I owned a S-10 "extra" cab brand new in 1996. It was a POS. Very under powered. It did have manual shifting which is something you never see today which helped the weak 4 cylinder. I ended up selling it like two years later. It sucked from day 1 but I couldn't afford a Toyota which obviously was a much better similar sized truck. The extra cab with fold down seats were totally uncomfortable for anyone to sit in the cab. It was more for storage.
@@_DrDrakeRamoray A good friend of mine had a Ford Ranger 'Sport' and it was a great little truck. I think it had the 4l V6. I imagine the base engines on little pickups were weak. But put a V6 in them and they were fine. As for the fold down seats? I didn't like them either - but I was 6'1" and 190 pounds.. However, that same friend - who was much smaller - traveled from Buffalo to Florida in the back seat of a friend of ours Ranger extra cap...and he said it was fine. So, each to his own, I guess.
My dad is a Porsche guy. He pretty much had the entire lineup. He has a Boxster, a 911 4S, a Cayenne and his wife has a Panamera. Daily driver to work? A red 95 S-10 with 350k on the odo.
@@scottwilkins Today's "modern little trucks" are nearly the size of yesterday's full size trucks, but have 4-doors and a dinky 5ft bed. Chrome wheels and a full size backseat take priority over a full size bed and rugged wheel/tire options nowadays.
@@palebeachbum I've got a '16 Canyon 2.5L 4cyl RWD Extended cab. It does exactly what a small truck is supposed to do. Lets me throw things in the 6ft bed, pick up oversized cargo on occasion, tow a small load, fits myself, a passenger and an occasional torture victim in the "back seats" but still get 28mph on the highway and 21mpg in stop and go traffic. Has all of the basic necessities without gawdy flash... And vinyl floors that dirt wipes right off of.
My pops had bought one of these back in 2000, a 1994 Sonoma ext. cab 2wd with the Vortec V6 engine. Granted these trucks aren't anything by modern standards, however I fondly remember him hitting the gas and my guts and lungs feeling like they were transplanted into my lower back. He seldom drove like a hoon but would sometimes open her up going down this back road we lived near. Down a hill when your 8 or 9 going 85+ with that 4.3 wound up like it was going to explode...haha memories.
bikephil sadly they wouldn’t sell in the numbers you’d think they would. Manufacturers stopped selling compact trucks after buyers moved to larger, full size and more upscale trucks. The market exists for a bare bones, truly compact truck, but in very small numbers.
DumbDuck44 well the biggest difference is weight to engine power ratio has changed. Pretty much all newer cars are loaded to the brime with safety features. Not to mention all the infotainment add-ons and such. These little s10’s were made of nothing. It’s rear wheel drive so all the power is in the back with no weight in the back, so just that setup alone caused for a “fun” ride lol
@@WooferCooker I owned an S-10, it wasn't that light. 3.1K lbs and 115hp is far below acceptable power to weight ratios of today. People just had much lower expectations back then, when my SVT Cobra's V8 made 300hp and was considered ridiculously fast, even though its power to weight ratio wasn't any better than a base cheap Mustang Ecoboost of today, and the Ecoboost puts the power down much better.
@@BoopSnoot A Renegade, is trash for starters, and 2nd it makes less hp than the Vortec V6. Not only that, it makes its hp at high rpm peak, you have to rev the nuts off it to make that power. The Vortec V6 makes a lot of torque off idle and continues making torque and hp through the mid range. It's a lazier engine, not under near as much strain so it'll last far longer. This comparison isn't even close.
Found it funny how, back then, their beds had everything you could want. Today they’re coated, electrified, have cargo lights, storage bins, fancy tailgates and places for cooling tour beer. And those prices?!? My have times have changed.
I bought my son one of these in 1994. A single cab long bed 4x4 with the v6 and 5 speed manual. That truck was such a beast for its time. It outran every full size truck and so many cars during that time. I wish we still had it.
I love the S10/Sonoma pickup trucks along with the small pickup trucks from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Nicely reliable and quite better than today's "blinged up" trucks.
Fun fact: 1994 was the only year that the S-10 & Sonoma didn't have air bags. Also, when engine choices were talked about starting at 1:53, John didn't mention that the 1994 models marked the demise of the old 2.8-liter V6 thaat had first been used in the X-cars in 1979.
The only 2nd gen not to have airbags.... And that's because the 94 was still more like a 1st gen mechanically with a new body put on top. It also wasn't the demise of the 60 degree V6, that would last over a decade longer.
1995 was the first year airbags were required in trucks 8,500 lbs. GVW and below, hence why they were added to that year's S-10 and Sonoma (and why 1/2-ton GMT400s got airbags to go with their new interiors). And 1994 was the first year light trucks had to have third brake lights, which is why the new S Twins and the also-new-for-'94 Ram had smoothly integrated ones while older compact and full-size designs saw them replace the cargo lamp or, in the case of the Dakota, slap one onto the tailgate!
Scott Wilkins Yeah, I know. Like I said, it isn’t a speed demon or anything, just fun. I haven’t driven it much in the past 7 or 8 years; I sold it to my dad and just bought it back a couple months ago. When I first got it (I was in my early 20’s) I had a Porsche, and later a Z06 Corvette among several other powerful vehicles, so I do know what constitutes fast. And no, I’m not a spoiled rich brat, I just started work at a really young age, which took up all free time besides school (I also began college at 15 through my high school’s dual enrollment program, so I stayed plenty busy). I saved up nearly every dollar I earned, studied the car markets (I’ve always been a huge car nerd), and bought smart. I’ve ended up actually making money on most of my car purchases, which is really cool. Anyway, I digress. My S-10 has 92’ Trans Am wheels, with wide ass rear tires, so it hooks up better than a normal setup would. It also has been unrestricted via hi-flow air filter, intake manifold, shorty headers, high-flow cat (well, test pipe), and exhaust. It didn’t get crazy gains or anything, but did liven it up a tad. I think the much smaller diameter of the wheel/tire combo I run causes an effect similar to shorter gearing as well, which may explain the tire chirps. As for snow and other bad weather, it’s actually a blast. 5-speed manual RWD pickup w/ a light rear end? Sideways city! Plus it’s not so nice that you have to worry about messing it up. You can always load the bed up with packed snow to weigh it down, it helps a lot with traction. I haven’t tried it out in slick weather with these tires though, it would probably be borderline unsafe. I grew up in the backwoods of Appalachia; we learn pretty early how to drive the heck out of trucks no matter the condition here. Deep snow or bad ice may require a switch to my 4x4 SUV though.
