I want a smaller truck. I don't need to feel like I'm driving a semi tractor to feel fulfilled. Give me a cab low enough my wife can get in and out easily. Give me a bed low enough that I can easily put stuff in and take stuff out. Today's F 150s, Silverados, and Tundras are too big! And give me a sloped hood so I can see the kid in front of me. I'm diving a truck, not flying a plane!
I own a 22 colorado and honestly wouldn’t want anything smaller especially when it come to interior space and box room if you ever need to haul plywood or drywall it’s tight now
I have an older colorado (2005) but the new ones are probably decent. That or maybe try a tacoma? The reason vehicles aren't built too small anymore is to avoid emissions requirements, hence the massive scale trucks have grown to. These new midsize trucks have 4 cylinders exclusively, makes me sad
Exactly. Gov restrictions discouraged a more efficient and smaller truck. I have a 1998 I4 manual S10 and I don't ever want to let it. And there is nothing new that is a good replacement.
Ive seen a brilliant chicken tax video showing that a 1995-ish Tacoma would need to achieve 50+mpg to meet todays standards where the monster trucks get away with less and Ford (for example) is more than happy to pay the penalty on the best selling vehicle in the country,
I have never been a GM fan, but I do give credit where it is warranted... The S10 series with that 4.3l Vortec V6 was amazing. Durable and dependable and very functional for every day usage around town, highway or on the job..
I just bought a 2003 Sonoma extended cab and for basically the same reasons. I'm not a big GM guy matter of fact that was in my list of cons when buying the truck. But nonetheless parts are at every junkyard in the country, and my big thing was size. I just wanted a smaller truck and they simply aren't made that small anymore.
My 94 2.2 has almost 660,000 miles on her ! All original unrebuilt eng - trans and rear end ! Still runs and drives like a champ ! Just getting a lil rusty tho ! This summer getting bodywork and paint !
The old small trucks were great. They were frugal and efficient. I had a B2000. Friends had S10s, LUVs, Rangers, Datsun, and Hiluxes. Nothing today can hold a candle to the old stuff. Simple, cheap, dependable, and versatile.
I had a B2000 also. Running down the interstate one day, it started slowing down and I could only drive about 40 miles an hour. I pulled off to the shoulder, opened the hood, and took of the air breather. Found the trouble. One of the 2 screws holding the tiny carburetor had fallen out, and the other was loose. I tightened it up and used a piece of bailing wire to hold it all together. Put breather back on, and it was good to go! I was able to make it 50 miles home. That was such a great little truck!
@jimowens381 I can't agree more. These small pickups offered economy and some light utility capabilities. I saw a blog where these pickups were considered some of the worst made, which I don't entirely agree with. People have forgotten they weren't built for luxury or comfort. Were they necessarily a quality/ reliable build? Maybe not in the abstract. Some had a poor fit/finish; cheap latches, knobs, and the like should've held up better for a light utility vehicle. I can see enhanced cooling system to have ac, and at least an AM-FM radio ( of course the hands free phone connection-safety), maybe a 4x4 option, and leave it at that. There's the practical aspect. I'd buy a small practical pickup like that again!.
if it wasn't for the stupid chicken tax that I feel the manufacturers pay off goverment lobbyists to put you into a full size vs a cheaper compact the S10 and ranger would rise again. when i was in highschool those 2 trucks were the most popular thing on the road we counted once and saw 40 on our 30 minute drive to our vocational school.
Another awesome story. I remember the Chevy S10. I was too young to drive a car at the time, but I remember finding the truck fascinating. If I remember correctly, it was about the same size as the Toyota pickup truck at the time. It was perfect for most people who neither needed nor wanted a much larger Chevy/GMC C2500 truck, but also wanted something utilitarian to carry things around. Although I was way too young to drive a car at the time, I also remember the Chevy LUV, an Isuzu truck with a Chevrolet logo on the grille. My aunt and uncle had a 1979-80 Chevy LUV.
Back in 2001 I bought a new Chevy S10 with the 2.2L engine. I bought it as a commuter rig since it was a 45 mile ride to work each day. I drove it until 2019 and it had over 320,000 miles on it !! No engine rebuild, and I always used the best synthetic oil (royal purple brand). The only work I did on it was a starter and alternator replacement, replaced the exhaust after about 200k, brakes and tires. It was a very reliable vehicle and kept the miles off my expensive diesel truck. When I bought it, I walked into the dealership and said "I want a small compact commuter truck with no bells or whistles. Hand crank down windows, manual transmission, no AC, nothing". The dealership just happened to have one in stock. It was originally meant to be a fleet vehicle. I only paid $7,000 brand new for this truck in 2001 !!
Ours was burning oil so I put TRW forged pistons in the standard hole, valve job and timing chain with engine in vehicle. 25 mpg loaded with tools and pulling a Tow Dolley. Winched a non-running Winnebago LeSharo in the hills of NH, up on the Dolley and hauled it back to NY state. Not exactly a safe rig, but being the short overhang in the back, It was good to 50 mph on the flatter roads in NY. (Dolley brakes would have been nice) So I agree it was a good one.
For me? I Want a Simple Single Cab Truck with S True 4x8 foot bed, 4 wheel drive or AWD, Actual Knobs and Switches inside to Control the accessories! Want to be Actually able to get into the Bed without needing a ladder! We Just Want a Real a Real Simple Workhorse!
Couldn’t agree more as a previous owner of a 99 s10 and 2002 s15, when going for replacements there were no good options. Miss these simpler trucks dearly. Great job on your videos btw
Back in the day, I did have a 1980 Chevy LUV 4X4 pickup for winter driving, while I stored my Vette. Later on, I got a new 1999 Chevy S-10 (bright red) Z71 4-cylinder with the manual, fairly basic model. There was an ultra cheap lease offer at the time with zero down, which lead to my buying it at the end of my 3 year lease. It was a fun little 2nd vehicle. Very reliable and practical. I drove it for 5-6 years in total. It was a surprisingly fun little pickup. I've owned full sized pickups as well, but when the tiny truck grew into the midsized Colorado it was no longer fun, practical or a good value (to me).
I can remember loading up Sheetrock onto my uncle Dexters extended bed s10 and we’d deliver the Sunday paper in the middle of the night all of us kids in the bed working on our aim to land it either by the front door or mailbox if they had a large front lawn. This was out the sticks in northwest Florida, McDavid, close to Atmore Alabama. 0:17
I’m not much of a Chevy guy but those Inline 5 colorados are the essential pick up trucks. Reliable, fast, sound mean, and come with the manual trans. everything you want in a pick up truck is there.
Awesome! I still have my '95 Chevy S10 ZR2 regular cab short bed. I also will never sell it. Wish manufacturers still made a truck of similar configuration size.
I have a bunch of different year Chevy/GMC trucks. Some classics others newer, but my favorite is my 2003 S-10 ZR2. I absolutely love that truck & will never sell it.
