Project S-10?
 

I got sick of fuel prices, so I bought a really clean 99 S-10 Regular Cab Short Bed Fleetside with a 2.2L and 5spd. All regular cabs came stock with a 3.73 rear.

Re: Project S-10?
 

I've driven my dad's 2000 S-10 (same configuration as mine except a stepside) and I was OK with the weak power. After a couple weeks, I wasn't OK with the crappy power anymore.

I don't have huge plans for the truck, but merely a few upgrades are in order. With the '67 done I need something to tinker with.

I joined an S-10 forum (I think the average age for the owners of these trucks is 19 :( ) and I learned a lot from there.

The first thing I did was remove the heavy, dragging, clutch fan from the motor and installed an electric fan from a 90-95 3.8L Taurus. I used a complete wiring kit I got off ebay that included an adjustable thermostat and all the wiring and relays I needed. I just had to trim the S-10 shroud to fit around the Taurus Shroud and everything fit well.

I didn't really take any pics of this install... whoops.

Anyway, what it did for the truck was amazing. The "feel" of power was significantly increased. Removing the clutch fan had to "give back" at least 5 hp to the motor. I also saw an increase in mpg too. I *was* getting around 21 mpg city (the same driving was getting me 12.5 with the C-10 and 14 in the Silverado) and now I'm getting a consistent 23 mpg.

Relay kit: $50
Junkyard fan: $40
Extra wire and ends: $10
Not being passed by bicycles: Priceless :metal:

Re: Project S-10?
 

The final thing I've done so far is install a cold air intake kit from ebay. I seriously thought these things were jokes and didn't do crap to help out an engine. Maybe they don't do a whole lot for a 5.3L but they sure do help wake up a 2.2L!

The install was easy, almost too easy. Plus, you get to remove a lot of the stock crap which really clutters up the engine bay and is a total pain in the ass to have to remove to work on stuff, especially considering that the A/C lines RUN ALL OVER ON TOP OF IT. Good call on that one GM :waah:

In all honesty I did not notice any acceleration increase, nor did I notice a fuel increase. I've had it for "2 tanks" now and both were right around 23 mpg. BUT where I did notice a clear power increase was in 4th and 5th gear on the highway. It's easier to pass/accelerate now in both 4th and 5th gear. It's not an amazing performance add on, but it does make a difference!

Here's some pics:

Re: Project S-10?
 

In the pics above you can also see that I have completely retained the "stock look" to the radiator and the relay switch will all the wires powers my e-fan.

Re: Project S-10?
 

The kit I bought didn't come with instructions, but was easy enough to install.

There's a rubber grommet you need to install in the tube, then you need to pull the IAC sensor from the stock intake and stick it in the rubber grommet.

The heat shield pinched my radiator overflow hose, so I had to cut a hole in it and notch it for my e-fan wiring (see pics below.)

The heat shield also required putting the supplied foam stuff on around the edges, I'm not sure if it makes a big difference or not, but I put it on there anyway.

You need to remove the stock bolt on the DS inner fender that held the stock air intake, with that gone you install the heat shield by removing the two bolts on the driver's side of the radiator shroud and slipping the heat shield on there and bolt it down (the radiator shroud is in two pieces split in the middle.) You then screw in the rubber bolt where you removed the inner fender bolt.

Once that's done you can install the blue elbow, the black tube, and the intake filter with the supplied hose clamps. Once it's in place use the washer and nut provided and install it on the rubber booted bolt to hold the tube to the inner fender.

Plug the IAC back in and run the supplied rubber hose and clamps from the port on the intake to the port on the black tube. I trimmed mine about 1" so it fit a little cleaner.

Re: Project S-10?
 

I also removed the stock air box mount from the core support to let more air flow in. All you have to do is pull in towards the engine bay and pull up and it pulls right out.

*ALSO* This modification makes your engine sound "louder" under acceleration, I'm not fond of the extra noise, but it's not too bad. It does sound a little "ricey" but oh well.

