chevy s10 help...

i have a 2wd 2.2L 4 cylinder chevy s10 ext. cab. i live in northern wisconsin so 4wd is kind've a must. i am wondering what i should do with my truck so i wont get stuck in mud or in deep snow. right now with my truck completly stock, i get between 25-30 mpg. i would like my truck to still have around 25 mpg after i rig it so i wont get stuck. and i am also wondering how i can do this without converting it to 4wd. and if i keep it a 2wd...is there something i can do for the rear so i wont have to put a *** load of weight in the bed? i want to be able to use the bed to put stuff in like ice fishing stuff and not have pallets and sand to weight it down.  

You're not going to like my answer, but that truck will never be any good in deep snow or mud. You have a stock 2wd with a tiny engine. Your best bet will be to keep that truck as your daily driver and pickup another cheap 4x4 to take mudding or ice fishing.

Any mods you do will kill your gas mileage, so there goes keeping it over 25. Being 2wd you're not going to get through deep mud or snow, ever, even with the best tires and chains your still limited by traction. You could add a locker in the back, but again that will only get you so far.

If you don't mind losing the fuel economy then I would suggest putting a 3" lift on it, some 31" mud tires, a locker in the back and try that. Won't be great but may get you by.  
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what do you mean by "locker"? and also if i dont do any changes i am going to sell it and buy my friends 2002 dodge ram 1500 sport. i was only asking just to see if there was something that could work for the s10. but what could i do to the dodge so i can get better gas milage? right now it gets 12 mpg and has dual exaust.  

dgman300:
what do you mean by "locker"? and also if i dont do any changes i am going to sell it and buy my friends 2002 dodge ram 1500 sport. i was only asking just to see if there was something that could work for the s10. but what could i do to the dodge so i can get better gas milage? right now it gets 12 mpg and has dual exaust.

LOCKER- Gives traction to both driven tires (in your case,rear axle), but allows some differentiation between the two to allow it to go around corners without causing excessive tire wear. Example; Detroit Tru-Trac, Auburn Posi-trac, or a limited slip differential such as a factory unit but cost about the same or more.
As for the Dodge, I'd sell it and buy a Chevy. They atleast have better mileage even with a 5.7 or a 6.0. Good luck on the decision making.  

if you read the whole post you would've noticed that i never bought the dodge yet...my friend is selling it for 3,000 so i can actually afford it...unless you can find me a chevy for sale near rhinelander, wisconsin 54501. it has to be year 2000 or newer. and it has to be a silverado 4x4.  

dgman300:
if you read the whole post you would've noticed that i never bought the dodge yet...my friend is selling it for 3,000 so i can actually afford it...unless you can find me a chevy for sale near rhinelander, wisconsin 54501. it has to be year 2000 or newer. and it has to be a silverado 4x4.

I read the whole post. I was just stating facts about the Dodge and they don't get very good mileage.  

how can i convert it to 4wd? and what kits and/or parts would i need to do this?  

dgman300:
how can i convert it to 4wd? and what kits and/or parts would i need to do this?

I'm not sure of any "kits" are available. I fabricated my own brackets, bought springs, bolts, bushings, bent the tubing for the shock hoops, made the spring plates for the front axle, made all the steering linkage parts, bought the high-steer arms form Sky-Manufacturing, drilled the holes in the knuckle, had my drivelines made, fabricated the crossmember for the trans and transfer case, there's alot of work involved as I mentioned earlier. I designed all the brackets and welded everything in place. I would start researching some places such as Offroad Unlimited, Offroad Design, Offroad Direct, Sky-Manufacturing, and see if they have a kit for what you want to do. It depends on what your laws are in your state and what you are going to use the truck for. If you can weld and fabricate on your own you are ahead of the game. If not, plan on spending a ton of money and then that puts you back to where the question I have, if you bought the truck for that amount you stated why didn't you get a 4x4? They are about the same price if you look for them. I'm with you on the idea of converting but it makes no sense if you want to try to build it for cheap. For my 91 conversion, I built all my own stuff and still spent over $3,000! I saved alot but spent alot too.  

my dad bought me the s-10 for $6,500. i need the 4wd for winter.  

dgman300:
my dad bought me the s-10 for $6,500. i need the 4wd for winter.

I would start saving some money and doing some research on what you can find for kits on this and I'd see what is out there and then shop to buy the best for the money. I researched my options for awhile and then decided to build my own. I will see what I can come up with in a few days and let you know.  

buy a cheap 4x4 for winter just an old beater and stop complaining or just get over the fact you cant get 30 mpg and have 4wd to get throuogh nasty stuff if that was possible we would all have them  
1992 Toyota Pick-Up Extended Cab- 4.3 TBI Chevy Motor, 350 Turbo Tranny, and Toyota T/C (Nasty Combination)
1991 GMC Sonoma- 4.3 Motor, 700R4 Tranny, and Stock T/C