So I might just commit an act of treason...

[farmer]

...I'm looking at buying an S10 Blazer. it needs some work, but for $250 how can I turn it down? Its got a botched axle flip in the back and a f-ed up transfer case because of it. Can anyone point me toward some S-Dime knowledge? Like the S-10Station?

 

[TheTopher]

Here's some S-Dime knowledge. Put your dime in the bank and save up for a Ranger!

 

[The_Dealer]

www.s10forum.com
www.s10forums.com
www.s10v8.com

you should find plenty of knowledge here to get u started

 

[JohnnyO]

A number of years ago the S-10 Blazer and 4x4 truck were voted the most difficult vehicles to repair by some mechanics' institute or organization. Just sayin'....

 

[farmer]

yeah i know they aren't the greatest trucks, but this is most likely going to be a field beater, and possibly trail beater if I put plates on it.
I've been looking for something to take the wheeling strain off of my ranger, where I have to rely on it to take me 130 miles every other day for school.
Plus this Blazer is a chop top with 35s and no lift. For $250, ill part it out if i hate it

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

FACT: More people have died in the S-10 Blazer than in any other car ever made!

 

[farmer]

oh really? I guess its a good thing that this has no roof so in the event of an accident I will be thrown out and away from the crash.

 

[gribly]

Those have horrible front end wear issues. The balljoints and everything seem to never get greased by chevy owners. They are what you would consider a temporary vehicle, not the most serviceable and better to drive it until it needs a LOT of work and just go buy a new one than to try and keep it maintained.

 

[farmer]

it has 35s on the stock front suspension, i think ball joints are the least of my worries. and its been over the hood in water several times

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Those have horrible front end wear issues. The balljoints and everything seem to never get greased by chevy owners. They are what you would consider a temporary vehicle, not the most serviceable and better to drive it until it needs a LOT of work and just go buy a new one than to try and keep it maintained.

Same goes for any other vehicle.

The sealed for life crap is common on Fords as well, and has the same effect... only the TTB also hoses the front springs. Even my '85 was full of it.

My grandfather has a '89 S-10 with a 2.8. The amount of room under the hood is rediculous compared to my 2.8 Ranger even with a bodylift.

I don't think they are really all that much worse than anything else.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

If it's a 4.3 they are really pain in the ass to work on my nephew has one and just the spark plugs alone is a couple hours of work. Although early rangers have IFS non are as weak or as troublesome as a GM product. Even GM has admited to that but yet they still put it on all there trucks?? I don't really belive that any GM product is reliable enough to own, being that the truck is been beat on and you your self admited that ball joints are the least of your worries should tell ya something. I'm not going to ya not to buy it all cars and truck have there far share of problems some have more than others and from my experince. I've contuiosly worked on the same GM cars and trucks over and over and over and havn't made a dent in some of the issues they've had.
You may have one of the few that got out and good luck on you decision.

 

[rusty70f100]

I have a relative that used to drive S10 Blazers...

The in-tank fuel pump is a pain in the a**.

The vacuum operated ventilation controls fail.

If it's a 2.8 it's a gutless wonder. Seriously.

The AC compressors on that era of GM vehicles die all the time, especially when converted to R134a. They're garbage! Of course, if you don't need AC that's fine, but I know I wouldn't want to live without it.

Save up your money for an Explorer or a Bronco 2. They're much easier to work on.

Here's the thing. I bought a '87 Bronco 2 for $500 at the salvage yard, with a 2.9L, a good body, and a failing FM145. I put $200 into a transmission (M5OD), and probably $300 into other things (radiator, hoses, EGR valve, heater core, etc). All of the things I fixed were straightforward, and, dare I say it, easy. I spent $250 on tires. It had 138,000 miles when I bought it, and it now has 156,000 miles. All of these miles it got over 20mpg, and has been trouble free.

 

[BeaterMan]

for 250$ id buy it and go wheel the living piss out of it until it was not road worthy then take it to the crusher and get my 250$ back.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a relative that used to drive S10 Blazers...

The in-tank fuel pump is a pain in the a**.

The vacuum operated ventilation controls fail.

If it's a 2.8 it's a gutless wonder. Seriously.

The AC compressors on that era of GM vehicles die all the time, especially when converted to R134a. They're garbage! Of course, if you don't need AC that's fine, but I know I wouldn't want to live without it.

Save up your money for an Explorer or a Bronco 2. They're much easier to work on.

Here's the thing. I bought a '87 Bronco 2 for $500 at the salvage yard, with a 2.9L, a good body, and a failing FM145. I put $200 into a transmission (M5OD), and probably $300 into other things (radiator, hoses, EGR valve, heater core, etc). All of the things I fixed were straightforward, and, dare I say it, easy. I spent $250 on tires. It had 138,000 miles when I bought it, and it now has 156,000 miles. All of these miles it got over 20mpg, and has been trouble free.

Not always the case.

My 2.8 gets about 10mpg and is a gutless turd. The fuel pump is changed by following the fuel lines and by feel. Power steering pump (that moans and groans) has to be removed to effectivly change the water pump. Body lift is required to change #3 valve seals. AC compressor was DOA and evaporator core was packed full of leaves. $300 got me a wrecked parts truck to scalpe the tranny out of (did sell the 2.9 for $200 though) Rotor came loose and resulted in a huge backfire and a blown out muffler. Heater core, starter and alternator was stupid easy. It had 125kish miles when I got 10 years ago and last I looked it had about 150kish on it. Now it is pretty much parked because it pushes oil out the dipstick.

Side by side, my truck looks a lot better (because it was rolled and redone before I got it) but grandpas will outdo it in any other way. The body is pretty rough, but all he has had to do to it was put on a exhaust, rear brake line and a couple batteries in it... and he has had it longer. It is a little 5spd std cab short box 4x4 but I thought it was pretty spunky too. Actually it was my inspiration, something small for a high school kid that could get around in snow and get decent milage.

So I got a coldblooded turd that got 10mpg.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Even though I hate chevy/gm buy it and thrash it until you're tired of it bud! You'll have a blast doing it