[Red92]

I have a 97 S10 that is my first and only car I have ever owned. It was passed to me from my grandfather, who got it from his older brother, who originally bought it new. A lot of my early relationship with my fiance was developed in that truck. So, suffice to say, it has sentimental value coming out of everywhere.

I'm going to be purchasing a new car soon because the S10 is getting old and is becoming less reliable. I have basically zero knowledge when it comes to automotives, but I'd really like to learn, and I learn best by getting hands on. When I get the new car, the S10 is just gonna be kind of sitting around, and I like the idea of restoring, or maybe even doing some upgrades. It seems like it would be a perfect opportunity for me to get my hands dirty and learn a few things.

So, I was hoping to get some ideas and advice on where to start. There are holes from rust all over the body, including a large hole under my feet when I'm driving. I could almost Flintstone the thing if needed. It's also extremely sluggish, especially if I hit any kind of incline. I hope this post wasn't too long winded, and I hope I put it in the right spot. First time posting on here. Thanks in advance.

 

[aitch]

Congratulations on the truck, and welcome to the Forum!. So that the members can better help, could you please identify what engine, mileage, and drive train (manual/auto - 2WD/4WD) are in the truck? Also, you can spend some time exploring/reviewing the different forums and postings contained here, as there is tons of valuable information and experience to be found (and for just about any topic you can think of). Postings pictures of what you have, or things you have questions about is akso very helpful for forum members to help you. Generally, working on a vehicle usually involves a budget, so you may need to prioritize projects. My suggestion is to first address anything involving the safety/ functionality of the truck. And, I don't recommend any half baked "fixes", as they usually will come back to bite you, and ususally end up costing even more $ to do it right (the 2nd time).

If you know any good reliable repair shops it might be worth the investment to take the truck there and have a mechanic look over the entire vehicle, and he/she could help identify what issues need attention. Some projects involve heavy and/or specialized equipment that a beginner likely doesn't have and would be best to pass on as a DIY effort. Having the right tools and an adequate place to work on the truck is also a good thing, and that is pretty much applicable across the board, It can be deceivingly easy for beginners to get in 'over their head' on a vehicle repair, which has all sorts of potential unwanted consequences (been there, done that when I was learning!).