Re: Project S-10?
 

I'll be installing a bored TB next and I have a 2" belltech drop kit I got off ebay for $130 (front spindles and rear blocks with new u-bolts!) :metal:

Re: Project S-10?
 

Nice little truck you working on there. What is the S10 Forum you go to. No offense to these guys but info tends to be alittle slow in this particular area.

Re: Project S-10?
 

i just got one myself for the exact same reasons -- cool project --- i haven't spent enough time under the hood of mine to know if it is even electric or a clutch fan yet (4.3 litre), but i'll check it out tomorrow

They are fun little little trucks if you can get past the "Donkey Kong" feeling driving down the road

Re: Project S-10?
 

http://www.s10forum.com


Quite a bit of good information there. If you have a 2.2L here's the performance modification page:

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f105/a...ick-me-200571/

What's the "donkey Kong" feeling? I actually really like how the truck rides and handles, I find it very responsive and easy to maneuver.

I've had 3 '86 Toyota trucks and they all handle/rode like poopy. I test drove a 96 Tacoma 2wd and it felt the same, poopy. We also own an '05 Tacoma (the NBS) and I feel that handles/rides like poopy too (the steering is very jerky and unresponsive and the suspension is "too rough" for a midsize truck), but the seats are much more comfy.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Its probably a personal deal and wouldn't really apply unless you are over 6'2" or over 250 pounds.

My wife saw me hunched over the wheel of my first "baby truck" as she calls it and said i looked just like Donkey Kong when he's driving the little car. :sumo:

Nothing to do with the way it drives or handles -- in fact, i have as much leg room in my little truck as i do in my '69 C-10, plus the steering wheel doesn't crowd me

Re: Project S-10?
 

ohhh, gotcha. I didn't think of you as being "Donkey Kong" which was my favorite game for my super nintendo back in the day :haha:

I'm only 5'8 and around a buck sixty five, I've got a ton of room :lol:

And yes, I completely agree, at 5'8" I too feel cramped in my 67 C-10.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Thanks, for the link.
I must look like King Kong then. I'm 5'10, and 285. Yeap I'm a big ol boy.

Re: Project S-10?
 

My truck has always been a little bit nose high, so I brought her down to earth a little bit this weekend. Yes, I know my parking "sucked" but it was so I didn't get hit while I was working on it.

I installed a set of belltech 2" drop spindles. I discovered that the front suspension could use a rebuild. I think the nose needs to come down more, so I think I'll do a 1" spring drop as well next year when I rebuild the suspension.

Before:

Re: Project S-10?
 

After (it only dropped a little over an inch at this point, the springs still needed to settle???)

Re: Project S-10?
 

Here's the full drop after the springs "settled" back into their pockets after driving around a good bit. I also got rid of the fugly tool box. I still need it, so luckily, it fit perfectly on the inside of my Silverado bed!

Re: Project S-10?
 

The truck always looked "nose high" to me so I'm going to save my 2" blocks for later and just drop the rear 1" for now. (Need to get the blocks.) I actually like the little rake it has right now.

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Needs to be lower! Just kidding. I tend to go too far when I lower. Ive got a set of bell tech front springs if you decide to go further later on. They are for a 4cyl too...

Re: Project S-10?
 

67ChevyRedneck, your apartments look real similar to where my Mom lives just off Mitchell road. Truck's looking good.

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I was FINALLY able to install the tach dash that I bought like 6 months ago. I wanted to wait for the mileages to match... and today they did! (after some drivin' around for fun.)

First pic is the old dash, the next few are the new dash installed :metal: S-10's are plug and play, so as long as you have the correct dash, it's a simple plug in!

The brake and seatbelt lights are on 'cause I had the e-brake on and my seatbelt off. Everything works as it should :D

Still averaging 22-23mpg, almost all "city driving" so I'm happy with the little truck.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Nice truck!!

