88 S-10 Blazer General Info Request

Question:

Do yourself a favor and get at least a class 2 hitch. There are more bike carriers and the like available for the class 2 and 3 hitches than the class 1. Blazers are a lot of fun. I’m going to put a 350 in mine and do a solid front axle swap. It ought to be well able to get anywhere i want after that….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yikes!! Too many replies both here, and in pmail, to be able to say thanks > to each one. > Hopefully, an all encompassing "Thank You" will be acceptable. > Learned a lot in a short amout of time, and I think this might be a fun > vehicle once I get more familiar with it. Looking forward to learning > enough to be able to give some back one day. >good…….it is refreshing to see someone who knows what he does not >know and has the common sence to seek advice…… > Well, I stopped knowing everything about everything a long time ago > I am familiar with the usenet attitudes of all knowing sages, but this > sure seems like a nice group so far. > I did not realize that the S-10 never had a V8 out of the box, so I am > gonna leave the 2.8, maybe seek out a bigger V6 this winter. Plenty of > camping time left to tow my trailer this fall and see how it works out. I > guess the limit on the engine size will save me a few $$ on the hitch, as > I sure won’t need a class three, and if the hitch height is acceptable, a > class one should do it. > There are a lot of places in the mts here in Utah to test out the 4WD, and > having traveled most every decent road in my car or VW Van, I am looking > forward to seeing what’s down those other roads I haven’t been able to > take <g> > Much obliged to you all. > John

Response:

be surprised how helpful these guys, and what you can learn just by reading posts. i cant thank the group enough for what i have learned just by reading topics and posts. so i to want to thank you all for the great learning you are and have given me.

Response:

Yikes!! Too many replies both here, and in pmail, to be able to say thanks to each one. Hopefully, an all encompassing "Thank You" will be acceptable. Learned a lot in a short amout of time, and I think this might be a fun vehicle once I get more familiar with it. Looking forward to learning enough to be able to give some back one day. >good…….it is refreshing to see someone who knows what he does not >know and has the common sence to seek advice……

Well, I stopped knowing everything about everything a long time ago I am familiar with the usenet attitudes of all knowing sages, but this sure seems like a nice group so far. I did not realize that the S-10 never had a V8 out of the box, so I am gonna leave the 2.8, maybe seek out a bigger V6 this winter. Plenty of camping time left to tow my trailer this fall and see how it works out. I guess the limit on the engine size will save me a few $$ on the hitch, as I sure won’t need a class three, and if the hitch height is acceptable, a class one should do it. There are a lot of places in the mts here in Utah to test out the 4WD, and having traveled most every decent road in my car or VW Van, I am looking forward to seeing what’s down those other roads I haven’t been able to take <g> Much obliged to you all. John

Response:

3.4 is the direct swap. The engine was specifically developed to upgrade the 2.8 S-series trucks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> For the amount of work its just as easy to swap in a 350 as it is a 4.3L. > You will need to swap the transmissoin as the 350/4.3 bolt pattern is > different from the 2.8. Another option is replacing the 2.8 with a 3.4 or > 3.8 I forget which, but one of them is a direct replacement. Check the 2.8 > section on one of the forums. > >The 2.8 is a little under powered, my 2.5 5 speed s-10 truck could outrun > >my parents 2.8 auto. The s-10’s were never offered with a small block, > >just the 4.3L v6 which is basically a 350 chopped off and is a very > >popular swap. > That explains the total lack of space I think a 4.3L V6 would be a > nice, apparently easy, upgrade tho. > Thank you for your time, and for the great web links. Looks like I can > find what I need to know, once I figure out what I need to know <g> > Much obliged. > John

Response:

I used a 2.8 in a 83 s-10 to move from B.C. to ontario, camper in back tewin axle trailed with 1500 lb load no problems had 430,000 KM on the motor befor there was a problem. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> 3.4 is the direct swap. The engine was specifically developed to upgrade the > 2.8 S-series trucks. > For the amount of work its just as easy to swap in a 350 as it is a 4.3L. > You will need to swap the transmissoin as the 350/4.3 bolt pattern is > different from the 2.8. Another option is replacing the 2.8 with a 3.4 or > 3.8 I forget which, but one of them is a direct replacement. Check the > 2.8 > section on one of the forums. > > >The 2.8 is a little under powered, my 2.5 5 speed s-10 truck could > outrun > > >my parents 2.8 auto. The s-10’s were never offered with a small block, > > >just the 4.3L v6 which is basically a 350 chopped off and is a very > > >popular swap. > > That explains the total lack of space I think a 4.3L V6 would be a > > nice, apparently easy, upgrade tho. > > Thank you for your time, and for the great web links. Looks like I can > > find what I need to know, once I figure out what I need to know <g> > > Much obliged. > > John

Response:

