1st Gen S10 Blazer 4x4 V8 5 Speed Swapped

[@toddcarter7345]

That thing is sick. I've got an 85 GMC Woody with a 350 auto. Family owned since new, family heirloom. It's so much fun. Stock engine built by me, my wife, and my son. Swap done by us also. Lots of 1off custom parts made to keep everything stock looking and working. So happy to see another 85 in that shape still being driven. My recently passed grandpa was the plant manager in Shreveport where these were all built, so I've got a very soft spot for these old trucks.

[@rachalhollier5679]

I had a 2wd 1985 s10 blazer. They had a carburetor style wiring harness,so I installed a .040” over bore 350(358) in it with a 2200 breakaway stall in a th350 transmission with manual valve body. I drove it to work everyday for 8 years before I cut the top off and ran methanol in it. I never had a single problem with it running a hei distributor. It was very dependable making 14mpg.

[@stevewalton4986]

I love that s10 blazer the seats are in great condition for that old of the truck keep taking care of it

[@stevewalton4986]

Need to

[@ghostspectre1861]

Can we talk about those beautiful bucket seats? Great color.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you! I love the interior in this truck, the seats are very comfortable too.

[@djgeminithirdeye1859]

I had a Blazer just like this with the 4.3 TBI 5speed 4x4. I miss that truck

[@TheStone600]

Very sweet combo. That's what I was looking for, but Craigslist didn't have a single one in months. So I jumped on this one! Hope you find another someday soon.

[@markheefner6527]

Beautiful blazer just love these 1st gen S series blazers.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you Mark, this truck made me fall in love with the 1st gen S series. Great vehicles, and very solid.

[@TheMlc4life]

Beautiful ride sir. Thanks for rowing the gears a little.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you for watching!

[@DANIELFLORES-qd8ly]

That's a sweet ride. Beautiful Blazer! Love that red & white combination. I have a 86 GMC S-15 JIMMY.

[@TheStone600]

Thanks man! I feel like all these 1st gen s trucks are hard to find, but I can't remember the last time I've seen a jimmy.

[@robbierichmondtyrecop3916]

Same here 86 S10 lwb

[@auaiao9]

The seats are sooo nice.

[@MrJoshuaAtwood]

You're blessed Esteban. Dont forget it. Beautiful square body, and I bet that 350 is bad ass in there.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you very much Mr. Joshua, It means a lot! This truck really is amazing. They should have came like this from the factory, really is a sweet setup.

[@Christianpete821]

That was an awesome video. 8/10 haha lots of info, you went in depth. It’s always been a fun idea to buy another 91-94 jimmy, replace the dash for digital, put a 5 speed, maybe 6S2 or 350. Happy to see the video dude!!

[@TheStone600]

Thanks for the kind words man!

[@GunsNGames1]

Beautiful truck, love those old GM SUVs.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you man, they're good looking trucks!

[@CT-Dana]

I love this generation S10. I have a 1988 2.5L 5-speed and I wanna get a S10 Blazer too.

[@TheStone600]

You and me both man, I'm an suv guy, but I'd love to get an S10 pickup! 😂

[@shawnwood9383]

Nicely done

[@northgacub]

Looks great. I just bought a 91 4x4 S10 Blazer with the 4.3. I used to have an 86 one with the 2.8

[@TheStone600]

Sick man, good luck with it!

[@eugenek9543]

Thats a dope ass truck

[@TheStone600]

Thanks man, means a lot!

[@edwardclement102]

Pretty S10 Blazer, bet it would make a good tow vehicle on a Ranger Bass Boat.

[@TheStone600]

I appreciate the comment! I sometimes pull an 18 foot checkmate with this truck. The short wheelbase makes it a little sketchy, but there's plenty of power and gearing to do the job. The suspension doesn't sag too bad either.

[@ET74019]

Had a 1985 s10 blazer 2.8 v6 in high school best truck I ever owned...sadly wrecked it, haven’t been able to find one since...keep that sucker

[@TheStone600]

Sweet man! Next one you find, you've gotta scoop up. I haven't seen many for sale either.

