Chevy S10 Buyers Guide

There's no denying it: S-10s are by far the most popular trucks on the road, and the most popular to modify. Most of today's top manufacturers produce quality parts to take your S-10 to the next level. Whether it's specific suspension components, air ride parts, or performance parts, it's all here for you to circle, cut out, and tape to your wife's, mom's, or girlfriend's foreheads, and if they don't get the hint, then you're on your own! For more information, be sure to check out the contact info for each part and give these companies a call to spice up your Dime.

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AIM Industries
The newly redesigned S-10 Front Layin' Frame Kit, from Airbagit.com, offers a lifetime warranty and is designed to layout on 22s. The control arms are made from 1-1/4-inch DOM thick walled tubing and use 3/8-inch thick upper ball joint plates. Also features CNC turned lower ball joint cups, and all parts are CNC cut and bent. Chromoly cross shafts are included and the arms also use urethane bushings with grease Zerk fittings. The arms ship fully assembled and ready to install with black powdercoat included or optional wide variety of colors available. The entire kit includes upper and lower control arms, spring bucket eliminator kits for 2,600-pound 'bags, a pair of 2,600-pound air bags, shock relocator kit with shocks, and a pair of Chassis Tech 2-inch drop spindles. For more information, check out the new and improved airbagit.com or call (877) 480-3549.   |   s10 Buyers Guide air Ride Technologies Air Ride Technologies
Air Ride Technologies offers control arm setups featuring proper ball joint selection, optimized ball joint angle, jig welded, high quality powdercoating, proper airspring or shockwave placement with component mounts designed in, shock and swaybar mounts are built in with no extra fabrication needed, CNC bent tubing, and .219-inch wall DOM tubing. The tubular control arms are available with Shockwave or CoolRide systems, and as individual components to accommodate custom applications or for those on a budget. For more information, visit airridetechnologies.com or call (812) 482-2932.   |   s10 Buyers Guide air Zenith Air Zenith
The brand new XC 200 psi compressor is completely re-designed and re-engineered from the ground up, using state-of-the-art CNC technology for enhanced durability and prolonged motor life. Extensive testing and quality control has been done to ensure that this is the best Air-Zenith compressor to date. All XC compressors are made of 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum and come with waterproof cooling fan, new filter, microchip controlled overload protector, stainless steel braided hose, inline check valve, vibration-free mounting hardware, and the industry's first 2-year warranty. For more information, go check out the new air-zenith.com or call (702) 270-7988.   |   s10 Buyers Guide atk Vege Engines ATK VEGE Remanufactured Engines
Does your S-10 need some new life under the hood? Then check out ATK. With a full line of replacement remanufactured engines for your truck, they can get you back on the road quick. Whether it's a 1982 with a 1.9L or a 2004 4.3L running on flex fuel, they have everything in stock and ready to ship. ATK also has a full line of replacement cylinder heads, and a full line of both automatic and manual transmissions for your S-10. Are you looking for a high performance engine? ATK was featured on national television as the muscle behind the "Haulin S-10" on a weekly trucks-themed show. They can build a custom performance engine to meet any of your high horsepower needs, and back it up with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. For more information log on to atkvege.com or call (800) 421-3746.