Worked as a mechanic for Isuzu in the mid 80’s, the p’up with 4x4 and turbodiesel was my favorite. Only saw one and got to take it out in the sand on a Dealer prep test drive.
Outside of the color that was my first vehicle. A 91 S10 Tahoe in two tone red and black, regular cab, 2wd, iron duke and 5 speed with ac that would freeze a polar bear. I absolutely loved that truck!
I had an '88 S10 with over 270K on it. The most basic truck you could get---manual everything, including steering. Great truck, but rust hit it hard. The EGR valve literally rusted off of it, and the rear frame rails became so rotten that the rear bumper was sagging; I took it off before it fell off. Super reliable, and for a basic truck, it actually drove quite nice
We need a standard cab, compact pickup truck made today. Not that Colorado thing. Not that Ford Maverick thing. A real standard cab 2 door truck. One with plain interior. Not all that electronic crappy dashboard.
My old 1984 S10 long bed p/u is clearly irreplaceable for me! at 4`10" tall no other truck really fits me. My S10 I have had since new when bought in 1985 equipped with 5 speed manual & 2.8L V6 .We have gone almost 300,000 miles together hauling plumbing materials for my father when he was still with us & now haul farm supplies for the Thoroughbred farm that my mother & I started 25 years ago. We have rebuilt the engine at 233,000 miles & were still using original crankshaft as well as oil pump.Good maintaining work throughout its life has enabled it to still be operable. We have had the body rebuilt 3 times as we once lived on the Oregon coast which is incredibly hard on vehicles especially without a garage!
I really liked my 2008 Colorado extended cab 4x4. It was mostly still basic truck. It even had the 6 foot bed. A truck with a 5 foot bed is just silly. Sadly, it was probably a hurricane victim, as I discovered the frame was completely rusted out, and I traded it off quickly once I found that. Still, it was a good size for me, and I have had several full size trucks. I was disappointed in gas mileage. My'96 1500 got 17 mpg and the Colorado only got about 19 with the I-5. That isn't much improvement. A friend has a 2018 Colorado. His is nearly as big as a Silverado.
There is no need for a standard cab *anything* since the invention of the Xtracab by Toyota back in the early '80s. Never buy a standard cab pickup: they just make you look stupid. The chicken tax is LOOOOOOONG overdue for repeal, so we can have reasonably-priced compact pickups...
The modern trucks are all bigger. I have a 1998 Dodge Ram SS/T that I bought new. I've kept it stored in a garage all its life. I don't drive it too much, but I've noticed a funny trend when I take it out. I've heard many people make comments about my "Dakota". When I tell them it's actually a Ram, they stand back and say it looks small like a Dakota. I've parked it next to more modern Rams and it does look small. It's 2wd shortbed regular cab and I've lowered it, but it does look a tad narrow and the grill is tiny compared to the last 3 generations. I also have a 2005 Dakota Quad Cab that my dad bought new. Dad said that the cab was much wider than the full size trucks he grew up around in the 50s and 60s. When I think about it, I am amazed that just about every brand available in the US had a mini-truck available. They all sold well. Dodge was the only one that had a midsize truck and now that's the standard. It's hard for me to believe that a small reasonably priced pickup (S10/B-2000/P'up/Hardbody) wouldn't sell like hotcakes. If the Maverick and Santa Cruz is the best they can do, I'll pass and keep my old trucks.
I too drive a 98 Ram I bought new. Mine is a 1500 quad cab 4x4. At the time, it was a big truck compared to the 88-98 GMs and older trucks. Today, my brother in law brings his new F250 crew cab long bed 4x4 over and parks next to my truck and makes it look like a midsize truck. I think the new trucks have grown out of that "sweet spot" of size vs capability.
@@elcheapo5302 They are bigger all the way around. They are wider, taller, longer, but the beds are shorter. I think the cabs are even taller from floor to roof.
The rest of the world still has small trucks. Blame the EPA and the idiotic CAFE standards for the lack of small trucks in the states. I'm not saying get rid of CAFE, it needs to be rehashed so the auto makers can make and sell the small trucks...profitably.
Back in 2000 I bought a used 60,000 mile 92 S-10 reg cab 2 wheel drive short bed 4.3L. Drove it to 170,000 trouble free miles before it threw a rod. It was in such good condition I did a 5.7 TPI V8 swap from a wrecked 1990 Corvette. While it wasn't cheap needing many changes with the V8 it was a absolute blast to drive and super reliable as if it came from the factory. When I sold it I lost only a few grand. Was the swap worth it? YES.
Those small trucks like the Chevy Luv were great. A lot of my friends had trucks like that. That’s why I still have my 1989 Toyota extended cab pickup. It does everything I need it to do, it just works for me. I don’t need an expensive truck like today’s Chevy’s Colorado or Ford Ranger. Today’s so-called small trucks are still too big especially these quad cabs with the small bed. I’ll just hold on to my Toyota which is still running strong and has never let me down.
Thank you. This video was not only informative, but the footage and photos and graphics are quite good. I liked how you took the story from the beginning and worked your way up to 2024. I liked the fact you shared the global GM versions as well. I liked you that you talked about the GM cars on the same platform and parts that were shared. I like the fact you talked about sales as well. Thank you again for an excellent video. You could do so many videos on many models like this.
I had a 1996 S10 SS in black....looked much cleaner than the Xtreme that came out later.....I loved that truck looked great, good on gas hauled just about anything I needed to, only complaint was the 2WD in the snow needed some weight in tbe bed....I whish I could have kept it but the 2 bucket seats with center console were not practical for starting a family.
Great video. Man I miss the trucks of the 90s. It frustrates me so much how regular and even extended cab trucks are becoming less and less common. I don't want a crew cab!
I hear ya! The length and capacity of the cargo bed gets sacrificed with the crew cab configuration. There are times when I need every inch of what an 8 foot cargo bed provides that is found with the full sized pickups with regular cabs.
Amen! I just got a hell of a deal on a 1 owner 92 s10 tahoe package 2.8l 5 speed with 129k miles! I even have the ORIGINAL receipt 😮. It's getting a paint job next week 😊 I LOVE IT
My grandpa had an 82 S10 2.8 4MT. Gray 2wd long bed lol. Learned to drive manual on that thing and his 66 beetle 1300. Good times. I love the new GM compact twins. If I were buying now they'd be top of my list with the frontier. Love my 18 Titan though. And it's paid for lol. Cheers!
I had a ranger but plenty of friends with s10s. Those small tech free dependable trucks will always have a special place in my heart. If GM and Ford brought them back they’d be a hit!!
Ah man. What happened to these little trucks? The demand is there, but they disappeared anyway. I hope to see more compact trucks in the future. Also, great to hear about Isuzu. We had a Wizard aka Rodeo and we lived it. GM made solid trucks back then with Isuzu.
The brazilian version of the S-10 was an absolute success. It was the best selling pickup truck of Brazil for over a decade, and the second generation is the second place on sells to this day, just a few units per month behind the Toyota Hilux.