[@ET74019]

I saw a 1987 the other day but they want 20k and it needs major TLC...partial to the 85 anyway 😂...can’t imagine the power your getting with a v8...the 2.8 was sweet tho...zero power but I got 25mpg

[@TheStone600]

@@ET74019 The V8 in this truck makes me really wonder why they weren't available fromthe factory. It is honestly such a great combo. My friends dad had an s10 with a 2.8 and a 5 speed, he said he was happy with the power.

[@TheStone600]

And 20k is waaaaayyyy too much, when they pop up, the nicest ones are about 5 grand

[@ET74019]

@@TheStone600 right me either had plenty of room to fit it. My motor could have been worn out...I put at least 200k on it...but mileage was unknown when I bought it. Never mattered tho...cause it always ran with very few problems

[@timeless6964]

Truck Is Real Clean!!!

[@TheStone600]

Thank you, trying to keep it that way!

[@samgrissom7274]

I will keep it brief, sweet freaking rig!!!

[@TheStone600]

Appreciate it man! Love this truck

[@mattzr2blazer]

Awesome blazer

[@TheStone600]

Thanks man! Finally got it to where I'm proud of it, and figured I'd show it off.

[@alexrr1524]

If the bottom was black instead of white and it had the stock blazer wheels it would be the cleanest s10 ever but this is steel the cleanest one I have ever seen

[@stevenrogers2457]

Beautiful square body man! i just bought an '88 S10 Blazer 4x4 with the 4.3, loving it

[@TheStone600]

That's awesome, I was looking for your exact setup, but couldn't find one... so I bought this :)

[@stevenrogers2457]

@@TheStone600 Let me know if you ever want to trade. Lol

[@TheStone600]

@@stevenrogers2457 I'll think on it, but I'm thrilled with this truck! Very fun to drive, and no other like it on the road

[@stevenrogers2457]

@@TheStone600 Can't say as I blame you. Mine has a plow on it and is not in as good as shape as yours is. I am looking forward to seeing how well it plows this winter though. :)

[@TheStone600]

@@stevenrogers2457 it'll plow just fine, the 4x4 is strong in these... with a 4.3 you might have the np231hd which is a very stout transfercase.

[@jewllake]

NICE! I love S-10's!

[@TheStone600]

After getting this truck, they have quickly become one of my favorite trucks. Thanks for watching!

[@MrFreakinSauce]

Thats one great truck! I am in the process on getting mine back on the road...i pulled out the carb to go efi and seeing your idea on the newer tank is ingenious! Thanks for the great share and if you do the newer tank make a vid and help clowns like me out!

[@TheStone600]

Thank you for commenting! A 20 gallon tank in this truck would be amazing. The parts truck that I pulled the transmission out of was a 1990 and had a 20 gallon tank. But they're pretty much the same truck so I don't see fitment being an issue. When I decide to do it, I'll make updates for sure!

[@TheStone600]

Finally got around to doing the tank swap. Thanks are the same dimensions, except the 20 gallon is about 2 inches deeper than the 13. You will need to get the bottom tank supports for a 20 gallon tank, but the top straps are the same. I ordered the tank supports, but they haven't come in yet, so for the time being, I got 2 inch sections of 3/4" black pipe, and 2" longer hardware and am using the 13 gallon supports. I will change that back out when I get the new supports. Otherwise, everything else was pretty plug and play, the sender for the 20 gallon tank communicates with the original gauge with no issues, and my driving range is much better. Hope this helps, happy new year.

[@dorrellwashington9359]

Awesome, would love to know what parts they used to swap the v8 in 4x4 chassis. I have a 84 jimmy s15 gipsy

[@boopoopies]

I love when people put Chevy small blocks in the s-10’s

[@TheStone600]

It's the way the factory should have built them. The 350 is the perfect engine for this truck.

