Cascade Crew

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject:

The only S10 I would get (for a daily) is one with a 4.3 in either first or second gen. Don't confuse the crap 2.2 cavalier motor that came in a later S10 as an ecotec. Its not, the real ecotec is a really good engine with minimal problems. That 2.2 in the S10 is more on par with the old iron duke.

iansane · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:37 pm Post subject:

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject:

Really? I suppose for fuel economies sake that makes sense but if you were to just go out and buy a pickup, the 4.3 is super reliable, seen plenty up around 250k, good low end power. If you did have time to slap together and swap in a 3.4hybrid just to get the extra MPG then I could see it.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

The only benefit of the 4.3L is longevity. Everything else about it is inferior to a good 60* motor.

I built an S10 with a 3.1 and it was a good all-around truck. The body and wiring was the typical cheap, poorly designed GM clusterf**k but the drivetrain was rock solid.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:19 am Post subject:

IMO, hes looking for something fairly reliable. My experience with hybrid motors is not reliable.

You could do the 3.4 and make it reliable. Just replace the chain every 30-40k

iansane · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:55 am Post subject:

I'm not quite sure Aaron has owned a vehicle long enough for "reliability" to come into play. Very Happy

fiveoformula · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:42 am Post subject:

Why not buy an old clean extended cab S10 with a bad motor or a trans and just put your fancy 60 degree V6 in it? Then it would be cool, get decent mileage and not be gutless like my ranger.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:49 am Post subject:

I had thought about that, but I don't want another engine swap project right away. I already have two half-finished project vehicles sitting here. Laughing

On the Mazda front I dropped for four KYB's and a set of leaf bushings off RockAuto. I am going to try to find a set of rear leaves at the yard for it as mine are sacked badly.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject:

4link n bag it Rock on!

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:51 pm Post subject:

Bought some tires today. That helped a bit. Sears brand tires are not all they're cracked up to be. Razz

New ones are Toyo Ultra. Nothing to write home about, but not bad.

Bought a set of rear leaf springs. Pick those up tomorrow.

Also ordered some Wagner pads from RockAuto as the fronts are definitely shot. Probably needs rear shoes as well, but one thing at a time.

RSFreak · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:49 am Post subject:

IROCDave · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

El Camino.......If you can by this

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3194859385.html

For what they are asking I know you can find a beater for about a grand.

Use this to find one dirt cheap.
http://www.allcraigslist.com/

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:51 pm Post subject:

I actually liked the old 1990 Ford Ranger I used to have. Did kind of have squishy suspension, so far the Best "little truck" I've driven has been a 1989 2WD Toyota PU. Logged 320,000 miles, but still runs and handles great (although it does have manual steering). Paint isn't so pretty, and has the typical dents and dings for a 23 year old truck.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:15 am Post subject:

But what kind of economy did you see from the 22R?

In my experience that has always been the downfall of the Toyota trucks.

QwkTrip · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:06 pm Post subject:

Do a 4BT Cummins swap into whatever truck you want.

(got to admit that's a good idea)

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

Irony.

Back when I owned my F-150 I was considering putting a 4BT in it to replace the horrible SBF. That idea lead me down the path that ended with my turbo 6.9L diesel truck. The truck which is inefficient for a hundred miles of daily empty freeway driving, leading me to buy a smaller truck for non-towing purposes which leads us back to the 4BT. Laughing

While I agree that it is a good idea, the issue is that a running 4BT starts at about two grand and goes North from there. Add on to that the truck freight to have it shipped out here, the cost of a transmission to hold it, and the modifications to the truck to support the weight.

Honestly, if I was going to put a diesel in a truck for driving and not hauling I would consider a Mercedes 5cyl before anything else. Dead reliable, plenty of parts, came with a good manual transmission, and is known to fit in a Mazda and other small trucks.

QwkTrip · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject:

Drive the Camaro. It's going to get like 30 mpg.

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject:

With the factory injectors and no turbo it would get about that on the freeway. I am not holding out for much economy with 60# injectors. Laughing

QwkTrip · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject:

Isn't there some kind of rare Toyota diesel that was sold in the US, or is that my imagination?

I'm running out of ideas, man. Laughing