Everything about the Chevrolet S-10 totally explained
The
Chevrolet S-10 was a
compact pickup truck from the
Chevrolet marque of
General Motors. When it was first introduced in 1982, the
GMC version was known as the
S-15 and later renamed the
GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version was the
GMC Syclone. The truck was also sold by
Isuzu as the
Hombre from 1996 through 2000. There was also an
SUV version, the
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/
GMC S-15 Jimmy. An
electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. Together, these trucks are often referred to as the
S-series.
In 2004, the S-series was replaced by new models: the
Chevrolet Colorado,
GMC Canyon, and
Isuzu i-Series.
First generation
The first compact pickup truck from General Motors was the rebadged
Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the
Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines (primarily from the
GM G-body intermediates) were incorporated. The first S-series trucks were introduced in 1982. The Chevrolet and GMC models were identical apart from the grille. An extended cab and "Insta-Trac" four wheel drive were added the next year along with two new engines.
Track width was similar to the former
GM H-body subcompacts (
Vega/
Monza).
The sport utility S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy debuted in 1983; GM was the second to introduce compact sport utilities behind
Jeep but ahead of
Ford. This trend occurred again where 4-door variants were introduced in March 1990 as 1991
models alongside the similar
Oldsmobile Bravada.
New heavy-duty and off-road suspensions appeared in 1984 along with a hydraulic clutch, while the big news for 1985 was the discontinuing of the
Cavalier's OHV
I4 in favor of
Pontiac's Iron Duke. The OHV-derived 2.2 L engine and Isuzu 1.9
L were both gone the next year, leaving just the Iron Duke and updated 2.8 L
V6. A much-welcomed 4.3 L V6 was added for 1988, and
anti-lock brakes came the next year.
The GMC S-15 became the GMC Sonoma in 1991, and the Sierra trim packages are dropped to avoid confusion with the new GMC Sierra
full-size pickup. The GMC Syclone also appeared that year. The Sonoma GT bowed in 1992. Added to this was the 4.3L V6 Vortec W code engine. This generation's last year, 1993.
The Vortec is essentially the standard Z code 262 in³
engine. The difference is the W code used a balance shaft, roller cam shaft, different heads, and Central Port Injection. The 1992 and 1993 engine came in either a 195 or 205
hp rating. The High Performance version came with a larger diameter Y pipe, and was only installed in some of the Blazers and S-10 Jimmys.
Engines
| Years |
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
VIN code |
| 1982–1985 |
1.9 L Isuzu I4, 2 barrel |
84 hp (63 kW) |
101 ft·lbf (137 N·m) |
A |
| 1982–1985 |
2.8 L 60° V6, 2 barrel Rochester |
115 hp (86 kW) |
148 ft·lbf (201 N·m) |
B |
| 1983–1985 |
2.2 L Diesel I4 |
58 hp (43 kW) |
93 ft·lbf (126 N·m) |
S |
| 1983–1984 |
2.0 L OHV I4, 2 barrel |
83 hp (62 kW) |
108 ft·lbf (146 N·m) |
Y |
| 1985–1989 |
2.5 L Iron Duke I4, electronically controlled carburetor |
92 hp (69 kW) |
132 ft·lbf (179 N·m) |
E |
| 1986–1993 |
2.8 L 60° V6, TBI |
125 hp (93 kW) |
150 ft·lbf (203 N·m) |
R |
| 1988–1995 |
4.3 L GM 262inch 4300cc V6, TBI |
150–165 hp (112–123 kW) |
230–235 ft·lbf (312–319 N·m) |
Z |
| 1990–1993 |
2.5 L Iron Duke I4, TBI |
105 hp (78 kW) |
135 ft·lbf (183 N·m) |
A
|
1993 Sonoma
Some 1993 Sonomas came with a factory equipped L35 W code engine. For 1993 no specialty labeling or limited edition tags were known to be used with the W code engine. Production totals for these vehicles are unknown.
Second generation
The second-generation trucks appeared in 1994. All of the special models (the Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT) were gone, but the changes to the truck brought it in line with arch-rival
Ford Ranger. The Iron Duke and 2.8 L 60° V6 engines were dropped, leaving just the 4.3 L Vortec and a new 2.2 L engine, itself a derivative of the old Cavalier OHV.
Much of the chassis components were the same as the first generation (the A-frames between the first and second generation were the same although they were originally sourced from GM's G-body vehicle lineup, along with the steering knuckle, leaf springs, and differential assembly. The second generation also offered an optional 8.5" rear differential. Generally, for the
2WD trucks, the 8.5" rearend was only used when it came with both a
manual transmission and the large 262cid
V6 engine; it was standard for 4WD trucks with either
transmission. This was also the year that GM introduced the
ZR2 Offroad Package.
The 4.3 L engines were refreshed for 1996 and a third (rear) door was added for extended cab models. The exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L engine were refreshed for 1998, and "Auto-Trac"
all-wheel drive was optional starting in 1999 for the Blazers. Also the SS package was replaced by the "Xtreme" sports model package (which lasted until 2004). In 2001 a Crew Cab option was added and was available in 4WD and
automatic transmission only.
Base 2WD models came with 15x6.5 inch rims with directional vents,
Xtreme and
ZQ8 models came with 16x8" rims while 4WD models (including the
ZR2) used 15x7" rims. The rims used on the first generation were discontinued.
Second-generation S-series were also produced locally in
Brazil
; and are still in production even though the North American version of the S-series was discontinued in 2004. Brazilian S-10s have a different front grille, lamps and bumper, and are available with a 2.8 Diesel engine built by
MWM.
Engine Swaps
The 2wd S-series Truck shares several front suspension components with the GM G-body platforms (I.e. Chevy Monte Carlo and
Buick Regal). Along with the fact that the optional 4.3 liter V-6 shares several characteristics and dimensions of the early small block Chevy V-8 it has become a popular platform for Hot Rodders. Since the introduction of the S-series the ingenuity of its owners has made the
V8 installation one of the most popular American domestic engine swaps. With relative ease the V-8 swap has seen almost every size small block Chevy displacement produced from 262 cid to the large 400 cid engine. Some owners have even been able to install the large big block GM engines such as the 396-427-454 cid engines with minor modifications.
Engines
| Years |
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
VIN code |
| 1994–1999 |
2.2 L Vortec 2200 I4, SFI |
118 hp (86 kW) |
140 ft·lbf (190 N·m) |
4 |
| 1993–1995 |
4.3 L Vortec 4300, CMFI |
191–200 hp (142–145 kW) |
260 ft·lbf (353 N·m) |
W |
| 1996–2002 |
4.3 L Vortec 4300, CSFI |
180–190 hp (134–142 kW) |
245–250 ft·lbf (332–339 N·m) |
X or W |
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