Two years ago I lucked out and scored a 2003 Chevy S-10 Zr2, triple black for $1200 bucks. It had 204,000 miles on it when I bought it. Body needs a little work but mechanically it runs awesome. The previous owner dumped a ton of money into it before I got it. Anyhow I am planning on doing a complete restoration on it. I know it aint gonna be cheap but a new Colorado ZR2 is like $70,000. I rather dump money into this and have basically a new truck when I'm done for way cheaper than a new one.

I’d check the fluid level first before I even thought about swapping anything. Maybe even a fluid filter change to see how it runs after.

"Stay turned for more videos of this truck" Over a year later and it's never been seen again.

I had a 1995 GMC HIGHRIDER (ZR2) regular cab, short bed, 4.3 V6, 5spd. factory 31” BFG AT’S,3.73 gears, bilsteins,thick aluminum skid plates, bought brand new. Sold it with 53k on it when we had a baby. Loved that truck.

The dome light works, all the time.

I had a cheap 1999 S-10 (Brand New) 2WD, 4-cyl, manual trans. Owned it for about 4 years. Loved that little red work truck. Very reliable. Fun to drive. Wish they still made them.

Excited to see more of this truck! These old 90’s-00’s generation of trucks are really starting to come up in popularity again. With the way new trucks are going, people are starting to appreciate the older, simpler, and reliable trucks in their prime! I daily a 92’ GMC K1500 with a solid axle conversion. Driving a 5-speed manual with an old V8 engine is the best feeling in the world 😎

Cool - I had a ZR2 S10 that was in great shape. Those tow hooks will break like stale bread, the low sway bar with those lifts isn't great (removed mine), and if your motor mounts aren't already broken, they will be.

They used to come w/a 5 speed, granted the tow rating was 3500# cs 5000#. I used to have a 1998 ZR2, extended cab 4.3L w/the 5 speed. That truck was amazing. So cool, such a good stance and so much fun w/the stick, Not fast, not fuel efficient but I didn't care. It was a little tonka toy that I dailyed in NoVA traffic. Miss that old truck!

I bought a 95 GMC Sonoma new with a factory lift and off road tires. It was a manual v6. It was awesome offroad. Never had a problem with it.

Bargain or bust is my favorite TFL series so far. Keep it up guys

It would be a cool project truck but buying one that was lifted with bigger tires with that mileage would mean it didn't have the easiest life.

I just bought a 2003 Chevy S-10, 4.3 L, Crew Cab LS with only 83k miles on it. Previous owner passed away and the truck sat for a couple years. Had a few minor things that needed to be fixed - 2 O2 sensors, 3 speed sensors (two of which involved replacing the bearings as a whole), and replaced the MAF sensor to get the check engine light and the ABS light off. Needed two front shocks, which has been replaced, and a CV boot, but not a pressing need according to my mechanic. I feel like I got a gem! I had an S-10 as my first vehicle when I was 19 in 2000...did not treat it well as was young and stupid. Now I feel like I can pay back by taking care of this one. Always loved the S-10!

Do the stick! More fun (IMO). Look around on line, lots of swap info. S10s have some potential with reasonable aftermarket support. GM has used that V6 to power heavier trucks. This could be very trail worthy. Andale cuate !

Please take this to Toby, it'll be hilarious.

167,000 miles isn’t bad really. It’s literally halfway through it’s life lol. Those 4.3 Vortecs run to 300k all dang day. Love those old S-10 models.

my '99 has ABS light on too. just put a piece of black electrical tape over it and it fixes it

Just rebuild the 4l60e and upgrade the transmission cooler. It will be epic! Get a new block as well.

Please do more of this gen s10 or Blazer vids! Can't get enough of these models and years.

Tip for that generation S10 transmission, 4L60E. Pull the pan change the filter and the shift solenoids then add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix when you refill the fluid. The original solenoids would stop working and the AC Delco replacements are an updated version. Sometimes this is all it takes and the damn thing will run like it's new for less than 100 bucks.

In the early 1990’s I had an 1983 extra cab that was lowered,looked cool with the drag rims I got from Super Shops. Had clutch chatter the few years I owned it.traded it for a 1982 Camaro z-28 Indianapolis pace car with a four speed. Another one that was rode hard,but it was fun. I did have a 2000 gmc s-15, as a work truck,I didn’t own it,the company I still work for did. I would not touch any of these trucks with a ten foot pole. And that’s from a Chevy guy. Work truck now is a 2004 ranger 4x4. Couldn’t be happier.

We need a series of you building this truck back to glory.

