'53 gmc new project

[kdog3121]

Gents

Here's a pic of my progress so far, will get some better pics this week. stock '53 gmc chassis, notched rear, S10 4x4 axle (to be), custom notches, 6-link custom built w/ 1.5" bars from suicide doors, boxed frame rails, 7" bags all the way around, front '94 S10 clip, 20's front 22's rear, 350 chevy / 700 transmission, not painting it, leaving it patina!! Just started work about a month agao, hope to be driving spring of '10!



Thanks,
Kent

[LEEVON]

Welcome to the Board Kent. Don't forget to stop by the welcome area and make an introduction. I want to see your project, you might have better luck with your pics at www.flickr.com the medium size pics are perfect for posting.

[bjcaldwe]

I look forward to more progress on your ride. I have a 49ish gmc frame with an s10 clip. I am not sure what year it is though. I am building mine a gmc. What is your front end setup?

[ya it is a classic]

looks fun! i just found a 55 chevy for $150 in almost perfect condition. the guy didnt have any plans for it so he was like wats it worth to you and i was like $250 and he was like o no! like $150 and i was like sweet. i love the pantina by the way gives that old school look to the trucks

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by kdog3121

I'm trying to convert from GMC to chevy front clip...

[c10addict]

Sounds like a fun build.... Just curious why you are going to use an S10 rear and a S10 front clip.. Why not just use the entire S10 frame like alot of others (inc me) are doing???

[kdog3121]

thanks for the comments guys, reasons i went with the orignal frame:

1. don't like how the body mounts sit high in the s10 frame
2. couldn't find a decent s10 chassis around where i am (Northeast) for a few months so i cut a clip off one at the junkyard -getting a full chassis home is another story and couldn't find a cheap running or even parts truck (looked all summer, everyone wanted way too much) also would have had to buy the 4x4 s10 rear end separately anyway
3. doing a completely custom rear link setup that would have required a backhalf of either chassis so that was a wash either way
4. didn't want to spend time fab up all new mounts for the body, running boards etc for the conversion to s10 frame

imo, it was easier to clip the truck which took me a day to do rather than build new mounts for the body which i would have spent a week doing. right now i'm only into the front clip for a hundred bucks.

every project is different in it's own way, this one will have a clean drivetrain and frame wheel combo with the original body and paint when it's driving

[c10addict]

Wasn't knocking what you were doing, just asking the question....Can't wait to see it come together... Love the Patina trucks.. I own two... Get us some better pics!!

[kdog3121]

mocked up, ready for rear end and motor transmission install.



Kent

[Fat Mike]

Can you post some pictures of your your frame work. Is it possible to run 22's in the front as well as the rear.

[kdog3121]

One of the memory cards inside my computer decided to just stop working... so that's fixed now and i'm finally back in the mix.

fat mike, what matters is the overall height of the wheel / tire combo, not the height of the rim.

I have 22's on the rear with a really thin 30 profile tire. It's going to be close to laying out running boards but I don't think the depth of the rear fender will allow the truck to sit any lower with the overall height of the tire/rim. I'm thinking of going with a 35 or 40 profile tire ilo the 30 i'm running now, just doesn't look proportional.

On the front, I have a 20" rim and a 35 profile tire -it's actually not a 30 as stated above. The rims were ordered for an S10 which works well since it has an S10 clip so the clearance lock to lock is fine. Not sure about 22's on the front, probably could tuck them easier than the rear but again depends on overall height of the combo.

[Fat Mike]

can you send us pictures of your frame? Interested in your bag set up and link system.

[wood1]

Sick!!! Great stance.. Those Intros? Nice!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looks killer! Those wheels are sweet too!

[Dinos63]

The stance is killer !!

[kdog3121]

Got the new chevy grille this past weekend, and finally found a chevy truck hood.

[99 to Life]

Subscribed.

"rust and chrome is all I'll own" -99 to Life

[stepside83]

truck looks good cant wait to see more

[xJoey Dubsx]

How did you put the front end of the s10 on it? Could you show pics?

[1950 GMC]

[kdog3121]

S10 front clip grafted to original '53 frame. It's 3/16" plate cut to make the transition, inside is reinforced with 1/4" plate plug welded to the inner frame for strength. I'm going to box the entire frame eventually.

Just started working on it again, I'll post some more progress pics as work continues.

[Fat Mike]

Very clean looking subframe job. I really like your truck. Gives me alot of ideas on my build. Keep us posted and please show some pictures of you link system.

[kdog3121]

Here's a pic of the rear end / 6 link in progress. Just picked up a 4x4 S10 blazer rear end out of a '98 with discs (59.25") yesterday. Fits better than the ZR2 axle (63.25"), plenty of clearance on the fenders but had to trim the bed slightly with only a 255/35 tire. The rear rails are boxed and notched out of 3/16" stock.

The 6 link is modeled similar to the Thornebecke bros kit. Most of the brackets and links are done now, just need to tack everything in place. The two link brackets where the triangular bars join will be mounted under the crossmember. The bags will ride on the rear link bars. Still need to mount the shock bar, fab axle brackets for the triangular links and complete the bottom rails of the frame where it's notched.

This past weekend I finished the new radiator support, front bumper mounts and steering column base mount. Working on the rear end next weekend, hopefully I'll be fabbing mounts for the motor/trans soon!

[GRIMSS]

Looking good. I really like the notch, kind of like my panel.

[mobileortho]

Great looking truck!