Another s-10 swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GADRE · 08-01-2016, 11:53 PM

hi everyone, first time poster but long time looker. Been actively searching your site for ages and finally thought I should just ask, excuse my naiveness but here's my question. I have a 50 AD 2-ton and I'm looking at different frame swap options, one donor that has an unbeatable price is a 2000 Dodge Durango. Is this a pipe dream or can this be done? Thanks in advance!

Bushwickbill · 08-02-2016, 12:03 AM

Anything can work just depends on how much effort it will take. as long as the track width and wheel base are close it would be fine

MiraclePieCo · 08-02-2016, 05:17 AM

Sounds feasible as any frame swap to me. You may start a whole new trend!

iowaboynca · 08-02-2016, 11:52 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414646

Here's thilde's dakota swap

GADRE · 08-03-2016, 01:12 AM

Great, thanks for the info! I'll do a more thorough reading of thidle's build but it looks close. If I go through with this I'll post what I can and let everyone know what happens and probably try for some advice on things.
Cheers,

HUSSEY · 08-03-2016, 10:04 AM

There was a good build thread on the HAMB called AD-Kota, or something like that, using a Dakota chassis, but it got deleted. **Edit, actually, that was the one I was thinking about in the link above--he just goes my a different name on the HAMB.**

Even if you can get a Durango chassis on the cheap you should also consider the wide selection of aftermarket parts and support for the S10 chassis. Though I've never made a comparison, I would say it's 100x more than the Durango or Dakota.

**joedoh** · 08-03-2016, 10:30 AM

thats a good point, everyone and their mom makes s10 lowering parts.

man the fab work in thilde's truck is awesome. I like that the steering is rack and pinion and is behind the AD core support too.

mr48chev · 08-03-2016, 02:24 PM

Dakota is the right width to get the wheels out in the fenders without spacers but many including the one I have in my yard have real small brakes on them. Industrial Chassis does sell caliper brackets to use with the larger truck or Mopar big car rotors though.
I'm just going to use the front suspension and steering and the AX-15 TRans with my stock frame and the decision to use the rear springs is up in the air as I might build a trailer out of the box and rear section of the frame to get my original investment back.

gusman · 08-19-2016, 09:03 AM

I have a 52 on a 97 Dakota chassis. I ended up having to move the motor back 5" or so to clear a radiator. Keep in mind the motors in those chassis (as well as the rear diffs) are positioned slightly on the passenger side of the chassis. Haven't touched it in a year due to building a house but hoping next summer being able to start in on it again.

I used this chassis because I already had the dakota and the motor had 1000 miles on it and all new chassis components when I realized a 97 dakota would never really be "cool" so I yanked the sheet metal off and picked up a rotted out '52 and the rest is history. The dimensions do line up really nicely though.

08-01-2016, 11:53 PM	#1
GADRE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: alberta Posts: 3	Another s-10 swap question hi everyone, first time poster but long time looker. Been actively searching your site for ages and finally thought I should just ask, excuse my naiveness but here's my question. I have a 50 AD 2-ton and I'm looking at different frame swap options, one donor that has an unbeatable price is a 2000 Dodge Durango. Is this a pipe dream or can this be done? Thanks in advance!

08-02-2016, 12:03 AM	#2
Bushwickbill Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kansas Posts: 12	Re: Another s-10 swap question Anything can work just depends on how much effort it will take. as long as the track width and wheel base are close it would be fine

08-02-2016, 05:17 AM	#3
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Another s-10 swap question Sounds feasible as any frame swap to me. You may start a whole new trend! __________________ 1951 Chevy Panel Truck

08-02-2016, 11:52 AM	#4
iowaboynca Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Side of the valley, CA Posts: 878	Re: Another s-10 swap question http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414646 Here's thilde's dakota swap __________________ Build: "1950" GMC -Charlotte

08-03-2016, 01:12 AM	#5
GADRE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: alberta Posts: 3	Re: Another s-10 swap question Great, thanks for the info! I'll do a more thorough reading of thidle's build but it looks close. If I go through with this I'll post what I can and let everyone know what happens and probably try for some advice on things. Cheers,

08-03-2016, 10:04 AM	#6
HUSSEY Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 572	Re: Another s-10 swap question There was a good build thread on the HAMB called AD-Kota, or something like that, using a Dakota chassis, but it got deleted. Edit, actually, that was the one I was thinking about in the link above--he just goes my a different name on the HAMB. Even if you can get a Durango chassis on the cheap you should also consider the wide selection of aftermarket parts and support for the S10 chassis. Though I've never made a comparison, I would say it's 100x more than the Durango or Dakota. __________________ My 49 AD Build / S10 Chassis -- Thread -- Pictures -- S10 Conversion Mounts Last edited by HUSSEY; 08-03-2016 at 10:47 AM.

08-03-2016, 10:30 AM	#7
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,773	Re: Another s-10 swap question thats a good point, everyone and their mom makes s10 lowering parts. man the fab work in thilde's truck is awesome. I like that the steering is rack and pinion and is behind the AD core support too. __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

08-03-2016, 02:24 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,500	Re: Another s-10 swap question Dakota is the right width to get the wheels out in the fenders without spacers but many including the one I have in my yard have real small brakes on them. Industrial Chassis does sell caliper brackets to use with the larger truck or Mopar big car rotors though. I'm just going to use the front suspension and steering and the AX-15 TRans with my stock frame and the decision to use the rear springs is up in the air as I might build a trailer out of the box and rear section of the frame to get my original investment back. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-19-2016, 09:03 AM	#9
gusman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Rochester, MA Posts: 19	Re: Another s-10 swap question I have a 52 on a 97 Dakota chassis. I ended up having to move the motor back 5" or so to clear a radiator. Keep in mind the motors in those chassis (as well as the rear diffs) are positioned slightly on the passenger side of the chassis. Haven't touched it in a year due to building a house but hoping next summer being able to start in on it again. I used this chassis because I already had the dakota and the motor had 1000 miles on it and all new chassis components when I realized a 97 dakota would never really be "cool" so I yanked the sheet metal off and picked up a rotted out '52 and the rest is history. The dimensions do line up really nicely though.



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