Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Well here we go. i hope to successfully document my build here and maybe help someone along the way as I was helped and motivated by so many here.

I have a 53 I have had collecting dust for many years and finally got motivated by the build threads here. Plans are for a 1979 350 4bolt main that came out a truck my Dad bought back in 79 (Big 10). Followed up with a 700R out of a 91 Camaro. All of the TBI stuff also came from the Camaro. The bed wood came from my Grandpa's Barn so its oak. I purchased a AD Engineering kit and have been getting all my mounts in place on the S-10 frame. (standard cab long bed, 94 model) I have already installed the 4wd s-10 rearend. Right now I need to finish getting the front end sheet metal in place so I can locate my motor mounts.
Here are some photos of the truck I started with:
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/53Chevy5.jpg
Cab mounts
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0219.jpg
Front wheel looks to be centered:)
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0220.jpg
The inner fenders help get the radiator set up in place and located, support brackets are on the outher side.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a.../PICT02202.jpg
Passenger side support bracket.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a.../PICT02212.jpg
and for now the running board support brackets.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0222.jpg
Now on to locating the engine mounts and stuff......................

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Good to see progress and pictures. I also remembered I have a pair of wheel adapters for your front to get the offset the same with the rear if you need them. Keep up the good work.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I could probably use those. We'll have to get together so I can get them and the bed kit.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I'll be watching this build, I'm also doing an s10 swap, but making my own mount brackets. I'm doing the body work first, then getting an s10 frame. I hope to get a frame in the next month or so as alot of the bodywork is done.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I got my inner fenders trimmed this morning so I can line up the front end sheet metal. Then I can get the motor and tranny in place to tack weld in the motor mounts. I got to find my transmission mount, I know its around the shop somewhere.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Kodiaks53, looks like a great start. Keep up the great work and keep showing us the pictures. I love build pictures.

Shannon

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Thanks xpickup I think its the feedback that keeps lots of us moving foward at least for me it is ! I like pictures too. I need to resize my first photo so its not so big.
I work on weekends and Monday and Tuesday and I'm off Wed, Thurs and Friday and those are my truck work days. I usually update my posts on the weekends while at work (gets lonesome on the 3rd shift some nights) looking foward to later this week, rain so I can spend time in the shop!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Looks like your a getting a good start. I bet you cant wait to get it rolling

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Well I got a little more done today. Got the front end radiator mounting all setup and tack welded the motor mounts in place. Just couldn't resist sitting the Chevy value covers on the engine. I bought them from the chevy dealer about 12 years ago. Tomorrow I hope to get the transmission crossmember in place.

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0233.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a.../PICT02302.jpg

Once all this is done it all comes apart to do the final welding of the mounts and clean up the chassis.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

About the engine.... It was in a 79 Chevy Big Ten Silverado my Dad bought new. At about 80K miles it started to smoke a little so my Dad buys a crate engine and we swap it out. His truck was running fine and I got the old 350 engine, it's been sitting in the shop ever since. It's a 4 bolt main and I have all the stuff to rebuild it sitting in the shop. New rods, pistons , rings etc. just send the block out to be freshened up with the heads and put her back together. Then I'll send the tranny out.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I love seeing progress. I noticed your truck was green orginally then painted red like mine, that's to funny.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I got the transmission crossmember built up today and clamped in place. Will do some last measurments and tack in place once the pinion angle is set correctly. Its very close now but I want it to be right. Hope to get the fenders and hood set in place tomorrow also.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I took a look at some guages I had aquirred a while back and thought it might help someone looking for guages for their truck. I found that the panel from a mid 70's Chevy truck will fit into the bezel of my 53.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a.../PICT02173.jpg

If you take it apart you get the individual units. I like having the gas and speedometer as the larger ones. You also get a very nice place to locate your SES light if your going with EFI.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0079.jpg
[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0098-1.jpg[/IMG]

Now I have to find a place to mount the temp, volt and oil pressure guages.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Got the transmission crosmember all leveled out and tacked in place the other day. Met up with 1952SSR Thursday afternoon and picked up the bed strips and a couple of wheel spacers that will get my front wheels in line with my 4X4 rear wheels. I managed the get the rear bed mounts bloted in place today and the bed back together for a test fitting. Slowly but surely:chevy:

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

I really like this idea. how did they all mount up. more details please

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

britnjc,
I still have a bit more to do to get it all together but the back case looks like it will fit over the new guage with a little trimming. I hope to keep it all together so I can use the guage lighting and mounting hardware. I plan on getting details and pictures together in the next couple of days (my days off). Details comming shortly!!!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

OK, more on the speedometer....If you trim off some off the tabs and excess sheet metal it is a pretty nice fit.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a.../PICT02203.jpg
Then I removed the back of the orginial speedo housing since the new speedo is a little longer or deeper than the orginial. Just a little filing on the plastic housing around the corners to make it easier (very gentle with the filing) and she will fit right in.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0090.jpg
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0084.jpg
I still need to make a couple of small sheet metal straps to hold it all in place. The gas guage is basically the same but I will not use the old housing, I'll just make a bracket to hold the guage in and double as a mounting bracket too. Once I get this bracket made I'll come back here and post the photo.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0091.jpg

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Very cool mod. I like the way you think!!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Been a long while since I last posted, what can I say life happens! Picked up a running 307 with only 60k miles on it yesterday and it sounded great. Also made a trip to Summit Racing just south of Atlanta today and picked up a new tranny crossmember and radiator.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Kodiaks53;

I never thought about useing that set of gauges.
I have two sets out of a 1978 1/2 ton pu.