[@s10_4_life6]

Beautiful Blazer man, I've got a 1984 S10 Blazer, 4X4, 2.8/Auto (The Blazer has an original 44K Miles on it) that I just got done Replacing & Rebuilding the Frame a few months ago (Bc the previous owner wrecked it & bent the Frame), well I drove it for like 2 months and then the Trans gave out on me, So I bought a 1991 S10, 4X4, 4.3L/5 Speed Donor Truck that I'm planning on pulling all the stuff from the Truck and putting into my Blazer, I believe that I've got everything figured out how I'm going to do it, I mean I've got at the parts that I'd need to do the job, But instead of using the 1991's Electronical Dash, I'm keeping my 1984 Mechanical Dash and I'm going to use the Transfer Case from the 1984's 700R4 to bold onto the 1991 NV3500 that way I can keep the Speedo Cable.... I am looking for one thing though that I've not been able to find anywhere, I'm looking for a 4X4, 5 Speed Shifter Bezel just like the Red One you have in your Blazer, But I need mine to be "Saddle Tan" though, I've been looking for awhile and can't find one, so if you or anyone has one or knows where one is I'll buy it right now...

[@TheStone600]

Sounds like a cool project! I would have loved to have one with a 4.3l and 5 speed. I hear that's a great combo. Unfortunately, I don't have any bezels. I passed on the gray one that was in the truck i pulled the transmission out of. That's pretty much what I did to keep my mechanical speedometer. I changed the np231hd that came with the 5 speed to the np207 that was already in the truck with the t4. I know it's a weaker set up but at least the speedo works. It's hard to tell for sure as there's not much info online, but it's possible that 1988 is the only year that the 4x4 s10's got the np231hd with a mechanical speedometer. I've been hunting for one of those.

[@TheStone600]

Would it look botched if you tried to cut the auto bezel to poke the shifter through? I would think that the shifter boot would cover the edges and It should look factory.

[@s10_4_life6]

@@TheStone600 Yeah they are made Different, I would know that it's rigged up, I want to try to keep the interior as much as Stock as I can or Stock looking as I can anyways

[@s10life]

Wow that thing is serious!

[@TheStone600]

Ayy, love your ig page, thanks for the commenting!

[@nickvacirtzoglou4559]

Looks beautiful dude. I want an s10 blazer so bad but its damn near impossible to find one in Toronto Canada

[@TheStone600]

Thank you man, they're hard to come by here too. I just got really lucky... Everything around here rusts out in 10 years.

[@tylerziegler3896]

Do you have any photos of the underside. Just want to see how the oil pan was put in. Maybe looks like the did a motor mount lift. Thank you

[@50nick83]

How is the traction with that setup. Thinking about putting a 350 vortec in mine, but I heard it puts too much weight in the front.

[@TheStone600]

The only time I have traction issues is on wet pavement. I have to drive drastically different in the rain as I have had the rear kick out on me on turns on wet pavement (even with the open dif that I have). However, on dry pavement it's great, I only smoke the tire if I try to. I've also driven it in several heavy snow storms (14" of snow) and have never even gotten close to getting stuck. I'm sure a LSD or locker would be better for dry weather traction, but would make it sketchier on wet roads. Over all, the truck doesn't feel front heavy when driving, and absolutely would recommend a v8 swap in these, you just have to drive to your conditions. Hope this helps.

[@billerickson806]

I gotta 2.8 4 speed 4x4 Blazer 84

[@TheStone600]

That's sweet man! Very uncommon setup from what I can tell.

[@Poohdaddymagic]

Badass

[@TheStone600]

Thank you!

[@chasefancher6364]

Was the pedals hard to install

[@TheStone600]

This is a factory 4 Speed truck. I didn't have to do anything with the pedals when I went with the 5 speed.

[@williegarlick5546]

What transmition did you use for the v8

[@TheStone600]

5lm60 out of a 1990 s10 blazer with a 4.3 v6.