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Dakota Digital
Offering complete control of your air suspension system, Dakota Digital's new DHC series of control units have your needs covered. The DHC systems offer the utmost in flexibility to flawlessly operate any air ride system on the road today. All DHC systems offer unlimited control of the air ride system through not only the three user selectable preset heights, but full manual control of the air system for minor changes, eliminating bulky rocker switches. These systems also feature the "auto raise" innovation which will instantly bring the vehicle to a safe driving height upon starting the vehicle. Handheld remote controls are also available to operate the vehicle's height at the push of a button. There's also the full 6-Gauge Instrument System that fits directly into the OEM bezel for 1986-1993 Chevy/GMC S-10, S-15 Pickups and 1986-1994 Chevy/ GMC Blazers/Jimmys. For more information check out dakotadigital.com/mt or call (800) 593-9723.   |   s10 Buyers Guide fbi Rides FBI Rides
Designed to fit any '82-'03 Chevy S-10 or GMC Sonoma, Fender Bender International's Triangulated four-link kit is the total solution for your truck's rear end. It features, a boxed steel crossmember that raises your gas tank above the frame level, and new lower hangers that are also relocated up and back from the stock location so they don't drag. The triangulated design keeps your axle centered throughout the range of motion, while super-pivot ends on all four bars give you plenty of articulation to hit side-to-side with ease. This new link includes everything you need to get the rear of your truck linked up within a matter of hours, with no guesswork involved. Every kit comes powdercoated silver metallic for a show-stopping look, and includes all of the grade-8 hardware you'll need. For more information, call (877) 324-6464, or check them out online at fbirides.com.   |   s10 Buyers Guide grant Kustoms Grant Kustoms
The new Grant Kustoms '94-'04 S-10 roll pans come with many options. Smooth pans start at $79.95. But upgrade options include rounded corner license box, like the roll pan pictured, which retail for $139.90. These pans are built with a compound curve that matches the OEM tailgate, or they can be built straight to match the Grant Kustoms tailgate skin. The license plate box can be installed in a variety of custom positions, including angled, straight, center, or on the side. For more information on Grant Kustoms handcrafted sheetmetal, check out the new grantkustoms.com or call (530) 532-7832.   |   s10 Buyers Guide injen Technology Injen Technology
Injen's new S-series intake (Part: PF7020) features patent-pending MR Technology Process and includes Injen Power Bands for a secure fit. With the installation of this intake you could receive gains up to 18.5 hp and 18.5 ft-lb of torque. This intake features a completely bolt-in design and is available in Mirror Polish or a Wrinkle Black Powdercoat finish. For more information, check out their website at Injen.com.   |   s10 Buyers Guide jet Performance JET Performance
JET just released a new throttle body spacer for '99-'01 S-10/Sonoma trucks with 2.2L engines. The Powr-Flo spacers bore is designed to increase the velocity of the air flow into the intake manifold. By delivering the air with more velocity it allows more air into the combustion chamber for a denser air charge. This design results in improved throttle response and impressive power gains in the mid range and top end. In addition, the increased air flow, results in improved overall fuel efficiency. Simple, bolt-on installation with no other vehicle modifications required. This throttle body spacer is compatible with other aftermarket upgrades such as computer upgrades, cold air intakes, free flow exhaust systems, etc. For more information call (800) 535-1161 or check out jetchip.com.   |   s10 Buyers Guide optima Batteries Optima Batteries
With high power air compressors and electronics, an upgraded battery is a must. Optima Batteries provide deep-cycling capability along with high cranking power with its dual-purpose 75/25 YellowTop battery. With specific GM side post models, these YellowTop batteries will provide your S-10 with the power necessary to run all your accessories. The Spiralcell Technology in Optima batteries allows for the lowest internal resistance which is key to their high power delivery, increased cycle life, and fast recharge capability. The Group 75/25 YellowTop batteries are available at retailers nationwide. To find an Optima retailer, call (888) 8-OPTIMA or visit optimabatteries.com.   |   s10 Buyers Guide slam Specialties Slam Specialties
The new SS series from Slam Specialties combines technology with proven design. These 200-psi air springs feature impact-modified composite outer plates to provide a non-corrosive, non-marring mounting surface. Chemically-bonded Zinc inner plates with integrated bump-stops provide strength and durability. These bags retain our signature non-ballooning design. The new SS series 'bags are available in all Slam Specialties standard sizes. Check out slamspecialties.com or call (888) 352-5225 for more information.   |   s10 Buyers Guide suicide Doors Suicide Doors
The newly redesigned, 100-percent bolt-on five-link kit for the S-series trucks is now available from Suicidedoors.com. This version of their five-link features newly engineered components to get you laid out as quickly as possible with tires up to 30-inch diameters. The kit comes with new frame rails for your truck that are 50 percent thicker than stock with all mounting points predetermined, reducing the number of holes needed to drill in your stock frame. Also included is a new gas tank X-member that is raised up so that you have plenty of ground and driveshaft clearance. This X-member also serves as your upper link mounting X-member. The wishbone is made from 1-1/2-inch DOM 3/16-inch wall seamless tubing. The end links are 1/4-inch thick and enclose urethane bushings. Everything is TIG welded for superior strength. The differntial bracket uses all 10 of the existing mounting bolts, and doubles the strength of the wishbone mounting location. You get all the necessary grade-8 bolts to install your kit along with a 20-page installation booklet. For more information visit suicidedoors.com or call (812) 782-3581.