Thank You;

Really a very good post on your build.
Ck out my post also, just getting started on my project.


Tim

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Thanks Tim, I collected stuff for several years from a friend who owned a wrecking yard. Hopefully I will have some other stuff that will come in handy !

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Used your idea on my truck. Works great. Thanks for sharing Kodiak53.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Neat job, looks great!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Been doing lots of little things to the truck in the past few weeks. Got some new shoes for the rear and mounted them up on the wheels I plan on using. I think they look good anyway. Finished checking out all the setup of the sheet metal and it looks good so I'm ready to tear it all down and start the for real assembly. Ordered some brackets from Summit and bed parts and hardware kit from LMC. That stuff should keep me busy for a while! Took some pictures the last few days so I'll be posting them pretty soon (hopefully tomorrow)

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

My wheel set-up.....

[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/PICT0005.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Looks like I will have to "repair" my previous photos since I messed around with my pictures in Photobucket :>(

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Well I got the picture links repaired on this thread!
Working on getting the engine finished up and in the truck. Need to do some fitting of the radiator and it should start looking better.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Well its been a couple of months since my last post. Like some others here family obligations always come first. My Dad is 86 and has his ups and downs and I spend as much time with him as possible as a result the build is going slow.
I did get some items taken care of...... the 53 now has new shoes all the way around, the engine I was going to use I sold and picked up a very good running small block at a good price. It has been cleaned up and is almost ready to be installed. But before that I need to clean up the frame and do final welding on the motor mounts, cab mounts and tranny mounts. The mockup went well and everything fits nicely. The cab is now on a dolly in the shop and ready to begin repairs (the usual) Here are a couple of photos......

[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/DSC_0013.jpg[/IMG]

The cab now sits on a dolly I fabbed this afternoon awaiting repairs....[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/DSC_0014.jpg[/IMG]

I did receive my door hinge rebuild kits from the Filling Station. Didn't realize how bad the hinges were until I looked at the You-Tube video on rebuilding them

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Looks Great!!!!

I know about life getting in the way of your build, mine is going slow as well....

Possum

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Made some serious progress the last couple of weeks, got the engine finished up , the brackets all final welded in place and this past weekend I got the engine in the chassis. I plan on getting the transmission cross-member in place this week and I'll be ready to start figuring the drive shaft out. Pictures to come shortly!!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Here are couple of updated pictures from this past week and weekend.....

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0013-1.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0007-1.jpg
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0009-1.jpg

Here's a shot of the cab dolly
The cab needs floor pans badly so I guess that's just after the drive line phasing and getting the shaft cut down just a little.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Got the studs out of the exhaust manifolds, cleaned the manifolds up and painted them. Will get studs as soon as I can make it to the parts store.

Measured my drive shaft, now its off to get it shortened !

Also finished up my Little Red Rat Wagon! Well its not really red its rusty (natural patina) I will get a picture up here as soon as I get them uploaded to photo-bucket.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Here's my Rat Wagon......

[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0001-1.jpg[/IMG]

Exhaust manifolds.....

[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0010-1.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Took the drive shaft to the shop for the work. Needs new U joints and a carrier pad. Plus cutting out about 5 inches or so (forget the exact measurement) They tell me it should be ready Monday evening. Not bad for a holiday weekend. And the price was right too.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Kodiaks 53;

Like the rat rod wagon!!

Nice horn exhaust manifolds

T-P Auto
Tim

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

When you bolt the manifolds onto the Rat Rod Wagon, won't that cover up the greyhound???? LOL:pty:

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Tim, Thanks, it was a side project with my Grandson while working on the truck.

Pokerpossum, I guess it would so I better keep them for the truck. I did consider putting a oil pan I have on it! Found the wagon on CL a few months ago. and did a few mods to it.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

The knockoffs are cool.

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Those are Sumitt air cleaner wing nuts, the chevy ones were expensive so I opted for the cheaper ones. Just drill and tap a 1/4 x 20 hole in the axle and your good to go , won't even need a cotter pin to hold the wheels on anymore!

Re: Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build
 

Well I got my drive shaft back and installed. Now to get the transmission mount secured in place.
[IMG]http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...PICT0012-1.jpg[/IMG]
Also found the rams horn exhaust manifolds will have to go:( there is no clearance to the A frame, so I picked up a pair of 95 burb manifolds that exit the rear of the manifold. Time to clean them up and get them in place. The running boards in place tell me the wheel\tire combo will fill out the fender as I wanted but they look to be about 2" too high. Looks like lowering blocks and drop spindles are in my future.