My new '96

[ofnaman]

After 7 years of not having an s series, I finally got another one. I sold my fullsize blazer on saturday night and found this truck today. I got it for a great price, and I am trying to sell the shell to recoup even more money. It's a '96 2wd reg cab shortbed with a 4.3L and 5 speed trans. Lots of miles, but it's in great condition and runs like new. I am so happy to be back in a mini, just thought I'd share. Kind of crappy pic's, but I did not have time to take good ones.

[Chevy350V8]

looks like a clean truck. Whats your plans, or is it a dd?

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by Chevy350V8

looks like a clean truck. Whats your plans, or is it a dd?

It is going to be my daily driver. My plans are to lower it 5"/6", add airbags to the rear for when I haul my atv, add a cowl induction hood, a soft tonnau (spelling?) cover and put some prostars on it. I also could use some advice on what to add to break up the white. I was thinking a thick pinstripe or something like that. I had a '90 that was all black and it had 2 smaller pinstripes on it that really set it apart. This truck is just too white for me.

[ofnaman]

Is a 4" cowl hood too much for an s10? My old one had a 2 1/2 and it looked good, but I have not seen a 4" on one. Thank you

[gchemist]

Put on a GMC hood. They look better. Looks very clean.

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Put on a GMC hood. They look better. Looks very clean.

I thought about that, but I really want a cowl hood.

[Chevy350V8]

Originally Posted by ofnaman

I thought about that, but I really want a cowl hood.

I got my gmc sonoma a 2" cowl hood. Im looking for one on ebay. I would go with a 2" unless your looking V8 swap.

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by Chevy350V8

I got my gmc sonoma a 2" cowl hood. Im looking for one on ebay. I would go with a 2" unless your looking V8 swap.

Small block swap will be coming, but not for a couple of years. I plan on making it a drag truck when it's daily driver life comes to an end.

[ofnaman]

Cruise? I have access to a '95 jimmy that I can take whatever I want out of (parts truck). My '96 does not have cruise, but has the connector for the cruise module. My truck also does not have a tilt column, but the jimmy has both. I am going to put the tilt column into my truck and I am going to snag the cruise module and mount it up. I am guessing I'll have to install a cruise fuse and relay? Anyone done this mod before?

[Chevy350V8]

Originally Posted by ofnaman

Cruise? I have access to a '95 jimmy that I can take whatever I want out of (parts truck). My '96 does not have cruise, but has the connector for the cruise module. My truck also does not have a tilt column, but the jimmy has both. I am going to put the tilt column into my truck and I am going to snag the cruise module and mount it up. I am guessing I'll have to install a cruise fuse and relay? Anyone done this mod before?

As a madder of fact... Check out this forum. Its called s10forum.com They GOT EVERYTHING! about any year, make, ss, extreme, you name it they got it. Check it out. Theres a post going on about cruise control. Heres the link http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f137/a...ontrol-370117/

[67ChevyRedneck]

Nice little truck. The only thing I really disliked about the 94-97 was the integrated rear bumper. But it's not like I hate it, just prefer the seperate bumper like the 98+.

4.3/5spd reg cab shortie... that should be a fun combo

[Chevy350V8]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Nice little truck. The only thing I really disliked about the 94-97 was the integrated rear bumper. But it's not like I hate it, just prefer the seperate bumper like the 98+.

4.3/5spd reg cab shortie... that should be a fun combo

Thats why i went with the 98 gmc sonoma. I hated the bed on the old s10s.

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Nice little truck. The only thing I really disliked about the 94-97 was the integrated rear bumper. But it's not like I hate it, just prefer the seperate bumper like the 98+.

4.3/5spd reg cab shortie... that should be a fun combo

I agree about the bed. I wish it was not integrated, but it's only a couple holes to fill when I put the roll pan on. Its a blast to drive, and tonight I took off the camper (the best mod yet). I picked up a '95 gmc front end and hood for it tonight. I am going to remove the inner part of the grill and find some cool mesh to put in there. I am also going to order some ss emblems for it. I know it will be a fake, but I like the emblems and it's the right color and truck to be a ss, other than the 5 speed. The truck also has the 3rd shock on the rear end to help with axle wrap. I have to say, I've had about 10 of these trucks and that makes a world of difference. I also picked up a overhead console and center console out of a blazer, but I don't know if I am going to use the center console, I kind of like the 60/40 seat (even though the center seat is useless).

I scored on my used parts also. A guy that no longer works at my work had a '95 jimmy that was white with a gray interior (same as mine). I guess something happened to it and when he quit he left it there and said he wanted nothing to do with it anymore. My boss gave me the ok to take whatever I want off of it, because it's getting scrapped. I am taking almost everything off of it that is useable, unfortunately, it's been getting parted out for a couple of years now, so I missed out on the seats. I did score a poweraid throttle body spacer off of it though.

[tvblazer78]

Cool little truck and it looks like you live in the hills man!

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by tvblazer78

Cool little truck and it looks like you live in the hills man!

More like the mountains! I live in Reno, about 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe.

[ofnaman]

I was looking under my truck and noticed the truck has some kind of overload looking springs on it. I have never seen anything like these and was wandering if they are overloads, or some type of anti hop spring. They look like traditional add a leaf overloads, but they sit in on the top of the spring in front of the axle. Not under the axle at all, just on the front half. Anyone have any ideas? I have my doubts about them being overloads because it sits low on the rear even with it unloaded.

[ofnaman]

Did a couple more things to it today, not as much as planned, but the weather is nasty so I am happy with what I did. I put on a '95 gmc front end and hood, and installed a poweraid spacer. I am not sold on the throttle body spacers, but it was free, so I figured why not. The front end swap was really easy. It only took me about 30 minutes to do this start to finish. Eventually I am going to remove the gmc emblem from the grill. I had planned on putting the air bag overload system on the rear, but the weather got crappy. I also got a rear roll pan, but it needs paint and I need to get a hidden hitch before I put it on. Hopefully next saturday it will be a few inches lower to the ground.

[ofnaman]

Here is a current shot of the truck. Since I had to replace the ball joints, I decided to go ahead and lower it at the same time. Still have to put the airbags on the rear and align it, but its coming together.

[tvblazer78]

Starting to look nice and clean!