Non-Audio: S-10 Canopy

[Charivari]

Frankly, I'm tired of having to tarp everything up in the back of my truck and still not be able to secure it. So, I'm looking for a canopy that will fit a 1993 S-10 canopy regular bed. Black is fine or hunter green.

I think that I can go up to $200 cash, but if audio gear is accepted in trade, I can go higher in value.

Thanks,
- JP

[thedelihaus]

I'll keep an eye out for one in the local craigslist. What size bed is your truck?

I've had a Toyota (small Tacoma) and Chevy S-10 before. While the Toyota was problem-free and reliable, and the Chevy had issues with electrinics (windshield wiper/directional stem), interior (seat splitting), suspension (a-arm bushings and A-arms), and air/fuel intake (leaking intake manifolds), all common s-10 issues, i must say...

The Chevy was lots more fun to drive. More charactor. I'd like another one maybe some day, despite the problems.

[Charivari]

Yeah, the S-10s do have their fair share of problems, but as this is my second S-10 of similar vintage, I've learned how to take care of them. I'd much rather have a vehicle that has the occasional issue that only requires a 5-10 minute fix than one that almost never breaks down, but when it does it requires a tow truck. The years do have surprisingly specific issues. My old '91 with the 4.3L always burned oil like a mutha in the #2 cylinder and everyone I know who also had the same engine and year had the trouble too. This ended up meaning stopping every 250 miles or so and knocking the buildup off the spark plug or it'd have early ignition or whatever that's called problems when under a load such as a hill. The 4.3L in my '93 doesn't have that problem. They sure can be fun to drive, though, that '91 (tweaked by the previous owners to have much more getup and go than it should have) with the long bed and tonneau cover rode smoother at 95 than 55 and it was easier to swing the rear around with a little gas than to mess around with a three-point turn when needed. The '93 is much tamer, but is much less temperamental on long drives and it has intermittent wipers -- one of those small luxuries that can only be appreciated when having gone without. I rather like the styling of these late '80s to early '90s S-10s, they look like trucks, and think that the '94s-'98s look terrible with the smooshed down, rounded over front (look like a bottom feeding fish).

Bed size is regular at 75" long and 60" wide. I hope that you mean my local Craigs as shipping from Boston might be a bit more than I'd like.

- JP

[thedelihaus]

The earlier S-10s feel & look like trucks, and are in an odd way a bit macho, for a small truck. Some flat or satin black paint on 'em is sublime- or at least it was before all the neo-rockabilly kewl kids brought it back to fashion and beat it to death and beyond. Add a set of IROC rims or old-skool Cragars or Keystones, and the ride is transformed. Now, I'd never suggest IROC rims on ANYTHING, INCLUDING an IROC (yech!), but on the S-10, well, they just look right.

As for the later models, I find the softened bumpers, the redesigned interior, ect, to be quite unattractive.

And even though I found the Toyota to be uber-reliable, the S-10 had more charactor, and was more enjoyable to drive.

Back to the topic- I spoke with a friend at a junkyard, and told him to keep an eye out.

But I could have sworn I paid only $210-$240 for a brand-new tonneau cover for my father's S-10 (before we "rolled" it in our accident).

Ever consider building your own cover out of pine planks and polyurethane? I'd planned on it for my truck, before I landed a new job, and reluctantly sold it (geared for hauling, not for highway) and got a 1989 BMW 325 to drive/restore.

Easy enough to do, and will look sharp. Just a thought.

[Lazarus Short]

Canopy - do you mean a tonneau cover or a "camper shell"? I have a good tonneau cover for an S-10.

Laz

[thedelihaus]

Laz,

I think JP wanted a tonnau cover. JP is taking a break from the audio sites- too much to juggle with while he's persuing the honorable job of becoming a teacher- but Kelly, AKA Superfly is in contact with him, and a pm to Kelly will get the ball rolling, I bet.

I imagine JP will be thrilled to hear this.

And a very very kind offer by you.

Best,

Paul