Head gasket blew, requiring expensive repair.
Alternator failed.
Air conditioner operates erratically.
This truck had served me pretty well. It has decent power, nice interior, the paint still shines up nicely, and the four wheel drive system is easy to use. Typical of the early S-10/S-15 trucks, it's pretty crude. The ride is a bit jittery, but not intolerable. The motor is the early Vortec V6, throttle-body fuel injected, without counterbalancer, so at low RPM's, it has a shudder typical of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It's weird, but not detrimental.
The A/C system has developed a habit of shutting off in hot weather. Need to have the dealer fix that headache. The seats are a bit uncomfortable after a long ride, lacking good lumbar support.
The nice thing about the S-10/S-15 trucks is that they are plentiful and cheap. Getting parts for this truck is easy, and almost any mechanic can work on them. A similarly aged Japanese pickup would have cost me twice what I paid for this truck.
Yeah, the S-15 is a decent little truck. What's surprising is how many of these old first generation S trucks (1982 thru 1993) are still on the road; I see dozens on a daily basis. Most are well over 100,000 miles on down the road; like mine, they have peeling paint and show their age, but these little beasts are tough and hard to kill. I found some aftermarket suppliers that now have restoration stuff (all the lenses, dashboard stuff, suspension parts, body panels, etc.) so I can start restoring the old truck.
One problem with the S-10 and S-15 trucks is the heat load generated by the 4.3 liter Vortec motor. The original thermostat is set to open at 195 F, which allows underhood temps to get up around 200-230 F over time. This is HOT, and can wear out a lot of stuff due to the thermal stress. I learned from frying my transmission that going to the 180 F thermostat will save wear and tear on the truck. Also, there are plastic fender sections that can be removed next to the shock mounts to allow better airflow through the underhood area.
My S-15 is not on the road right now, but I am getting ready to rebuild the whole truck! It is a great truck.
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