Watching y’all doing these videos makes me wish that I had a place to do what you’re doing. Y’all keep’m coming. P.S. I’d check the tranny fluid first, then make a list of what needs replacing, total up the cost, before swapping to a stick shift unless you can get your money back plus over. That’s just my thoughts

It's crazy how durable and forgiving these trucks are when they're in horrible condition mechanically. My friend's 2WD was a little beast off road, even though we had to turn the AC off to not overheat the poor little mail truck engine. I hope to build a ZR2 camper someday.

These can have high resale value as they have a cult following. Check for vacuum leaks as this truck uses them for a lot of systems. 4wd usually goes out at the diaphragm. 3rd door handle is usually broken. Seat recline handles usually broke off. Looks like you have a superlift 6 inch lift with the upgraded dual shock option. Also watch the rear with g80. They love to govbomb in these.

I had one of the single cab step side versions with a cool lowered sport stance. Absolutely terrifying handling in the rain with the vortec v6 power lol.

My brother had an 83 with a manual and the 2.8l V6 (I think it was 2.8) I could barely get my knee between the clutch and the steering wheel, had to use the side of my foot. Anyway the 4WD quit working on the trail once and it turned out to be a vacuum line to the actuator that engaged the front axle. I’d suggest keeping it an automatic and getting the right axle ratios for those tires (maybe some larger ones ? ) and fixing if needed the driveline angles for the U joints. If that’s got the 4.3L If you do a manual swap I think some old Astro vans had manual transmissions too. No idea if they’ll bolt up but maybe they’ll have different ratios?🤷‍♂️ That truck looks like an old battery powered Stomper toy from back in the day. From the backyard sandbox to the sandbox playground the mighty Stomper had grown up. Lol

You can get everything you need for that truck from LMC Truck, even the bolts and clips. I had a 2002 Sonoma with a 4.3L V6 for 10 years. The gauges stopped working 2 years ago and the GM dealership wanted $600 and said it would have to be sent out to be reconditioned and it would take a week. I bought a replacement cluster for $100 from a salvage yard. I don't know the exact mileage of the Sonoma when I traded in in but it was about 300,000 to 400,000 kilometers. I traded in the 2002 Sonoma for a 2016 Canyon but the Sonoma had a more comfortable interior. When I drove the Canyon home I kept thinking if I could make the Canyon more like the Sonoma then it would be a better truck. That truck will be warm in the winter and with a good battery it will always start, even at minus 45 degrees Celsius. I bought a battery from NAPA for my Sonoma called "Napa Legend 34-6" with high cold cranking amps. It is a tight fit and took me 4 or 5 attempts to get it into the battery tray.

It is not missing the 4wd switch. It is missing the airbag switch, but you can clearly see the 4wd switch is there. Really good picture of it at 9:25

Whats nice about gm is they usually have punch marks put on the floor and firewall where you would mount a clutch master or shift boot . thats how my 94 was , pretty simple to swap over to manual . you could probably stuff a v-8 in there to id love to find an s-10 or similar for a project vehicle ,

Those 4.3L engines are damn near bulletproof, but there are a few common problems to check for on those S10s: 1. Check those ball joints for play. They are very common on those and they are a PITA to replace if they've never been done before. 2. Idler and pitman arms almost always have play in them as well 3. If the 4x4 doesn't work after replacing that switch, check the actuator cable that locks the front hubs. They commonly stick and cause the 4x4 to not work. The vacuum switchs that control the cable also fail sometimes. 3. Door bushings. Can tell from the video that it likely needs them on the drivers door (it didn't fully latch when you closed it) 4. No 3rd and/or 4th is a common failure with the 4l60e transmission. That lift kit is likely to blame for the failure. Just rebuild the trans and be done with it. 5. Check the side tanks on the radiator as they commonly stress crack and leak... then they blow out if left unchecked for long enough (this is true to pretty much any GM vehicle from this era) 6. Engine oil cooler lines commonly leak. They can burst if left unchecked and if they burst, they will often take the engine with them as it is a catastrophic loss of oil pressure. 7. Spider injection, its right around that mileage when it starts failing 8. Check the wiring connector for the crank sensor. The wires right at the connector commonly fray and corrode. Will eventually cause a no start. 9. The ears on the distributor where the cap screws on break off very easily. If they are broken off, they make a repair kit for the distributor that fixes the issue.

Definitely swap it the 4.3l with a manual was pretty quick for it’s day. Plus I would try and make that ZR2 as stock as possible. Someone will pay good money if it’s stock

I wouldn't change it to a manual and I wouldn't buy one that had been. That's just me. That thing needs so much work I can't see how you'd get the money back out of it. It will make for interesting videos though. The videos with Brendon are great

I'd like to see this on the off road course

I have over 200,000 miles on a 2005 Ford Ranger FX4 Off Road and it still looks like a new truck.

