1986 Chevrolet S-10 2.8L from North America

Summary:

Best money I ever spent!

Faults:

Alternator went bad at 50,000. Bought one from Advance Auto with a lifetime replacement. Had to replace alternator again at 80k. Advance honored the lifetime warranty.

New driver's side door bushings.

General Comments:

Hands down the best car I have ever owned. Other than the alternator and door bushing, I have not spent a dime on it other than general maintenance.

The 4 wheel drive still works as good as the day I bought the truck. I have hardly ever had to use the 4wd; you can't get this truck stuck.

The bench seat has worn on the driver's side to the point that it needs replacing. I am considering a 94 model seat with cup holders.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th February, 2010

1986 Chevrolet S-10 2.8L V6 TBI from North America

Summary:

Average compact pickup truck with some bugs, but altogether a reliable first-time driver vehicle

Faults:

Alternator replaced 3 times.

Radiator.

Water pump.

Windows fall off track fairly often.

Front coil springs replaced.

Head seals had to be replaced.

There are several more repairs, but since I have owned the truck for 4 years I don't remember all of them.

General Comments:

I am the second owner of this 1986 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck.

The truck rides very rough. You feel every bump. I have installed new rims and tires mainly for looks, but also for functionality.

The engine has a good amount of torque for its size, but lacks in acceleration. I have pulled a heavy trailer before, and found the truck to haul decently.

Gas mileage averaged about 16 mpg until I replaced the spark plugs, and now I average around 20.

As far as comfort goes, it's a small truck. It's going to be uncomfortable. The truck did not come with power steering, so I added that, which made a huge improvement.

The steering wheel is rather close.

The radio was only AM until I bought a CD player.

I noticed a fair amount of performance increase with the addition of a Magnaflow exhaust system.

Transmission is a 4 speed manual, which kills my highway mileage for lack of an overdrive gear.

The clutch squeaks from time to time.

When it rains or the humidity is high, a constant squealing sound can be hear from under the hood.

I didn't expect to have as many trouble with the truck since it only had about 50k miles when I got it.

I do have to admit that I don't know too many 1986 Chevy's that are still running on the factory drive-train.

All in all it is a fairly reliable truck, it's easy to drive, and has a fair amount of power for a 2.8L. I would not buy another truck this small again though. It is way too cramped for me seeing how it is a standard cab.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2008

7th Jun 2023, 05:18

I do believe your lack of acceleration might be due to the fact there is no tach and you were constantly lugging the engine, because the only acceleration I get is when it's starting to wind up. No tach, but I wind it out, all the power is at the top end. Yeah it sounds like it's gonna explode, but it obviously doesn't, since it hasn't. If anything, this motor is LACKING in torque and higher in horsepower than a normal truck motor. Peak is obtained at 4800 rpm is the information I found. A whopping 110 horsies, but the truck weighs nothing. All I know is the truck doesn't like to be bogged, it likes to wrap along a little bit, the gears are short so you can really feel how much the motor puts out at any given RPM. Its like a sport-truck with 0 traction, but switches direction quickly. It's not fast, but it goes good enough for what it is. And it only really goes when you put your foot in it a bit. Just my ramblings.