Old77's 1989 S10 tinkering project

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
Just picked this little guy up today for pretty cheap. End game is a truck for my kid's to beat around town in when they get to that age and learn how to drive a stick on.

General Specs: 2.5L 4 cyl, 5 speed, no options other than carpet, cloth seat and sliding rear window

Issues that need addressed ASAP:
1. Clutch (will get her into the shop within the next week or so)
2. Heater Core (part ordered)
3. Shocks all four corners (parts ordered)
4. Blower motor (part ordered)
5. Hood release cable (part ordered) I have to really do some magic to get that hood open :lol:

Other things that need attention but aren't as urgent are hinge pins, turn signals,.....air fresheners? :happy175:

Anyhoot, wanted to share. I'll keep this thread updated as me and the kids tinker on her. Once I get her up to snuff I'll DD her for a while. Just want to make sure she's 100% mechanically before I have kids depending on it to get them places :)

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,019
Reaction score
14,163
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981, 1965
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s; 65-C20 with 4:57 gears and Borg Warner Overdrive
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350; 1972 L48 350
Nice little truck.
 

Markmx6

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Posts
79
Reaction score
119
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Mark
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C3500 dually
Engine Size
454
My first vehicle was an '82 S10 with the the 2.8 V6 and a 5 speed. Loved that truck, then blew the #4 connecting rod out both sides of the block... always wanted to do a V8 swap, never got around to it.
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
My first vehicle was an '82 S10 with the the 2.8 V6 and a 5 speed. Loved that truck, then blew the #4 connecting rod out both sides of the block... always wanted to do a V8 swap, never got around to it.
My first truck was a 93 s10, 5 speed, 2.8L truck. That engine isn’t good at anything but I did love that truck :)
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,476
Reaction score
23,686
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
My first s10 was an 87 2wd with the 2.5 iron duke with an auto. Reg cab short box with no options. My current one is a 91 with a 4.3 and auto. Reg cab long box 2wd. Both of wich i paid $400 for and got tons of fun outta. I love s10s, yours is damn clean.
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
My first s10 was an 87 2wd with the 2.5 iron duke with an auto. Reg cab short box with no options. My current one is a 91 with a 4.3 and auto. Reg cab long box 2wd. Both of wich i paid $400 for and got tons of fun outta. I love s10s, yours is damn clean.
Yeah they are good little trucks to get into. This is clean and about 92% rust free. Once I get all the little things sorted she should be a peach. My kids are excited, too, so that’s cool. I can’t wait to get them wrenching on it.
 

RecklessWOT

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Posts
2,548
Reaction score
4,744
Location
New Hampshire
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10 Suburban Silverado
Engine Size
350 TBI
That thing is super clean! I'm not used to seeing 1st gen S10s that aren't damn near rotted in half
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
That thing is super clean! I'm not used to seeing 1st gen S10s that aren't damn near rotted in half
No doubt! She does have a booboo on the driver side bedside but nothing major. The rest of the exterior is near mint. At some point I may just find a new bedside, throw it on and paint that side
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,476
Reaction score
23,686
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Yeah they are good little trucks to get into. This is clean and about 92% rust free. Once I get all the little things sorted she should be a peach. My kids are excited, too, so that’s cool. I can’t wait to get them wrenching on it.
I only wish mine was 5spd and 4wd lol but i can live with 2wd. Im gettin used to 2wd in snow though.
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
I only wish mine was 5spd
That does make a WORLD of difference. My brother used to have an 85 but it was an auto. When I was in grade school my dad had an 85 S15 he bought new that was almost exactly like this one being 5 speed with the 2.5L. My first truck was a 93 S10, 5 spd truck.
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,220
Reaction score
8,590
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,854
Posts
903,565
Members
33,367
Latest member
texdave
Top