As a owner of a manual V6 Four wheel drive red S10 who has done the clutch on it fun is not the word I would use for a manual swap,but I would do it anyway.note if your not pulling the engine out you will most likely have to unbolt and lift the cab a few inches to get room to get the manual trans room to line up and go in.

The good body on that truck makes it worth whatever you want to do to it. Manual swap it and fix the suspension a bit and you have a fun truck to run through tumbleweed ranch!

Check the shift control solenoids, had a similar problem with my 04 s10 and eventually couldnt pick up gear at all. It looked like the 4wd switch was tucked in where the ac vent should be, could be wrong but i thoight i saw the wires for the switch tucked in there. Also abs and brake light probably isnt anything serious, check it obviously but both of mine have been on for 3 years and ive never had any problems

I got one . A little clapped out. Doing the control arms now. Not easy to work on. Pittful rear end getting a locker bc it gets stuck in grass. V6 is a runner. Now plauged with a battery drain. I put a disconnect on it. Trans went about 167000 miles. -$1500 for a rebuild.

I just bought a crew cab 4wd sonoma for 1000 buckaroos and it drives like a dream. i was really worried for that low of a price, but man i'm loving my old girl.

I bought one 3 years ago just to have something for home depot runs. It's a 94 with about 44K miles. Ran grate when I bought it but I never use it, last time I wanted to use it the battery was dead and the brakes are not working, they go all the way to the floor. In the last 3 years I put no more than 2k miles on it, and 500 where just to get it home.

Crazy thing is nobody makes a 6” lift for the zr2 trucks anymore, so you have a gem right there!

I don’t use my 02 for highway driving, for the reason you found. I use it for short errands and around my house work.

just a heads up, the white piece of plastic that was all busted up was the passenger airbag switch. the 4X4 switch is above that. it almost has a triangle shape to it. sits right below the vent

I had one of those beat the crap out of it I mean beat the crap out of it 252,000 miles when I sold it ran perfect!!! My brother's has 322,000 miles on it runs perfect!!!

Just bought a 03' s10 last week. The things a beast.... No regrets Has 225k miles on it but runs amazing. Think it may have had a rebuild. Everything works and interior is mint. More i drove the thing, the more i love it.

"This is the first chance either of us gets to look at this truck" "Well I watched it cross the block last week, I got to see it and the inside and all but didn't drive it " Lol

Nv3500 was an available manual transmission from factory for the s10, pair it with a south bend clutch and it'll haul ass everywhere

Ah yes the legendary 40L60E 😂

An NV3500 5 speed manual, and throw in a cheap 4.8 vortec while your at it, and itl be perfect 👌.

You are a brave man to get that thing out on the interstate.

Absolutely, if you can do it, change that one out to a manual transmission, AND get rid of that excessive lift crap under that poor S-10, ( U-joints don't like tall prop shaft angles, do they )

4wd on these are vacuumed actuator front axle they make a cable to engage it once you get the electronic switch for the transfer case dorman help section in parts stores carry the 4wd switch and manual in these trucks are a nv3500

Ill have to do a video on mine. I set mine up for construction. I replaced all the suspension front and rear. I got the HD leaf springs for mine with the 5 leafs from dorman instead of adding a leaf. Best trucks ever and i dont plan to sale it. Its a 2000 Chevy S10 2WD Extended Cab 4.3L 4L60E with 3.42 Gears but i went to a smaller tire 205/60R15 for a 3.71 Gear Ratio. Hard to find stock 205/75/R15 tires for these trucks now.

My 2000 Sonoma is rough like that. Sat for 2 years. I sank a bunch of money into it and thankfully. Still driving it 2 years later.

The abs/parking brake light is due to a bad solder joint in the abs module. Mine and almost every other s10 has that problem

I'm late to the party here--but the slipping trans is a common problem on the 4x4 S10s. They've got a weird vacuum 4x4 system that sucks fluid from the trans to the transfer when the seal between them fails. As the fluid level in the trans falls, the 4L60E gets unhappy. I got lucky, pan drop/new filter/fresh fluid/new seal and the trans came back. It was grabbing third, though. If it's truly borked, a manual swap might be fun. Hopefully that big-ass lift kit came with some improvements to the front end. In stock form they eat idler arms for breakfast, and good god are they a PITA to replace. Punchy engines, though. Hope it's got the G80 rear end, those are nice.

