N.Penley

Any updates on this??? My local dealer has a great deal on some 2500’s but I only have an 80 inch tall garage door opening. I recently totaled my 1500 trail boss when a deer ran into the side of my truck on the interstate and the 2500 is cheaper than a similarly equipped 1500 custom trail boss.

I'm considering 295/70R18 Recon Grapplers on my bone stock 19 Trail Boss. I have read multiple forums and watched a couple YouTube videos that show this setup works on a stock Trail Boss with stock wheels. I have not read of anyone having issues with rubbing or needing to trim anything. If you have please share!!! I have previously been a BFG KO2 fan and have never ran Nitto tires. I have built a good relationship with a local shop over the past couple years and they highly recommend the Recon Grapplers. Their local supplier does not stock the BFG KO2. 1. Is the Recon Grappler a good alternative to the KO2? 2. Is the 295/70R18 too big for my stock TB? 3. Any big drawbacks in milage, noise, traction, that I need to know about?

I hate to bump a very old topic but if you need a much less conspicuous location than has been mentioned I found a solution that has worked well for 3+ years. If you have the carpeted factory storage under your rear seat you may want to look under it. It is held in with two screws (everyone should carry a screwdriver in a truck) and there is plenty of room for an un-scoped long gun, a couple full size pistols, and a couple boxes of ammo. At least that’s what I’ve been told .

I am digging for information on old hill climb trucks after stumbling across a photo of a specific truck multiple times. I think this truck is beautiful and it brings back memories of watching Pikes Peak Racing on ESPN when I was a kid. I vaguely remember there being both 2nd and 4wd classes but don’t have a clue what motors and mods they ran. I have been trying to determine what direction to go with my s-10 build and every time I see this photo I can’t help but smile. I haven’t been able to find details of this truck and would love to know more. I keep dreaming of a LS, manual trans, 4wd that’s slightly lowered on suspension that would work on the street and the auto-X course. Any help is appreciated.

It has been a while since I have posted an update. In late May or early June I got a call from the shop the truck was running and they had a laundry list of items needed. I stopped by and it was indeed running but man did it sound rough. They had all the lights working, new battery, new wipers, new tires, and were chasing down vacuum leaks. I told them to completely replace the fuel tank, lines, and pump along with plugs and wires. I told the new shop foreman to replace anything needed. I stopped by again a couple days ago and no major progress has been made but I am completely OK with that. I am content knowing that it is better off sitting in the parking lot of a garage getting occasional love and attention instead of sitting in a field or in my driveway rotting away.

This week was devastating! My truck has sat at a local shop for four months. I feel the shop owner (Rob) and I have become friends over the past 4 to 5 years that I have been doing business with him. I occasionally stop by to chat and he shows off his latest personal projects. I was shocked when a coworker stopped by my office to let me know that Rob died Wednesday night in a motorcycle crash. He was a genuine guy that loved his family and his work. He always talked cars, trucks, boats, and motorcycles with anyone who would listen and was in love with his wife. Just a great fella that was a huge asset to the local automotive community. We had an agreement that he would get my old truck running and driving when his shop was slow and needed filler work. He knew I would not pester him regarding time or money. I hate that I will not get to pick up the truck from Rob and shake his hand or thank him for his work. I pray for his wife, daughters, and employees. In a few weeks I will check on the truck and determine my next move. I really want to get this old truck running and driving again but things are not looking up yet.

Just curious but why? Do you like the look/function of the tailgates or plant to use it for one of the intended purposes? Did you damage your original tailgate and buy this as a replacement? I truly do not want to be disrespectful but use my trucks to tow frequently. When a salesman explained you cannot leave a drawbar in the receiver when you lower the center section I was confused... Plus the steps in the bumper corners are more practical given the ability to use the bedside as a handrail. Since then I have never even once seen a multi-pro tailgate used as advertised. I work on a site that has hundreds of contractor trucks in and out daily and have never seen anyone use these tailgates as a step or desk or bed extender. I genuinely wonder what the appeal is to you and others who desire the tailgate over the standard model. I was on the fence when shopping but the lack of ability to use the tailgate as a step without pulling the drawbar out every time and the choppy looking front fenders are what sold me on the trail boss over the AT4. Thank you for your thoughts and good luck with the install.

Only you can be the judge but I would get it running and driving if I could afford to. A running vehicle will be worth more to anyone (including yourself). Flip a coin and make a decision then tell the story to your grand kids one day. you may be teaching them to drive in the truck if you keep it.

I frequently have to push the stupid button 2 or 3 times to gent my tailgate to open in any weather condition. I hate it and wish the truck had a simple handle. Vehicle manufacturers love to sit around and figure out ways to replace simple mechanical devices with finicky, expensive, and impossible to repair without the dealer's computer gadgets. Give me a manual transmission and transfer case too while your at it.

No thanks, I like driving not being chauffeured around. In the past 20 years I have used cruise control maybe 10 times. Those were mostly situations when my butt or leg went to sleep from being in one position for too long. I am still pissed that I cannot change my own gears or even spin the tires without turning off traction control. I would be glad to pay a few grand to trade autostop and cruise control for a 6 speed manual transmission and a tailgate with a real handle.