I had a first generation S10, bought it used from the company I worked for at a bargain price since no one wanted it with its manual transmission. It was a clunky but dependable vehicle. The four-speed manual was a very smooth shifter; unlike the previous Isuzu pickup that required more arm effort to shift. One aspect that impressed me with the S10 was with its heater, as from all the vehicles I've driven from the 1970s to the present, the heater in that S10 did the best when it came to warming my legs . . . and when the legs are warm, the rest of the body follows suit with getting warmed up.
I have a red 2002 single cab, step-side, 4.3L Vortec Xtreme. Little thing can still burn the tires without much effort. Of course, I've got a boatload of replacement parts I need to get installed to bring it back to a better, more safe driver, but it'll get there!
I've had two Blazers, a 2001 and a 2003. And the only reason the 01 isn't still running around is a kamikaze Nissan "driver" pulled out in front of it... Despite previous owners treating them poorly, both run well, at over 200k miles. The Vortec 6 doesn't seem to care what you do. It just chugs along. The transmissions are a bit picky at times, but I don't need a Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40 Watt range to work on the damn thing.
My family had an early S-10 Blazer and it had a design flaw: get stuck in traffic on a hot day and the engine would overheat. I remember a few times where we were in stop-and-go traffic, the temperature was in the 90s, and we had the heater blowing full blast to try to get some of the heat out of the engine.
My old dad had a Ford Courier in the latter 70s. He sold it just after I turned 16 to inaugurate his Chrysler plushmobile phase. This bummed me out mightily, as I was hoping to get that truck. Around 1989, someone I knew got an S10. It was really nice, with the smaller 2.8 V6. I ended up buying my beloved Toyota 1 Ton that same year. I was sorry to see the S10 go, the Colorado just wasn't/isn't the same.
thanks for sharing the memories! I've got this picture in my head of a 70's sitcom where everyone sita around the kitchen table, there's cake, and a big banner above that says "Chrysler plushmobile phase!" LOL. And just a sneak-peak, I'll be following up this S-10 vid with the Ranger history in the next 2 or 3 videos. I expect sometime in April, so stay tuned. :)
I had a 2000 S-10 2wd with the 4.3. Loved it, put 350000 kms on it before the rust ate through everything, I hate Canada for that. The motor and tranny were still going strong.
I remember when the Chevy Luv and Ford Courier were on the road. In late 1984 my grandfather's 1947 Studebaker farm truck seized up (long story). So he went to the local Chevy dealership and bought a used 1984 S-10. A few years later my grandparents moved in with us, and I drove the S-10 around a lot. It was not pleasant to drive. It had manual steering and brakes, stick shift, and the 1.9 Isuzu engine. The worst part about it was that it was hard to steer. Keeping the front end greased every 3000 miles didn't help. It was always hard to steer. I don't know how my grandfather did it. He was 89 when he bought it. Anyway, interesting history.
I'm on my second, 1st gen Colorado, a 2012 regular cab with the 2.9L 4 cylinder and 5 speed manual transmission.(owned an exact version, a 2006 model for over a decade prior) I will probably roll with this truck until the wheels fall off, she is the last of her kind.(and still compact compared to the 2nd and 3rd gens) I wish SOME vehicle company would bring these back, there IS demand for them.
Yes, the midsize trucks of today ARE the size of full-sizers from the 90's. The extended cab Colorado is the same length and width as the 90's gmt400 chassis sitting side by side.
Owner of a 1990 4.3 S15 currently have it listed for sale but I've been thinking of taking it off marketplace. I want to paint it, lower it and putting some nice tires on it.
Jon--I owned a 99 S-10 extended cab 5 speed manual with a 2.2 for almost 21 years one of the best vehicles I ever owned. I also owned a 08 crewcab 4x4 Isuzu 370 for 12 years which was an excellent truck both bought new. The Isuzu was about the size of a full size truck from the 90s. I now own a hybrid Maverick which is a compact but bigger than most compact trucks of the 70s and 80s. The sales of the Maverick and Santa Cruz prove there is a market for an affordable compact pickup which the South American Chevy Montana is. Chevy could very easily produce a US version of the Montana in Mexico and it would sell but GM in recent years has ceded the market for smaller more affordable vehicles with the exception of the Trax.
And I think the success of the Maverick (Ford is expecting 100k units this year) and the strong sales of the Trax may just be the wake up call GM needs. fingers crossed.
One of my uncles had a Chevy Luv. It hauled a lot of wood for his wood shop. The truck just didn't hold up and he replaced it as soon as he paid off the loan. I owned two Chevy S-10s: an '89 and a '99. Loved them both! Denand for smaller trucks might be there, but profit margins aren't. Thus, there are no small pick-ups.
Harris Chevy LUV back in the day. Loved it. Ihad an S10 Blazer. Did not like it as much. Drove a few S10 4X back in the day and they were great little trucks. I actually have a little S10 weather v6. And they put a cage dump bed in it. It's electric over hydraulic. The truck rides like a bigger truck. Except for locker room in the cab. It has big oversized all-terrain tires. Even if it's only had two wheel drive.
I had a job in high school in 1993 and 94 delivering PPE and safety supplies. I spent a lot of time at the Shreveport S 10 assembly plant receiving dept. I knew a lot of people that worked there and a lot of people that lost their jobs when the plant closed around 2008.
Love the s10. Solid little trucks. Drove an '03 2.2 s10 auto for years as a delivery truck. DANGEROUSLY slow with the 2.2/auto combo but have over 350k before it blew a head gasket, I'd say it was a very reliable little truck. I've always wanted a Colorado/Canyon with a 5.3. Sounds like a quick little truck 😅
I still have my 2005 Chevy Colorado X-TREME. [ Yellow]. It has been extremely reliable. I’m an Auto Detailer, and lug ALL my equipment around in it. It’s all I have. Close to 250,000 miles on the “LEMONADE “, as she was named by her former owner. I bought 14 years ago. 🚗😁‼️
Off subject a little, but not only electric variants were offered in the 90s, nat gas vehicles sadly wete offered in many models but died out. Nat gas had some very nice features like clean running engines that lasted forever.
Still own a 95 single cab 2wd S10 and daily drive an 01 Blazer 2dr 2wd. Long live the s series. I've owned many of them in different variations from 2wd to 4wd's.
my favorite truck I had way too many. had 91 with a iron duke 5 speed. owned two zr2. a base model 2 wheel 4 banger.all because of the 1991 syclone. I was born and it was the hot girl down the street.
