[GavoK]

I’ve finally got my first truck back, (a first gen S10 durango, 2.8L, extended cab, 5-speed, 4x4) and I’m ready to put some money and work into it. Im planning on making it a little overland-type truck, that can do some light towing. Not exactly a crazy crawler.
Im not exactly asking for a how to, but more on what routes you guys decided to take, and your thoughts on lifting your S10s and giving them a boost in power. I was hoping to hear what luck people have had with keeping the IFS and if I should consider the SFA swap. I was also hoping to hear what you guys have done for power, I’ve heard things about swapping a 3.4 into the truck, but I’d like to hear if you guys think it’s enough of a power gain to warrant investing in that over a v8 swap, which I've heard is much more labor intensive. As of right now, my truck is completely stock, and frankly just gutless, so I’m hoping to get some solid ideas for my build. If you guys have pictures of your vehicles that would help a bunch too. Thanks for the help!

 

[Rhotpursuit]

When you have multiple questions that span different areas, you'd be better off asking specific questions in the correct forum.

 

[4sdimes]

I’ve finally got my first truck back, (a first gen S10 durango, 2.8L, extended cab, 5-speed, 4x4) and I’m ready to put some money and work into it. Im planning on making it a little overland-type truck, that can do some light towing. Not exactly a crazy crawler.
Im not exactly asking for a how to, but more on what routes you guys decided to take, and your thoughts on lifting your S10s and giving them a boost in power. I was hoping to hear what luck people have had with keeping the IFS and if I should consider the SFA swap. I was also hoping to hear what you guys have done for power, I’ve heard things about swapping a 3.4 into the truck, but I’d like to hear if you guys think it’s enough of a power gain to warrant investing in that over a v8 swap, which I've heard is much more labor intensive. As of right now, my truck is completely stock, and frankly just gutless, so I’m hoping to get some solid ideas for my build. If you guys have pictures of your vehicles that would help a bunch too. Thanks for the help!

Get rid of the IFS and do a Solid Axle Swap. You'll be happier in the long run. Lose the 2.8L, they are garbage. You'll be happy with a V8 and forget about the 3.4... The one thing you will have to consider with an SAS front end, what suspension will you chose. Do a coil suspension. Leafs are nice but not a lot of flex.

Stock, an S10 ifs only has like 3inches of travel, up or down, in the front end. I don't think anyone makes a long travel kit. If they did, it would be pricey. Had a 90 YOTA a few years ago, the long travel kit was $3500.

I had an 87 S10 4x4 with the 2.8L. it was a fun truck, but very underpowered. Managed to clear 31x10.50s on 15x8 wagon wheels by taking a 5 pound sledge to the front fender arches. In hindsight, should of just used the sawzall...

 

[bk2life]

I’ve finally got my first truck.... I’m ready to put some money and work into it.

what is your budget? without knowing you have at least $10k burning a hole in your pocket, you might want to reconsider what you are planning.

 

[GavoK]

what is your budget? without knowing you have at least $10k burning a hole in your pocket, you might want to reconsider what you are planning.

I don’t exactly have 10k just sitting around. I plan on having this thing as a running project, I’m just looking for ideas to consider in the future while I’m whittling away on the ol girl.

 

[sapperb]

I would say, SAS and an LS3.

 

[Original_Owner_86]

When you have multiple questions that span different areas, you'd be better off asking specific questions in the correct forum.

A few years after I bought my 1986, I asked an old mechanic what I could do to get more power out of the 2.8. He told me, with a few cuss words added in, to rip it out and replace it. He was so rude about it that I was a bit insulted. Until I looked into why..
It's a smog motor, a legacy of the 70s oil crisis & new environmental laws. It's designed to collect & plug up with emissions then be scrapped, toxic crud and all after 120,000 miles or 10 years, ideally for GM anyway. This scheme both improved air quality and buried the emissions problem in a landfill, satisfying everyone but the customer who was stuck with a gutless rig with planned obsolescence designed in.
Because of the above, you are better off swapping it out with a V8 if you want a powerful truck. Why not the 4.3? Because it's the same effort & cost but missing 2 cylinders. And when you're done, you'll want more power. Again. And kick yourself in the ass. So just plan on going with a V8. But not too powerful or you'll have to upgrade the transmission & rear end.
You're thinking of lifting it? It wasn't designed to be lifted. Yeah, you can get a few inches, but you'll hate driving it and it'll wear out or break parts. You have to change the front end to a straight axle if you want a jacked up 4wd. Even if lifted, you'd need tall tires to avoid getting high centered on the frame rails. All the above is why the other commenter asked if you had $10k burning a hole in your pocket. It adds up fast, even if your time is free.
I'm not trying to discourage you. But enjoy what you have for a while since it's your first 4WD truck. See what it will do as-is. If it has a rear locker, it's a great 4WD. You'll crawl around big tall powerful expensive stuck trucks and laugh. Because the 2.8 doesn't have enough power to bury the wheels & get stuck.