2002 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 LS review from North America

Alternator failed at 30,000 miles.

Headlight failed as a result of alternator problem.

Third door handle broke at 34,000 miles.

Third door access is nearly unopenable at 60,000 miles.

I can't say that I'm thrilled with this truck's overall engineering, but I can say that it has been a solid truck. I have owned both Chevy and Ford trucks in the past. I can say that I bought this truck new and I have babied it, for the most part, ever since it was new. The issues I encountered at around the 30,000 mile mark were covered under warranty and I had no hassle getting things fixed. The oil is always changed regularly as is greasing the front end. I can't say it is easy access to all zerks as you really need to take the front tires off to access the hard to reach zerks. This isn't as much hassle as it sounds like if you are rotating tires regularly. I might add that at 60,000 miles, I still have enough tread for another winter on the original BF Goodrich tires.

The 4.3 Liter engine is more or less the star of this vehicle. Only once did I have a problem starting the vehicle and it was my fault because I didn't run the truck for over a month during a cold Northern Wisconsin winter. Gasoline engines need to be run once in a while and I was being cheap and running another vehicle, so it is my fault. The 4.3 is a rough idling engine by nature. Mine has been so since the day I bought the truck, but it has always started save that one time mentioned above. I too read the sticker promising good fuel efficiency and it has not been so. With a stiff prairie tailwind you can get 21 mpg highway, but turn around and go into the headwind and you will get around 14 mpg highway. In the city, expect around 11-12 mpg. The 4.3L will not be denied it's fuel! However, if you want to hook up a fairly heavy trailer, you have some torque to pull with.

Negatives include the issue with the windows not rolling up at high speeds, but some of that has to do with the internal cab pressures. Turn off the vent/AC fan and you can roll up the windows. Especially irritable to me is the fact that I can barely open the third door anymore without using excessive force. Also annoying is that the passenger side door requires a very masculine effort to close if all of the windows are closed. I think that there are some design issues with the ZR2 extended cab and it's widened S-10 frame. This has been an issue since the beginning and has steadily gotten worse over the miles. It is nearly impossible to change spark plugs as well under the hood. Air filters are rather on the expensive side as well.

I've taken this truck through the woods all be it very slowly, hauled fire wood, deer, furniture, hay and whatnot. I've taken this truck on the frozen lakes

for ice fishing and there is really no other truck that can match the S-10 ZR2 on the ice. It is perfect for ice fishing and warms you up quickly when you are cold because of the small cabin size. The radio gets excellent reception too. I've never been stuck in this truck save one time that I pulled a good friend's Ford F-150 out of the ditch and I hit the other ditch. (narrow road) I wouldn't make a habit of pulling people out of the ditch with this truck, but you can do it if need be.

I need to drain the Dex-cool out this rig before the winter and replace with something less corrosive.

If you find one of these trucks in good shape with low miles and signs that it has been taken care of, you should strongly consider the purchase, but remember the fuel consumption is that of a half-ton in most cases. Good Luck.