We did buy this auction I think it was a 1990 S10 with a 5-speed manual it had the three-door option is pretty clean though they didn't really need anything besides cleaned
They also had a Tahoe trim as well & 2 tone paint options as my 93 maxi cab has a rarity now days on my RUclips channel under long-term restoration to factory for cash reasons. The 173 2.8 V6 is actually not bad mine had it with 244k in it never rebuilt i randomly daily drive it too Note the 1.9 Gas engine is pretty rare to find on RUclips now days i looked
Although I enjoyed the video, this was more of a GM small truck history presentation rather than an exclusive, in-depth history of the S10. You barely scraped the surface. With that out of the way, I have to say that I've always loved these vehicles. I bought a 1992 S10, 4.3, 5spd, 2WD when I was a senior in high school in 1994. It was black with red interior. I drove that little truck through hell and back for 12 years until I had a spinal chord injury and became paralyzed. It was parked and pretty much forgotten about for 19 years until this time last year when some of my friends decided to rebuild it for me and make it more accessible for my needs. As it turned out, they had bought a white 1993 S10 for a parts donor truck that was in much better shape than mine, so we're rebuilding it instead. It has the 4.3 with an automatic transmission, white with blue interior. We have a long, long way to go, but we'll get it one piece at a time like Johnny Cash sang.
Nice video, Jon. I'm late to watch this one. My one comment is about the small truck market. I'm not convinced there's a market anymore. Usually delivery is done by transit van/minivan. Keeps things more secure. Yes, people do cry for a small truck...but they also cry for a manual wagon...and we know no one is actually buying them anymore. Who knows.... maybe one day a small truck will be made that has some kind magic cover that keeps out weather and burglars but can stow away unseen with a push of a button.....or something like that.
Good video. I agree, the conpact trucks just arent compact anymore. Obviously with the success of the ford maverick, there is a decent market for truly compact pickups. Looking at the current half ton size pickups they are just too huge for many people. However current Colorado size pickups are so close in price to full size might as well get the full size. To me, reissue s10, original ranger size simple pickups i think they would be a hit!
If you ever see any of comments you will know that one of my daily drivers is an 87 S10 extended cab. And I am watching this while getting ready to go jump in said S10 and drive into another state
@@AllCarswithJon I definitely understand, I just don’t comment on every video lol. Usually just the ones about small pickups because I think they’re absolutely the nearly perfect vehicle
At least, for now, the S10/S15 gets to live on as the last AFFORDABLE platform for low-buck hot rodding. It's really the only light weight thing left to build a sub-$2000 hot rod out of, now that Fox-bodies are going up in price.
I've had 2 Sonoma's, an S10 Blazer and S10 pickup, my current daily is a 2003 GMC Sonoma ZRX, love the style and reliability of the 4.3, my 02 S10 went 312,000 miles before I sold it, guy is still driving it. Never really liked the new styling of the Colorado.
Agree, we need the smaller simpler truck as a 2 seater with or without add'l behind the seat storage. (I also saw your video on why we don't have them.)
I had a 2004 ZR5 for a while. Loved that truck. Only reason I got rid of it is it became a bit of a nightmare mechanically from being abused prior to buying it. I do miss it.
Here down under. We Lost our Falcon/holden utes. BUT we get compact utes ( like Hilux Nissans ECT being common and the Ranger ) THE US trucks ( Utes ) Are sold here. AKA Ford F150. Ram 1500 and chev. ( Soon Toyota Tunda ) However stuff like Heavy duty like F250 size is not sold here. Utes ( trucks ) are VERY common here with the Top selling vehicle Is Ford ranger and toyota hi-Lux. There is also lots of Chinese utes sold here, Some are better then others. Looks up Great wall cannon. LDV Jac. ECT. Anyway awesome Video :)
The 2.8 engine really isn't that bad if you can get the thing running right. It's not very fast, but it's got some torque, and it sounds bad ass with a 3 inch exhaust on it.
Ik a guy who has a 2.2 5 speed round body s10 has just under 400k it’s been wrecked 4 times last time we had to put an entirely different front clip off another s10 from the junkyard with only 130k but that clip is the rustiest thing on the pickup still drives straight no issues and the frame itself looks like it would only have 130k but try triplin that
And I don’t live in the kinda place that vehicle last forever they salt the roads every chance they can that just shows the quality these were built with
I want a smaller truck. I don't need to feel like I'm driving a semi tractor to feel fulfilled. Give me a cab low enough my wife can get in and out easily. Give me a bed low enough that I can easily put stuff in and take stuff out. Today's F 150s, Silverados, and Tundras are too big! And give me a sloped hood so I can see the kid in front of me. I'm diving a truck, not flying a plane!
Look at the 2024 Chevy Colorado
I own a 22 colorado and honestly wouldn’t want anything smaller especially when it come to interior space and box room if you ever need to haul plywood or drywall it’s tight now
I have an older colorado (2005) but the new ones are probably decent. That or maybe try a tacoma? The reason vehicles aren't built too small anymore is to avoid emissions requirements, hence the massive scale trucks have grown to. These new midsize trucks have 4 cylinders exclusively, makes me sad
You are describing my truck, a Ford Maverick. For me, a Colorado is still pretty big
Jon, the reason you don't have a smaller pickup is the way emissions tax is calibrated based on truck size.
A dastardly loophole.
This is true!
I have 2 videos about that very subject
Exactly. Gov restrictions discouraged a more efficient and smaller truck. I have a 1998 I4 manual S10 and I don't ever want to let it. And there is nothing new that is a good replacement.
Ive seen a brilliant chicken tax video showing that a 1995-ish Tacoma would need to achieve 50+mpg to meet todays standards where the monster trucks get away with less and Ford (for example) is more than happy to pay the penalty on the best selling vehicle in the country,
And GM probably lobbied them to configure it that way because bigger vehicles equals bigger profits per unit sold
I have never been a GM fan, but I do give credit where it is warranted... The S10 series with that 4.3l Vortec V6 was amazing. Durable and dependable and very functional for every day usage around town, highway or on the job..
Driving to 98 with a 4.3 in it right now. It's definitely limited by how sloppy the 4l60 behind it is but there's a lot of meet there if you punch it.
The LU3 Vortec 4300 was the best version which was in 2003-2013/2014.
I still have my 92' with a shortbed 4.3 engine.
JUNK
I just bought a 2003 Sonoma extended cab and for basically the same reasons. I'm not a big GM guy matter of fact that was in my list of cons when buying the truck. But nonetheless parts are at every junkyard in the country, and my big thing was size. I just wanted a smaller truck and they simply aren't made that small anymore.
My 94 2.2 has almost 660,000 miles on her ! All original unrebuilt eng - trans and rear end ! Still runs and drives like a champ ! Just getting a lil rusty tho ! This summer getting bodywork and paint !
The old small trucks were great. They were frugal and efficient. I had a B2000. Friends had S10s, LUVs, Rangers, Datsun, and Hiluxes.
Nothing today can hold a candle to the old stuff. Simple, cheap, dependable, and versatile.
I had a B2000 also. Running down the interstate one day, it started slowing down and I could only drive about 40 miles an hour. I pulled off to the shoulder, opened the hood, and took of the air breather. Found the trouble. One of the 2 screws holding the tiny carburetor had fallen out, and the other was loose. I tightened it up and used a piece of bailing wire to hold it all together. Put breather back on, and it was good to go! I was able to make it 50 miles home. That was such a great little truck!
