Does anyone here have one? I have always thought they were kinda cool. If I got one that isn't rusty, are there any major issues or hard to find parts to look out for?
Does anyone here have one? I have always thought they were kinda cool. If I got one that isn't rusty, are there any major issues or hard to find parts to look out for?
Super simple to find parts. The main difference is the stiffer frame and suspension bits. The rest is GM parts bin.
I had a non-ZR2 for a long time, the only things it ever needed outside of maintenance was a radiator (plastic cracked) and new intake gaskets.
The ZR2 I believe this is the only version of the S-dime that got the 8.5" rear end.
The 4.3 uses a central electronic injection unit with poppet valves and semi-hard plastic lines running to each intake port. Over time, they tend to start leaking at the regulator, dribbling past the check valves, or cracking the plastic lines. There's a GM updated kit that retrofits you to a more modern injector setup. Symptoms are crappy mileage, misfire codes, smelling like raw fuel, etc. Intake gaskets are good to do at the same time. None of that is unique to the ZR2 though.
They are cool little trucks; I've always been a fan. a buddy has the 2 door blazer version; it's much better off road than I expected it to be. The G80 locking diff gets a bad rap online, but it works really well in practice if you know to let it lock before you really get on the power.
IMO, the gov-lock is the finest diff GM ever did. They only got a bad rap because drag racers would stab the pedal and get one wheel spinning to 60 mph at peak torque before it locked up. I have pulled apart gov-locks on 500k-mile trucks that looked brand new. I specifically sought out a gov-lock for my 66 Bonneville.
Normally-open diff, limited slip when it gets spin, and can be tuned for limited slip/lockup.
Just don't drop a V8 in it and go drag racing with it.
I like the ZR2 S-10s and looked for one.
Count me among those that think the G80s in the trucks got a bad rap. I also like Wankel Rotaries, so keep that in mind.
Slightly off topic: The late model ZR2 Colorado is amazing. I prefer it to a Tacoma. Chevy can get things right if they're allowed to.
bobzilla said:The ZR2 I believe this is the only version of the S-dime that got the 8.5" rear end.
4.3 + manual got the 8.5", and someone fairly reliable in S10 things told me *that* was the only combo to get the 8.5
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:bobzilla said:The ZR2 I believe this is the only version of the S-dime that got the 8.5" rear end.
4.3 + manual got the 8.5", and someone fairly reliable in S10 things told me *that* was the only combo to get the 8.5
All ZR2s got the 8.5, regardless of transmission. It was also wider than even the normal 4WD rear axle. I've heard 4.3 ZQ8 S10s might have gotten them, even with an automatic, but I've never gotten a chance to look under one.
Back on topic, I think a ZR2 is a pretty cool choice for an occasional off-roader. Probably don't really have to do anything to make it ready.
ZR2 has some unicorn parts on it due to the wider track. Had a customer who imported one from Pennsylvania and we needed some certain things that were simply NLA.
IIRC slapping the ZR2 rear end under a 2wd allowed you to use the ZR1 17x11's. But it's been .... 20 years now since I last thought about that.I had plans for a 4.3 Baby LT1 (L99?), the 4.3 5-spd, ZR2 rear end and ZR1 5-spoke 17x9.5/17x11 wheels in my black Sonoma sportside.
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