Is it the one with the spider/CPI injection? Watch out for a leaky fuel pressure regulator! It's inside the intake plenum and will dilute the oil and take out the bearings!
Oh man, my first truck in high school and most of college was a 1994 s10 LS exactly like the one in the video except regular cab. I loved that truck dearly, i really wish it had the v6 vs the 2.2 though. That thing paired with the automatic transmission was not a good combination, at least in non-flatland areas it was a bad combination. I bought it used with 70K miles on and i think i sold it with right around 130K miles on it. If i can ever find another one thats not all rotted out around here, i wouldnt mind picking up another one as a toy.
same. my first truck in high school, 2.2, bought with ~70k miles. the fastest it would go on flat ground is lower 60s. when i was driving down a mountain i got it up to 83 mph.
@@erickelly5395 I went to WVU for college, so the drive between Pittsburgh and Morgantown wasn't terrible on the highway. For one semester though, I went to Virginia Tech. That little 2.2 did NOT like going through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. I remember having it kicked out of overdrive into D with my foot to the floor, and going 55-60 mph in 70 mph zones through the mountains lol.
My 5 speed will bounce off the speed limiter going uphill. I've done 80+ from St. Louis to Chicago no problem, though the engine really screams at those speeds. 268k miles still runs great. The automatics must really suck.
@@halohunter5217 i'm willing to bet the truck behaves completely differently with the manual trans. if i ever get another one, it will definitely be a manual trans.
I have a 1995 S10 extended cab 4.3 that was my wifes grandfathers, he past 15 years ago and it sat in a garage since then. Her dad gave it to her last year when we were looking for a pickup. It only has 53,000 on it now an looks absolutely brand new!
My first truck was a 1991 model S10, the generation before this one. With the 4.3, the tires would break loose fairly easily, or so they say, ha ha. Was a fun little truck.
the fact that it's junky is actually great...loved blazing trails in my 89 s15 jimmy and going full send bushwacker style. Wouldn't have the heart to do it to a new car.
I had a 2wd 1992 s-10 blazer with the Tahoe package. That little 4.3 vortec had some balls. 256k on her, original engine, transmission, and rear. Still looked beautiful on the outside but rusted everywhere I couldn't get to. Hurt to junk her I kind of wish I kept it. Good truck.
I was just gonna say, no they shouldn’t, look at the new blazer. That suv looks like hell. They put way to much modernization into the body that should resembled the classic style.
Bought mine brand new when I got my first job at 20 years old. I still have it toady. It is identical to the test chevy. I don't know if I'll ever get rid of it because so dependable. Even my son drove it thru his high school years.
I bought a new '93 Isuzu pickup. Shortly after, these '94's came out and seemed so much more advanced than the Isuzus at the time. I was scorned with jealous rage. The ink was barely dry on my 4 year car note, but I pined for more..something better. I would sneak up to a local GMC dealer and look at the '94 Sonomas..Damn, why didn't I just wait another year?? I tried to tamper that jealous rage with years of drug and alcohol abuse..but you know what? I was still stuck with a '93 Isuzu in the end. Man, I miss the 90's.
@@kt81776 Yes, I agree..they did have a good looking lineup at the time. I did love my '93 Isuzu 2.3 pickup. The head gasket did blow at 49K miles which pissed me off, but it ran trouble free afterwards until I traded it at around 90K miles. I actually still wish I had her.
I owned a'95 2wd S-10 with the four cylinder, five speed manual, long box and LS trim. I drove it for over ten years and 200,000+ miles. The only out of the way maintenance was a head gasket and a clutch job. If I could buy a new one like it for less than twenty grand, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
My dad bought a 2001 chevy s10 LS back in 2002 second hand from another guy. I inherited the truck and it now has 205k miles, these old trucks were built tough. The amount of abuse I put into that little truck is impressive, mines is a 5spd manual 2.2L, its fun to drive. I'll keep it around till it dies, probably still last me 10 yrs more if i continue taking care of it.
I had a 96 S10 2.2 5 speed. One of the best trucks I ever owned. Drove it for 8 years. Only thing I had to do to it in the 8 years I owned it was replace the ignition which was like 40 bucks, starter which was about 60 bucks and the clutch after about 70k miles, thats prob cuz i road the clutch pedal alil lol, which was about 90 bucks. Other than that no problems at all. Untill my older brother crashed it into a tree lol.
Yea the 195hp version had a better intake setup and hotter cam. Previous to 1994 the LB4 TBI had lower performance heads than the L35 CPI engine but in 93-94 they started putting the l35 heads on the lb4, but unfortunately they still ran the 165hp peanut cam which hurt performance.
I have a 2002 Chevrolet S10 with a 2.2 liter inline 4 cylinder engine with an automatic transmission that I bought 7 years ago and its still going strong. It's outlasting the 3 pre-owned Cadillacs I had. Only had to make minor repairs on it. Other than that, it's absolutely fine.
The older compact truck scene was the best back in the 80s and 90s. Love them. My brother in law had a 1996 S10 extended cab back in the late 90s. He loved that truck except it had some manual transmission problems. Sometimes wouldn’t shift from 2nd into 3rd. It was a simple fix and got it back on the road in no time. I wish he would’ve kept that truck.
Thank you for sharing this GM footage. It is great o see the old reviews and think back and look forward. Colorado and Canyon hold those truck spots today and are larger.
I drove a 96 or so 4.3 vortec single cab 2wd as a cable installer, the thing was much faster then you'd think it should be, much drifting in the winter was accomplished while waiting for cable install people to come home (with open diff only liked to really slide on left hand turns, or was it right, still rad!)
You were right the first time....Left turns were more fun with an open diff. (sorry Grandma for thrashing the Astro Van to figure this out) It was for science.
My parents owned a 1995 black GMC S15 extended cab two wheel drive model with manual transmission and the 4 cylinder engine. They bought it a year used. It had high miles. A salesman had owned it. It was a great utility truck for my parents.