I think the automakers have finally realized that alot of people really want that small simple pickup again. Ex. Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe.
@jimowens381 I can't agree more. These small pickups offered economy and some light utility capabilities. I saw a blog where these pickups were considered some of the worst made, which I don't entirely agree with. People have forgotten they weren't built for luxury or comfort. Were they necessarily a quality/ reliable build? Maybe not in the abstract. Some had a poor fit/finish; cheap latches, knobs, and the like should've held up better for a light utility vehicle. I can see enhanced cooling system to have ac, and at least an AM-FM radio ( of course the hands free phone connection-safety), maybe a 4x4 option, and leave it at that. There's the practical aspect. I'd buy a small practical pickup like that again!.
can’t forget the one that aren’t in America, the Chevy Montana and Ram Rampage
😮😅😅😅😅😅@@toddberner9198
if it wasn't for the stupid chicken tax that I feel the manufacturers pay off goverment lobbyists to put you into a full size vs a cheaper compact the S10 and ranger would rise again. when i was in highschool those 2 trucks were the most popular thing on the road we counted once and saw 40 on our 30 minute drive to our vocational school.
Don’t want a Hyundai. I do want a smaller pickup but only if it’s a Ute
Another awesome story. I remember the Chevy S10. I was too young to drive a car at the time, but I remember finding the truck fascinating. If I remember correctly, it was about the same size as the Toyota pickup truck at the time. It was perfect for most people who neither needed nor wanted a much larger Chevy/GMC C2500 truck, but also wanted something utilitarian to carry things around. Although I was way too young to drive a car at the time, I also remember the Chevy LUV, an Isuzu truck with a Chevrolet logo on the grille. My aunt and uncle had a 1979-80 Chevy LUV.
Back in 2001 I bought a new Chevy S10 with the 2.2L engine. I bought it as a commuter rig since it was a 45 mile ride to work each day. I drove it until 2019 and it had over 320,000 miles on it !! No engine rebuild, and I always used the best synthetic oil (royal purple brand). The only work I did on it was a starter and alternator replacement, replaced the exhaust after about 200k, brakes and tires. It was a very reliable vehicle and kept the miles off my expensive diesel truck. When I bought it, I walked into the dealership and said "I want a small compact commuter truck with no bells or whistles. Hand crank down windows, manual transmission, no AC, nothing". The dealership just happened to have one in stock. It was originally meant to be a fleet vehicle. I only paid $7,000 brand new for this truck in 2001 !!
You should do a video on the Astro like this! Very informative. Thanks
That's a good idea, thanks.
I think the Astro/Safari was one of the most practical vehicles ever made. I wish they would manufacture something similar again
Ours was burning oil so I put TRW forged pistons in the standard hole, valve job and timing chain with engine in vehicle. 25 mpg loaded with tools and pulling a Tow Dolley. Winched a non-running Winnebago LeSharo in the hills of NH, up on the Dolley and hauled it back to NY state. Not exactly a safe rig, but being the short overhang in the back, It was good to 50 mph on the flatter roads in NY. (Dolley brakes would have been nice)
So I agree it was a good one.
For me? I Want a Simple Single Cab Truck with S True 4x8 foot bed, 4 wheel drive or AWD, Actual Knobs and Switches inside to Control the accessories! Want to be Actually able to get into the Bed without needing a ladder!
We Just Want a Real a Real Simple Workhorse!
unfortunately that only comes in a 1/2 ton and the bare bones is well over 40k here in canada . My 2022 wt colorado v6 short bed 4x4 was 45k
I had a 1991 S-10 that I bought brand new. 5-speed manual. I'm loving your videos dude!
im the proud owner of a 1991 S10 Baja!
Selling it?
Couldn’t agree more as a previous owner of a 99 s10 and 2002 s15, when going for replacements there were no good options. Miss these simpler trucks dearly. Great job on your videos btw
Thanks!
I own a 99 Blazer and plan to keep it for quite a while more as there is really no other option for its replacement as a nimble small 4x4 SUV.
One of my favorite vehicles I owned was a 1993 GMC Jimmy Tahoe LT. HO 4.3L V6, pushbutton 4WD, Leather seats. It was a perfect truck.
I love my 92 s10 still has the 2.8 v6 running strong 5 speed manual. Just something about it to scoot through town . Great video by the way
Back in the day, I did have a 1980 Chevy LUV 4X4 pickup for winter driving, while I stored my Vette. Later on, I got a new 1999 Chevy S-10 (bright red) Z71 4-cylinder with the manual, fairly basic model. There was an ultra cheap lease offer at the time with zero down, which lead to my buying it at the end of my 3 year lease. It was a fun little 2nd vehicle. Very reliable and practical. I drove it for 5-6 years in total. It was a surprisingly fun little pickup. I've owned full sized pickups as well, but when the tiny truck grew into the midsized Colorado it was no longer fun, practical or a good value (to me).
LUV was Japanese
My very first vehicle was a 1988 GMC S-15.
Black and chrome.
I loved that truck.
I can remember loading up Sheetrock onto my uncle Dexters extended bed s10 and we’d deliver the Sunday paper in the middle of the night all of us kids in the bed working on our aim to land it either by the front door or mailbox if they had a large front lawn. This was out the sticks in northwest Florida, McDavid, close to Atmore Alabama. 0:17
I’m not much of a Chevy guy but those Inline 5 colorados are the essential pick up trucks. Reliable, fast, sound mean, and come with the manual trans. everything you want in a pick up truck is there.
NOT RELIABLE by any stretch....LOL>..
They were very unreliable
I still drive my 98 single cab Zr2, I don't think I'll ever let it go!
Great video Jon!!
Awesome! I still have my '95 Chevy S10 ZR2 regular cab short bed. I also will never sell it. Wish manufacturers still made a truck of similar configuration size.
I have a bunch of different year Chevy/GMC trucks. Some classics others newer, but my favorite is my 2003 S-10 ZR2. I absolutely love that truck & will never sell it.
You are correct, and their market research is way wrong.
I did build the AMT 1/25 scale 94 GMC Sonoma model kit last fall and it came out OK I think...
Worked as a mechanic for Isuzu in the mid 80’s, the p’up with 4x4 and turbodiesel was my favorite. Only saw one and got to take it out in the sand on a Dealer prep test drive.
Make my square-body S10 a single cab, with dark green monochrome paint, steel wheels with bottle caps, the Iron Duke Four, and 5 speed manual! 😊
Outside of the color that was my first vehicle. A 91 S10 Tahoe in two tone red and black, regular cab, 2wd, iron duke and 5 speed with ac that would freeze a polar bear. I absolutely loved that truck!
That 2.5 iron duke was a very reliable and efficient engine.