The first time I did a highway drive I didn't know shifter was off. In my car drive is third, neutral is drive, and reverse is between park and reverse. Sounds like you don't think this is your trucks issue but it's a common problem apparently. My speedometer is also off a variable amount. Faster speed is more accurate.

Had a 2000 S10 ZR2. It was a beast off road.

I have a 02 GMC Sonoma with 51500 miles and the same exact lift, I have a 5 speed transmission for it. If you do a 5 speed transmission swap, you either need a 5 speed ecu or find someone that can flash the automatic transmission ecu

My buddy had a standard cab manual in that year.... it would chirp the tires in 3rd gear it was great

Yes they did came with manual transmission even the 1500 silverado transmission fits behind the 4.3 my 94 s10 is v8 swapped and kept the stock 4.3 5 speed

I owned a couple of early (square body) S10 2wd trucks with the 2.8 V6. They did ok and I didn’t have any major issues with them. Also had a “square body” S15 Jimmy 4x4 with the 2.8 V6. Like I said, all of them did ok for me.

Manual Transmission for the 4.3s are the nv3500. Which Gm used in the 1500 chevys with the 4.3,305, and 350. I own a 98' 2wd rcsb with a 4.3 and 5 speed fun truck.

Fix shift cable and sensor. If it still does it, drive it until it warms up, park turn off then crank up lol chevys have secret fixes

Brendan is such a cool dude! Looking forward to see what you do with this old beater of a truck!

I love seeing Brendan on TFL! He's awesome! Kase is ok too ;)

My cousin had a ‘95 4.3 manual 4x4 reg cab. Same color. Bare bone truck. No factory a/c.

I have a pile of these trucks, I bought a crashed zr2 for parts recently, which makes 2 zr2 blazers, 1 zr2 extended cab, 2 bravadas, a 2001 extreme 2wd blazer(hopefully gen 4 5.3 swap soon). Fluid and filter can save those transmissions, but a 5 speed swap isn't to awful. As far as worth it? Clean ones in my area still go for 3500-4500. But I know they seem to bring more money anywhere else in the country. Keep posting up these trucks make them more popular, tell people they are worth more, bring up all our values.

I am in the process of converting mine to manual. It’s the exact same truck. But with f250 axles and custom suspension. The manual trannys they come with are nv3500 and are specific to the s trucks. Also. The truck will not work off-road. I use to take mine off-road with 30 inch tires and I ruined all bj’s both cv axles and both wheel bearings within a week of off-roading. Not to mention the rear of the lower control arm mount tends to rip off the frame. These trucks have really strong frames and engines and t cases. Everything else is junk. If you ever need help with s trucks(Sonoma,s10,blazer,jimmy,bravada) send me a message. I have over 100 hours in to building my truck. I know these trucks inside and out.

300k on my 02' Blazer ZR2. That 4.3ltr will last. No smoke & both bank 1 & 2 fuel Trims are reading 0.0 to 0.1(very good) Not the same for the Transmission. The stock Sunshields snap easily. Mine still looks new though. I bought it from an old man 6yrs ago in Houston & it's been garage kept. It actually runs better than my Wife's newer Ford Escape. Dorman made a new 4x4 Actuator with a very thick rubber boot. So hopefully no more cracked boots anymore. Love mine, it's still getting the sticker mileage at 16 in town & 18 on highway. A plugged Cat will make that Tranny act odd also. I had a $80 FlowMaster Cat Welded on mine

the 4wd switch is just chillin there dude

I had one of those trucks for 10 years with the 4.3 v6 and a manual. Made it to 250,000 before I sold it. Manual 5 speed was so much fun.

I'd fix the tranny an add b&m shift kit and LSD. definitely upgrade the brakes and fix whatever sensors needed for the abs. then swap the 4x4 into manual locking. then swap out the v6 for the supercharged v6 from Pontiac. add a dvd stereo with a off road light and a winch.

My dad had a 97 ZR2 and that thing had a ton of problems; instrument panel, transmission twice, fuel injectors, fuel pump, driver side window switches, and when he sold it the rear fenders were starting to rust out

That transmission depends on a signal from the computer to shift, see if it's getting that signal. If it's been lifted very much it may have put stress on the wire/s from the computer to the transmission. I would be tempted to do a manual swap too, but not so much will all that 4 wheel drive stuff to complicate things. If it were me I'd try to save the auto first if i could. and I would also take out the rear shaft and make it a full time front wheel drive. I don't like 4 wheel drives for the simple fact that everything has to be perfect with gearing and tire size. That jumping it does has to be putting extra stress on it and affecting gas millage as well.

I have a 2000 Blazer that I bought in 2004, had 178k and hasn't needed any major work yet. Gets around 16mpg, not great but not horrible, either. Great little trucks.

