Remembering The Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme Pickup
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When we think of GM sport trucks, several legendary models come to mind, including the Chevrolet C1500 454 SS, the GMC Syclone and Typhoon, the or the GMT-800-era Silverado SS. An oft-forgotten example was the Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme. Let’s take a closer look at the Bow Tie’s bygone hotted-up compact pickup truck.
Produced from 1999 to 2004, the S-10 Xtreme was Chevrolet’s answer to the era’s growing demand for sport trucks an entry-level price. That price point, which was just over $15,000, represented about a 15 percent price bump over a base model S-10. But the Xtreme got a lot of upgrades that Chevrolet figured would attract younger buyers.
Those upgrades included an aggressive body kit, model-specific 16-inch wheels, and ZQ8 suspension, which notably lowered the ride height. Interestingly, Chevy offered the Xtreme on both the regular cab and extended cab S-10 models, and with both fleetside or flareside bed options.
The powertrain of the Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme was shared with the standard S-10. That meant either a 2.2L four-cylinder or an available 4.3L V6. Either could be paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The real deal combination was the six-banger with the stick, which put out 190 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque, allowing this compact, rear-wheel drive pickup some capability, especially in some high school parking lots.
That ZQ8 suspension didn’t just lower the car 1.5 inches over the standard truck; it was a genuine high performance suspension kit, with thicker sway bars, front and rear, Bilstein shocks and additional frame bracing. It also included a quicker 12:1 steering box. The Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme also got a limited-slip differential, making it quite agile in the corners, especially considering its compact size.
Interestingly, the Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme has largely fallen into obscurity, and remaining examples do not seem to command any notable price premiums over standard S-10 units. However, we suspect that some amount of nostalgia, perhaps from our former high school parking lot hoons, will eventually give these trucks something of a bump in prestige and prices. Who knows, maybe the S-10 Xtreme will one day be considered alongside the 454 SS as the cool retro sport truck to have.
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I have a 2003 Blazer Extreme 4.3 automatic. I’ve had it for 14years . It just now has 99936 miles on it I don’t want it to go over a 100000 miles. I love it and I wouldn’t take a fortune for it. When I’ll bring it out and drive it in 5 years you probably won’t see any of them .
On my 2nd S10 over the years. 2.6ltr in the first( good engine, I’ve had it in several vehicles) Now a 2001 S10 lowered and blacked out windows ,Xtreme rims w/4.3 ltr. What a great engine. The Vortec is more than anyone could write about. Standard maintenance and going on 195K. I purchased this without even looking under the hood (the latch was broken). I get these urban morons driving their shiny new trucks with oversized tires trying to drive right through me and the 4.3 lays patch in any gear and leaves these dudes in my dust. The small truck is gone forever! More power to these guys that drop in an LS or whatever and hunt for victims on the nations roads.
I am an old dude 75 I ordered my S10 with Extreme package 1999 all original stored in the winter l live in Canada near the US border near Detroit. Why and the hell they will not build trucks/SUVs lower to the ground like my truck!? Barry.
I own a 2003 Xtreme. Black Standard cab standard bed. This is my 4th S10 (i am 73) I wanted the low stance, fast steering and stiff suspension….and the ground effects…but I also wanted a useable daily driver real truck that would haul ,tow and go on the occasional dirt road and of course be a kind of old school head turner. So…..this is what I did.. Went to 16 x 8 classic Torque Thrust wheels, taller 235 65 16 28 inch premium ride tires, 4:10 gears with one more leaf and “axillary” air bags for towing my matching 5 x 8 Trailer. Black LED Head ,tail and upper brake lights and also fog lights. The front end has a Nascarish bumper cover and splitter that I heavily re-enforced with steel and fiberglass. The rear bumper I fabricated to be a close fitting very narrow off road style heavy duty bumper with cut out for the hidden hitch behind Lic plate. Speaking of Lics the front disappears at the touch of a switch. A spray on liner and flush roll up cover finish the bed unless I roll it up to put on my custom quick change aluminum black powder-coated surf board (or lumber) rack. The interior is refinished with BMW buckets a custom console and awesome sound system and numerous other goodies. EVERY THING IS BLACK except the wheels. The paint scheme is gloss black with satin black flares ,ground effects and the wide side molding and also Camaro style Matte Red stripes and red SS badges. I have done every thing to the motor I can legally do in California and the auto trans has some tricks. Needless to say I love this truck and It will be my last. Just gotta figure out which grandkid is the least annoying to leave it to.