I had an '88 S10 with over 270K on it. The most basic truck you could get---manual everything, including steering. Great truck, but rust hit it hard. The EGR valve literally rusted off of it, and the rear frame rails became so rotten that the rear bumper was sagging; I took it off before it fell off. Super reliable, and for a basic truck, it actually drove quite nice
We need a standard cab, compact pickup truck made today. Not that Colorado thing. Not that Ford Maverick thing. A real standard cab 2 door truck. One with plain interior. Not all that electronic crappy dashboard.
My old 1984 S10 long bed p/u is clearly irreplaceable for me! at 4`10" tall no other truck really fits me. My S10 I have had since new when bought in 1985 equipped with 5 speed manual & 2.8L V6 .We have gone almost 300,000 miles together hauling plumbing materials for my father when he was still with us & now haul farm supplies for the Thoroughbred farm that my mother & I started 25 years ago. We have rebuilt the engine at 233,000 miles & were still using original crankshaft as well as oil pump.Good maintaining work throughout its life has enabled it to still be operable. We have had the body rebuilt 3 times as we once lived on the Oregon coast which is incredibly hard on vehicles especially without a garage!
I really liked my 2008 Colorado extended cab 4x4. It was mostly still basic truck. It even had the 6 foot bed. A truck with a 5 foot bed is just silly. Sadly, it was probably a hurricane victim, as I discovered the frame was completely rusted out, and I traded it off quickly once I found that. Still, it was a good size for me, and I have had several full size trucks. I was disappointed in gas mileage. My'96 1500 got 17 mpg and the Colorado only got about 19 with the I-5. That isn't much improvement. A friend has a 2018 Colorado. His is nearly as big as a Silverado.
There is no need for a standard cab *anything* since the invention of the Xtracab by Toyota back in the early '80s.
Never buy a standard cab pickup: they just make you look stupid.
The chicken tax is LOOOOOOONG overdue for repeal, so we can have reasonably-priced compact pickups...
The modern trucks are all bigger. I have a 1998 Dodge Ram SS/T that I bought new. I've kept it stored in a garage all its life. I don't drive it too much, but I've noticed a funny trend when I take it out. I've heard many people make comments about my "Dakota". When I tell them it's actually a Ram, they stand back and say it looks small like a Dakota. I've parked it next to more modern Rams and it does look small. It's 2wd shortbed regular cab and I've lowered it, but it does look a tad narrow and the grill is tiny compared to the last 3 generations.
I also have a 2005 Dakota Quad Cab that my dad bought new. Dad said that the cab was much wider than the full size trucks he grew up around in the 50s and 60s.
When I think about it, I am amazed that just about every brand available in the US had a mini-truck available. They all sold well. Dodge was the only one that had a midsize truck and now that's the standard. It's hard for me to believe that a small reasonably priced pickup (S10/B-2000/P'up/Hardbody) wouldn't sell like hotcakes. If the Maverick and Santa Cruz is the best they can do, I'll pass and keep my old trucks.
There’s some nice small trucks out there but they aren’t sold in America unfortunately
I too drive a 98 Ram I bought new. Mine is a 1500 quad cab 4x4. At the time, it was a big truck compared to the 88-98 GMs and older trucks. Today, my brother in law brings his new F250 crew cab long bed 4x4 over and parks next to my truck and makes it look like a midsize truck. I think the new trucks have grown out of that "sweet spot" of size vs capability.
@@elcheapo5302 They are bigger all the way around. They are wider, taller, longer, but the beds are shorter. I think the cabs are even taller from floor to roof.
The rest of the world still has small trucks. Blame the EPA and the idiotic CAFE standards for the lack of small trucks in the states. I'm not saying get rid of CAFE, it needs to be rehashed so the auto makers can make and sell the small trucks...profitably.
Ive got my 99 s10 as my first vehicle, its needed some stuff like a fuel pump, but its been very good since its componets are 25 years old
Back in 2000 I bought a used 60,000 mile 92 S-10 reg cab 2 wheel drive short bed 4.3L. Drove it to 170,000 trouble free miles before it threw a rod. It was in such good condition I did a 5.7 TPI V8 swap from a wrecked 1990 Corvette. While it wasn't cheap needing many changes with the V8 it was a absolute blast to drive and super reliable as if it came from the factory. When I sold it I lost only a few grand. Was the swap worth it? YES.
Those small trucks like the Chevy Luv were great. A lot of my friends had trucks like that. That’s why I still have my 1989 Toyota extended cab pickup. It does everything I need it to do, it just works for me. I don’t need an expensive truck like today’s Chevy’s Colorado or Ford Ranger. Today’s so-called small trucks are still too big especially these quad cabs with the small bed. I’ll just hold on to my Toyota which is still running strong and has never let me down.
My father bought a new one in 84 it was a great truck couple decades later I had a 92 it was also a good truck
Thank you. This video was not only informative, but the footage and photos and graphics are quite good. I liked how you took the story from the beginning and worked your way up to 2024. I liked the fact you shared the global GM versions as well. I liked you that you talked about the GM cars on the same platform and parts that were shared. I like the fact you talked about sales as well. Thank you again for an excellent video. You could do so many videos on many models like this.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
I had a 1996 S10 SS in black....looked much cleaner than the Xtreme that came out later.....I loved that truck looked great, good on gas hauled just about anything I needed to, only complaint was the 2WD in the snow needed some weight in tbe bed....I whish I could have kept it but the 2 bucket seats with center console were not practical for starting a family.
Great video. Man I miss the trucks of the 90s. It frustrates me so much how regular and even extended cab trucks are becoming less and less common. I don't want a crew cab!
I hear ya! The length and capacity of the cargo bed gets sacrificed with the crew cab configuration. There are times when I need every inch of what an 8 foot cargo bed provides that is found with the full sized pickups with regular cabs.
I ll stick w/ my 92 S10 2.8 6 CYLINDER MANUAL SHIFT 4 SPEED
OVERDRIVE STANDARD EXTENDED CAB.
A POWERFUL DEPENDABLE AND TOUGH PLUS SPORTY TRUCK.
Amen! I just got a hell of a deal on a 1 owner 92 s10 tahoe package 2.8l 5 speed with 129k miles! I even have the ORIGINAL receipt 😮. It's getting a paint job next week 😊 I LOVE IT
Clint Eastwood who owns one of those 1991 GMC cyclone apparently loves driving that truck around
I had a blue 2000 extended cab S10. It was a great little truck!
I had a 94 s10 in highschool. Loved that truck! I miss it to this day, the 4.3 v6 was a great engine. Fantastic video as always Jon!
My grandpa had an 82 S10 2.8 4MT. Gray 2wd long bed lol. Learned to drive manual on that thing and his 66 beetle 1300. Good times. I love the new GM compact twins. If I were buying now they'd be top of my list with the frontier. Love my 18 Titan though. And it's paid for lol. Cheers!
I had a ranger but plenty of friends with s10s. Those small tech free dependable trucks will always have a special place in my heart. If GM and Ford brought them back they’d be a hit!!
