S-10 Pickup Ecomods

[bennelson]

Well, I think I will install the things and see how it goes!

I can keep the original parts around in case I want to "undo" it.

Everything in my life is always an experiment - this is just the next one.

[Big Dave]

A three inch "slam" is a good practical mod. S10s sit kinda high and lowering ride height will help about 4%.

I lowered my truck 4" up front and 6" in back and realized a 1 MPG improvment.

Be sure and re-align your front end after a slam.

[bennelson]

I was working under the truck fixing a fuel leak.

Now that I know what I am looking for, I see what you mean about the "bump-stops".

I don't think it should be a problem, but it does close up the gap quite a bit.

The bump stops do look removeable and could be trimmed a little bit.

[bennelson]

Yesterday, I got to work on the truck.

I replaced the rusted fuel line which sprung a leak while changing the fuel filter.

Replaced the fuel filter.

And my favorite, changed the oil to synthetic.

The S10 is now running on AMSoil 0W-30 fully synthetic oil. I swear, the truck has better acceleration, top speed, squeeks less, and the paint job is shiney.

Hmm - maybe I put in 5 quarts of placebo....

Anyways, it actually DID seem to have a little better acceleration. Not sure if that is all in my mind or not.

Boy is that oil thin!!!! It's pricey, but you only have to do it every 25,000 miles, although you have to change the filter more often than that.

I also ran an "oil-flush" product through before-hand to de-gunk the old oil out. I think that helped too.

After all that, I put a new section of tailpipe on. (The truck originally came with just a short pipe that stops under the bed) so that the emmissions test station guys would have a place to stick their hose.

Truck passed emmissions with flying colors.
It was at least a 45 minute wait at the station. And of coarse there are signs telling you to have your vehicle at "operating temperature".

Still, most people were just parking their cars and turning off the engine anyways. I just turned it on every 10 minutes to check the temperature and then idled for a little bit to get the temperature back up.

I also said a sweet Lamborgini in the other line. Bright yellow and amazing aerodynamics! It even has the exhaust come out the BACK of the car instead of UNDER it.

We'll see what that synthetic oil does for me on the next tank of gas.

[bennelson]

Just got the lowering springs in the mail today.

They threw in a free Summit Racing cap.

I don't wear caps.

Anyone want a cap?

[adam728]

Ha! I think I have 3 or 4 of those caps laying around from the last 8 or 9 years.

[bennelson]

I just got done lowering the rear of the truck.

It was a lot of work getting the old U-bolts off. They were rusty, and there was no room for a saw or anything. I just had to crank REALLY hard with a socket wrench and a piece of pipe a lot of times.

The rear is now three inches lower.

Is it OK to ride for a day or two with the front and back ends at different heights? I still have to lower the front, but can't get to it for a few days.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Is it OK to ride for a day or two with the front and back ends at different heights? I still have to lower the front, but can't get to it for a few days.

I did it for 6 months no problems in a 66vw bus.