Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Very neat pics. In the fifties I worked at a Pure station that looked like the bottom pic. I'm considering having my truck doors lettered to look like our service truck. I got to drive lots of nice cars while working there, including a new 56 TF that belonged to a customer.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Real sorry that happened to you Atommik, but glad no one was hurt and the damage was limited. Nice that you are getting it fixed quickly. Best of luck, this makes me wanna check my lug nuts too!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

All of the studs that the spacers are on, now have thread lock and all of the new lug nuts are installed.

The show I'm going to on Saturday is 7-10pm. So I realized I've never driven my truck at night. So after wiring up the gauge lights, I took it for a spin. Beautiful night for a drive!! The BMW converted xenon headlamps are awesome. Such a nice bright, white light, but aimed correctly so I didn't get any high beam flashes from on coming traffic.

I am very grateful that my "accident" didn't hurt any one or damage my truck too badly. I learned some valuable lessons. Some I already knew but had ignored. It was 2 weeks ago that it happened. I missed driving it! Thanks to all for your kind words and encouragement. That's what great about this forum.

Russell Ashley, I still have a bow tie and a "string" tie that were my dad's. Both have the "PURE" logo on them. As soon as my rear widow is installed, it will get a Pure Oil decal!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Fender on, ready to roll!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looks great, quick turnaround and you made bank. But luckily you didn't get hurt, hurt anyone else or hurt the truck anymore. Glad things worked out for you. You worked hard to get to this point, hate seeing bad things happen.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Atommik, better than new. Looks great but too bad it happened. Glad you got it figured out what had caused it to happen. I love the old pictures of your dads old garages. I love to see old pictures.

Shannon
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Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Fender looks great, would never know it was damaged...Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Had a really nice night at the show on Saturday. It was called "Sweet Summer Nights" and it was another beautiful Minnesota summer night!! There was a big variety of cars and trucks,(probably about 250). Mine was the only AD there. Got a lot of nice comments.
Met one father and son doing an S10 swap on a 49. They had a lot of questions and I was glad to help. I told them about this forum. Hope to see their truck on here. Here's a few pics...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

awesome, cool being the only AD at a show isn't it? its always cool meeting people that want to build and AD. Just met someone at a show that really wants a patina AD. Been helping her find one. The more of these we can get on the road the better. Keep the demand up and keep them outta the scrap yards.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Atommik,
Just read your build cover to cover. You are obviously very skilled and it shows in your finished product. I just bought a 51 AD and will start slowly putting mine together. It will certainly take much more time than yours, as this is my first project, and I don't have nearly the experience, nor expertise you do. I too love this forum. I've gotten many ideas to use in my project.

Once again, great job on a fantastic looking truck. Despite all the issues, big and small, you persevered and have an awesome ride. Keep updating the build!

Steve
:metal:

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Atomik... I just joined the ranks as only AD at a show last Saturday. 400+ cars and only one 47-54 Chevy pickup, and one Corvair. Both happened to be mine. Nice feelin!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Shak,

Thank you for the kind words. I was constantly encouraged by others on this site whether they knew it or not! Enjoy your build, and post pictures!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I ran across these pics of a "yard" just off the interstate in Nebraska. We were there 2 years ago. The trucks looked to have been there awhile and the gate looked like it hadn't been opened in years!!Attachment 1148107

Attachment 1148108

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

wow, beautiful pics man. Gives me hope that some dryer areas still have bone yards. Out east its drying up and whats out there is in bad shape. Idiots scrap them rather than save them.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Not much new on my build. Working up a list of things to work on over the winter. For now I'm just enjoying the last days of summer cruising around in it!
I Did order a glove box liner and a couple of CHEVROLET badges for the side of the hood. Saving up for Altman latches.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Much deserved...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6275886

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Agreed!
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Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Hey I just noticed my truck is up for truck of the month (October) on this forum!