Had a 91 S10, 2.5 5-speed without power steering. The most fun I've had on 4 wheels.
Ah man. What happened to these little trucks? The demand is there, but they disappeared anyway. I hope to see more compact trucks in the future. Also, great to hear about Isuzu. We had a Wizard aka Rodeo and we lived it. GM made solid trucks back then with Isuzu.
CAFE regulations. Jon has a couple of very informative videos explaining the demise of the small pickup in the U.S.
@@skiptheroad Oh, CAFE. That’s right.
The brazilian version of the S-10 was an absolute success. It was the best selling pickup truck of Brazil for over a decade, and the second generation is the second place on sells to this day, just a few units per month behind the Toyota Hilux.
I would like to see the s-10 being made again I have owned 3 of them I have a 2003 chevy s-10 today a are and it love it a great truck
King of the s10 here. Good video
I had a first generation S10, bought it used from the company I worked for at a bargain price since no one wanted it with its manual transmission.
It was a clunky but dependable vehicle. The four-speed manual was a very smooth shifter; unlike the previous Isuzu pickup that required more arm effort to shift.
One aspect that impressed me with the S10 was with its heater, as from all the vehicles I've driven from the 1970s to the present, the heater in that S10 did the best when it came to warming my legs . . . and when the legs are warm, the rest of the body follows suit with getting warmed up.
I have a red 2002 single cab, step-side, 4.3L Vortec Xtreme. Little thing can still burn the tires without much effort. Of course, I've got a boatload of replacement parts I need to get installed to bring it back to a better, more safe driver, but it'll get there!
I had a "Durango" S10. People often asked me why i put the word Durango with stickers on my truck. LOL.
I've had two Blazers, a 2001 and a 2003. And the only reason the 01 isn't still running around is a kamikaze Nissan "driver" pulled out in front of it...
Despite previous owners treating them poorly, both run well, at over 200k miles.
The Vortec 6 doesn't seem to care what you do. It just chugs along. The transmissions are a bit picky at times, but I don't need a Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40 Watt range to work on the damn thing.
My family had an early S-10 Blazer and it had a design flaw: get stuck in traffic on a hot day and the engine would overheat. I remember a few times where we were in stop-and-go traffic, the temperature was in the 90s, and we had the heater blowing full blast to try to get some of the heat out of the engine.
I had a 91 that had zero problems sitting in traffic, or idling in general. That one just had an issue.
there’s a guy in my town with 2 of those Chevy SSR’s, there pretty cool, sounds really good too.
My old dad had a Ford Courier in the latter 70s. He sold it just after I turned 16 to inaugurate his Chrysler plushmobile phase. This bummed me out mightily, as I was hoping to get that truck. Around 1989, someone I knew got an S10. It was really nice, with the smaller 2.8 V6. I ended up buying my beloved Toyota 1 Ton that same year. I was sorry to see the S10 go, the Colorado just wasn't/isn't the same.
thanks for sharing the memories! I've got this picture in my head of a 70's sitcom where everyone sita around the kitchen table, there's cake, and a big banner above that says "Chrysler plushmobile phase!"
LOL.
And just a sneak-peak, I'll be following up this S-10 vid with the Ranger history in the next 2 or 3 videos. I expect sometime in April, so stay tuned. :)
@@AllCarswithJon Sweet!
7:18 I kinda like the Brazilian front end treatment. It'd be a fun, different thing up here!
I had a 94 ss. One of my favorite vehicles I’ve owned
I had a 2000 S-10 2wd with the 4.3. Loved it, put 350000 kms on it before the rust ate through everything, I hate Canada for that. The motor and tranny were still going strong.
I had a new '78 Chevy LUV...would love to get another small truck of the same size with a 5 or 6sp. manual.... just a basic smalll truck❗
I remember when the Chevy Luv and Ford Courier were on the road. In late 1984 my grandfather's 1947 Studebaker farm truck seized up (long story). So he went to the local Chevy dealership and bought a used 1984 S-10. A few years later my grandparents moved in with us, and I drove the S-10 around a lot. It was not pleasant to drive. It had manual steering and brakes, stick shift, and the 1.9 Isuzu engine. The worst part about it was that it was hard to steer. Keeping the front end greased every 3000 miles didn't help. It was always hard to steer. I don't know how my grandfather did it. He was 89 when he bought it. Anyway, interesting history.
I'm on my second, 1st gen Colorado, a 2012 regular cab with the 2.9L 4 cylinder and 5 speed manual transmission.(owned an exact version, a 2006 model for over a decade prior) I will probably roll with this truck until the wheels fall off, she is the last of her kind.(and still compact compared to the 2nd and 3rd gens) I wish SOME vehicle company would bring these back, there IS demand for them.
My 97 just hit 249,000 miles. Should be hitting 250,000 next week.
2.2 liter, automatic transmission
04-03-2024
The S-10 ZR2 was also available at GMC as the Sonoma Highrider.
Yes, the midsize trucks of today ARE the size of full-sizers from the 90's. The extended cab Colorado is the same length and width as the 90's gmt400 chassis sitting side by side.
Owner of a 1990 4.3 S15 currently have it listed for sale but I've been thinking of taking it off marketplace. I want to paint it, lower it and putting some nice tires on it.
Jon--I owned a 99 S-10 extended cab 5 speed manual with a 2.2 for almost 21 years one of the best vehicles I ever owned. I also owned a 08 crewcab 4x4 Isuzu 370 for 12 years which was an excellent truck both bought new. The Isuzu was about the size of a full size truck from the 90s. I now own a hybrid Maverick which is a compact but bigger than most compact trucks of the 70s and 80s. The sales of the Maverick and Santa Cruz prove there is a market for an affordable compact pickup which the South American Chevy Montana is. Chevy could very easily produce a US version of the Montana in Mexico and it would sell but GM in recent years has ceded the market for smaller more affordable vehicles with the exception of the Trax.
And I think the success of the Maverick (Ford is expecting 100k units this year) and the strong sales of the Trax may just be the wake up call GM needs. fingers crossed.
I'm a Ford man myself but I will admit the S10 was a tough little truck. I like them as well I've owned a few Chevy trucks too
One of my uncles had a Chevy Luv. It hauled a lot of wood for his wood shop. The truck just didn't hold up and he replaced it as soon as he paid off the loan.
I owned two Chevy S-10s: an '89 and a '99. Loved them both!
Denand for smaller trucks might be there, but profit margins aren't. Thus, there are no small pick-ups.
Dime Gang check in!
Harris Chevy LUV back in the day. Loved it. Ihad an S10 Blazer. Did not like it as much. Drove a few S10 4X back in the day and they were great little trucks. I actually have a little S10 weather v6. And they put a cage dump bed in it. It's electric over hydraulic. The truck rides like a bigger truck. Except for locker room in the cab. It has big oversized all-terrain tires. Even if it's only had two wheel drive.
