Hey, my name is Josh. Just got my hands on an 83 s10-blazer. Paid 500 for it. It looks like a POS but I see potential. I have about $1000 to do stuff to it.
Any suggestions? Its a 5-speed, and has the 2.8. everything looks stock to me but I havent went over in in detail yet. Appreciate it

 

welcome. is it 4x4? if it is I would lift it and make it an offroad truck to beat around in

 

Yeah, its a 4x4. I want it to be a decent truck for the mountains, but after I went over it today, I have found out I am gonna need the head gaskets replaced. Do you think I should take it to some shop and pay a crap ton of money or just do it myself?

 

depends on how comfortable you are with working on engines, how much time you have to do it and how fast you want it done. Personally I would drop a v8 in it but that might be more work than what you want to do

 

Welcome from Canada!

 

What kind of v8 we talkin here? like a 305, or 350? I have a friend that owns a jeep shop, but he has a blazer as well, he can probably help me out.

 

welcome to the show brother.

as for doin' a V8 swap, why not go with a more direct swap-4.3 w/carb (Ecelbrock makes a nice intake & carb for these). or you can find a wrecked donor truck that's a little newer (ie' EFI), and just swap the whole wiring harness over.

just keep in mind, if you do do a swap, you're gonna notice it's hard to find a 4X4 5 spd for the 4.3's.

it all depends on what you're looking to get out of the truck.

but that's another discussion, for another section.

 

Well I just checked online and there seems to be a decent selection of s10s and blazers at the pull a part here, so I will have to check things out this weekend. hopefully I can find an s10 4x4 with the 4.3, I used to have one it was a 2001, and it was sweet, but it was automatic

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome from the North Island of New Zealand.