Since the theme is Halloween/ pumpkin/ORANGE...my truck is right up their alley!!
Nice to be nominated!!
Thanks to those who do that job!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I can't say that I know who nominated you but I can say that I know where one of your votes came from! :)

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

congrats, yeah orange for october, pretty fitting.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Same here, us AD guys have to stick together...Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Great job you are doing. I have a 54 chevy trk that somebody put on a 72 c10 frame. trying to use the s10 trying set my cab height any help. The kits out my bugget:waah:

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Yeah the kits are expensive. I think my rear cab mounts are 4" off the frame rail and the front mounts are 3 1/2" or 3 3/4". The rear of the cab clears the s10 gas tank by less than 1/2". You basically need to set the cab close to where you think it should be, then put on the front fenders and hood (with hinges and latch). From there you just make adjustments to the mounting of the cab and rad support until it all lines up. If you are using the original 54 radiator support, you will need to modify it to clear the s10 steering gear. It's a good idea to put the box and rear fenders on also, just to make sure it all lines up right.

The benefit of the kits is it tells you exactly where to mount everything. But what's the fun in that??!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I found another picture of my dad's old service station. He's the one standing by the car washing the windshield, his business partner is standing in the service lane. Photo is from 1959. The tow truck on the left looks like it may be a 54-55 1st series.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks to be a Dodge the corner windows are too small for GM.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Sweet pic man. yeah I agree looks more like a dodge. 54-55 would have a one piece windshield too. But really hard to see whats going on in the pic.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Hey Atommik, do you recall what angle the box sides were bent to? Are there any sites that reference all of the specs and measurements for these beds? I think I'm going to go the route that you did. Looks great!
Nik

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I measured my original bed before I scrapped it and I believe the angle was 50 degrees. But since I was building everything from scratch, I had the sheet metal bent to 45 degrees, just to make it easier to remember and easier for the sheet metal shop. I have it written down in a notebook, but I can't find it. I'm sure if you post on the message board asking for the angle and other dimensions, someone will have the info. Thanks for the kind words on my build!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Just got back from 2 weeks in Houston for Mercedes Benz aluminum welding certification. Had 5 different types of welds to make with various types of aluminum. Some die cast aluminum and some "chill" cast. All had to be done in the overhead position. I think the toughest one was a 14" long butt weld on 2mm plate, (overhead). All of the welds had to be perfect. They will be sent out for visual and destructive testing, and I'll get the results in 2-3 weeks.
The pics are of some of the welds that would not be sent in for testing...not good enough!
This was by far the most technical, and difficult training I've gone through for my career as an autobody technician. I'm sure it will help my steel welding skills improve also!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

That's a skill worth having.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

good job and good luck on passing the tests !!!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

should have brought another truck home with you

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice man, hope you get it. I'v yet to weld aluminum, but just got a new welder with spool gun, so I'll give it a whirl. Hoping to get a tig soon though. What welder did you use?

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Everyone in this class used a Fronius welder, made in Austria. It is one of the 2 approved by Mercedes Benz. The other is Weilander Schill from Germany. That's the one we have at work. They are wirefeed type welders. 1.2 mm aluminum wire. 100 percent argon gas. They cost about 10 grand!! Glad I don't have to pay that bill!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Well I found out I failed one of the five welds for certification. I'm flying to Houston on Monday to weld a few more samples for them to test.

On a truck related note, I really haven't done anything on the truck except make lists and prioritize the list, and wish I had more money!! I was hoping to do some work in the garage this winter, but it has been so cold. Supposed to be -19 tonight.

I did, however, finally put my speedo together.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice speedo, good luck with the test and yeah I feel you on the money and cold. don't know which one I would rather not have the problem with the most.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Well, with a tax return around the corner, I will soon be ordering Altman latches and the rest of the glass and weather stripping.
I've also ordered some color samples for vinyl for the door panels and kick panels that I will be making, and found a local source for headliner fabric and foam.

Come on SPRING TIME!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Started on the seat belts. I'll be using BMW seat belts I got from a car at work. Made "boxed in" brackets for the retractors that will bolt to the floor in the cab corner area. Then I'll need to make a mount bracket for the buckle ends, mounts for the lap belt end, and mounts for the pivot point on the shoulder.

I also started on the door trim panels. Made a paper template, transferred it to some hardboard. I'll trim that up tomorrow.
I bought the foam and adhesive last weekend. Still waiting on a couple more fabric samples...Also thinking of a simple design to get a little orange in with the grey interior.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Nice fab job. I like the full length door panel. Should take a lot of the tinny sound out the door when you close it.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice job, 3 points are a must. I like tradition door panels and one piece, should look good.