Chevrolet S-10
| Chevrolet S-10 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called | GMC S-15 GMC Sonoma |
| Production | 1982–2004 |
| Assembly | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact pickup truck |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive/four-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet LUV |
| Successor | Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1982–1993 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.9 L Isuzu I4 2.0 L I4 2.2 L diesel I4 2.5 L Iron Duke I4 2.8 L 60° V6 4.3 L Vortec V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 3-speed TH200C automatic 4-speed TH700R4 automatic 4-speed 4L60E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | Template:Auto in (reg. cab short bed) Template:Auto in (reg. cab long bed) Template:Auto in (ext. cab short bed) |
| Width | Template:Auto in |
| Height | Template:Auto in Template:Auto in |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1994–2004 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L I4 4.3 L V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed 4L60E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | Template:Auto in (reg. cab short bed) Template:Auto in (reg. cab long bed & crew cab) Template:Auto in (ext. cab short bed) |
| Width | Template:Auto in |
| Height | Template:Auto in (reg. cab short bed) Template:Auto in (reg. cab long bed & crew cab) Template:Auto in (ext. cab short bed) |
The Chevrolet S-10 was a compact pickup truck from the Chevrolet marque of General Motors. When it was first introduced in 1982, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version was the GMC Syclone. The truck was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was available for lease as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. Together, these trucks are often referred to as the S-series. In 2004, the S-series was replaced by new models: the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series.
First generation (1982-1993)
The first compact pickup truck from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. However, the 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines (primarily from the GM G-body intermediates) were incorporated. The first S-series trucks were introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. The Chevrolet and GMC models were identical apart from the grille. An extended cab and "Insta-Trac" four-wheel drive were added the next year along with two new engines.
Track width was similar to the former GM H-body subcompacts (Vega/Monza).
The S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy SUVs debuted in 1983; GM was the second to introduce compact sport utilities behind Jeep, but ahead of Ford. This trend occurred again when 4-door variants were introduced in March 1990 as 1991 models alongside the similar Oldsmobile Bravada.
New heavy-duty and off-road suspensions appeared in 1984 along with a hydraulic clutch, while the big news for 1985 was the discontinuing of the Cavalier's OHV I4 in favor of the 2.5 L Iron Duke. The OHV-derived 2.2 L engine and Isuzu 1.9 L were both gone the next year, leaving just the Iron Duke and updated 2.8 L V6. A much-welcomed 4.3 L V6 was added for 1988, and anti-lock brakes came the next year.
The GMC S-15 became the GMC Sonoma in 1991, and the Sierra trim packages are dropped to avoid confusion with the new GMC Sierra full-size pickup. The GMC Syclone also appeared that year. The Sonoma GT bowed in 1992. Added to this was the 4.3L V6 Vortec W code engine. This generation's last year, 1993.
Engines
| Years | Engine | Power | Torque | VIN code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1985 | 1.9 L Isuzu I4, 2 barrel | 84 hp (63 kW) | 101 ft·lbf (137 N·m) | A |
| 1982–1985 | 2.8 L 60° V6, 2 barrel Rochester | 115 hp (86 kW) | 148 ft·lbf (201 N·m) | B |
| 1983–1985 | 2.2 L diesel I4 | 58 hp (43 kW) | 93 ft·lbf (126 N·m) | S |
| 1983–1984 | 2.0 L OHV I4, 2 barrel | 83 hp (62 kW) | 108 ft·lbf (146 N·m) | Y |
| 1985–1989 | 2.5 L Iron Duke I4, TBI | 92 hp (69 kW) | 132 ft·lbf (179 N·m) | E |
| 1986–1993 | 2.8 L 60° V6, TBI | 125 hp (93 kW) | 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m) | R |
| 1988–1993 | 4.3 L GM 262inch 4300cc V6, TBI | 150–165 hp (112–123 kW) | 230–235 ft·lbf (312–319 N·m) | Z |
| 1990–1993 | 2.5 L Iron Duke I4, TBI | 105 hp (78 kW) | 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m) | A |
| 1992–1993 | 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CPI | 170 or 178 hp (???–??? kW) | 2?? or 2?? ft·lbf (3??–3?? N·m) | W |
Sonoma GT
A limited edition model was sold in 1992, the Sonoma GT. It used a 4.3 L L35 V6 which produced 195 hp (145 kW). The appearance was similar to the 1991 GMC Syclone "super-truck". A total of 806 Sonoma GTs were produced in 1992.
1993 Sonoma
Some 1993 Sonomas came with a factory equipped L35 W-code engine. For 1993 no specialty labeling or limited edition tags were known to be used with the W-code engine. Production totals for these vehicles are unknown.
Second generation (1994-2004)
The second generation trucks appeared in 1994. All of the special models (the Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT) were gone, but the changes to the truck brought it inline with the competing Ford Ranger. The Iron Duke and 2.8 L 60° V6 engines were dropped, leaving just the 4.3 L Vortec and a new 2.2 L engine, itself a derivative of the old Cavalier OHV.
Much of the chassis components were the same as the first generation; the A-frames between the first and second generation were the same although they were originally sourced from GM's G-body vehicle lineup, along with the steering knuckle, leaf springs, and differential assembly. The second generation also offered an optional 8.5 in rear differential. Generally, for the rear-wheel drive trucks, the 8.5 in rear end was only used when it came with both a manual transmission and the Vortec engine; it was standard for four-wheel drive trucks with either transmission. This was also the year that GM introduced the ZR2 off-road package.
The 4.3 L engines were refreshed for 1996 and a third (rear) door was added for extended cab models. The exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L engine were refreshed for 1998, and the "Auto-Trac" all-wheel drive system was optional starting in 1999 for the Blazers. The SS package was replaced by the "Xtreme" sports model package. In 2001, a Crew Cab option was added and was available with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission only.
Base rear-wheel drive models came with 15x6.5 in rims with directional vents, Xtreme and ZQ8 models came with 16x8 in rims, while four-wheel drive models (including the ZR2) used 15x7in rims.
Second-generation S-series were also produced locally in Brazil; and are still in production even though S-series production ceased in 2004 in the U.S. Brazilian S-10s have a different front grille, lamps and bumper, and are available with a 2.8 L diesel engine built by MWM.
S-10s in popular culture
- In the 1991 movie Terminator 2, a 1985 S-10 was used in a chase towards the end of the movie.
- In an episode of Pimp my Ride on MTV, a 1988 S-10 was repaired and tricked out.
Engines
| Years | Engine | Power | Torque | VIN code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1999 | 2.2 L Vortec 2200 I4, SFI | 118 hp (86 kW) | 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m) | 4 |
| 1993–1995 | 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CMFI | 191–200 hp (142–145 kW) | 260 ft·lbf (353 N·m) | W |
| 1996–2002 | 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CSFI | 180–190 hp (134–142 kW) | 245–250 ft·lbf (332–339 N·m) | X or W |
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