Re: Project S-10?
 

Nice I sold my honda ,my daily driver ,was going get one of those to replace it with.But my wife said nahhh, too put that money in to my 72 short bed.
Good luck nice starter ;)

Re: Project S-10?
 

Thats a very clean s10. Cool little project. I hope to find something similar to daily drive since my current s10 has gotten a little out of hand lol. check out s-seriesforum.com too. Not as much info but a much more reasonable croud of great people

Re: Project S-10?
 

I played with the truck some more this week. I've always wanted a set of leather bucket seats for it and I finally found a set at the local LKQ (pick n pull place).

I forgot to take pics, but I had the 60/40 split cloth bench in my truck. I'm sure it was a comfortable enough seat back in '99, but 11 years later, not so much. Plus, if anyone recalls, I posted asking about how to fix a broken lumbar adjustment and I never did fix it.

The seats came out of a 94-97 Blazer, SC doesn't have inspection or registration stickers or anything, so I didn't check the VIN for the year, but it did have the 94-97 grill.

I'll make this a "how to" as much as a "what I did" so if anyone else wants to do this too, you'll have a guide.

Get the factory seats out. It's simple. Even though it's a 60/40 bench it bolts in just like 2 separate bucket seats. There's a plastic cover over each bolt, they all pop off with a screwdriver or gently prying on it. Take the 4 bolts out and pop each seat out. On the 98+ trucks the seat belt buckles are integrated into the seat track assembly.

Once the seats are out, clean out your nasty interior (at least mine was.)

Re: Project S-10?
 

The driver's side is full power (sweet, huh?)

If you notice, the brackets don't 100% "work." The last bolt for the inside rear bracket is in the wrong place. This is an easy fix, just drill a hole in this spot and buy a Grade 8 bolt/nut/washers. You'll need the "extra" hole for the seat belts.

I can't verify this for the 98+ blazer buckets, but you may not have to do ANY modification because the seat belt buckles are integrated into the 98+ buckets. The 98+ buckets are easy to "spot" too because they have the "full" head rests, where the 94-97 have the crescent shaped ones (see last pic for 98+ blazer buckets, it's a fleabay pic.)

The LKQ did have about 8 Blazers and 2 or 3 trucks, but only 2 blazers were 98+ and were cloth. It's hard to find 98+ leather buckets at a decent price, they normally sell for over $300 on fleabay. I actually had 3 leather 94-97 buckets to choose from, but the other 2 sets were torn badly.

Re: Project S-10?
 

So, finding a 5spd bucket seat center console is *almost* impossible. Check fleabay for their crazy prices. The best one to modify is a 98+ blazer automatic bucket seat center console that has a column shift, but this was the ONLY one I could find at LKQ that wasn't broken to pieces. Again, it's from a 94-97 blazer. I wish it was at least the right color, but that will be fixed later. The 98+ auto blazer consoles sell for $100+ on fleabay too :crazy:

You can see I had to modify it heavily, where the lower back was cut out to fit over the hump to put it closer to the rear of the cab so the shifter would fit the change holder area I cut out for the shifter. I also had the trim the bottom in several areas so it lays flat. I had to cut the rear metal bracket to fit over the hump as well, so I'll also have to trim out the plastic liner for the inside of the console. I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel and it wasn't too bad to modify it all. Yes, it's much farther back than I would like it, but the top still opens about 75-80 degrees or so, so plenty to still put stuff in and out of, and it pokes out just far enough from between the seats to set your elbow on. You'll see why I "cheaped out" in the end when you see what I paid for everything.

Re: Project S-10?
 

I spent a good deal of time cleaning up the seats. I bought a leather repair kit and fixed a few small tears, most were on the back of the PS seat which you wouldn't see anyway, and a few on the DS on the left side bolster, where they normally wear out. I also removed and peeled off the leather bottom cover on each seat to do a little repair work. The blazer they came out of had 189K on it. The outside bolsters needed some foam added to the middle where they had cracked, I glued it in and glued the sides back together, and then I overlayed the top with some fabric to hold it all together to prevent it from tearing ever again, I used "mighty mend it" which actually works. With the leather stretched back over the seats, you'll never know it.

