Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

diggin the scheme on the interior and yeah you can always upgrade down the line. keep it moving. good work.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I just bought a 1953 shortbox parts truck yesterday. When I get it home I will look and if that speaker grill is in there you can have it for 1 beer. :)

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Saturday morning I reprimed the hood, then flipped it over and texture coated and jammed it. I also painted the hood springs and the front panel that holds the spring and safety catch. Of course forgot the camera...pics on tuesday...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Today I tried something I read about in a magazine (I think) about making a one piece headliner.

Tape off the outside edge of the roof panel, making a lip with the tape. Then cover the roof with aluminum foil, taping it down and covering all the seams with clear packing tape. (The article said scotch tape but I didn't have enough...)

Then carefully lay in fibergalss cloth or mat and resin to cover the foil. I used two layers, I'll see after it sets up if it is rigid enough. I think I will need more. When it is hardened, the fiberglass is supposed seperate fairly easily from the foil leaving a "shell" that is roughly the same shape as the inside of the roof/ headliner. The side of the fiberglass that is face down on the top of the roof, will be the visible side of the headliner. I plan to lay a little foam padding and the fabric to complete it. (if this works!) Then carefully trim the shell to fit inside the cab as the headliner. Here's a few pics...I'll post more info and pics as this process continues!! I'm still thinking about how I will attach it in place...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

More pics...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

More...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

interesting... Looks like it might work! Sweet!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I've heard of guys doing this, so now I will see how good yours turns out....Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks good Atommik, can't wait to see the finished product!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I peeled off the "shell" roof mold today. It was a little floppy but still held its shape. I could still add one more layer of fiberglass, but I think I will leave it as is.

The tin foil on the roof did leave alot of wrinkles in the surface of the fiberglass. For me, thats okay since it will get padded and covered in fabric. If you wanted to try to smooth it and paint it, that would be a lot of work. If you could get the foil to lay down smoother, or use something else as a liner??...then maybe painting would be an option.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Next I held the piece in place(with the help of my two kids) and roughly marked out how much to trim to get it to fit where I wanted it. After a couple of repeats of this process, I had it resting in position, pretty much where it will sit. The inner windsheild mouldings will hold it nicely along the front edge, and I will be able to re-use the rear Bow of the original headliner to hold the back edge in place.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Headliner is looking good so far. What type of material were you thinking of installing?...Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I'm really happy with how this turned out. I will still need to do a little more trimming, but I'll wait until I'm actually to the point of installing the headliner for good (probably several months away!).

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Jim,

I'm not sure what type of material yet, it's still a ways off. Possibly some type of vinyl/ fake leather. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about putting in a raised Chevy Bowtie design in the headliner, so the fabric would need to be flexible enough to wrap around that.

Tom

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Any of the new vinyl/fake leather should work fine. The bowtie design has been used alot, why not come up with something different, and more one off. You said it would be awhile before covering, give it some thought or maybe someone will chime it....Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Jim
Yeah, I'll keep an open mind about the design...like I said its a ways off...

Tom

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looks good, like the idea. I'd go with a vinyl and foam possibly. The possibilities are vast.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Interesting idea I have to admit. Did you go with aluminum foil because of the sticking? The reason I ask is if you wanted to get it completely flat with no wrinkles you might be able to use that clear plastic sheeting. If you can find a way for it not to stick, you could stretch it on the top of the roof as one piece.

Cool idea though. Nice look riding also.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Yeah, I used the foil so the fiberglass would "release" easier. I think the plastic sheeting may not hold up to the heat and chemical reaction of the curing resin...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Just got back from a work trip to Houston (Mercedes Benz collision repair training) so no work on the 51 this week.

I did however have a little time this weekend, so I installed the glove box door and fit up the speaker grill. I will soon be putting a hinge on the speaker grill to hide a radio. Thanks to Kustom Brad (I think) for the idea...or it may ahve been 992LIFE...anyways, it's always nice to get great ideas from others!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Starting to get serious about finding a frame. I talked to a friend of my boss who works at/ runs a huge salvage yard about an hour from my house. He said last month he cut up and scrapped 2 s10's that were what I was looking for. He said don't worry, he gets them in quite often. He'll call me when he gets one in. Quoted me $200 for a rolling frame with steering box, gas tank, master cylinder, brake booster and drive shaft. Sounds like a good deal...can't wait to get it and move on to the next step of my build!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I put my radio behind the dash but not in the speaker area. that was brad. But I think I might make something for my next truck to keep the stereo hidden in there and put speakers on the kickpanels. I don't even like jamming out too much, I like just hearing the engine most the time.

sucks to hear about them frames getting scrapped, I seriously can't stand scrappers. But yeah 200 for a rolling chassis is good. I've paid less for a few of mine, but I'd do 200.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I'm planning on speakers in the kick panels and behind the seat, but nothing too crazy!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Truck looks great.

I am running the stock frame under mine, but did get a little curious on how much I could grab an S10 frame for around me. I opened up the swap sheet and looked in Craigslist a few weeks ago, I cannot get over how many S10s there were in there (Upstate NY).

You'll find something soon. I want to see all these parts on a frame. Haha.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Yeah, I can't wait to start putting parts on a frame...maybe 2-3 weeks from now.

Sandblasted the right front fender and grill on Saturday. Then epoxy primed both. Started the filler work on the fender this week. The right fender is the last major body panel I have left to straighten!!

I thought about disassembling the grill to be able to do a better job of sand blasting and eventually painting, but I want to have a chrome grill someday, so I'll just fix a few dents in it and paint the one I have...then when my money tree finally blooms...I'll get a chrome grill!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

A few more pics...fender repair.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

My jammed hood, a little hard to take pics of, it's sitting on a stand and I didn't have anyone around to help me flip it over.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

And...here's a work project that was finished a little while ago...49 Caddilac. We repainted it (yes, that's the original color) it was a super clean South Dakota car. Now for sale.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looking good man, diggin that caddy too.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I went to the Minnesota Street Rod Assoc. "Back to the Fifties" car show today. They probably registered 12,000 cars and trucks for the show over a 3 day weekend. Only vehicles 1964 and older allowed to register. Here's some AD truck pics...I'll post more when I've got a little more time!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Here's a few more...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

More...Note the custom front bumper hood and fenders and rear "tail fins" on the 54...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

There is also a huge swap meet on Sunday morning. I found a set of 1951 Minnesota "truck" plates I will proudly hang on mine when it is done!!

Minnesota allows you to use a vintage plate as a collector plate, as long as it is the same year as the vehicle title. Also, collector cars now only need to have a rear plate.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks for posting....Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I didn't get to make it there this year. I'm joining the MSRA next year and then I will be there. Still have to paint my new hood.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I was there all day Saturday. It was fun!

That ratty one with no roof has a 5.3 vortec in it. I saw it at the Princeton show a few weeks ago. I took several pictures of the engine bay to check the clearences. :)

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Went to the DMV today with my "vintage" plates, they checked and no one else has that plate number, so I got the okay from the state to use them as my collector plates. Another small step to being on the road!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

That's good news.....Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Did a little repair to the front grill bars...they're actually in pretty good shape.

Also ordered an EZ Wiring harness. I'm not really ready to start wiring,(I'm still waiting for an s10 frame), but in the mean time I'll mount the fuse box and maybe try to get a few things in the cab wired. Dome light, lighter socket, heat controls...

Looking into a JC whitney door lock actuator kit to use to build dead bolt locks...any opinions about quality...?

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

not familiar with jc whitneys actuators. I used some from rockyhinge. I built my own deadbolt system with keyless entry. Some pictures of it on my thread.