself one day
I bought a '91 S-10 years ago. With a 2.8, 5 speed. This little truck runs like a sewing machine and never breaks down.
I just bought one of these (funny enough mines a GMC with a Chevy front end) and it's my third vehicle. Found a rust free one in the Midwest which is unheard of.
I had an s10 for about 11 years and never had the door issues. Pretty sure i had the metal on the suicide doors. One of my fav trucks till it got totaled
Thank you for this review I think I will invest in one.
I'll let you restore mine. It looks to be in better shape than the one you got. Just needs a little TLC. It's an 87 S10 Tahoe 4x4 black and chrome. Has weird options like 4:10 gears, tachometer on an auto trans, 10 gallon gas tank, and heavy duty suspension. It's never been messed with. Still bone stock.
The S-10 is an excellent work truck. Especially the 2 door, standard cab, 2 wheel drive, long bed model. And they can be kept going almost forever. All parts are available, including engines and transmissions. As long as you don't live in the salt belt, an S-10 will last almost forever. Unless you wreck it, but even then it depends upon just how bad you wrecked it. Trucks have several large parts that can be replaced. The cab, the bed, the frame, and the front clip. Hoods, doors front fenders, bumpers, and tailgates can all be replaced separately. So can engines, transmissions, and rear axles. They are a LOT simpler than cars. I prefer the first generation square body S-10, but those are becoming classics, they are getting hard to find, and if you find a really nice one, you don't want to destroy it by using it for a work truck. The first generation looks a lot better to me, it is not OBDII, it does not have airbags or ABS, so it's a LOT simpler computer wise. I also like bench seats and manual transmissions. Seats are easy to replace or have redone.
I had an issue a while back where my aluminum alternator/smog pump bracket broke and a piece of it got lost. So I couldn't weld it. Took me 3 months to find one in a salvage yard. It was a 2.8 v6.
@@Jscot1001 What year?
@@geraldscott4302 1987
@@geraldscott4302 I've had it a long time. My grandpa had it for 24 years before I bought it off him. It's a regular cab short bed 4x4 with an automatic transmission. Black with chrome bumpers. It barely gets driven anymore. I get offers on it almost every time I get it out. It's all original with no rust. I live in Ohio so it is rare. Most square body s10's look barely road worthy around here. Occasionally you see a nice one. That's why that bracket was hard to find. Never thought I'd see the day when a S10 part was hard to find.
@@Jscot1001 I've owned 4 S-10s. All standard cab 2 door, 2 wheel drive short beds. My current one is a '93, last year of the first generation. It's an original AZ truck, zero rust. I bought it with 71,000 miles on it. The bed is in beautiful condition, apparently it was never really used as a truck. It came with a 2.8L/5 speed. I replaced that with a carbureted 383ci V8 (bored and stroked 350) a 4 speed Muncie M21 from a '69 Nova SS, and a modified Ford 8.8 Trac-Lok rear end. It has 225/70-14 BFG Radial T/A front tires on 14x6 wheels, and 275/60-15 BFG Radial T/As in the back, on 15x8 wheels. I sold the original engine and transmission. It did have a smog pump on it, but I don't remember what the bracket looked like.
While parts like that might be hard to find locally, millions of them were made, and they should be fairly easy to find online, or if you have a salvage yard locally that is connected nationwide, they can locate it have it shipped in. It should be a fairly common part. There are still a lot od first generation S-10s on the road, and most salvage yards keep them.
Is this the part? tinyurl.com/2dkf6953
Ok while I absolutely LOVE the S10/Sonoma, and have owned several in my lifetime, I’m gonna call bullstuff on one point you make: gas mileage. This truck with the 4.3 has arguably the worst gas mileage of ANY V6 I’ve ever driven. It’s all the power of a V6 with the mileage of a V8. Your assessment is dead wrong in that aspect, as anyone who’s ever owned one will be quick to point out.
Honestly I feel like making a point about fuel economy in any truck is moot. I mean even brand new trucks now get at most 30mpg on the highway, and around 23mpg 'city' driving... And let's be honest, highway driving is not gonna be the usual MPG of anyone who actually uses a truck as a truck.
I agree 100%
If is stock 2x4 it would get north of 20mpg, I get 17/18 in mine but it's a zr2 so its lifted a little and bigger tires. I know a guy that has a ranger with a 4.0 2x4 get less than 15 mpg
Ive had a 85 s10 4cyl manual (was a beast for a 4 banger) and a 98 s10 4.3 automatic that got around 23mpg. At the time I had a 30 mile drive to work. Great trucks. The 98 was way more comfortable than the 85. In the time I had it I did fuel pump,water pump, and transmission. None of these jobs were really that hard to do. A friend bought the 85 and made it into a dragster.
@@Papawforreal they’re INCREDIBLY reliable, just not fuel efficient. That’s my only gripe. And the fuel efficiency goes down drastically the more miles you put on the truck. I currently own 3 of them, all 98s actually lol. A zr2, an Xtreme, and an SS.
when i got my s10 the suicide door opened but was mushy. i bought a 15 dollar kit and fixed it but yeah those plastic retainers are super cheap and brittle.