Love my 1995 S10 LS , in process of swapping out the 2.2 with a 5.3 , staying with a automatic, 2nd head gasket with only 72,000 original miles. The 4.3 liter was definitely the one to get. And it's a ton of fun to drive and I get alot of attention... will say having owned Mazda and Ford trucks that some of the engineering in the S10 lacked alot to be desired.
Was looking for a new small pickup back in this era and test drove the S-10’s and Ranger’s at the dealership to decide. To me, the S-10’s were too “car like” in their ride, ride height, and appearance. The Ranger’s just felt more “truck like” in their overall stance and ride qualities, so that is the way I went. My Ranger ended up being a great little truck and was passed down to my niece who still drives it to this day! Miss the days when you could purchase a reliable new truck for a comparatively small amount of money - can’t believe the MSRP’s on the current Colorado’s and Ranger’s......😮
The most hilarious drag race I ever did was in a 5 speed manual 115hp Chevy S-10 and a similar spec Ford Ranger. It took like 10 minutes to get up to 80mph and we were neck and neck for the entire glacial experience.
In 98 the Ranger became more car like than the S10, thanks to Ford ditching that awful twin I beam for IFS and replacing the ancient steering gear with rack and pinion.
Mine has the optional "extra capacity" suspension with all bushings recently replaced with ACdelco. It rides like no car I've ever been in, but it has been along time since I had anything of the era to compare it to.
my dad bought a 4wd ext cab new in 94. loved that thing. had the heavy offroad suspension and the 8.5 rear with 373s ( not the zr2 but the it was only offered in regular cab in 94 so it was the zm6 offroad package). it would melt tires and could hold curves like a sports car. i really hated when they changed the interior in 98 the 94 had so much more room with the older seat design.
They so need to bring back the compact truck segment and not make them look crappy like today's trucks. Today's trucks just look ugly full and midsized ones!
I think they look good, they are just very big, but there's a reason for that. Consumers think that if a truck is half the size, it should cost half as much, but it costs just about as much to make a slightly larger hood, transport it, and have an assembly worker install it as a small one, and have it undergo expensive pedestrian crash testing and the like with the materials costs these days being very low. So while people may be willing to spend $40K for a fullsize truck, they wouldn't pay $35K for a truck that's half the size as those shoppers don't believe in those values. To drastically reduce costs where smaller would be much cheaper, we'd have to abandon all the regulations surrounding modern cars.
I refuse to believe there is no market for trucks of this size and price range. Especially now since the 'small' trucks are damn near full size and in the 40K price range. All I need is a bed and decent torque to haul a few hundred pounds.
There is and the price for decent used ones is going up, because of no "new" ones being built. I firmly believe that compact trucks are on the rise and is only a matter of time before manufacturers start building them "again". This will spike up the price on all the old ones on the market.
I got one a week after they came out, 4.3 with what I thought was a very nice 5 sp. Tons of little problems being brand new model. I blasted a deer and harvested a ton of trees near the Dismal Swamp. Geico got me another 94, end of the model year so I had to puss out and go auto tran. This one was from Jersey, the 1st from Shreveport. #2 is an outstanding friend and truck. still in the driveway. Never stranded me but gong to work a couple weeks ago the brake pedal goes to the floor, exciting, I am an old fart but never had a brake line rot away while I was driving. Just like a Hitchcock movie....NxNW!
I bought my 2001 S-10 4.3L Auto back in January of 2008. I love this truck!! I have had to do a good deal of work on it, but it has been a damn good truck!! It has 175,000 on it now, and runs great. I have people asking to buy it all the time, but I tell them NO. They definitely don't make them like this anymore!!
I've got a 1994 GMC "Truck" Sonoma, with a 4.3l Vortec V6 4WD configuration. It's an extended cab. Just hit 99 thousand kilometres if you can believe that! It's a fun truck to drive and can work when needed. Funny thing about the cab is, it came with the CD player option, but still has a 8 track storage spot under the center console! Also, if anyone out there has a "Ground Effects" package, let me know. I've only ever seen one with it.
The anti roll bar links break first. I got a sweet friend who fixed mine for $50. But, at a garage, $1000. Antilock break module is next, Dealership says $ 1000.
This was a very attainable truck when it was new. I was in high school when this generation came out. These S10s weather two wheel or 4x4 Z71 extended cab,these were great looking trucks. The 4.3L V6 was basically a small block chopped in two thirds. To this day, you will see round edge S10s on the road today in 2020. I wish I could buy a new base light truck for 10 grand. This was a great time, even though we didn't know it. I went to prom in a 98 Z71 4x4 extended cab S10. Mirror Black paint with cloth grey interior. I should of done my date in that truck. I was so stupid
proud owner of a red 94 reg cab s10 !! onto 259 on the odo and still runnin fine ! only issues ive ever run into are the fact that nowadays, with the truck pushin 26 years, ive sprung a power steering leak and a coolant leak. thing still runs like a champ otherwise !
in 1996 I ordered a Sonoma with 4.3 L35 5 speed and ZQ8 suspension in of course Red I could get 27 mpg on the highway. Was also good for towing a small boat.
I am still driving my 2002 Sonoma 146 thousand miles, 20 miles to the gallon. It just keeps going & going..Will hate for the day to come to give it up.
I wish Chevy would bring back the S10!!! Bring back that small truck and yes i know they have the Colorado but common, S10 is the name to have just like Ford brought the Ranger back. Knowing Chevy it will have a Camaro front end though lol.
I always thought the jump from 2.2 4-cylinder to 4.3 V6 was odd in these trucks. They should've offered a middle-of-the-road engine like the longitudinal 3.4 of the base model Camaro.
I have a 1997,4.3L with the 5 speed. I put a Torsen differential from a SLP Camaro in the rear axle so it won't get stuck on wet grass anymore. The front springs sagged to the right. I replaced those with Moog springs. I've always kept this truck in good condition. For some reason the valve seats seem to go bad. I replaced 1 head about 30k miles ago,now the other head is going bad. It does have 200k on it. I might just buy a new engine and drive it until the wheels fall off. Plenty of power. It always gets the job done when I need it. Great little truck. And...it's paid for. Still gets about 17/22 mpg. Gets about the same loaded or empty.
