83 s-10 need info
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83 s-10 need info
Hi. I have a chance to buy an 83 s-10 for 500 bucks plus cost of starter and battery. it has a 2.8 engine and is 4 whell drive. has anyone owned one of these ? common problems? reliability? gas mileage? Is there any aftermarket as far as lift kits, lockers, etc? i hate being reduced to buying a chevy but money is tight and I need a cheap 4x4. Thanks for any responses in advance!
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,186
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From: St. Charles, Missouri.
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I like how this contradicts what your signature says.
Get a 73-79 4x4.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
I used to use one as a company vehicle, long ago when it was a new truck. It was awful, very slow, lousy payload, and that was a 2wd..............I can only imagine a 2.8 carbed engine in a 4x4 S-10.........Even slower!.....A Ranger of the same vintage is a much stronger truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
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From: Midwest
2.8=junk. I have a friend that has an early 90's s-10 with the 4 cyl in it with around 200,000 miles on it,still drives the truck round trip 40 miles to work every day. if you have to get an s10,get the 4 cyl or maybe a 4.3,but gas mileage will suck on the 4.3
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
The best money spent on one of those is the cost of the explosives to blow them apart.
The 2.8 in a 2wd wasn't the complete waste the 2.5 4cyl was, but got worse mileage, and sounds like crap. 99% of them need the timing chain replaced, the other 1% had it done in the last year or so- it's pretty much an annual repair. Same for the starter. Then the wrapper is a whole other problem. They basically took the 2wd model, and gave it a body lift to make it look higher, but I think they managed to have the frame lower than the 2wd so your ground clearance sucks. For the power the engine does make, the 5th gear in the 5speed is worthless, it's a .72od, so if you encounter a very slight hill or head-on breeze, you're back in fourth.
That engine doesn't even make a good boat anchor, it's too light.
The 2.8 in a 2wd wasn't the complete waste the 2.5 4cyl was, but got worse mileage, and sounds like crap. 99% of them need the timing chain replaced, the other 1% had it done in the last year or so- it's pretty much an annual repair. Same for the starter. Then the wrapper is a whole other problem. They basically took the 2wd model, and gave it a body lift to make it look higher, but I think they managed to have the frame lower than the 2wd so your ground clearance sucks. For the power the engine does make, the 5th gear in the 5speed is worthless, it's a .72od, so if you encounter a very slight hill or head-on breeze, you're back in fourth.
That engine doesn't even make a good boat anchor, it's too light.
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Well yall have me convinced! tahnks guys! i'll stay away from it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> reliability?
Worse then average. The computer controlled carb. (with the TPS inside) and CCC in the 80s was not one of Chevy's best features.
> gas mileage?
I would guess 15 mpg.
> Is there any aftermarket as far as lift kits, lockers, etc?
Full sized Chevy, yes, S-10 no. Most popular upgrade to the S-10 is a 4.3 or V-8.
I really would not buy it without it running. I assume a manual that can be bump started? I would not buy an automatic.
If it runs, then, yea, go for it. Just know that Ford sold more Aerostars (100,000+) probably ever year, including 1997 then Chevy sold S-10s. There was a reason.
The Jeep and Chevy 2.8L of those years were not known for being particularly reliable or desirable.
Worse then average. The computer controlled carb. (with the TPS inside) and CCC in the 80s was not one of Chevy's best features.
> gas mileage?
I would guess 15 mpg.
> Is there any aftermarket as far as lift kits, lockers, etc?
Full sized Chevy, yes, S-10 no. Most popular upgrade to the S-10 is a 4.3 or V-8.
I really would not buy it without it running. I assume a manual that can be bump started? I would not buy an automatic.
If it runs, then, yea, go for it. Just know that Ford sold more Aerostars (100,000+) probably ever year, including 1997 then Chevy sold S-10s. There was a reason.
The Jeep and Chevy 2.8L of those years were not known for being particularly reliable or desirable.
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