I just got a 2000 ls with a 2.2 l and I'm thinking about upgrading the motor and use as delivery/ work truck. In process of restoring it now, its my 4 th s 10, i adore them. Extra cab means monster stereo too.
Yoo I want this to be my first car
Thanks for this!
I have a 2002 S 10 extended cab LS truck has been the best truck that I have had I have all the east what is 26,000 miles on it now yeah how’s 79,000 miles on it every time I go to a gas station to put gas in it I have people asked me do I want to sell the truck and I say do you see a four sale on it That is your answer. My third door behind the seat the handle broke on me. Once I have only had to replace the handle once with in the nine years I have had the truck. I love my S-10 truck, and I would not get rid of it
They need to bring them back for a truck cheaper than the Colorado
Put the metal handle for the suicide door 4 years ago and still hasn't broken and I have a 2002
I know this is an old post, but where did you find the metal door handle?
My sonoma effectively costed me 500 bucks and its in one of the better shapes of ones that ive seen that were the work horses there in the market places. Its a 2.2 manual which is actually pretty good for what i wanted, I wanted to learn stick it has it. The truck actually has a heckken shift light already in it so thats AMAZING. Its also a 4 cylinder too, one of the small ish ones its old so probably the mpgs aren't great now. Though it will save something on gas, last its an actual truck and weve actually needed or wanted a truck. Ive never really seen something that like ive wanted tic almost EVERY box I wanted in a thing too but like this little guy did ALL OF THAT. also where i live my house its actually quite small i have a car port thats not so great to cover cars. I had a dodge 1500 here one time that someone else owned that i had to fix right. The truck was cool and stuff it was the crew cab oneand a really good bed size, that thing pretty much took up the whole car port where my dads hatchback was bearly under the car port. Like only like an 1/8 was covered on his car on how long that dodge was. So i was like, nope not getting a full sized one where i live currently. Some do actually have that same truck too but like, they crazy they just leave it on the road there. To me even for my lil truck i don't even want to do that even tho its still worth 500 bucks give or take. Also its a stick so they see that and already panic that they cant drive it at all anyway. I liked the lil truck and i do like it, its also my first car/truck too. And its funny like my aunt has a trans am or something like that not the good ones from back in the day the manky ones that are from the 90s. my mom told me once that one of her other sisters mentioned that she wanted to give it to me to like fix to use or sell or like to do whatever I want with it. Id probably would see how it is or fix it and see what happens. Those aint worth much either but if then i cant find a use for it, well kick it then use that money to fix muh truck. It do need a clutch and slave, its leaking there too so after a while itll not shift. Need to fix that too. There was also something that truck also checked off unknowingly because i forgot and i forgot it again too but that truck just like fit a ton of needs we had. Its crazy too how that is.
I paid $2,800 for a zr5 that didn't have a spec arrest on it 170,000 MI
I use the Chevy on the side vortec 1996 s10 ext cab and it's fun and it runs better with a heavy load for some reason I guess the vortec. I call mine the yard truck
I've got a 91 ext cab 5 speed and it's one of the better trucks I have owned and the 4.3 is pretty damn fast for what it is just don't it to be a tow pig etc
been looking for a 2.2l
My first car was a 1994 s10, single cab short bed. Man I miss that thing, even though it was only the 2.2 it had a manual which made it fun. I’m looking at a 2001 extended cab short bed, with the 4.3 and a manual. The guy is only asking 1200 for it too 🤔
I LOVE MY 2001 CHEVY S10 TRUCK 2.2 IT HAS 130,000 MI ON IT THE AC WENT OUT LAST FRIDAY
Definitely getting a rwd manual.
Does anyone know how to shut off daytime running lights? I do
Hehe
How
@@sweetsweet29 i believe the dome lamp button. You push it in three times repeatedly and it may or may not make an interior sound but mine used to shut off when I did that
What do you think of the first generation Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon?
They’re muscular, little trucks - especially with that 4.3 liter V6.
I have a strong desire for a 4 door S10/Sonoma with the V6, 4x4, and the manual transmission. Is that even a configuration that exists? If not, how close to that can I get?
I forget what frame they used, or if they just extended the frame it was on, but someone out there put a long bed on the 4 door cab. It looked really good. So if you’re going to have to piece it together, you could do it too
have/had 4 s10s- mechanic is good and easy to repair- problem is the electric - even the hated 4l60e...;-/ whish they didnt have all the stupid sensors and computers....
At least the s10 can pull things unlike the ford ranger that can’t even pull an empty trailer 🥴
@ethanmeyers195 Yet this one he’s talking about has a full size truck engine, but the Ranger is still a far better truck! It’s capable if you have one of the bigger motors in those.
You forgot to mention the head light grounds
Take a 5 speed 4/4 drive
6,nov2023
Rangers and Tacomas were great trucks S10's were rattle box pieces of Sh&^%
I still have my 98 s10 manual for 16 years, with 212 k miles, many people have try to buy my pick ap ,but I won't sell it. 😂😂😂😂😂
This is my first truck it’s done me good so far I’ve had too 4 years