This slick 2001 Chevy S10 Crew Cab on coilovers and 40s may be one of the coolest S-series 4x4s ever built. It’s a bold statement, but a closer look at the truck’s engineering, beefy one-ton drivetrain, and extensive upgrades proves this rig is something special.
Bone-Stock Beginnings
The truck was built by Kelly Carter and the team at Low Range 4×4 in Wilmington, North Carolina. It was a collaboration between Kelly and long-time off-road journalist Ali Mansour. Now owned by Kelly, the truck showcases what is possible with a simple, inexpensive, body-on-frame platform.
4.3-Liter V6, 4L60E Transmission
GM’s 4.3-liter V6 has a reputation, and it’s a good one. That’s why the reliable powerplant remains in place, continuing to churn out power. Fuel is drawn from a 19-gallon RCI cell mounted at the front of the bed with an Artec fuel cell mount. The cell was modified to accept the S10 pump, allowing the factory gauges to function as intended.
Atlas Four-Speed T-Case
The planned modifications would rob the truck of power, so the factory NP233 transfer case with 2.72:1 low-range gearing had to go. In its place is an Advance Adapters Atlas four-speed with 1:1, 2:1, 2.72:1, and 5.44:1 ratios. The Atlas helps deliver an impressive 274:1 maximum low-range ratio.
Fitment was tight, and Low Range 4×4 did not want to install a body lift. Instead, the cab floor was modified to make room. Power is sent through a pair of custom JE Reel driveshafts fitted with 1350 CVs at the transfer case.
Ford F-250 Super Duty High-Pinion Dana 60 Front Axle
With 40-inch tires in the plan, axle strength was a priority. But there was also a budget, so a set of axles was pulled from a salvage yard, then rebuilt and upgraded by Low Range 4×4. Up front is a high-pinion Dana 60 from a 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty. The stock shafts were ditched for stronger 4340 chromoly units from Nitro Gear & Axle, along with 35-spline outer stub shafts.
Factory manual lockout hubs gave way to beefier Warn Premium units. Additional upgrades include an ARB Air Locker, Nitro Gear & Axle 5.38:1 gears with a stronger 10-inch ring gear, and a Nitro X-treme Series aluminum differential cover.
Steering is handled by a collection of PSC Motorsports components and a Barnes 4WD one-ton steering kit. At the knuckle is a Ujoint Offroad high-steer arm.
Locked GM 14-Bolt Out Back
Out back sits a late-model GM 14-bolt full-float axle sourced from a 3/4-ton GMC truck. It features a 68-inch WMS and disc brakes, supported by a 3/4-ton Suburban master cylinder. Like the Dana 60, it runs an ARB Air Locker, Nitro 5.38:1 gears, and a Nitro differential cover.
The axle uses an 8-on-6.5 wheel bolt pattern, while the Super Duty sourced Dana 60 up front used an 8-on-170 pattern. To match them, the front unit bearings were redrilled to the 14-bolt pattern, which also required drilling the stock front brake rotors to 8-on-6.5.
The Long-Arm Coilover Suspension
The S10’s suspension includes components from a 2005 Jeep Wrangler-application Rock Krawler X Factor long-arm system. The triangulated four-link rear and three-link front geometry worked perfectly for the build. Combined with DIY fabricator parts from Barnes 4WD, the kit gave Low Range 4×4 everything needed to create a flexible, reliable suspension.
Up front, the links are 2 inches in diameter. The uppers measure 42 inches, while the lowers come in at 40 inches. Out back, the 2-inch-diameter lower links stretch to 43 inches, and the uppers measure 47 inches. Each link end is fitted with a Rock Krawler Pro Krawler joint with 30 degrees of misalignment.
The truck is fitted with 12-inch-travel Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK-application Rock Krawler Trail Runner Series 2.625 coilovers. The front units mount to custom, heavily gusseted coilover towers built from 1.75-inch, 0.120-inch-wall DOM tubing. The coilovers are swept back slightly to gain additional travel. Matching coilovers and similar towers handle the rear, where the shocks are mounted vertically inside the wheelwells.
The truck rolls on 40×13.50R17 Nitto Mud Grapplers mounted to 9-inch-wide KMC Machete beadlock wheels. Extensive front fender and rear bedside trimming was required to clear the tires.
Custom Winch Mount And Bumper
Low Range 4×4 designed and built the winch mount and bumper. It began with a Warn mounting plate, 1.75-inch, 0.120-inch-wall DOM tubing, and plate steel. The finished piece delivers an excellent approach angle, with the Warn M8-S tucked deep into the framerail opening. The winch mount is fully welded and braced with square tubing.
The tube bumper follows the lines of the grille and a removable section allows quick and easy access to the winch for maintenance.
Other Exterior Mods
Other exterior upgrades include modified Toyota Tacoma-application Trail-Gear weld-on rock sliders, a custom easy-to-remove mount for the bed-mounted spare tire, a custom rear bumper, and added body protection. The truck also features a modified AA Products bed rack and an ARB Simpson Series III tent.
Custom Interior Console And More
Inside, a custom center console built by Low Range 4×4 offers easy access to the transmission and transfer case levers. It also serves as the mounting point for the ARB Air Locker switches and the Warn wireless winch remote. The console reuses the S10’s armrest, raising it for improved comfort. An ARB air compressor now occupies the former factory jack location.
The Payoff
This S10 was built to be driven, on- and off-road. Every modification was carefully considered, and the results show. Kelly says, “It’s pretty much a point-and-shoot vehicle, and its clean underbody means it doesn’t get hung up.” He adds, “I like that it’s low and wide. It’s very stable and retains the S10 look.”
Photos by Ken Brubaker and Ali Mansour
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