I had a job in high school in 1993 and 94 delivering PPE and safety supplies. I spent a lot of time at the Shreveport S 10 assembly plant receiving dept. I knew a lot of people that worked there and a lot of people that lost their jobs when the plant closed around 2008.
My 2010 Colorado was great. So great I ended up with a ‘21 ZR2 a few years later. That truck handled everything I threw at it, or threw it over.
Love the s10. Solid little trucks. Drove an '03 2.2 s10 auto for years as a delivery truck. DANGEROUSLY slow with the 2.2/auto combo but have over 350k before it blew a head gasket, I'd say it was a very reliable little truck.
I've always wanted a Colorado/Canyon with a 5.3. Sounds like a quick little truck 😅
I still have my 2005 Chevy Colorado X-TREME. [ Yellow].
It has been extremely reliable. I’m an Auto Detailer, and lug ALL my equipment around in it. It’s all I have. Close to 250,000 miles on the “LEMONADE “, as she was named by her former owner.
I bought 14 years ago.
🚗😁‼️
LS1 conversion 😃
Off subject a little, but not only electric variants were offered in the 90s, nat gas vehicles sadly wete offered in many models but died out. Nat gas had some very nice features like clean running engines that lasted forever.
The Compact/Mid size truck might as well be the halfton now. The truck market is getting oversized!
Still own a 95 single cab 2wd S10 and daily drive an 01 Blazer 2dr 2wd. Long live the s series. I've owned many of them in different variations from 2wd to 4wd's.
my favorite truck I had way too many. had 91 with a iron duke 5 speed. owned two zr2. a base model 2 wheel 4 banger.all because of the 1991 syclone. I was born and it was the hot girl down the street.
Believe it I have a 98 S-10 Vortech V6 with 31,000 miles
We did buy this auction I think it was a 1990 S10 with a 5-speed manual it had the three-door option is pretty clean though they didn't really need anything besides cleaned
They also had a Tahoe trim as well & 2 tone paint options as my 93 maxi cab has a rarity now days on my RUclips channel under long-term restoration to factory for cash reasons.
The 173 2.8 V6 is actually not bad mine had it with 244k in it never rebuilt i randomly daily drive it too
Note the 1.9 Gas engine is pretty rare to find on RUclips now days i looked
We forgot to mention the USPS LLV postal truck based on the S10 platform
Although I enjoyed the video, this was more of a GM small truck history presentation rather than an exclusive, in-depth history of the S10.
You barely scraped the surface.
With that out of the way, I have to say that I've always loved these vehicles. I bought a 1992 S10, 4.3, 5spd, 2WD when I was a senior in high school in 1994. It was black with red interior. I drove that little truck through hell and back for 12 years until I had a spinal chord injury and became paralyzed. It was parked and pretty much forgotten about for 19 years until this time last year when some of my friends decided to rebuild it for me and make it more accessible for my needs. As it turned out, they had bought a white 1993 S10 for a parts donor truck that was in much better shape than mine, so we're rebuilding it instead. It has the 4.3 with an automatic transmission, white with blue interior. We have a long, long way to go, but we'll get it one piece at a time like Johnny Cash sang.
I have a base extended cab Colorado and I love the simplicity of it.
My first vehicle was the 4.3L S-10. The thing was bullet proof and I wish I still had it.
The Chevrolet 454SS pickup also had 4-wheel antilock brakes standard. It was the first pickup to have them.
Nice video, Jon. I'm late to watch this one.
My one comment is about the small truck market. I'm not convinced there's a market anymore.
Usually delivery is done by transit van/minivan. Keeps things more secure.
Yes, people do cry for a small truck...but they also cry for a manual wagon...and we know no one is actually buying them anymore.
Who knows.... maybe one day a small truck will be made that has some kind magic cover that keeps out weather and burglars but can stow away unseen with a push of a button.....or something like that.
Good video. I agree, the conpact trucks just arent compact anymore. Obviously with the success of the ford maverick, there is a decent market for truly compact pickups. Looking at the current half ton size pickups they are just too huge for many people.
However current Colorado size pickups are so close in price to full size might as well get the full size.
To me, reissue s10, original ranger size simple pickups i think they would be a hit!
How close is the Colorado/Canyon to S-10?
Not even close. The Colorado and Canyon are midsize pickups and continue to be.
Great review!!!! Learned things I never knew
If you ever see any of comments you will know that one of my daily drivers is an 87 S10 extended cab. And I am watching this while getting ready to go jump in said S10 and drive into another state
I do see all comments, but can't always take the time to respond to each one! :)
Safe travels today!
@@AllCarswithJon I definitely understand, I just don’t comment on every video lol. Usually just the ones about small pickups because I think they’re absolutely the nearly perfect vehicle
At least, for now, the S10/S15 gets to live on as the last AFFORDABLE platform for low-buck hot rodding. It's really the only light weight thing left to build a sub-$2000 hot rod out of, now that Fox-bodies are going up in price.
I've had 2 Sonoma's, an S10 Blazer and S10 pickup, my current daily is a 2003 GMC Sonoma ZRX, love the style and reliability of the 4.3, my 02 S10 went 312,000 miles before I sold it, guy is still driving it. Never really liked the new styling of the Colorado.
I have the funny 5cylinder gmc canyon, sounds so cool
Agree, we need the smaller simpler truck as a 2 seater with or without add'l behind the seat storage. (I also saw your video on why we don't have them.)
I had a 2004 ZR5 for a while. Loved that truck. Only reason I got rid of it is it became a bit of a nightmare mechanically from being abused prior to buying it. I do miss it.
I once saw a stepside Xtreme with an LS1 and a 4L60E
Here down under. We Lost our Falcon/holden utes. BUT we get compact utes ( like Hilux Nissans ECT being common and the Ranger )
THE US trucks ( Utes ) Are sold here. AKA Ford F150. Ram 1500 and chev. ( Soon Toyota Tunda )
However stuff like Heavy duty like F250 size is not sold here.
Utes ( trucks ) are VERY common here with the Top selling vehicle Is Ford ranger and toyota hi-Lux.
There is also lots of Chinese utes sold here, Some are better then others. Looks up Great wall cannon. LDV Jac. ECT.
Anyway awesome Video :)
The 2.8 engine really isn't that bad if you can get the thing running right. It's not very fast, but it's got some torque, and it sounds bad ass with a 3 inch exhaust on it.
I loved the 4.3 V-6 It was a work horse.
The luv was my favorite track, I’ve had 5 of them.
Truck
A histoty of the Mazda RX series of sports cars would be co too!!. I have seen a model kit or 2 of the Mazda RX7 and I just might build one someday...
Ik a guy who has a 2.2 5 speed round body s10 has just under 400k it’s been wrecked 4 times last time we had to put an entirely different front clip off another s10 from the junkyard with only 130k but that clip is the rustiest thing on the pickup still drives straight no issues and the frame itself looks like it would only have 130k but try triplin that
And I don’t live in the kinda place that vehicle last forever they salt the roads every chance they can that just shows the quality these were built with