The seat belts stopped restraining properly at 90,000 miles.
The heater core stopped working and leaked antifreeze all over the passengers side floor at 95,000 miles.
Piston rings started burning up at approximately 96,000 miles.
Carrier bearing eroded away at around 100,000 miles. This made a tremendous thumping sound, shook the whole vehicle, and made some passengers "seasick".
Front and rear universals in awful shape, also needing to be replaced at 100,000 miles.
The water pump stopped working at 120,000 miles.
The oil started leaking, also at around 120,000 miles.
The starter went out at 125,000 miles.
Transmission seal needed to be replaced at around 130,000 miles.
The frame split between the cab and the bed at 135,000 miles.
The doors never shut completely, even though everything was in place. Rainy days were spent with garbage bags on the front seat.
Sometimes, when I closed the door, it would lock automatically. There are no power locks in this truck, by the way.
The air conditioner was dead when I bought the car, and I was told it just needed to be recharged. That didn't work either. The A/C was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The antifreeze leaking was so excessive, that the floorboards started to rot, and the carpeting started to mildew. No amount of vacuuming prevented or fixed this, and it certainly didn't rid my truck of the awful smell.
Stock tires are very hard to find, and usually need to be ordered. It is, however, safe to go one size up. (These tires are almost always in stock, and fit like a glove.)
Rear wheel drive. NOT good for the winter, with or WITHOUT sandbags.
No airbags, no anti-lock brake system (ABS), or any other measures to prevent personal injury.
The crew cab seats in the back are very uncomfortable for people over 4 feet tall.
The doors need to be locked before you start driving, because they will fly open at approximately 25-30 mph.
This truck has a TOUGH body, that is resistant to rust. The rusting was very minimal, and the body is still absolutely GORGEOUS.
This truck has been in two accidents. The first, it shaved the whole side of a brand new forest green Expresso caravan clean off. There is only one small dent on the truck from that, and that's on the fender. Barely visible, but the van was TOTALED. Tough truck.
In the second accident, the truck was rear-ended, with the assailant slamming into my tailgate at almost 50 mph. I suffered minor injuries, because the truck has NO airbags, ABS, or preventative measures to injury. But the truck only suffered a severely dented tailgate, that won't close all the way anymore, but is a small price to pay for somebody else's ignorance. The damage could have been WAY more significant if the truck wasn't as tough as it is.
The truck has two fold down, crew cab style seats in the back. These are very inconvenient when all of your passengers are grown, but are an excellent size for your little ones.
The 1990 GMC S15 is an excellent size for those learning how to drive. You can see over everything, because it is only a small pickup truck, and fits perfectly against the curb when parallel parking.
Rear wheel drive is very convenient when making tight turns.
This truck is great. Although the paint is chipping, I love this truck. I hit a wall going 20mph and the truck only has a dent in the bumper. I have the 350ci engine and I put an headers, a cat, and a muffler on this truck, it made a difference. The truck is quick off the line, due to the gearing, and can beat the rice rockets with no problem. Bravo GM, Bravo.
An air bag will not help in a rear collision. It only works with a head on or off center collision. The 1989 S-15 does have rear ABS (anti lock brakes). Maybe you should research your truck before you criticize it.
I'm sorry to say, but you seem to be having very bad luck with your truck, I have a GMC S-15 4.3L V6 reg. cab Long Box, and never have my doors opened over 30 mph or have locked by themselves, although my driver side door handle has broken due to excesive use and with 233,649 miles on the truck I've only had to change my motor mounts map sensor and distributer rotor, as well s spark plugs, As well as your body not having any rust depending on where you live good for you, but if you live in a state with winters I guarantee if you drive it over time it will rust. the metal used on the S-10s and S-15's was not of the greatest quality so some rust is understandable. other than that I've had no major problems as your describing, so you must have purchased a lemon, and yes these trucks are very tough.
Maybe, your accidents had something to do with your truck falling apart.
I have a short box extended cab and it has been great to me. There is a little rust above the rear drivers side wheel well, but other than that my truck is in great condition. I've had to replace a starter and a headlight, and I was in a collision with a dumptruck who broadsided me this summer. Their insurance won't get back to me which is really irritating me cuz I want to get it fixed, but overall this truck has been really dependable. fyi: don't try to take them muddin: I learned that the hard way last weekend.
I have a 1990 GMC Sierra Extended Cab. All I do is drive it, it has 248.365 miles on it, and I got a hole in the brake line to the back brakes, and the driver's side seat belt quit retracting, (it just needed oil). Other than that, it's a great 4x4 truck, one of the toughest trucks I have ever owned.
My dad on the other hand, bought a new 91 Ford, 51,000 miles he had to replace the motor, the door started rusting from the inside out, it now has 90,000 on it and it's ready for the junk yard.
By far GMC is the best American built truck out there, they will out do any truck in their class.
I have an 89 S-15 with the 4.3. I picked it up with 200,000 miles on it for $800. I replaced the motor mounts, steering gear, front brakes, and life has been good ever since.
I have since passed it on to my brother who was rear ended by a drunk driver doing about 45 mph; all we had to do was replace the tailgate.. bullet proof lil truck for $800.
Recently the heat core has started leaking... but it's been 9 years since I bought it... I guess it's about time it gave me something to fix.
I love my 89 S15 P/U with 489,000 kilometers and it's still not smoking, doesn't leak or lose oil. The 2.5L engine is great on gas, and with a bore job isn't bad for power in 15 years old. I only needed to do 2 water pumps, a clutch and the bore job; the rest is all the 19 year old parts...
Yeah, the heater-core went all over the floor, but take out the rubber and hose the fabric out underneath it; no smell in mine now ;-) It all comes out easily if you take out the seat.
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