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Dan Bowles · 12-07-2009, 09:23 AM

Steve,

It is good to know the limits of your ability AND your checkbook.

My son and I had spent a couple of years working on his '54. We'd installed a 327/NV3500, a 4x4 rear end, 2" wheel spacers front and rear, and a Blazer fuel tank. We'd put in the Autometer gauges and an '88 bench seat. We'd also worked with a friend to mount the stock column with bushing to the S10 box. We had built our own mounts for the cab, bed, and front radiator supports.

A group of us had gotten together in April 08 and run all the brakes and had them functional.

We tinkered with stuff like inner fenders and modifications to the front mounts all summer. As winter 08/09 came, I realized I was out of ability! I ran the wiring harness TO the areas they go to and wrapped them with cable ties. That's when I called a friend with a shop.

Super Bowl Sunday this year we hauled it in. We worked 5-8 hours each day from Sunday to Friday night. We were able to use the lights, prime the electric fuel pump, and crank the engine. Still some things to do the following weeks and we fired on 9 March.

The bill? Well, if he'd charged us shop time for his time, it was about 30 hours, probably more. Fees of about $200 for grade 8s, battery, cables, wire ends, etc. Extras of about $200 more for our NAPA runs.

What we got out of it was an experience and an education. I have the utmost respect for this gent. Court has a truck he can drive!

I know if I did it again, I'd have problems but I've got much more confidence now.

Try to go as far as you can. You've got the kit, strip the frame and install it. Get a cherry picker and put the cab on. Mount the bed. Mount what you can. Look for help along the way!

12-07-2009, 09:23 AM	#5
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: s10 swap cost Steve, It is good to know the limits of your ability AND your checkbook. My son and I had spent a couple of years working on his '54. We'd installed a 327/NV3500, a 4x4 rear end, 2" wheel spacers front and rear, and a Blazer fuel tank. We'd put in the Autometer gauges and an '88 bench seat. We'd also worked with a friend to mount the stock column with bushing to the S10 box. We had built our own mounts for the cab, bed, and front radiator supports. A group of us had gotten together in April 08 and run all the brakes and had them functional. We tinkered with stuff like inner fenders and modifications to the front mounts all summer. As winter 08/09 came, I realized I was out of ability! I ran the wiring harness TO the areas they go to and wrapped them with cable ties. That's when I called a friend with a shop. Super Bowl Sunday this year we hauled it in. We worked 5-8 hours each day from Sunday to Friday night. We were able to use the lights, prime the electric fuel pump, and crank the engine. Still some things to do the following weeks and we fired on 9 March. The bill? Well, if he'd charged us shop time for his time, it was about 30 hours, probably more. Fees of about $200 for grade 8s, battery, cables, wire ends, etc. Extras of about $200 more for our NAPA runs. What we got out of it was an experience and an education. I have the utmost respect for this gent. Court has a truck he can drive! I know if I did it again, I'd have problems but I've got much more confidence now. Try to go as far as you can. You've got the kit, strip the frame and install it. Get a cherry picker and put the cab on. Mount the bed. Mount what you can. Look for help along the way!