[@Explo_eli]

What the rims called I have a 1988 4x4 s10 and wondering if they would look good

[@TheStone600]

Hey, Thanks for your comment. These are stock GM rims that went on the later s10 4x4's. Not sure of the years they came on exactly. I know the American Racing Outlaw II rims look similar but with the wide track width of the 4x4 s10, it may be difficult to find a set of those with the correct spacing.

[@MiguelRodriguez-co4jh]

Did you have the wheels refinished or did they already come like that?

[@xllsd4553]

Hey, I’m curious why your T4 blew up? Also what rear end/differential does it have?

[@TheStone600]

I'm not sure myself. The T4 shifted beautifully and was very quiet. It just let go one day. I never opened it up, but I'm positive the input shaft snapped. The 5 speeds input shaft was close to twice the diameter of the T4's. This truck is running the stock 10 bolt with an open differential. I have a G80 locker for it if I ever wanted to have posi.

[@TheStone600]

But at the end of the day, it is a weak transmission that's designed for a much smaller engine with much less power. It blew up despite very easy driving.

[@xllsd4553]

@@TheStone600 Thank you for your response, I know you have to notch the frame to drop a big block into a blazer but is that something that has been done on yours? The 350 seems to sit really low because the hood didn't look like it was cut underneath. thanks.

[@TheStone600]

@@xllsd4553 Summit sells engine mounts for the swap. They are plates that bolt to the 2.8L mounts on the frame, then the rubber motor mounts attach the engine to the plate. It puts the V8 right were the V6 was so that the trans and everything behind it doesn't have to move. Putting a V8 in a 4.3L truck is almost as simple as pulling the 4.3, and dropping the V8 in. It's a little bit tougher if you're swapping a 2.8L truck.

[@xllsd4553]

@@TheStone600 thank you that really helps

[@Momo7O7]

What else would be recommended to replace along with the swap?

[@TheStone600]

@Momo7O7 Cooling system for sure. Space is very limited, and keeping the engine cool is still something I'm struggling with all of these years later. If going with a manual, the hm290/5lm60 that I have in here has held up great and is a bolt in replacement for the T4 that came out. Crossmember, drive shafts, transfercase, and shifter holes all lined up. Just needed a different clutch because the input shafts are different. The T4 lived about 2 months behind the V8... normal driving too. A few months ago, I grenaded the stock rearend. I found a replacement 10 bolt out of a 93 S10, so still weak. But it will live without issue if you don't drive super aggressively. I blew up the original axle doing a launch, so something to keep in mind. I hear the Explorer 8.8's are a good upgrade, but they're no bolt in, and the lug patterns are different. Also likely going to have to regear the 8.8 as most s10's got the 3.42 ratio which was not available on the Explorers.

[@TheStone600]

@Momo7O7 Forgot to add. The HM290 I have came out of a later 1st Gen S10 Blazer 4x4 with a 4.3L. I am not sure if an HM290/5LM60 out of a fullsize is the same or not. I also don't know if the later NV3500 is a direct bolt in swap.

[@galenyoung8349]