For the amount of work its just as easy to swap in a 350 as it is a 4.3L. You will need to swap the transmissoin as the 350/4.3 bolt pattern is different from the 2.8. Another option is replacing the 2.8 with a 3.4 or 3.8 I forget which, but one of them is a direct replacement. Check the 2.8 section on one of the forums.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The 2.8 is a little under powered, my 2.5 5 speed s-10 truck could outrun >my parents 2.8 auto. The s-10’s were never offered with a small block, >just the 4.3L v6 which is basically a 350 chopped off and is a very >popular swap. > That explains the total lack of space I think a 4.3L V6 would be a > nice, apparently easy, upgrade tho. > Thank you for your time, and for the great web links. Looks like I can > find what I need to know, once I figure out what I need to know <g> > Much obliged. > John

Response:

If you’re going to go the distance to put a 4.3 in– don’t… it’s just as much trouble as putting a 350 in, and less power. You will need a new tranny, either way.

Response:

No need to stop the engine to shift to 4Lo. Just put it in neutral, make the shift, and shift into gear. I do it all the time, with no problems.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> replies in-line > Greetings, > I recently ‘inherited’ a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic. > not a bad rig, by 88 that automatic was pretty well ironed out > Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the > possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide > if this thing is worth my time and effort. > good…….it is refreshing to see someone who knows what he does not know > and has the common sence to seek advice…… > Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a > trailer? I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don’t > carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, > but the Blazer seems underpowered to me. Haven’t driven it much tho. The > GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the > driver’s door post, but them have been peeled off and I don’t have an > owner’s manual to check the weights and capacities. > that is determined to a VERY large degree by the axle ratios > the lower numeric ratios contribute to the ‘2.8 gutless’ syndrome, the ones > with 3.73’s or 4.10’s would probably tow it pretty well > just stay out of overdrive when towing > On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a > small block chev? I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine > compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine. > the 4.3 would fit (was an option), the 5.7 would take some more work, the > 5.0 is not worth the effort >While I am > throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be > happy married up to a small block V8? > nope > 2.8 was a 60-degree small-bell pattern, the 4.3 and 5.7’s are 90-degree > ’small block’ pattern > if you DO decide to do the engine swap (especially the 5.7) save yourself > future grief and have the 700R4 rebuilt by a good independent (not one of > the chains) shop that does a lot of truck work > and save $$ by buying a new radiator without transmission cooler, and use a > large external cooler out front right behind the grille > e-mail if you want a detailed list of ’stuff that makes a 700R4 sit up and > talk’ > Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the > motor running, and in park or neutral? > park, probably…….neutral will probably grind gears if the engine is > spin the output shaft at a pretty good clip >With the engine lit, it grinds a > bit going into High 4WD, and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, that I > can’t bring myself to force it, and have shut it off to get it in. > shut off in ‘N’ works best >I don’t > have much experience with 4WD, and lacking an owner’s manual, I have to > ask for help so I don’t screw it up. > again, you are to be commended for asking about the ’stuff you’re not sure > of ‘ > I am in process of finding an owner’s manual, so hopefully some of the > more obvious questions won’t have to appear here > Thank you for any comments or opinions. > no problem > John

Response:

>The 2.8 is a little under powered, my 2.5 5 speed s-10 truck could outrun >my parents 2.8 auto. The s-10’s were never offered with a small block, >just the 4.3L v6 which is basically a 350 chopped off and is a very >popular swap.

That explains the total lack of space I think a 4.3L V6 would be a nice, apparently easy, upgrade tho. Thank you for your time, and for the great web links. Looks like I can find what I need to know, once I figure out what I need to know <g> Much obliged. John

Response:

replies in-line

> Greetings, > I recently ‘inherited’ a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic.

not a bad rig, by 88 that automatic was pretty well ironed out > Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the > possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide > if this thing is worth my time and effort.

good…….it is refreshing to see someone who knows what he does not know and has the common sence to seek advice…… > Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a > trailer? I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don’t > carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, > but the Blazer seems underpowered to me. Haven’t driven it much tho. The > GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the > driver’s door post, but them have been peeled off and I don’t have an > owner’s manual to check the weights and capacities.

that is determined to a VERY large degree by the axle ratios the lower numeric ratios contribute to the ‘2.8 gutless’ syndrome, the ones with 3.73’s or 4.10’s would probably tow it pretty well just stay out of overdrive when towing > On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a > small block chev? I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine > compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine.

the 4.3 would fit (was an option), the 5.7 would take some more work, the 5.0 is not worth the effort >While I am > throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be > happy married up to a small block V8?

nope 2.8 was a 60-degree small-bell pattern, the 4.3 and 5.7’s are 90-degree ’small block’ pattern if you DO decide to do the engine swap (especially the 5.7) save yourself future grief and have the 700R4 rebuilt by a good independent (not one of the chains) shop that does a lot of truck work and save $$ by buying a new radiator without transmission cooler, and use a large external cooler out front right behind the grille e-mail if you want a detailed list of ’stuff that makes a 700R4 sit up and talk’ > Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the > motor running, and in park or neutral?

park, probably…….neutral will probably grind gears if the engine is spin the output shaft at a pretty good clip >With the engine lit, it grinds a > bit going into High 4WD, and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, that I > can’t bring myself to force it, and have shut it off to get it in.

shut off in ‘N’ works best >I don’t > have much experience with 4WD, and lacking an owner’s manual, I have to > ask for help so I don’t screw it up.

again, you are to be commended for asking about the ’stuff you’re not sure of ‘ > I am in process of finding an owner’s manual, so hopefully some of the > more obvious questions won’t have to appear here > Thank you for any comments or opinions.

no problem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> John

Response:

inline….

