Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks guys.
I ordered a set of Altman latches yesterday and the lock actuator brackets. I decided I'd go with the remote door locks so I don't need to install a lock cylinder on the drivers door, or slide across the seat every time I want to lock the truck. The brackets were an extra $35 and I found a remote lock kit on amazon for about $40.
I wish it would start warming up here...3rd coldest winter in 100 years! No heat in the garage.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

You may want to consider adding an emergency release cable if you're going with remote open system. Just in case...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Chev3600,
I considered that, but I will still have a lock cylinder on the passenger side for "emergencies".

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Just found out on Friday, I got my Mercedes Benz/ ISO aluminum welding certification. We are currently the only shop in the 5 state area (MN,WI,ND,SD,IA) to have this certification. Mercedes will not sell structural aluminum parts to a body shop if they are not certified. Hopefully this will bring our shop some more work!

Started assembling the vent window frames. The weather stripping kit from LMC is very complete and nice stuff. I will be actually putting the glass in the frames on Monday.

Still waiting for my Altman latches to arrive...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I'm still looking forward to seeing that truck in action at one of the shows this year.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

congrats on the certificate.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

X2, good deal...Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks guys.

Greg I plan on being at a few Anoka Saturday nights and Back to the Fifties on the Sunday of that weekend. Maybe some others along the way!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Just read the build from first to last post. Great job. I just bought a 53 3100 that was already put on an S10 frame. Looked like they were in a big hurry, now Im going thru the whole thing to make sure its safe. I have no radiator core supports on the front and no inner fenders. You can literally pick up the whole front end by hand cuz its not attached to anything. Ill have to get the inner fenders and a rad support bracket and do some mods on them so i can get it all buttoned up.
I saved all the picks of your rad support for ideas. Thanks for the in depth posts, its been real helpful

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

53 Chevy Kevin,
Thanks for you comments. I was helped so much by others on this site, it is my pleasure to "pass it on". Glad I could be some help to you. Feel free to ask any questions or if you need pictures, I probably have pics I didn't post that may be helpful.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks a bunch. If i have any questions i'll be sure to ask.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Heres a couple of pics of the vent window frames.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looks good, I love the vents.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I finally got to sit down and read your whole build thread. My truck was in about the same shape as yours and we are pretty much following the same route with the rebuild. Yours is looking really Great. I posted a picture of my wheel setup and then realized I just deleted all my photos from my build thread.... bummer. Now to find the time to fix my mistake, as soon as tax time has passed. Keep up the good work and I'll be watching !

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Finally got my Altman latches and door actuators. Hoping for a little warmer weather to get back at it!! Now I need to dig around and find my lock cylinder...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I started on the latch install today. The jam on the drivers side was so tight that the new latch plate was rubbing on the striker plate. After a little "massaging" of the door frame, I got it all to clear with not a whole lot to spare. Then while lining up the striker, I could tell there was no way the striker would line up with the latch correctly.
So with the striker out I shut the door and marked where I will need to drill a new hole for the striker on the plate. I'll need to move the hole almost a 1/4 inch lower. A little welding and re-drilling tomorrow and it should be good to go. I'm not sure why this jam/inner cab corner is so messed up. The door gaps and body lines are nice...I wish the inner door wasn't painted already, I've put a few gouges in it that will need to fixed. When I painted it I wasn't planning on switching out the latches and I also thought this would "bolt in" a little better. Overall I'm happy with the latch kit, but I could think of a few improvements.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Driver's side latch is done except for paint. I'll do the pass side next then paint it all at once.

I thought I had a fuel tank pick up tube problem...turns out truck was out of gas. Still learning how to read the fuel gauge that I swapped into the original cluster. The needle is shorter and the sweep is a little different. I guess I pretty much drove it dry before I stored it last fall.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Finally got the passenger side latch in. Still waiting to get started on the power locks, then the door glass. I've been really busy doing home chores and preparing for my oldest daughter's High School Grad party. At least my truck is drivable so I can cruise around and enjoy it while I continue to work on it!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Glad to see you back on the horse!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Got to use my truck to "rescue" my wife and daughter. They were at the park and the 99 suburban wouldn't start. Seems like the fuel pump is not working. Waiting for a tow. At least I've got a good "back up"!!

The '51 has the least amount of miles of all of my vehicles.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

thats cool, glad you got it out for a good cause. I had to use my 51' last summer for a week cause my daily was down. Nice to have some extra whips that earn their keep sometimes!!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I finally got some truck time today. Started on the power door lock actuator install. Drivers side is mounted and I am starting on the holes in the jams for wiring. Should be able to get the pass side done tomorrow. Hopefully get it wired up also! Pics tomorrow.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I finished the lock install today, including wiring. I ordered the Altman latches and the power lock actuator brackets from them also. The brackets were a pretty simple install. The actuator kit I got off of ebay.

I used the "screen door spring" method for running the wires from door to cab. It works really well. It was nice that my EZ wire harness came with a power door lock lead. The power wire from the control unit for the actuators also has an in line fuse.\

The only real issue I had with the altman lock brackets, were the plastic clips that hold the lock rod to the lever on the latch. They did not hold them in place. The rod kept popping out , so I added a plastic wire tie to help hold the rod in place.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looking Good !

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks good! How do you access the wires with a sealed up cowl?

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I drilled a hole just large enough to pass the wires thru the inner kick panel, then ran them up under the dash. Eventually the wires will be covered by a trim panel on the kick panel.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Trying to get some of the "little things" done that I have been putting off.

Installed turn signal indicators in the dash tonight.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice, yeah all those little things add up quick.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Well once again, the busyness of home and family puts the truck on hold. I did manage to get the driver's side door glass installed this summer, and drove it around a little.

I also found out that my S10 tank has a leak at the middle seam. Of course I found that out the first time I completely filled the gas tank. Luckily I had a siphon pump and removed enough to stop the leak.

I'm hoping to work on the interior pieces over the winter, and maybe get the drive shaft balanced and new u-joints put on. Then in the spring, new gas tank, bed wood, and whatever else on my list I can afford!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I started on some interior trim pieces. The kick panels were first ( smallest and easiest to re do if I messed up). I'm very happy with how they turned out.

Next week, headliner.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice job, I'll be tackling some of my own interior pieces soon as well. just like anything else the right tools and practice and you can pretty much do anything yourself.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Minneapolis local news had this story last night. 1957 chevy truck purchased used for $75 and driven daily for 38 years...he got his money's worth

Here's the link:

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/loc...-75/21169665/:

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

man thats ironic, my buddy sent me a link to that via text at 6am. cool story. though I don't see why the guy doesn't maintain the truck a little.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

A little progress. I got the headliner finished (but not installed yet). Still thinking of things to add to my project list for this summer. I did get a FM receiver/mp3/cd player and speakers for the truck for Christmas. Waiting for a little warm weather for install!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Nice, I'll be attempting most of my own interior as well, minus the seat cover. I didn't got the extent as you did with the fiberglass mold you did. Did it work out well for you then?

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

The fiber glass mold worked well. However, next time I would do 3 or 4 layers of glass mat instead of 2. It's a little flimsy, but it does make it easy to get it in and out of the cab. It does hold it's shape very well when I hold it up in place.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I got my headliner installed and replaced the leaky S10 gas tank. Hoping for some more warm weather to get some more things done before the Back to the Fifties show in June.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice job, hope you get some miles in this summer.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I got a couple more little things off my list today. Installed the refurbished speedo, and finished wiring my auxiliary gauges.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks sharp!