[32coupe]

Your friend is correct! the S10 4.03 1st gear is pretty much useless. The problem with the S10 transmissions is that the bulk of them were Non World Class T5's (1984-1992) And they are decent transmissions However The World Class T5's are better They are stronger and they shift smoother. All ford T5's accept 1984 are World class units. 1993-95 S10 T5's are all World Class however the only S10 World Class T5's that has the GM Muncie style case bolt pattern is the one year only 1993 2.8 V6 T5. The 4cyl S10's in 93 had the Ford style case bolt pattern as well as the 94-95 S10's. Now you may be wondering why does it matter if your T5 has a GM or ford bolt pattern on the case if your going to adapt it anyhow. Well that is because most of the adapters out there are made for the GM Muncie bolt pattern case. There are only a few adapters out there that will let you use the Ford type T5 case. MDL makes one Old time speed makes one and I make one (Mine will use the ford or GM type case) so it doesn't matter which transmission you choose You can adapt it. My suggestion these days is buy whichever Worldclass T5 comes your way first and modify it to what you ultimately want it to be. Don't settle for the shitty factory S10 gears, Swap in a set of 1988-92 Camaro or 1993 Cobra 2.95 Gear set and cruise the wheels off your hotrod. There are going to be guys say "I been running a 89 s10 transmission without any problems for years and I love it" That's fine! But they just don't know what they are missing as if they had a good gear set in their car they would love it even more.