Valve cover leaks oil.
Leaf springs broke.
Exhaust fell off (twice).
Cigarette lighter doesn't work.
Floor rusted out.
Frame rusted out and broke.
Burns more gas than my dad's 305.
The truck is nice looking and the 2.5 is strong. However the mechanical difficulties have turned me away from buying another S-10. I thought it was a good deal for $1700, but apparently I was wrong. My next vehicle will be full size and four wheel drive.
This is a very reliable truck I have 230,000 miles on my truck and it still runs great. There are a few minor fixtures that I do every now and then but, you must expect that from an old vehicle that has excessive miles on it.
I own a 1988 S-10 reg cab 2wd, with a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine. My dad bought it from my uncle at 164,500 miles, this was sometime in February, 2002. The truck worked fine for about 1000 miles then it got ugly. Since then the manifold has cracked, we've replaced the entire exhaust system from the headers back, replaced the tail lights, replaced the battery several times, replaced the terminals, and replaced the clutch. Just recently, the speedometer quit working. I tried replacing the cable, but that didn't do it, the truck has a 5 speed trans. so I think they replaced the trans. Now, between the speedometer cable and the transmission, there are 4 gears in an assembly connecting the cable to the transmission and now autoparts stores have the gears. But all around, I'd say it's a good truck. Considering my favorite 'sport' is mud bogging, it's done well. I've jumped the truck and gotten all the wheels 4 ft. off the ground and hit some pretty nasty mud holes. The only suspension modification are Rancho RS5000 shocks on the back and Ranchos on the front. But I've got plans for 3.5in. of suspension and 3in. body with 30in. mud tires. Best of luck to all you others, and I hope your
s-10's treat you well.
Nov 20th, 2002.
I have a 1988 S-10 pick up, 5 speed 2.5L 4CYL and it is very reliable. I am the 3rd person in my family to own it.
The truck was handed over to me after my father had passed on. He originally bought it from a cousin.
When the title was transfered to me the truck had about 169,000 miles. Today it has roughly 223,000 miles and still
passes smog. This is a very good thing for Californians.
I have driven the truck everywhere and have towed long distances. The only major things I needed to do is replace
the clutch and catalytic converter. Oh and a cracked windshield which to this day I don't know how it was cracked.
I only wish it had air conditioning and a
new interior. The body is clean and has had a new paint job, done when my Dad bought the truck.
I have a 1988 s-10.it was a 2.3 but it is a 350 now and it is the fasts truck in my town.
UUHHH... to the guy at the top of the page. All Vehicles rust in those Yankee states or if you never wash it properly. If you think your truck sucks, try owning a Ford (especially a Ranger)
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