I have a 95 S10 with the 2.2 and 5 speed manaul 226,035 miles and runs like a champ. Im keeping it for as long as I can. I learned how to drive manual in it and its a great little truck. Whats the miles on yours yall and motor type?
1998 S10 Ext cab 2wd with the ZQ8 sport suspension. 4.3 V6, auto, with 195,000 miles currently. I special ordered it in May 1998 right after I toured the Shreveport, LA assembly plant. I love this truck!
The 2.2 was a good little engine. Totally powerless but run forever. I had a 2000 s10 with the 2.2 I bought new and sold it 8 years later. The new owners ended up totaling it. If you ever drive on hills with these trucks all you get done is shifting because they are so powerless.
LOVE pickups from the early 90's, they were far more RELIABLE and economical than 20210 offerings. Fortunately "Removable Tailgates" feature didn't last long (IIRC), as Insurance companies and customer complaints about "STOLEN TAILGATES" prompted that feature to disappear. When an apartment dweller, I always "Backed my S-10 into the assigned parking space to prevent theft of the tailgate.
Takes me back to high school my buddy had a S-10 I went with the ranger, my friends had the jimmy or blazer, I bought a 1998 olds bravada a couple of years ago just cause it was a good deal and it reminded me of back in the day lol it’s my sons 1st vehicle and his friends like it they think it’s “cool”
These things were such janky rattle traps after they got a few miles on them. Which is a shame because they sure did look nice and had more power under the hood than the Toyotas and Ranger.
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I love 90' compact trucks. All of them.
Me too nice and basic lul mini trucks
Same here, love all mini trucks from all years and brands.
Got one myself that I am restomoding atm.
Had a Mitsubishi pickup with a manual and no power steering.
@@manthony225 that is badass love those little mighty max pickups, I am currently restomoding my 93' Nissan Hardbody 4x4.
@LifeBeginsWithChrist yes they are just like the
Ford Ranger/Mazda B series compact trucks.
I miss small pickups like this, the new ones are way too big to be small.
The new 'small' pickups are damn near the size of the full sizes that were around when I was in high school
Eks calybur They legit are. It’s crazy.
DC - I was thinking the exact same thing.
I owned a S-10 "extra" cab brand new in 1996. It was a POS. Very under powered. It did have manual shifting which is something you never see today which helped the weak 4 cylinder. I ended up selling it like two years later. It sucked from day 1 but I couldn't afford a Toyota which obviously was a much better similar sized truck. The extra cab with fold down seats were totally uncomfortable for anyone to sit in the cab. It was more for storage.
@@_DrDrakeRamoray A good friend of mine had a Ford Ranger 'Sport' and it was a great little truck. I think it had the 4l V6. I imagine the base engines on little pickups were weak. But put a V6 in them and they were fine.
As for the fold down seats? I didn't like them either - but I was 6'1" and 190 pounds.. However, that same friend - who was much smaller - traveled from Buffalo to Florida in the back seat of a friend of ours Ranger extra cap...and he said it was fine. So, each to his own, I guess.
Still have my 94 Sonoma. I remember driving it off of the lot 26 years ago like it was yesterday.
Same I got a 94 Sonoma extended cap v6 the 4.3 only got 90 thousand miles on it to this day great truck.
it was 35 years ago. you're old lol
I’m still driving my 94 S-10 too. Time flies by!
@Ron, you cant add, lol!
bruh that wheel hop is amazing 2:16
I can do that with my 2.2 L 5spd manual, once you rev it and let go quickly the back end will bounce vigorously
Great way to break stuff.
halo hunter such as (rusty) leaf spring shackles. Speaking from experience
G80 kicking in
My dad is a Porsche guy. He pretty much had the entire lineup. He has a Boxster, a 911 4S, a Cayenne and his wife has a Panamera. Daily driver to work? A red 95 S-10 with 350k on the odo.
Which engine? Auto or Man transmission?
fox trot 027 my dads was a maual
Seems legit, I'd hate to daily a sports car to work.
He must have been rich.
Brings my back to my high school days and my awseome little 94 Reg Cab 4.3 equipped S10.
Back when little trucks were ment for what they were basically designed for
Yes! Amen to that.
Wdym
So modern little trucks can't haul stuff? OK, you go with that.
@@scottwilkins Today's "modern little trucks" are nearly the size of yesterday's full size trucks, but have 4-doors and a dinky 5ft bed. Chrome wheels and a full size backseat take priority over a full size bed and rugged wheel/tire options nowadays.
@@palebeachbum I've got a '16 Canyon 2.5L 4cyl RWD Extended cab. It does exactly what a small truck is supposed to do. Lets me throw things in the 6ft bed, pick up oversized cargo on occasion, tow a small load, fits myself, a passenger and an occasional torture victim in the "back seats" but still get 28mph on the highway and 21mpg in stop and go traffic. Has all of the basic necessities without gawdy flash... And vinyl floors that dirt wipes right off of.
My pops had bought one of these back in 2000, a 1994 Sonoma ext. cab 2wd with the Vortec V6 engine. Granted these trucks aren't anything by modern standards, however I fondly remember him hitting the gas and my guts and lungs feeling like they were transplanted into my lower back. He seldom drove like a hoon but would sometimes open her up going down this back road we lived near. Down a hill when your 8 or 9 going 85+ with that 4.3 wound up like it was going to explode...haha memories.
Still looks current today. We need small trucks like this today.
bikephil sadly they wouldn’t sell in the numbers you’d think they would. Manufacturers stopped selling compact trucks after buyers moved to larger, full size and more upscale trucks. The market exists for a bare bones, truly compact truck, but in very small numbers.
The EPA and emissions requirements killed small trucks :( in the United States.
I love these trucks. This was my favorite generation of the S series and Sonoma
Nice. The v6 was where the fun lived
To think that 165hp V6 used to be considered powerful, when a 1.3 liter in a Jeep Renegade puts out 180hp today and is considered painfully slow.
