Looking at picking one up as a winter beater. I'm leaning more towards 2wd because eventually I'd like to lower it and make a kinda rat truck similar to what a lot of guys are doing with the vw caddy. I'm living in the mitten so rust is everywhere on these guys, anything in particular I should be looking out for? Frame rust a big issue?
My first car was a 93. Last year of the square body. It had a 4 banger with a 5 spd. I can swear that thing only had one wheel drive. it was horrible in the snow, at least mine was. And it broke down all the time. But damn do I miss that thing. Always told myself I'd get another one and hot rod it.
Frame rust? No. Everything else? Yes.
I wouldn't strictly be looking at 1st gen's. They are pretty much the same underpinnings until they got discontinued when the Colorado abortion showed up.
I had an 86 back in 98 that I had to fix the frame in front of the left rear spring shackle. It was rotted 2/3 of the way through but that was the only spot it had. Dont know if that was common or not but that was in southern Ohio so I figure it could happen in Michigan.
The biggest issues I saw as a tech were in the front end. I would plan on replacing the idler arm/pitman arm/balljoints right off the bat and not worry anymore. Part are dirt cheap for them
Ranger50 wrote: when the Colorado abortion showed up.
Says the guy with Ranger in his username. I LOL'D
had several of these trucks, they are indestructible. look for a 2.8 V6 with 5-speed. Not a powerhouse, but much nicer to drive than the 4 banger and better on gas than the 4.3. Put good snow tires on it and 200lbs of ballast in the bed. make sure it stays back by the tail gate, it won't do any good up by the cab. Never had any trouble in many, many Michigan winters.
Remember, the 'newest' 1st gen is 20 years old now.
i love my 91 sonoma
honestly it's worth finding one down south if you have the means to bring it back. mine is from florida and up here in the cleveland area people look twice because it's not rotten or full of bondo and house screen covering holes.
the firewalls like to rot at the seams then you get wet feet all the time. my dad did extensive rot repair to his in that area.
Strictly looking first gen just cause I think they look much better, I'm not terrible worried about rot because it's gonna be a beater at first then take a long long build back to "nice". I don't really have anyway of getting one back north other than driving it, and I'm looking for the v6 although if I found the right 4 I might go for it.
In reply to patgizz: I love your 91 Sonoma as well.
In reply to nicksta43:
Motion seconded.
I had one for about 6 months before it was stolen...I have never really figured that one out.
A clean s10 in Texas is around $1500 with a stock v6 or about $4000 clean with a 350.
that's a good point. there are soooo many V8 ones around. the temptation is to find one already swapped, from the south. start with the smartest buy you can make, and the rest of the experience will be all the rosier.
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