Like some of the previous comments say I would check the fluids first but honestly if your fluids are so low that you weren't getting fourth gear it's probably damaged beyond repair anyways so I would convert to stick they're not too hard they are semi readily available you can take them out of the c1500 pickups with v6s as well of the same era

Auctions in my city don't allow test drives. You get to look at it, but not start or drive it.

3:30 Four wheel drive switch is MIA... immediately shows clip where you can see the four wheel drive switch plugged in sitting in the dash

Oh yeah, a real cool s10 ZR2. Those tow hooks will outlast a 20,000 pound tow strap when trying to pull out shrubbery…..ask me how I know, lol. I currently have an 03 S10 with only 103k miles parked in my garage and 60k on the engine, but I’ve had 4 others including a 2000 ZR2 and I loved them all. I drive a 2010 Sierra 4x4 CC SLT now and I love it too but the 82-05 ish S10 still have my heart when it comes to semi-modern classic trucks. I love this content.

As a s series truck guy I'll tell you those big wheels/tires are gonna kill the 4l60e if it's not already trying to die. I have owned 3 so far a 1984 s10 first gen that threw a rod 2 months into owning it got it for 500 so sold it as scrap. My 92 s10 Tahoe trim which failed smog in Cali after 10 years of reliable service to me and is parked waiting for a v8 swap when I get the money together for it and my current daily is an 02 blazer xtreme. That s10 needs some love and I'd recommend maybe getting a nv3500 if you keep the lift on it, it's a stronger trans.. 4l60e is pretty common for making all gears neutral.. I'd definitely say the nv3500 swap would be good you'll needs a different drive shaft if I remember right and Ecm will need to be swapped or just the prom not 100% but I've been looking into it for my 02 blazer xtreme as it has the 4l60 as well.

I had a '92 Blazer that the previous owner (he was a mechanic) had put a 6 speed stick it worked forever.

Is there a continuation to this rig? I got one similar to it and would love to see more of it

i had a CLAPPED OUT 2001 gmc jimmy with something like 260k miles on it a few years back. it shook like crazy if you went over 50 it felt like you were coming back to earth in the space shuttle or something lol. all the interior plastics had that same squeaky rattle too. engine was solid tho!!! got me where i needed to go...eventually ;P

I think the brake light and ABS light being on is just Factory for those little Chevys

I got the 02 Chevy S10 four-door 4x4 got everything running perfect even got AC now to start the body work hopefully I can find doors for this thing both of my rear doors have not too bad of dents just trying to cut corner so I don't have to have no body work these are really fun little trucks to drive

You should've checked the trans fluid before getting on the highway. If it was low, or the trans lines were leaking, you'll burn out the trans quickly. The 4L60E transmissions are actually pretty good but they do fail and need overhauls afterward. That thing is a terrible piece of junk and you probably shouldn't have bought this example. This is the exact same transmission as goes into the GMT400 and GMT800 that you enjoy. Yes, the 4.3L came with a manual in a ZR2. They're hard to find and would cost you as much as you paid for the truck. In contrast, you can pick up a good used 4L60E out of a wrecked GMT400 or GMT800 for $150-200 and this is a way better route. Plus you won't have to replace the ECU with one that's programmed for a manual.

My 05 Jimmy is a 5 speed, the truck's lots of fun off and on road, it'll chirp my bfg a/t in 3rd! Also 4low is way lower and very hard to stall. You can pick through tight lines in first with the G90 or blast through deep snow in 4th!

Definitely, go with a stick! The 4.3s were a available with one back then

I have pretty much the twin of this truck and my trans went so I 5spd swapped it in a weekend and it was the best decision they hold up alot better then the 4l60e being lifted with bigger tires

I've got 2 zr2s one with 250+ the other with 130 both are pretty sweet but stock height I happy with them

I would have got it even if it didn’t run. The 4x4 is extremely hard to find. The tow hooks are always your first clue.

Find yourself a five speed gearbox and do it yourself. Save crazy $$$. As a bonus, you learn a new skill, your confidence level goes through the roof, and you get your hands dirty. (Ya hands look a lil' soft there Chief!)

I had a 97 V6 with a 5 speed manual so They exist

I had a 95 s10 5 speed v6. Fun little truck for what they are. Wish I never would have sold it.

BTW the 4wd switch is in it I can see it laying in the dash

The 4x4 button is there hanging in the radio spot and the fan clutch is bad 🤣

Sometimes, the only thing that needs is to flush the transmission and switch the filter

Fix dash, left front window, rear window, after checking drivetrain