DumbDuck44 well the biggest difference is weight to engine power ratio has changed. Pretty much all newer cars are loaded to the brime with safety features. Not to mention all the infotainment add-ons and such. These little s10’s were made of nothing. It’s rear wheel drive so all the power is in the back with no weight in the back, so just that setup alone caused for a “fun” ride lol
@@WooferCooker I owned an S-10, it wasn't that light. 3.1K lbs and 115hp is far below acceptable power to weight ratios of today. People just had much lower expectations back then, when my SVT Cobra's V8 made 300hp and was considered ridiculously fast, even though its power to weight ratio wasn't any better than a base cheap Mustang Ecoboost of today, and the Ecoboost puts the power down much better.
@@BoopSnoot A Renegade, is trash for starters, and 2nd it makes less hp than the Vortec V6. Not only that, it makes its hp at high rpm peak, you have to rev the nuts off it to make that power. The Vortec V6 makes a lot of torque off idle and continues making torque and hp through the mid range. It's a lazier engine, not under near as much strain so it'll last far longer. This comparison isn't even close.
Found it funny how, back then, their beds had everything you could want. Today they’re coated, electrified, have cargo lights, storage bins, fancy tailgates and places for cooling tour beer. And those prices?!? My have times have changed.
Nah id want cargo lights and built in inverter to run welder/power tools etc that stuff is actually handy to work lol
I have a 1996 Sonoma 4x2 V6 5 speed that's been in the family from new. It's been a very reliable truck and is pretty capable.
@Jeffery Epstein You didn’t kill yourself.
I bought my son one of these in 1994. A single cab long bed 4x4 with the v6 and 5 speed manual. That truck was such a beast for its time. It outran every full size truck and so many cars during that time. I wish we still had it.
I love the S10/Sonoma pickup trucks along with the small pickup trucks from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Nicely reliable and quite better than today's "blinged up" trucks.
Couldn't agree more!
Love my mini truck and I don't plan on ever selling it.
@@BLKSTONE4WD Awesome! Crossovers and SUVs are killing the cars.
@@theKevronHarris yeah unfortunately they are but that's why we gotta save the classics that are still out there .
#savetheminitrucks
the human race peaked in the 90s
????
Fun fact: 1994 was the only year that the S-10 & Sonoma didn't have air bags. Also, when engine choices were talked about starting at 1:53, John didn't mention that the 1994 models marked the demise of the old 2.8-liter V6 thaat had first been used in the X-cars in 1979.
I have a 92’ with the 2.8 and 5-speed manual. It will bark 3rd gear. Not really fast, but fun little truck. I want to LS swap it.
The only 2nd gen not to have airbags.... And that's because the 94 was still more like a 1st gen mechanically with a new body put on top. It also wasn't the demise of the 60 degree V6, that would last over a decade longer.
1995 was the first year airbags were required in trucks 8,500 lbs. GVW and below, hence why they were added to that year's S-10 and Sonoma (and why 1/2-ton GMT400s got airbags to go with their new interiors). And 1994 was the first year light trucks had to have third brake lights, which is why the new S Twins and the also-new-for-'94 Ram had smoothly integrated ones while older compact and full-size designs saw them replace the cargo lamp or, in the case of the Dakota, slap one onto the tailgate!
@@dr.lyleevans6915 It will bark in 3rd gear because it had no weight in the back. Which also makes a really fun on wet and ice... not.
Scott Wilkins Yeah, I know. Like I said, it isn’t a speed demon or anything, just fun. I haven’t driven it much in the past 7 or 8 years; I sold it to my dad and just bought it back a couple months ago. When I first got it (I was in my early 20’s) I had a Porsche, and later a Z06 Corvette among several other powerful vehicles, so I do know what constitutes fast. And no, I’m not a spoiled rich brat, I just started work at a really young age, which took up all free time besides school (I also began college at 15 through my high school’s dual enrollment program, so I stayed plenty busy). I saved up nearly every dollar I earned, studied the car markets (I’ve always been a huge car nerd), and bought smart. I’ve ended up actually making money on most of my car purchases, which is really cool. Anyway, I digress.
My S-10 has 92’ Trans Am wheels, with wide ass rear tires, so it hooks up better than a normal setup would. It also has been unrestricted via hi-flow air filter, intake manifold, shorty headers, high-flow cat (well, test pipe), and exhaust. It didn’t get crazy gains or anything, but did liven it up a tad. I think the much smaller diameter of the wheel/tire combo I run causes an effect similar to shorter gearing as well, which may explain the tire chirps.
As for snow and other bad weather, it’s actually a blast. 5-speed manual RWD pickup w/ a light rear end? Sideways city! Plus it’s not so nice that you have to worry about messing it up. You can always load the bed up with packed snow to weigh it down, it helps a lot with traction. I haven’t tried it out in slick weather with these tires though, it would probably be borderline unsafe.
I grew up in the backwoods of Appalachia; we learn pretty early how to drive the heck out of trucks no matter the condition here. Deep snow or bad ice may require a switch to my 4x4 SUV though.
I still have a 94 s10 4x4 extended cab, 4.3 vortec. It still runs great with over 250k miles. The engine and trans have never been rebuilt.
Is it the one with the spider/CPI injection? Watch out for a leaky fuel pressure regulator! It's inside the intake plenum and will dilute the oil and take out the bearings!
@@grabasandwich Yes it is. I've had to replace that twice actually. One of the few problems I've ever had with the truck.
good little trucks! i used a 97 Sonoma to storm chase for several years, never let me down
Oh man, my first truck in high school and most of college was a 1994 s10 LS exactly like the one in the video except regular cab. I loved that truck dearly, i really wish it had the v6 vs the 2.2 though. That thing paired with the automatic transmission was not a good combination, at least in non-flatland areas it was a bad combination. I bought it used with 70K miles on and i think i sold it with right around 130K miles on it. If i can ever find another one thats not all rotted out around here, i wouldnt mind picking up another one as a toy.
same. my first truck in high school, 2.2, bought with ~70k miles. the fastest it would go on flat ground is lower 60s. when i was driving down a mountain i got it up to 83 mph.
