Chevrolet S-10

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Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1982–2005 (Shreveport, LA, United States) 1995- (São Paulo, Brazil)
Assembly	Shreveport, Louisiana, United States São Paulo, Brazil
Predecessor	Chevrolet LUV
Successor	Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon (North America only)
Class	Compact pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,751 mm) (reg. cab short bed) 117.9 inches (2,995 mm) (reg. cab long bed) 122.9 inches (3,122 mm) (ext. cab short bed)

The Chevrolet S-10 is 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 released in 1991 and given the name of 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 leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. Together, these trucks are often referred to as the S-series.

In North America, the S-series was replaced by new models: the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series in 2004.

The current S-Series remains in production in Brazil.

First generation

First generation

Production	1982–1993
Engine(s)	1.9 L Isuzu I4 84 hp 151 cu in (2.5 L) Iron Duke I4 95-105 hp 173 cu in (2.8 L) 60° V6 115-130 hp 263 cu in (4.3 L) 90° V6 150-165 hp 2.2 L Diesel I4
Transmission(s)	3-speed THM-200C automatic 4-speed 700r4/4L60/4L60E automatic 5-speed Borg Warner T5 manual

GMC S-15 Sierra extended cab

1983-1990 Chevrolet S-10 single cab

The first compact pickup truck from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. 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 1982. 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 sport utility S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy debuted in 1983; GM was the second to introduce compact sport utilities behind Jeep but ahead of Ford. This trend occurred again where 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 Pontiac's 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 4.3 L V6 Vortec W code engine. This generation's last year, 1993.

The Vortec is essentially the standard Z code 262 cu in (4.3 L) engine. The difference is the W code used a balance shaft, roller cam shaft, different heads, and Central Port Injection. The 1992 and 1993 engine came in either a 195 hp (145 kW) or 205 hp (153 kW) rating. The High Performance version came with a larger diameter Y pipe, and was only installed in some of the Blazers and S-10 Jimmies.

Engines

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

Second generation

Also called	GMC Sonoma Isuzu Hombre
Production	1994-2005 (North America) 1995-present (Brazil)
Assembly	Linden, New Jersey
Engine(s)	2.2 L 120 hp (89 kW) I4 4.3 L 165 hp (123 kW) V6 4.3 L 190 hp (140 kW) V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4L60E automatic Tremec T-5 Borg Warner (1994-95 with 2.2L I4 Engine) NV1500 (1996 and up with I4 engine) manual NV3500 (1990 and up with V6 engine) manual
Length	190 inches (4,826 mm) (short bed) 203 inches (5,156 mm) (extended cab) 205 inches (5,207 mm) (long bed)
Width	67.9 inches (1,725 mm)
Height	63.5 inches (1,613 mm)
Fuel capacity	19 US gal (72 L; 16 imp gal)

1994-1997 GMC Sonoma extended cab

1998-2005 GMC Sonoma extended cab

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 in line with arch-rival 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.

2002-2005 Chevy S10 extended cab ZR2

Generally, for the 2WD trucks, the 8.5" rearend was only used when it came with both a manual transmission and the large 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 engine; it was standard for 4WD trucks with either transmission. This was also the year that GM introduced the ZR2 Offroad Package.

1998-2001 Chevrolet S-10 crew cab

For 1995, a driver's side air bag was added. In 1996, the 2.2L became part of the Vortec family, the 4.3L engine was refreshed for 1996 and a third (rear) door was added for extended cab models, along with the sportside bed option. The third door was on the driver's side unlike in the GM full-size pickups which had it on the passenger side. In 1998, the exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L I4 engine were refreshed, along with a "next-generation" supplemental restraint system that added a passenger side air bag. "Auto-Trac" all-wheel drive also became an option starting in 1999 for the Blazers. Also the SS package was replaced by the "Xtreme" package. In 2001 a Crew Cab option was added and was available in 4WD and automatic transmission only.

Base 2WD models came with 15x6.5 inch wheels with directional vents, Xtreme and ZQ8 models came with 16x8" wheels while 4WD models (including the ZR2) used 15x7" wheels. The 14-inch (360 mm) wheels used on the first generation were discontinued.

Second-generation S-series were also produced locally in Brazil; and are still in production even though the North American version of the S-series was discontinued in 2004. Brazilian S-10s have a different front grille, lamps and bumper, and are available with a 2.8 Diesel engine built by MWM with 140 hp and a 2.4 Petrol/E-85 FlexFuel engine with 147 hp.

SS

The Chevrolet S-10 SS was a high performance version of the S-10, introduced in 1994. Fewer than 3000 SS's were produced yearly on average. When introduced, the SS was sold in only three colors: Onyx Black, Summit White, and Apple Red. The SS was discontinued in 1998. In 1999, it was replaced by the S-10 Xtreme.

A 4.3 liter V6 (which was optional on regular S-10s) was the primary engine used in the SS version, producing between 180 and 195 hp. The SS included lowered suspension, cosmetic changes such as a different grille, body-colored bumpers, 16" wheels, and other sporty touches. All SS versions were regular cab models.

Engine swaps

The 2wd S-series Truck shares several front suspension components with the GM G-body platforms. Along with the fact that the optional 4.3 liter V-6 shares several characteristics and dimensions of the early small block Chevy V-8 it has become a popular platform for Hot Rodders. Since the introduction of the S-series the ingenuity of its owners has made the V8 installation one of the most popular American domestic engine swaps. With relative ease the V-8 swap has seen almost every size small block Chevy displacement produced from 262 in³ to the large 400 cu in (6.6 L) engine, including the popular LS series engines. Some owners have even been able to install the big big block GM engines such as the 396-427-454 in³ engines with minor modifications.

The chassis and running gear are also a common swap under older cars and trucks. This gives the advantage of using off the shelf parts, full independent front suspension, disc brakes and a complete late model drivetrain. Most commonly, these are retrofitted under the body of an early 1950s Chevy pick up.

Engines

Engine code options

• 4- 2.2 L w/ MPFI or SFI,
• 5- 2.2 L w/ SFI and Flex Fuel Capable,
• Z- 4.3 L w/ TBI,
• W- 4.3 L w/ CPI,SFX- 4.3 L w/ MFI,

For 1994-2004, the "W" engine code was used to denote the 4.3L V6 with 190hp. The "X" code for 1996-2004 was used for the 4.3L with 180hp.

External links

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