The truck finally moved for the first time in close to 20 years. It was loaded onto a rollback and made the trip to a local mechanic to see if the motor has any life left in it. I remember coasting it down the hill from our shop into the field years ago thinking papaw would have it running in a week or so. The time never came and no one really gave it another thought. Over the years a handful of ambitious cheapskates knocked on the door to inquire about the ol pickup but they were promptly told to let it lie. I have big dreams of wasting enough money on this project to drive it again. After that who knows...

Sounds like my parents bought this shiny new ride 3-31-1984. That’s almost exactly a year before I was born! I can’t figure out how to rotate the photos....

Some of the documents I found:

The S-10 still has not moved! This has drug out for what feels like an eternity but I have not quit yet. Sadly my grandma passed away this year and we have spent the few months dealing with estate stuff. A couple months ago we sold my wife's 2019 Toyota 4Runner. The market is crazy high at the moment and we made a shocking amount of money on a vehicle we bought new and put nearly 40K miles on in two years. We spent the profit on a 2011 Land Rover LR4 that my wife enjoys more and honestly I do also. The 4runner was a soulless appliance that was great in every way but had no character. After buying the LR4 I took it to a local mechanic I trust. While there I mentioned the old S truck and he said he would grab it with a roll back and have his employees tinker with it while they are waiting on the parts trucks and such. I also have a great uncle (who has restored countless vehicles) offer to get it running if I deliver it to him. I am leaning towards the shop option. Thursday 12-9-21 The title was transferred into my name and grabbed a shiny new antique tag. Saturday 12-12-21 I cleaned the truck out. There were about 9 fence posts, a tractor fuel tank, and 400 lbs. of barbed wire in the bed along with other trash. I filled up a trash bag from the cab. There were a few sleeves of paper Coke cups a Lowes carpenter apron, plastic garbage bags, twine, nylon rope, and more all behind the seat. I did find some old documents in the glove box.

I recently got an updatand now my phones will not connect via Bluetooth or USB. This happened a few times prior to the update too but it’s worse now. Frustrating. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ve spent too many years planning and I need to start acting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well thanks to this thread I received another jet ski last night. Thanks for setting up the deal Jsdirt. It’s too dang cold to fool with it this week but I’ll see what I have soon enough. Now back to the truck.... looks like it has been postponed for another month or three. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m a fan of Gentleman Jack, Makers, Wild Turkey 101, and George Dickel #12 in that order through the winter. Through the summer it’s the banquet beer mostly. It always tastes better when someone else is buying. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I went the redneck route on my 48” exmark walk behind. I have a 50” x 6” x 1/2” section of rubber matting sandwiched between two 1/2” x 4” boards that works incredibly well. The boards have eye bolts threaded in and a couple quick links to two holes that were predrilled in the frame between the deck and velke. It’s easy to remove if needed and was made from junk the previous owner left at my house so FREE. My mower is tucked away for winter or I would post pictures. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where are you located? I use Tapatalk and it doesn’t show locations in profiles. I have a guy that can pickup anywhere in the New England area. He travels the East cost regularly. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome! PM me fo my contact info if he wants to let it go. I’m always up for a road trip if it’s a fair deal. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the suggestion. I had a 4.3 in a 93 s-10 that ran great. I just figured that if I have to do a full swap I better go ahead and get the V8 sound and power that I know I’d want in the future. This old truck will just be a toy and not a daily driver. It will probably just be something I jump in once a week to run errands when I can have the windows down, radio up, and a jet ski or quad in the bed. On a side note this thing would be finished a year ago if I could break my stand up jet ski habit.... anyone have any for sale? Haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ve done a little research and the junkyard 5.3s are surprisingly cheaper than the 350/5.7s (COOL). The LS swap on these trucks is a lot more difficult from my research. Especially if I want to stick with a manual trans and 4x4 (NOT SO COOL). I have looked here and elsewhere and haven’t found a similar build thread that was completed. I may eventually go this route but for now I just want it running, driving, and stopping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quick update: Well as everyone knows 2020 was a hectic year for us all. My family has been very blessed this year and I understand many have faced the most difficult times in their lives. I was promoted and have been working from home and and going into the office periodically. My wife was also promoted and returned to work early after having our 2nd daughter. She worked most of the year from home and our oldest spent the majority of the school year at our dinning room table. the s10 still haven’t moved but once the COVID pandemic is pasT us I will get on it. A local shop replaced a 5.3 motor in my old 02 Silverado and did a great job in my opinion. I will probably load the truck up on my trailer and tell them to get it running, driving, and stopping on the cheap then do the interior myself since there is so little to do there. Next will be the body work. Can corners both have very minor rust. They are fairly cheap to replace and I know a few excellent welders that will be glad to help out. I really want to paint this sucker myself for some reason but that may also change. I have a couple paint schemes in mind. One is red with black accents to match my new trail boss and my father in laws C8. The other is a little more militaristic and would be more fitting with the slow 2.8. I would love to do a V8 swap but from my research it would be costly and challenging to have a 4x4 V8 s-10.