1985 Chevrolet S10 Specifications
by Christine Wheatley
The Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced its S10 pickup truck in 1982. With the S10, Chevy intended to directly compete with Nissan and Toyota, who were firmly established in the compact truck market. Featuring a comfortable cabin and soft ride, the S10 was marketed by Chevy as a recreational lifestyle vehicle rather than a typical work truck. Production of the S10 continued until 2004, when it was replaced by the Chevy Colorado, a compact-to-midsize truck with larger dimensions. The 1985 Chevy S10 was practically unchanged from the 1984 model, except for a new engine offering and a few minor exterior changes.
Engine
Four-wheel-drive Chevy S10 trucks received a new standard engine for the 1985 model year: a 2.5-liter, overhead valve in-line four with 92 horsepower, known as the "Iron Duke." Available on two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive S10s was a 2.0-liter, overhead valve in-line four engine with 82 horsepower, and a 2.8-liter, overhead valve V-6 engine with 110 horsepower. In addition, the Chevy S10 had the option of an Isuzu-built diesel engine. This was a 2.2-liter in-line four diesel, rated at 62 horsepower. The two-wheel-drive S10 had an EPA gas mileage rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Drivetrain
The 1985 Chevy S10 pickup had a standard four-speed manual transmission, with the option of a three-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual transmission was available with the four-cylinder engines. The S10 had a conventional ladder frame and an independent front suspension made up of double A-arms and torsion bars, while the rear suspension consisted of a solid axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs. An optional sport suspension was available for the two-wheel-drive, short-wheelbase models. Recirculating ball steering was featured on the truck, as well as front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Radial tires came standard on all S10 models.
Exterior and Interior
Changes to the exterior of the Chevy S10 included new fender badges and a redesigned tailgate, with the "Chevrolet" name off to one side. The S10 regular cab model was offered with either a 108.3-inch or 117.9-inch wheelbase. An extended cab model with a 122.9-inch wheelbase was also available, with jump seats in the rear for extra passenger seating. The S10 came in an optional Tahoe trim, a top-of-the-line package that included a complete gauge system and bucket seats. Two-tone paint was also offered as an option.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Royal Oak, Mich., Christine Wheatley has been writing professionally since 2009. She contributes to several websites, specializing in articles about fitness, diet and parenting. Wheatley has a Bachelor of Arts in art from Calvin College.