I had to do all of that inside, it was friggin' COLD this week! (Our walls aren't pink, they're a light tan color, wft is up with my camera?)

The pic is the DS, and it was actually the worst of the two, I actually got a really nice set of seats :D

Re: Project S-10?
 

Next up is the seatbelt install. It's simple. Use the existing bolt hole that you won't be using for the seat brackets. It was already designed to hold the seat bracket/seat belt buckle. The floor is also braced in this area from the factory. It's a T-50 Torx screw.

I was able to unclip and use the stock wiring from the old seat and clip into the new seat belt buckle. No cutting required :D

Re: Project S-10?
 

Next up is wiring, it's really simple. All you need is power, and a ground. I cut the factory wires from the blazer past the clip, so once I have everything taped in I can removed the seats and un-clip the wiring!

For power, I plugged into an empty 25A switched power source I found in my fuse block. I made sure it was switched, I didn't want to add a battery drain! Since I'm plugging into it and not using a fuse anymore, I added an in-line 25A fuse I found at wally mart (the black wire you see is for my electric fan I installed about a year and a half ago). I then routed it behind the dash, popped up the door sill (it actually does "pop out", it's clipped in place) ran it under there, then ran it under the carpet. I then ran more wires under the seat to the other side as well. I then wired everything together. I drilled a small hole next to the seat belt buckle and used that as my clipping place for my ground wire. I was pretty proud of myself, I actually used all the proper connectors and clips for everything. I put tape over everything as an extra precaution, but no twisted together wires :D

Re: Project S-10?
 

I guess I didn't get a pic of the DS wiring done, but here's the PS clip installed along with the PS seat belt buckle. I also have the DS seat installed. I used the 3 factory bolts, and used Grade 8 bolts for the hole I had to drill. You can see in the 2nd pic that you don't need any big washers or anything because the floor is already braced from the factory in this area.

The previous owner somehow burned a big hole in the back carpet area. Oh well, it will never be seen.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Unfortunately, because this was a 4dr blazer, the seats don't fold forward, but they do slide forward enough and tilt forward enough to get the jack stuff out from behind the seat.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Almost done. I still have to pull and paint the center console, but it's way to cold for that now. With a space heater on for 6 hours, the warmest the garage ever got was 46 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. But it was a lot better than the "feels like 10 degrees" outside. I also have to sort out all of the plastic seat track covers to see what goes where, I got them all mixed up together.

I don't know why the seats look dirty and blotchy in my pics, I assure you, they are super nice in person and aren't blotchy or dirty looking at all... I hate my camera...

They don't look as cool with the head rests up, but they are going to stay up. I don't ever want mine or my wife's head to hit the rear window in an accident.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Final pics of the console and how it fit. Not too shabby for something that was never meant to be installed like I did it. I'm going to put a cloth wrap inside around the shifter area, it should look pretty good. The cup holders are also still usable. Both of them. Plenty of space between the drink and the shifter (in Reverse in the pics.)

I'll remove it and paint it when the weather gets better. The color I found at wally mart is some kind of dark gray/black plasticoat paint that is pretty close to the original charcoal. Let's be honest, none of the interior pieces in these trucks is exactly the same color anyway :lol:

Re: Project S-10?
 

And for the parts total tally...

Leather Bucket Seats: $35 (50% off day at LMQ New Years Day, WOHOO!!!)

