The Chevrolet S-10 was 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 2004, the S-series was replaced by new models: the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series. First generation 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. 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. From 1987 to 1991, Chevrolet also offered an off-road suspension option labeled the Baja Package. This precursor to the ZR2 Offroad Package also included a bed mounted lighted roll bar, and today is the rarest form of first generation S-10s to be found in desirable condition. 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. 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 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. This design generation was the first one to introduce airbags as safety features. 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. The 4.3 L engines were 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. The exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L I4 engine were refreshed for 1998, and "Auto-Trac" all-wheel drive was optional 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. The "Xtreme" package was available on all cabs and wheelbases with any powertrain. It required the "ZQ8" optional sport suspension, complete with a 2" "drop" installed at the factory. The "Xtreme" features a lower body "ground effects" package along the rocker panels and bottom of the pickup box and unique badging on the front doors and tailgates, along with 16" alloy wheels and P235/55/R16 Goodyear tires. Optional on the "xtreme" were rally stripes and a "Heat" graphics package, available separately or combined. 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. 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. Some owners have even been able to install the large big block GM engines such as the 396-427-454 in³ engines with minor modifications. The LS series powerplants (LS1, LS2 series) can also be swapped into the S-series. 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.