Hi Everyone! Possible S10 convert here with a few questions

[jakezilla]

Howdy Ranger Forum! I am 27, engineer, and I live in central MN. I have a 95 S10 that has been a handful of problems and the latest timing issue I think might be too in-depth to bother with a repair. I have been looking at fleet-side Ranger's in the area with 110-170k miles that I could afford.

First off, everyone makes fun of the S10 because I bought a GM. Are Rangers in general better built/ more reliable? Anyone else have experience with both?

Secondly, is there something I should be looking for or avoiding? The truck at the top of my list is a 00 4.0 4wd. Anything about the 3.0 vs 4.0 vs 4cyl; 4wd vs rwd?

Thanks for any input you have!

 

[kryptonitecb]

I've had both and I'll be honest. They both are made in America as cheap as possible so neither is going to be a Mercedes.

I'll also get flamed for saying this but I like the s-10 because there are complete kits to convert it to a v8. When shopping for my truck I was actually looking for a 4.3 gmc to use as a base for the v8 conversion.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[Mac]

Welcome! That Ford vs Cheby thing has been going on forever. I looked at the S-10 back when but after asking a lot of questions, went with a Ford and stayed with them. Seeing where you live, I'd go 4x4 if that's what you'd drive in the Winter. I like the ext cab just for the room (prefer the four door). Had all those motors and with the heaver 4x4, much prefer the 4.0, more capable. I had one just like you want and it's motor went at 66K with cracked head/block. Bought another of the same and it's at 170K. Spring hangers usually go on the trucks up here and watch for the usual rust area, What kind of engineering?
Dave

 

[adsm08]

The S-10 isn't a bad vehicle, except for the part where it is a GM and is thus encumbered with all of their ridiculous and endemic design flaws.

I had one for a while, I kinda married into it. It wasn't a bad little truck when the ABS system wasn't acting stupid. It's 4-cyl matched my Ranger's 2.9 for power and then some. We eventually gave it to her brother and replaced it with a Bronco II, but there were other considerations, like him needing something cheap and us having no use for a two compact pickup trucks.


Anyway, the 3.0 vs 4.0 debate, they get about the same fuel economy and the power difference is hands down in favor of the 4.0. I wouldn't look twice at a 4-cyl Ranger unless I was looking for something to plop a small-block in.

4WD vs RWD? If you live in Minnesota and have to ask that question then you pretty much fit my stereotypical opinion of engineers.

 

[Mark_88]

You know what the S stands for?

I don't, but, as stated...they are the low end of the truck line and you get what you pay for...I love the Rangers because they are Ford...I've been a Ford person most of my life but have owned many vehicles...just prefer Ford because I grew up with them...

As for what you might look into...I agree with Mac...4x4 is nice...extended cab is nice...but I'm a 4 banger enthusiast...so it depends on what you want to do with the truck whether that would interest you...if you like being slow, patient, and the one people pass then you might be a 4 banger man too...

 

[Dune Runner]

My Daughter Had an S-10 Blazer. What a pile. I put three fuel pumps in the damn thing be fore I talked her into a Ranger. She loves the Ranger and will never go back to a GM. Im on my third RBV and love em. Im 50 years old and this is my 40th vehicle. I used to go through them real fast. Im pretty much stuck on Fords.

 

[jakezilla]

This is a nice active forum!
Kryptonitecb – That was the plan for mine was to run it for a couple years and do a swap. Then the clutch. Then the transmission. Then the alternator and battery. Then just recently the radiator cracked (should have flushed the coolant) and there was no way I was going to do it in an apartment parking lot when it was -20F, so I actually had to pay the man on that one (OUCH!). Still needs the throwout bearing, tailgate support, HVAC is stuck on defrost, AC has never worked, driver’s seat cushion is half gone, needs a muffler, and I am sure I am missing some stuff…

Mac- I love the ext cab on the rangers, there is no room in my truck... I don’t stray far from the roads and with snow tires I have never been at a loss for traction. In fact, they made driving in the snow a lot less fun. I have to take out the wife’s fwd car with all seasons to have any fun sliding around. I am an Electrical Engineer.

Adsm08 – I really like my S10, but I feel like it is Stockholm Syndrome. “Just one more $45 trip to Auto Zone and it will run great!” Not sure what your stereotype is, but I have really liked the mileage with my rwd and with my snow tires I have had great traction.

Mark_88 – I love my 4 banger, but I was looking for mileage when I bought the S10. From what I have read I think I will be looking for a 4.0.

Dune Runner – That is really encouraging to hear!

 

[adsm08]

Adsm08... Not sure what your stereotype is.

After working on the disasters that come off the modern drawing boards of automotive engineers I do not believe that engineers live or work in the real world.

I have respect for nuclear, chemical, and civil engineers because I recognize the genuine contributions those individuals make to society.

I feel that the only fitting punishment for the crimes of automotive engineers is to make them work on the garbage they design and then tie their income to their ability to meet time standards set by accountants who are trying to save a buck for the warranty department.

 

[jakezilla]

I feel that the only fitting punishment for the crimes of automotive engineers is to make them work on the garbage they design and then tie their income to their ability to meet time standards set by accountants who are trying to save a buck for the warranty department.

lol, I am right there with you. It seems like sometimes the engine designers never even looked at the car the engine was going in, or the car designer never took into consideration how a mechanic would access it. My wife's old Caviler took a contortionist to get at the oil filter, you know, that thing you have to get at ALL THE TIME!! Don't worry I just move electrons, if you don't like anything I design, I blame marketing for cost cutting

 

[adsm08]

lol, I am right there with you. It seems like sometimes the engine designers never even looked at the car the engine was going in, or the car designer never took into consideration how a mechanic would access it. My wife's old Caviler took a contortionist to get at the oil filter, you know, that thing you have to get at ALL THE TIME!! Don't worry I just move electrons, if you don't like anything I design, I blame marketing for cost cutting

Then we ought to get along just fine. I'm actually not a bad guy, there is just a rather sharp learning curve with getting to know how to take my personality.


I've done the 2wd vs 4x4 thing back and forth a few times. My Ranger's 4x4 didn't always work reliably when I started driving, then I had a 78 Omega (Nova platform) for a winter, and the S-10 was 2wd. You can def get around without it, and I don't even use it that much in bad stuff because I know how to drive. I just would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I tell you what though, that Olds was fun to drive in the snow. She dog-tracked something awful, had springs that were way too stiff in the rear, and would flip herself end over end at a tap of the brakes on a wet road. When the snow started falling it wasn't so much driving as drifting.

 

[jakezilla]

Then we ought to get along just fine. I'm actually not a bad guy, there is just a rather sharp learning curve with getting to know how to take my personality.


I've done the 2wd vs 4x4 thing back and forth a few times. My Ranger's 4x4 didn't always work reliably when I started driving, then I had a 78 Omega (Nova platform) for a winter, and the S-10 was 2wd. You can def get around without it, and I don't even use it that much in bad stuff because I know how to drive. I just would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I tell you what though, that Olds was fun to drive in the snow. She dog-tracked something awful, had springs that were way too stiff in the rear, and would flip herself end over end at a tap of the brakes on a wet road. When the snow started falling it wasn't so much driving as drifting.

I really appreciate the advice, and I appreciate your personality! I would much rather have a conversation with an outspoken person than a shoulder shrug from an agreeable person

There is a 2000 XLT 4x4 4.0 with 157k and good records for $3800 that I have my eye one.