Seat Belt Buckles and Center Console: $20 (Had to go back for the buckles, didn't know I would need them and picked up a console while I was there, that's why I was OK with the wrong color and model, $10 for this one, or over $100 on fleabay, or keep coming back *hoping* for the right one, but the LKQ here changes a $2 admission fee and it's a 1 hour round trip drive for me) I WISH I had gotten this stuff on half off day, would have saved me a trip, gas, and 10 bucks, oh well :D

Grade 8 Bolts/Nuts/Washers: $4

Misc. Wiring and Wiring Clips, and fuses: $13

Krylon Plastic Paint (haven't used yet for console) $6

My back and ass not hurting anymore... PRICELESS

So, for a whopping grand total of about $78, I have leather buckets seats, with full power on the DS and power lumbar support on both sides, and a center console :D

Re: Project S-10?
 

Very Cool!,
I wish I had a public accessible LKQ lot near me. There is a pick and pull, but the cars and trucks are thorougly hammered when they get to the lot.

I am considering leather buckets for my S10

Re: Project S-10?
 

You know what pisses me off, is that there IS an LKQ that's super close to my house, but you can't pull anything off, and their prices aren't cheap. They get it for you. I asked about a set of leather buckets and rear ext cab seat for my 00 Z71 and they said $5-600. What else ticks me off is that LKQ sells stuff on ebay, like leather seats and nice interior parts, for pretty high prices... way above their "price sheet." This REALLY makes me wonder when I check out the lot and almost every vehicle that had leather seats has NO leather seats in it...

The LKQ I got these seats from only opened up 4 or 5 months ago. SO glad it did. The other places around here have some pretty high prices for parts.

Man, the seats were worth it. My wife used to whine how much the seat on her side bothered her. We went out to dinner and took a really long way home, and man, we both like 'em!

Just to add.. I'm still "averaging" 23mpg with my around town driving and I'm pretty darn happy with that. My Z71 only gets 14mpg for the same driving.
I took it to NY and averaged 28mpg over my whole trip and I just took it to NC and back (7 hours round trip) and got a little over 29mpg. I've also put over 15,000 miles on the truck.

Re: Project S-10?
 

That's a nice truck. I was actually looking at one in 2008 and the dealer wants to much for a high mileage 2wd pu. I like what you have done to it so far. clean! i want to buy a center console for my project with an auto. shifter. I found some on ebay and the guy wouldn't budge on the price. He wanted alittle over $300 shipped to my house. that's a joke. ebay is disappointing me. the local pick and pull yards have some chevys but like you said most of them are really ripped apart. even the really good seats. that sucks. Untop of that we get alot of snow and it's cold so I don't want to go there.

Re: Project S-10?
 

Thanks. I've enjoyed it so far. I did a 3 hour round trip today and it was pretty nice :D

S-10's aren't cheap in my area either. For as much as they get knocked, they seem to be damn reliable little trucks. Mine has 107K on it, and from what I can tell, nothing under the hood of mine has ever been touched, and the hood has never been off either. The majority of the ones at the LKQ were very high mileage vehicles (not to mention most were 12-15+ years old). Most of the blazers were V6 C4C cars that probably still ran just fine, but the owner would have never gotten $4,500 on a trade in for a 188K 96 Blazer. Kind of a shame. But at least I got a good set of seats out of it :lol:

My dad had a 93 that had well over 200K on it when he sold it. He then got a 98 stepside. He drove that for a few years and now my sister drives it, I think it has 150-160K on it now. Both trucks were reg cab, 4 cyl, 5spds.

Re: Project S-10?
 

honestly, this has to be the most dependable truck gm ever made. I have a 95 sonoma with 184,000 on it still runs like a champ, well a 4cyl champ,lol. the only thing you gotta watch out for on the 2.2's is never get them hot, cause the head will crack for sure.
Ed

Re: Project S-10?
 

Redneck - you sure its 3.73 or whatever you said rear? mine was 2.2 auto reg cab short box stock and has the little 4.10 or 4.11 or whatever around there, not a 3something gear. wouldn't mind the 3.73 posi my buddys xcab 02 sonoma has now that mines got a small block...