1986 S10 Daily Driver Rollover Rebuild

[Bigdually]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I'm just glad to see someone working on and posting about a first gen S10! They are such good little trucks, and you can't buy anything new like them today.

I love first gen S10s! I've owned several, they're economical, handy, and pretty simple to work on. And parts are cheap.




I changed gears today and worked on the transmission swap. (See what I did there? ) Moved the crossmember back 2.5 inches, the hole was already on the drivers side to do it and I just had to drill the ones on the passenger side. Put on the resurfaced flywheel, and new pilot bushing, clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. Then I stuck the transmission on and bolted everything up, even the reverse light wiring plugged right in. The driveshaft went right back in too with plenty of room on the slip yoke, thankfully.

Only difference is that this is a newer T5 with an electronic speedometer output, and my truck is cable drive. I have a speedometer app on my phone, so I'll work around it for a while.

[MalibuSSwagon]

That looks like the type of VSS that is gear driven, you should be able to take it out and install a cable drive unit. Worth a look anyways if you haven't already.

[Bigdually]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

That looks like the type of VSS that is gear driven, you should be able to take it out and install a cable drive unit. Worth a look anyways if you haven't already.

That is very interesting..... I was under the impression that all the VSS tailshafts had a reluctor. I'll be pulling the VSS and checking for a gear on the tailshaft very soon.

Thanks for the info!!

[MalibuSSwagon]

If it is the reluctor type, then you could get a DRAC/VSSB box from an early 90's full size truck, modify it and then wire it up to a stock S10 electric speedo cluster. Bonus points if you get one of those Blazer digital clusters.

https://www.tradecraftspecialties.com/DRACmodule
https://harristuning.com/Tbi/vssb-drac-calibration/

[Bigdually]

Pulled the VSS today, looks like a reluctor setup. I've always wanted one of those digital dashes, but for this truck I think I'll probably stick to the cable speedo and just roll with my phone app for a while.

I won't need a speedometer once I figure out cruising RPMs anyway. My whole intent has been to spend as little as possible and use as much of what I have for this project as I can. The shifter is so far the one thing I've spent big on, but it's a necessity and an upgrade all in one.

I do, however, have a 93 S10 RCSB Tahoe, 4.3 auto. My first vehicle, it hibernates most of the time. It's been screaming for a digital dash and some other things for a while, might just have to do that when the smoke from this project clears