Eric Kelly LoL reminds me of my 2004 Jeep Wrangler w/ the 2.4 4-cylinder. Wouldn’t hold 70 on the interstate
@@erickelly5395 I went to WVU for college, so the drive between Pittsburgh and Morgantown wasn't terrible on the highway. For one semester though, I went to Virginia Tech. That little 2.2 did NOT like going through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. I remember having it kicked out of overdrive into D with my foot to the floor, and going 55-60 mph in 70 mph zones through the mountains lol.
My 5 speed will bounce off the speed limiter going uphill. I've done 80+ from St. Louis to Chicago no problem, though the engine really screams at those speeds. 268k miles still runs great. The automatics must really suck.
@@halohunter5217 i'm willing to bet the truck behaves completely differently with the manual trans. if i ever get another one, it will definitely be a manual trans.
I have a 1995 S10 extended cab 4.3 that was my wifes grandfathers, he past 15 years ago and it sat in a garage since then. Her dad gave it to her last year when we were looking for a pickup. It only has 53,000 on it now an looks absolutely brand new!
My first truck was a 1991 model S10, the generation before this one. With the 4.3, the tires would break loose fairly easily, or so they say, ha ha. Was a fun little truck.
Mine too a '92. Didn't know about zirks fitting on man transmission $$.
Reliable and an actual work truck, not like today's fancy luxury 'only to go mall' trucks.
"only go to mall" lol. yeah honda ridgeline
I mean these were only mall trucks. Tell me, what makes this stronger?
@Jesus Is SATAN I love honda but the new ridge line is not a truck by any means....based on a crossover. S-10s were body on frame at least.
We get it, you can't afford anything other than an old junk ass 2015 lmfao
the fact that it's junky is actually great...loved blazing trails in my 89 s15 jimmy and going full send bushwacker style. Wouldn't have the heart to do it to a new car.
I bought a brand new 1994 s10 and loved it! It was Red, extended cab and V6. Wish I had never sold it!
My first vehicle, a '94 Teal SLS Sonoma with the 4 banger. That was quite a trip down memory lane. I love this channel, simpler times for sure.
High mounted stop lamp? I'm sold!!!
I had a 2wd 1992 s-10 blazer with the Tahoe package. That little 4.3 vortec had some balls. 256k on her, original engine, transmission, and rear. Still looked beautiful on the outside but rusted everywhere I couldn't get to. Hurt to junk her I kind of wish I kept it. Good truck.
If GM built a small truck like this with a “new retro“ body look I think it would sell very well.
As long as they don't put a 3 cylinder in it or something like they did with the 2021 trailblazer
I was just gonna say, no they shouldn’t, look at the new blazer. That suv looks like hell. They put way to much modernization into the body that should resembled the classic style.
chevy montana
Bought mine brand new when I got my first job at 20 years old. I still have it toady. It is identical to the test chevy. I don't know if I'll ever get rid of it because so dependable. Even my son drove it thru his high school years.
I bought a new '93 Isuzu pickup. Shortly after, these '94's came out and seemed so much more advanced than the Isuzus at the time. I was scorned with jealous rage. The ink was barely dry on my 4 year car note, but I pined for more..something better. I would sneak up to a local GMC dealer and look at the '94 Sonomas..Damn, why didn't I just wait another year?? I tried to tamper that jealous rage with years of drug and alcohol abuse..but you know what? I was still stuck with a '93 Isuzu in the end. Man, I miss the 90's.
The isuzu were very nice looking mini trucks, even the rodeos were nice heck even the dam amigo was cool hombre
@@kt81776 Yes, I agree..they did have a good looking lineup at the time. I did love my '93 Isuzu 2.3 pickup. The head gasket did blow at 49K miles which pissed me off, but it ran trouble free afterwards until I traded it at around 90K miles. I actually still wish I had her.
I owned a'95 2wd S-10 with the four cylinder, five speed manual, long box and LS trim. I drove it for over ten years and 200,000+ miles. The only out of the way maintenance was a head gasket and a clutch job. If I could buy a new one like it for less than twenty grand, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
My dad bought a 2001 chevy s10 LS back in 2002 second hand from another guy. I inherited the truck and it now has 205k miles, these old trucks were built tough. The amount of abuse I put into that little truck is impressive, mines is a 5spd manual 2.2L, its fun to drive. I'll keep it around till it dies, probably still last me 10 yrs more if i continue taking care of it.
Proud 1992 gmc sonoma 4.3l v6 owner
DAILY DRIVER!!!!
We have a 98 Sonoma 2.2 5 speed that’s an excellent little truck
Had a 96' S10 with a 4.3, still miss it.
I had a 96 S10 2.2 5 speed. One of the best trucks I ever owned. Drove it for 8 years. Only thing I had to do to it in the 8 years I owned it was replace the ignition which was like 40 bucks, starter which was about 60 bucks and the clutch after about 70k miles, thats prob cuz i road the clutch pedal alil lol, which was about 90 bucks. Other than that no problems at all. Untill my older brother crashed it into a tree lol.
7.9 0-60mph 16.3 sec 1/4 mile is great for 1994. I didn't know you could get a 195hp 4.3 "Vortec Version" of the otherwise 165hp V6.
Yep got one in my '07 Silverado. The 4.3l is only reason I own any Gm product.
It's just CPI vs TBI. The spider Injectors on the CPI are kind of problematic but fairly easy to repair by your self
Yea the 195hp version had a better intake setup and hotter cam. Previous to 1994 the LB4 TBI had lower performance heads than the L35 CPI engine but in 93-94 they started putting the l35 heads on the lb4, but unfortunately they still ran the 165hp peanut cam which hurt performance.
I have a 2002 Chevrolet S10 with a 2.2 liter inline 4 cylinder engine with an automatic transmission that I bought 7 years ago and its still going strong. It's outlasting the 3 pre-owned Cadillacs I had. Only had to make minor repairs on it. Other than that, it's absolutely fine.
GM, please watch and build something this size. Get the mileage up to the mid-20s city with today's tech.
sadly won't happen with today's safety standards :(
They can do that but by making it crossover like Honda’s Ridgeline. I prefer good ol body on frame, even if you lose a few mpg.
They could easily get into the 30’s highway, mid 20’s city with today’s tech, with decent power.
if they could redesign the s10, same height and practicality it would be great. I own a colorado and its not as easy to use as the s10
You can get a fullsize truck today that gets mid 20s high and low 20s city
A very nice set of engine choices
Still driving my 1994 S-10 and 1986 S-10. They’re bulletproof!