Esteban... (I'm curious whether or NOT you know/researched) did that Blazer come fact tree with a 4.3, or a 2.8? I ask because I have a 96 Blazer & a 92 S14 TAHOE. (The only one I have EVER seen, myself.) Title reads; S14 & the glove box reads; "Tahoe." I'm thinking about V8 swapping my 92 2.8 S14, Tahoe. *basically* it's just a SWB 2.8, 5 speed S10, IMHO. My 96 Blazer I'm currently/beginning a few days ago taking out the 4.3 & I'm gonna rebuild it & put it back in. *dayum thing was leaking oil everywhere, starter & flexplate weren't partying too well with one another. It all began with a blown intake gasket at 250K, miles. I didn't know nor realize how easy it is to swap it over to the same year model (96) 5.7 Vortec, until I've gotten all except 5 bolts out til it's time to pull the fact tree, 4.3, as well as a pile of engine parts laying in my kitchen floor.. I also swapped the CPI over to MPFI *before* I decided it had too many oil leaks & I was sick & tired of worrying about the POS starter/flywheel.. In short, I LOVE YOUR LITTLE BLAZER, & your "VIBE" is that of a kewl azz, man!!✌❤ In case anybody was curious & may not already be in the, "KNOW?" The wiring to swap from (96 - 04ish) model 2nd generation S10/Blazer is just to use the V8 computer with the V6 harness & fuse box. Then, you just either look up the schematics to wire in the V8 CPI injector plug from the V8, to the V8 ECM/Computer, or you can use the V6 CPI harness & just add the 2 extra cylinders to your V6 plug. The ONLY other issues are the exhaust/headers, & the engine to frame mounts that bolt onto the engine. They look easy AF to, "make", IMHO? I'm thinking/curious if 2 factory exhaust manifolds that dump directly in the back/rear wouldn't work/fit..? Like you said, brother... those little trucks can be ALOT of fun WITHOUT beating the pizz out of them & wasting tires, time, & money. My Blazer is a 4 door, which is WHY I decided to give it ONE LAST CHANCE to be a dependable fuel saver. If/when it phucks up, again... it's getting a 5.7 vortec.. fact tree setup, maybe, an RV cam to back up the tow package? 2nd generation S10s have 2 bell housing bolts & 2 bolts on the back of the heads (on mine) that are ROYAL, MFs.

[@TheStone600]

Sounds like you've got some neat projects man. Never heard of an S14 but I have heard of the Tahoe package. I know the chevy's were S10's and the GMC's were S15's, but S14 is a new one for me. My truck was a factory 2.8 V6, 4 speed (T4 trans), 4x4. And yes, it is very easy to swap a 4.3L to a 5.7L as the 4.3 is 350 V8 less 2 cylinders.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

na A/C could it be done with A/C?

[@beamj1]

Been wanting to do this to exact same vehicle for years. What issues have you had other than mentioned in video and what did you pay for it if you don’t mind me asking

[@TheStone600]

All in all it's the truck that GM should have built. A stock/mild 350 is perfect for it, but there certainly were some issues. The stock T4 transmission did not hold the power. It blew up under normal driving conditions. The 5LM60 (early NV3500) is a direct bolt in with the exception of the input shaft splines. My engine had the small flywheel (153 tooth ring gear), which meant that the largest clutch I could use was a 10.5". I used a clutch kit for an 80's Buick Regal with the 3.8L V6. This gave me a 10.5" clutch with the large 10 spline clutch hub. Using a 168 tooth flywheel would be a much better choice... You'll need to lengthen the clutch hydraulic line if you plan to use the factory slave cylinder. My truck already had a Macleod hydraulic throwout bearing in it so I just used that. It is super spendy though and if it wasn't already there. I would not have used it. Don't try to run a traditional dual exhaust, it is not worth it and there's no good way to achieve it. A Y pipe into a single 3" exhaust with a passenger side exit is about what you can get away with. I could not be happier with the sound this truck makes. Add some flex pipes or flex joints to the exhaust or you will crack your exhaust manifolds. I would suggest running an HEI distributor due to the simplicity and how readily available parts are. For cooling I'm using a 4.3L radiator for an 88 s10, as well as 1 belt driven fan and 2 electric fans. It stays cool for the most part, but an upgrade is in order. I use 180 degree thermostats, if they see 190. They stick open. I've put 4 or 5 thermostats in this truck since I've bought it. That's about all I can think of off hand. Hope this helps!

[@robertstoyles]

What's headers did u use

[@TheStone600]

Advance Adapters 717053-np

[@auaiao9]

Your Blazer is a heck of a handsome truck. Very nice and tons of sex appeal.

[@TheStone600]

Thank you for the kind words, definitely proud of this one.

[@auaiao9]

@@TheStone600 you should be.

