The Factory Specifications of a Chevrolet ZR2
by Shea Laverty
The Chevrolet S-10 was first introduced in 1982 as General Motors and Chevrolet's compact pickup truck. The GMC version was badged the S-15, and later, the GMC Sonoma. The S-10 spawned an entire series of vehicles, complete with an SUV variant, and an electric fleet vehicle version. The ZR2 package was introduced as an off-road trim package for the second generation S-10, and featured a number of extras compared to the standard trim package. While the S-10, after two generations of production, was discontinued in North America in 2004, its production in Brazil has continued on well into 2010.
Engine
The 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 came with only one engine option as opposed to other S-10s. It sports a Vortec L35 4,293 cc V6 engine, with overhead valves and push-rods. Each cylinder has two valves, for a total of 12 valves. The engine features a sequential fuel injection system. The ignition system uses a composite distributor, platinum-tipped spark plugs and low-resistance spark plug wires. The cylinder bore on this engine measures 101.6 mm, and has a 88.39 mm stroke. The compression ratio on this engine is 9.2 to one. The emissions control equipment installed on this engine include a three-way catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, positive crankcase ventilation and an evaporative collection system. In the four-wheel drive equipped ZR2 trim, this engine is capable of producing 190 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and generating 250 ft.-lb. of torque at 2,800 rpm.
Transmission and Drive
The 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 came with two transmission options. The standard transmission offered was a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Buyers could optionally have a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission installed instead. While other versions of the S-10 had the option for rear-wheel drive, the ZR2 package was limited strictly to a four-wheel drive system.
Suspension, Steering and Brakes
The front wheels of the 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 are equipped with independent double A-arm suspension, with torsion bars. The rear wheels are equipped with two-stage variable rate suspension, equipped with multi-leaf rear springs. The S-10 is equipped with a recirculating ball-type variable-ratio integral power steering system, with a 13.1 steering ratio when stopped. The S-10 ZR2 has a curb-to-curb turning circle of 41.6 feet, and the steering wheel takes 3.2 turns to go from one lock to the other. The S-10 ZR2 is equipped with vacuum-powered four-wheel disc brakes, with ABS. The front discs measure 10.82 inches in diameter, while the rear measure 11.6 inches in diameter.
Wheels and Tires
The 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 is equipped with 15-inch-by-7-inch aluminum wheels. The ZR2 package features exclusive 31-inch-by-10.5-inch R15 LTC on-/off-road steel-belted radial tires.
Dimensions
The 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 is 204.8 inches long, 67.9 inches wide and 63.4 inches high. The wheelbase measures 122.9 inches, and the S-10 clears the ground at 8.5 inches in the front and 7.5 inches in the rear. The front tread measures 8.5 inches wide, while the rear tread measures 7.5 inches wide. The step-in height for this truck is 18.7 inches, and the height from the ground to the top of the load floor is 17.2 inches. The cargo box is 55.2 inches long, 55.6 inches wide, and has a 55.6-inch wide tailgate. The cargo box is 40.4 inches wide between the wheel housings, and has a total capacity of 30.2 cubic feet. The S-10 ZR2 has a curb weight of 3,788 lbs.
Capacities
The 2003 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 has a maximum payload of 1,111 lbs. and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 5,150 lbs. The maximum weight that the S-10 can tow on a trailer is 5,200 lbs., and only 10 to 15 percent of that weight, up to 750 lbs., may be on the trailer tongue. The fuel tank holds a maximum of 17.5 gallons of 87 octane regular, unleaded gasoline.
