NoClassic

iTrader: (42)

Looks like things are coming along nicely.

My dad is also in the middle of swapping a 51 body on to an s10 frame.



His cab is mounted at nearly the same height as yours is sitting now. He is debating between an LQ4 or cheap LM7 for his.

Cant wait to see updates.

subtlez28

iTrader: (15)

Seeing you Texas guys and your clean sheet metal makes me so jealous!
You should see what my 50 survivor in Wisconsin looks like. It was a working farm truck through the 80s. Can you say no more cab corners, lower doors, and swiss cheese running boards.

But the good news is I enjoy living vicariously though you guys.

Canyonag77

The S-1o pickup gas tank sits inside the left side of the frame, just behind the cab, and under the bed. I'm fairly sure it will clear all of the '53 body.

Two problems:

1) Its in the way of dual exhaust exiting in front of the back wheels

2) The filler would have to come up through the floor of the bed, or through the side sheet metal.

By putting in the gas tank from a 1st Generation S-10 2 door blazer, we also hope to shift a lot of weight further back. We also hope to route the filler out between the back bumper and the bottom of the bed. Time will tell if that will work.

If you did not have the bed and running boards to deal with, the '53 cab could sit on the frame, much as it does on the '53 frame. But if you look at these pickups, the front fenders, running board, and rear fenders all have to be on the same level, as they all tie together, both physically and aesthetically.

The frame kick-up on the '53 is 4" higher under the bed than under the cab. The kick-up on the S-10 frame is 9" higher. So to mount onto the S-10 frame with no body modifications, the cab needs to sit 5" above the frame.

We're trying to go lower which will take a trick or two. One way is to raise the floor of the bed by 2" or so, which will allow the outside sheet metal to go lower on the frame.

Another is to lower the rear fenders on the bed sides an inch or two. The bed will be higher in relation to the cab, but the fenders will drop down to match the running boards.

That's what this phase of test fitting is all about.

davidadavila

nice project guys really looking foward to the progress

1974Nova

Got the whole body test mounted on the new frame. We'll start fabbing up mounts for the cab so we can mount the engine/trans next. 8)

Here I am simulating the weight of the engine (with the help of 4 50 lbs sandbags)




We just rolled a 16 inch spare from my dad's pickup in front of the well since it currently has 14 inch S-10 wheels still. I think 16s with lower profile tires might look really good on this thing.

ponyhater27

iTrader: (11)

That thing is starting to come together! Looks like its going to need a to be a bit lower in the front. 16's with a low profile tire?? I think 17's would look alot better!

NoClassic

iTrader: (42)

Looking good.

My dad finished up his mounts last weekend, and removed everything before I could get any pictures. From what I remember it looks like you guys have the bed a bit lower than his ended up.

I dont think the front ride height will be a problem. When all is said and done the motor and trans is going to weigh a good bit more than his test load.

colby72olds

iTrader: (7)

Man, I'd love to have this truck!

raymer626

Anymore progress on this thing???

davidadavila

we want to see more please keep us updated man

Texas53

Are you going with maroon by chance? If so, we might need to meet up some Thanksgiving at a tailgate. I finished a similar swap about a year ago. Mine is just a front clip (Chevelle) instead of a whole S-10 frame. You are going to like the LS motor in that thing.

Jeff Smith

iTrader: (44)

looking good in your project...keep it up

1974Nova

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Not a lot has happened on this project lately. Lots of things came up on the farm. We're still planning on finishing it up, we're just not sure when we'll have time. Maybe by the end of August some work on it will be done.

1974Nova

Truck looks gorgeous! She's thinking a dark metallic blue for it.

454navyss

iTrader: (47)

back from the dead. is the truck finished yet? im working on doing the same s10 frame swap under a 53, i started with a reg cab short bed so im having to stretch the frame from 108" to 115"

http://performancetrucks.net/forums/...d.php?t=468138

NoClassic

iTrader: (42)

I am interested to hear some updates as well.

We are just about done with the majority of the chassis side stuff with ours.


Still needs finish welding and boxing of the mounting points and rear frame section.

ponyhater27

iTrader: (11)

I too just finished a swap on my 48. I didn't have a long bed frame either so I took two frames and made one with a wheelbase of 116 3/4. I didn't put a ls motor in it and probly won't but I figured I would show you guys for some inspiration.





Here is the link to my album http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/.../48%20Project/

If anybody has any questions I'll be glad to help.

NoClassic

iTrader: (42)

That looks good.

I like the wheels.

What are your plans for the bumper. I had been thinking about ours recently.

ponyhater27

iTrader: (11)

If your talking to me. Thanks!!! I actually just bought a bumper today to put on it. I'm hoping to get it on in the next couple days.

5.3l1941GMC

iTrader: (2)

Nice builds! A friend of mine recently finished up a 53 on an S10 chassis, turned out amazing (there's a pic of it in my build thread https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...gmc-truck.html)

He raised the bed floor up a couple of inches (maybe 3?) and you wouldn't know it until you open the tailgate. But that also gave him a perfect spot to hide the gas filler...

I'm doing a 1941 GMC on an S10, it's been more of a pain than I thought, but it's turning out well so far.

I'll definitely be raising my bed floor on my build. At least 3", maybe 4".