My first car was a 98 Sonoma 4×4. That Vortec V6 Sounded great with duel exhaust!
The older compact truck scene was the best back in the 80s and 90s. Love them.
My brother in law had a 1996 S10 extended cab back in the late 90s. He loved that truck except it had some manual transmission problems. Sometimes wouldn’t shift from 2nd into 3rd. It was a simple fix and got it back on the road in no time. I wish he would’ve kept that truck.
These are nice, though I also liked the Chevy Blazers and GMC Jimmy as well.
2:18 that wheel hop tho!
Love my S10 SS even more with the Nitrous Ls in it.
Thank you for sharing this GM footage. It is great o see the old reviews and think back and look forward. Colorado and Canyon hold those truck spots today and are larger.
I drove a 96 or so 4.3 vortec single cab 2wd as a cable installer, the thing was much faster then you'd think it should be, much drifting in the winter was accomplished while waiting for cable install people to come home (with open diff only liked to really slide on left hand turns, or was it right, still rad!)
You were right the first time....Left turns were more fun with an open diff. (sorry Grandma for thrashing the Astro Van to figure this out) It was for science.
I bought a 95 Sonoma in 2023 and I've loved it ever since
My grandpa owned this truck and taught me how to drive in this.. Love this truck, good times :,)
My parents owned a 1995 black GMC S15 extended cab two wheel drive model with manual transmission and the 4 cylinder engine. They bought it a year used. It had high miles. A salesman had owned it. It was a great utility truck for my parents.
Love my 1995 S10 LS , in process of swapping out the 2.2 with a 5.3 , staying with a automatic, 2nd head gasket with only 72,000 original miles. The 4.3 liter was definitely the one to get. And it's a ton of fun to drive and I get alot of attention... will say having owned Mazda and Ford trucks that some of the engineering in the S10 lacked alot to be desired.
Was looking for a new small pickup back in this era and test drove the S-10’s and Ranger’s at the dealership to decide. To me, the S-10’s were too “car like” in their ride, ride height, and appearance. The Ranger’s just felt more “truck like” in their overall stance and ride qualities, so that is the way I went. My Ranger ended up being a great little truck and was passed down to my niece who still drives it to this day! Miss the days when you could purchase a reliable new truck for a comparatively small amount of money - can’t believe the MSRP’s on the current Colorado’s and Ranger’s......😮
Not only that, but the new midsize trucks have taller and shorter beds, BOO!
The most hilarious drag race I ever did was in a 5 speed manual 115hp Chevy S-10 and a similar spec Ford Ranger. It took like 10 minutes to get up to 80mph and we were neck and neck for the entire glacial experience.
In 98 the Ranger became more car like than the S10, thanks to Ford ditching that awful twin I beam for IFS and replacing the ancient steering gear with rack and pinion.
Maybe so, but you have to keep in mind that a dollar in the 90s is worth around 2 dollars today. #inflation
Mine has the optional "extra capacity" suspension with all bushings recently replaced with ACdelco. It rides like no car I've ever been in, but it has been along time since I had anything of the era to compare it to.
I love these 90s reviews, brings me right back to my twenties..
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you were born in the 70s
The Sonoma Highrider/S10 ZR2 package were badass trucks, and, from my experience, pretty darn rare
my dad bought a 4wd ext cab new in 94. loved that thing. had the heavy offroad suspension and the 8.5 rear with 373s ( not the zr2 but the it was only offered in regular cab in 94 so it was the zm6 offroad package). it would melt tires and could hold curves like a sports car. i really hated when they changed the interior in 98 the 94 had so much more room with the older seat design.
They so need to bring back the compact truck segment and not make them look crappy like today's trucks. Today's trucks just look ugly full and midsized ones!
I think they look good, they are just very big, but there's a reason for that. Consumers think that if a truck is half the size, it should cost half as much, but it costs just about as much to make a slightly larger hood, transport it, and have an assembly worker install it as a small one, and have it undergo expensive pedestrian crash testing and the like with the materials costs these days being very low. So while people may be willing to spend $40K for a fullsize truck, they wouldn't pay $35K for a truck that's half the size as those shoppers don't believe in those values. To drastically reduce costs where smaller would be much cheaper, we'd have to abandon all the regulations surrounding modern cars.
I refuse to believe there is no market for trucks of this size and price range. Especially now since the 'small' trucks are damn near full size and in the 40K price range. All I need is a bed and decent torque to haul a few hundred pounds.
There is and the price for decent used ones is going up, because of no "new" ones being built.
I firmly believe that compact trucks are on the rise and is only a matter of time before manufacturers start building them "again".
This will spike up the price on all the old ones on the market.
I got one a week after they came out, 4.3 with what I thought was a very nice 5 sp. Tons of little problems being brand new model. I blasted a deer and harvested a ton of trees near the Dismal Swamp. Geico got me another 94, end of the model year so I had to puss out and go auto tran. This one was from Jersey, the 1st from Shreveport. #2 is an outstanding friend and truck. still in the driveway. Never stranded me but gong to work a couple weeks ago the brake pedal goes to the floor, exciting, I am an old fart but never had a brake line rot away while I was driving. Just like a Hitchcock movie....NxNW!
I bought my 2001 S-10 4.3L Auto back in January of 2008. I love this truck!! I have had to do a good deal of work on it, but it has been a damn good truck!! It has 175,000 on it now, and runs great. I have people asking to buy it all the time, but I tell them NO. They definitely don't make them like this anymore!!
Man I would give a pinky toe for the exact same GMC reg cab 4x4. I would even take 1 in that colour
Joes Golden Garage I had one exactly like that. Regular cab, Long bed, 4x4, 5 speed and v6. In 1994. Mine was silver and black two tone.
@@haroldbeauchamp3770 I mean that would be a dream come true.
My buddy had the summit white S-10 SS in high school. Damn what a truck. I ALWAYS wanted one of these S-10s and I was a total Ford guy
I've been waiting for this review for a long time !! Finally..!!!!😍😍😍
It sounds silly to say, but the S-10 variant looks like such a happy truck.
Love my 98 S10 ext cab...17k original miles ...not a scratch,dent or speck of rust.
