hey guys. im looking for a new project and want to stick with chevy but am trying to find something id like to start out with. ive found an 83 chevy s15 i may go take a look at but cant find much info about anything for the trucks of that year on the net. heres the ad for it http://www.buysell.com/webphoto/1965/1965840202.jpg
1983 CHEVROLET S15, 305 V8, 4x4, 5spd, short box w/canopy, new motor, trans & tires. $3,000 canadian.obo. CallTel: 250-812-8144

i think it could be pretty cool with some gearing, some engine work, lift, tires etc... but never see trucks like this actually with some major work done around here.

the main thing is i just want to find out more info on these trucks and if it would actually be worth turning into a project as i am looking for a smaller 4x4 but would rather stick chevy then go yota. stuff like gearing/axles how the drivetrain could hold up and stuff like that which i have been unable to find around the internet. anyone know anyone whose had one of these whose built it for 4x4ing or any other info is much appreciated. as are any personal comments :) thanks guys

check out www.s10extremist.org thats pretty much all it is, s10 pickups, blazers, straight axle conversions all kinds of stuff

I had a 89" same body style,I was only able to put 31-10.50's on mine and that was with a 3" body lift and raising the torson bars all the way,which kept causing cv joint failure.A reg.4"susp. lift is well over a grand for that truck

If it has the v8, buy it and put some fullsizes under it. You might want to put a fullsize tranny and tcase in it.
The factory front suspension is a piece of crap as far as durability and flex are concerned.
straight axling one is easy

The biggest thing I'd be concerned with in that truck is how the V8 conversion was done. Cooling could be an issue. Too close to the firewall could be an issue. Rear crossmember could be an issue. If the swap was done nice, I'd probably buy it.

JTR(Jags that Run) claim that the stock rear is good as long as you don't start going to big tires. I'd have to dig up their S10 book again to get the full details of a few of their swaps :)

If I were going to buy THAT S10 for wheeling, I'd go straight for a solid axle swap in the front and get some more beef in the rear.

I had an 86 S10 Blazer and love the looks of it... just hated the 2.8L engine and 700R4 :p The things I would have done to it for wheeling are:
1) swap in a 4.3L Vortec and manual tranny
2) front solid axle swap
3) cut out fender flares