[@whitewalls8778]

That's a cool truck! I recently picked up a gen 2 with the nv3500 that I'm working on. Serious question- Do you know that you could put the astro/ safari transfer case and front diff in that vehicle and you'd have awd? I've done the swap before and could walk you through it. Point is- you'd still get around in the snow but you would nOt be spinning tires. You'd be getting all that power to the ground... :)

[@TheStone600]

I knew that the astro was the same platform as the s10 but never really looked into it. That's pretty cool though! Thanks for sharing. That's good to know if i ever want to build a Typhoon tribute lol.

[@whitewalls8778]

@@TheStone600 The awd swap on mine was the best upgrade I've ever done to any vehicle. No more wheel hop, no more smoke show- just pure, uninterrupted performance. You'd have a cool sleeper.

[@Spirit_Lanayru]

I got an 85 with the 2.8 and a 5 speed. Do you know why my turn signals might not be flashing? I had them flash for a while when i first got it, but I put LED bulbs in everything, and now they stay solid. Also, I've never had reverse lights. I'm only asking since you seem like the type of guy to be on top of his electrical. Also, for the gauge cluster, how would you go about cleaning the circuits that power the backlights? All in all, great video, and a beautiful build!

[@TheStone600]

The LED bulbs draw much less power over regular bulbs. The flashing unit (usually looks like cylinder in the fuse block), only clicks when it sees a certain amount of draw. My bet is you need a different flashing unit. For the reverse lights, I'd first check if the fuse is good. Next I'd go under the truck with a tester and see if you have power at the switch. (It's in the transmission). Then I'd put it in reverse (key on, engine off) and see if the switch is working. If it is, I'd see if you have power at the lights in the back. For the cluster, I'd probably just use a Nylon brush and some contact cleaner. Hope this helps

[@Spirit_Lanayru]

@@TheStone600 Awesome! Thanks. Sorry for the late reply. KZbin never gave me a notification. Also, what trans/tcase did you use? I highly doubt my T5 could survive a 350 swap.

[@TheStone600]

@@Spirit_Lanayru i had a T4 that lasted a couple months but blew up under normal driving (same trans as a NWC T5 without the 5th gear). And an np207 t case. Now it has an NV3500 out of a 1990 s10 blazer, still using the np207 but have the np231hd if the 207 blows. I don't wheel this truck, I only use 4x4 in the snow so I'm thinking the 207 should be just fine.

[@Spirit_Lanayru]

@@TheStone600 Awesome. I think I'll shoot for the 231. Plan to do some mountaineering and camping with a friend of mine. Hopefully I can keep up with his 86 yoter lol

[@williegarlick5546]

Did that bellhousing work with the v8 or did u use something else

[@TheStone600]

The bellhousing is cast with the transmission and is not removable. It bolted right up to the sbc with no issues. Although being one piece, it was very tricky to get in there.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

is it fast?

[@TheStone600]

She does pretty well for an old 4x4 truck.

[@luisnoesanchezcasas587]

Ya no la tienes la troquita compa

[@TheStone600]

Que es troquita compa?

[@chrisssb4813]

What size tires you have

[@TheStone600]

These are 30X9.5R15's

[@chrisssb4813]

And they don’t rub one bit

[@TheStone600]

@@chrisssb4813 haven't had them rub, but i don't wheel it either.

[@keenanwelch1924]

That’s a cherry looking blazer. This is the kind of vid people want so thanks for posting. What kind of mileage do you get with the 350 and the 5 speed? Have an S15 4x4 with the 2.5L and thinking of swapping.

[@TheStone600]

Hey thanks for commenting! It's usually pretty bad because it's hard to stay off the throttle haha. But we just did a 200 mile trip, fully loaded and pulling a trailer and got 19.2 mpg. We kept it at around 2200 rpm the whole time which was about 70 mph. It still has a 13 gallon tank which sucks with the v8, next thing to do is a 20 gallon out of a newer blazer.

[@keenanwelch1924]

@@TheStone600 That's not bad at all! Cheers

[@user-uj3zk2cx8t]

Must be Daddy's money

[@TheStone600]

Nope! All my pop's helped me with was to pull her home on a uhaul trailer, which I paid for as well...