That 2.2 was the same one they put in the Cavalier. Great engine. Never any problems except sometimes head gaskets if you let if overheat.
Pretty sure most engines will pop head gaskets if you let the engine overheat.
@@halohunter5217 some worse than others
I've got a 1994 GMC "Truck" Sonoma, with a 4.3l Vortec V6 4WD configuration. It's an extended cab. Just hit 99 thousand kilometres if you can believe that! It's a fun truck to drive and can work when needed. Funny thing about the cab is, it came with the CD player option, but still has a 8 track storage spot under the center console!
Also, if anyone out there has a "Ground Effects" package, let me know. I've only ever seen one with it.
Timeless design these 90s trucks have
A full complement of analog gauges 🤩 🤩
3:22 Do I see voltmeter and oil pressure gauges? Somebody will have a very happy ending!
What do you mean
John is pleased
@@chumbawaumbacumpa 😁
@@WooferCooker You must be new as John Davis always comments about those voltmeter and oil pressure gauges.
The anti roll bar links break first. I got a sweet friend who fixed mine for $50. But, at a garage, $1000. Antilock break module is next, Dealership says $ 1000.
I love these retro reviews!
My first ride was a MINT '95 4X4 single cab short bed. I've never regretted selling anything so much
in 1998 the Chevy S10 and GMC Sonoma received a refreshed front end, before being discontinued in 2003.
This was a very attainable truck when it was new. I was in high school when this generation came out. These S10s weather two wheel or 4x4 Z71 extended cab,these were great looking trucks. The 4.3L V6 was basically a small block chopped in two thirds. To this day, you will see round edge S10s on the road today in 2020. I wish I could buy a new base light truck for 10 grand. This was a great time, even though we didn't know it.
I went to prom in a 98 Z71 4x4 extended cab S10. Mirror Black paint with cloth grey interior. I should of done my date in that truck. I was so stupid
I love my 94 sonoma base with it's 5 speed ❤️
proud owner of a red 94 reg cab s10 !! onto 259 on the odo and still runnin fine !
only issues ive ever run into are the fact that nowadays, with the truck pushin 26 years, ive sprung a power steering leak and a coolant leak. thing still runs like a champ otherwise !
These things always did wheel hop like crazy. Just look at that launch!
I'm trying to remember the last time I saw this body style of sonoma/s10 on the road. I still see the odd square body and the odd ranger.
I have a 97 model and it's extended cab too and it's brown, still runs like a champ
I had a 1997 GMC Sonoma Sport SLS was my first Vehicle lots of memories.
I still see this generation of trucks pretty often on the road around here in West Michigan.
Haha, I remember the mid 90’s when a lot of these were turned into “low riders”
in 1996 I ordered a Sonoma with 4.3 L35 5 speed and ZQ8 suspension in of course Red I could get 27 mpg on the highway. Was also good for towing a small boat.
I am still driving my 2002 Sonoma 146 thousand miles, 20 miles to the gallon. It just keeps going & going..Will hate for the day to come to give it up.
I wish Chevy would bring back the S10!!! Bring back that small truck and yes i know they have the Colorado but common, S10 is the name to have just like Ford brought the Ranger back. Knowing Chevy it will have a Camaro front end though lol.
I always thought the jump from 2.2 4-cylinder to 4.3 V6 was odd in these trucks. They should've offered a middle-of-the-road engine like the longitudinal 3.4 of the base model Camaro.
Hey chevy remember when you used to buid great little trucks?? Oohhh and affortable too!
I have a 1997,4.3L with the 5 speed. I put a Torsen differential from a SLP Camaro in the rear axle so it won't get stuck on wet grass anymore. The front springs sagged to the right. I replaced those with Moog springs. I've always kept this truck in good condition. For some reason the valve seats seem to go bad. I replaced 1 head about 30k miles ago,now the other head is going bad. It does have 200k on it. I might just buy a new engine and drive it until the wheels fall off. Plenty of power. It always gets the job done when I need it. Great little truck. And...it's paid for. Still gets about 17/22 mpg. Gets about the same loaded or empty.
The best looking trucks of this generation were the 1996-'98 Chevrolet S10/SS trucks.
Still my favorite platform to tinker on. I've had many of these S-Series.
I have a 95 S10 with the 2.2 and 5 speed manaul 226,035 miles and runs like a champ. Im keeping it for as long as I can. I learned how to drive manual in it and its a great little truck.
Whats the miles on yours yall and motor type?
1998 S10 Ext cab 2wd with the ZQ8 sport suspension. 4.3 V6, auto, with 195,000 miles currently. I special ordered it in May 1998 right after I toured the Shreveport, LA assembly plant. I love this truck!
@@DNR5586 Nice
The 2.2 was a good little engine. Totally powerless but run forever. I had a 2000 s10 with the 2.2 I bought new and sold it 8 years later. The new owners ended up totaling it. If you ever drive on hills with these trucks all you get done is shifting because they are so powerless.
I had a ‘93 and would have KILLED for a ‘94+...having said that, my ‘93 was a solid truck more than earned its keep.
These have to be the best looking trucks ever.
LOVE pickups from the early 90's, they were far more RELIABLE and economical than 20210 offerings. Fortunately "Removable Tailgates" feature didn't last long (IIRC), as Insurance companies and customer complaints about "STOLEN TAILGATES" prompted that feature to disappear. When an apartment dweller, I always "Backed my S-10 into the assigned parking space to prevent theft of the tailgate.
Oh how fierce strong and brave and if you take it like that you can safely cut through the roads
Takes me back to high school my buddy had a S-10 I went with the ranger, my friends had the jimmy or blazer, I bought a 1998 olds bravada a couple of years ago just cause it was a good deal and it reminded me of back in the day lol it’s my sons 1st vehicle and his friends like it they think it’s “cool”
Nice lil trucks, tough. They were pretty easy to work on too. Hard to find nice examples now days. The 4.3 was really good, baring the EFI system..
Probably the best generation of the S-10 and Sonoma tuff little trucks the could take a beating.
These things were such janky rattle traps after they got a few miles on them. Which is a shame because they sure did look nice and had more power under the hood than the Toyotas and Ranger.