> Greetings, > I recently ‘inherited’ a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic. > Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the > possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide > if this thing is worth my time and effort. > Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a > trailer?

not really…. I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don’t > carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, > but the Blazer seems underpowered to me.

it should be able to handle a trailer that small w/o much difficulty. although trailer weight doesn’t always tell the whole story. for instance at work we have a RustGo portable scaffolding system. it’s setup more or less like a hay wagon, has 2 axles (fore and aft), the front axle steers w/ the trailer tongue. it only weighs about 2000lbs but it tows meaner than hell. the stupid thing sways like crazy, jumps around and is more or less completely unstable above 40MPH. I was not esp comfortable towing it with my ‘88 K2500 on the less than smooth roads I had to travel over. Haven’t driven it much tho. The > GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the > driver’s door post, but them have been peeled off and I don’t have an > owner’s manual to check the weights and capacities.

you should be able to pick up a manual from Helm (www.helminc.com) or on Ebay. I have the same prob w/ my truck w/ it’s replacement driver’s door. I have my manual though. > On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a > small block chev?

I don’t know if happy would be the word as S-trucks w/ v-8 swaps tend to get the crap beat out of them, I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine > compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine.

nope, biggest engine was the 90 degree 4.3 V6 (which is a sb chevy derivative). but there have been literally thousands and thousands of SBC swaps into s-trucks. you can even buy complete kits. While I am > throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be > happy married up to a small block V8?

no, the 2.8 has the small 60 degree bellhousing, the 4.3 and chevy V8’s have a "Chevy" or 90 Degree bolt pattern. > Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the > motor running, and in park or neutral?

no, just 2HI and 4HI, 4Lo requires a shift into neutral. With the engine lit, it grinds a > bit going into High 4WD,

it shouldn’t grind into 4hi at all unless your front axle is stuck locked. and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, to shift into 4lo you must be stopped and in neutral, and even then there may be some gear clash, but out and out grinding shouldn’t happen. HTH, Bret

Response:

The 2.8 is a little under powered, my 2.5 5 speed s-10 truck could outrun my parents 2.8 auto. The s-10’s were never offered with a small block, just the 4.3L v6 which is basically a 350 chopped off and is a very popular swap. Search for jags that run for a how to book for swapping v8’s also look at s-series.org, s10forum.com, s-seriesforum.com, s10 extremists for ideas.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Greetings, > I recently ‘inherited’ a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic. > Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the > possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide > if this thing is worth my time and effort. > Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a > trailer? I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don’t > carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, > but the Blazer seems underpowered to me. Haven’t driven it much tho. The > GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the > driver’s door post, but them have been peeled off and I don’t have an > owner’s manual to check the weights and capacities. > On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a > small block chev? I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine > compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine. While I am > throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be > happy married up to a small block V8? > Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the > motor running, and in park or neutral? With the engine lit, it grinds a > bit going into High 4WD, and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, that I > can’t bring myself to force it, and have shut it off to get it in. I don’t > have much experience with 4WD, and lacking an owner’s manual, I have to > ask for help so I don’t screw it up. > I am in process of finding an owner’s manual, so hopefully some of the > more obvious questions won’t have to appear here > Thank you for any comments or opinions. > John

Response:

Greetings, I recently ‘inherited’ a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic. Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide if this thing is worth my time and effort. Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a trailer? I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don’t carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, but the Blazer seems underpowered to me. Haven’t driven it much tho. The GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the driver’s door post, but them have been peeled off and I don’t have an owner’s manual to check the weights and capacities. On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a small block chev? I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine. While I am throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be happy married up to a small block V8? Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the motor running, and in park or neutral? With the engine lit, it grinds a bit going into High 4WD, and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, that I can’t bring myself to force it, and have shut it off to get it in. I don’t have much experience with 4WD, and lacking an owner’s manual, I have to ask for help so I don’t screw it up. I am in process of finding an owner’s manual, so hopefully some of the more obvious questions won’t have to appear here Thank you for any comments or opinions. John

Camping Camper

Your #1 Guide To Camping

Camping Trailer

88 S-10 Blazer General Info Request

Question:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Response:

Related Posts

Write a comment