1951 PROJECT... to swap or not to swap!

[masshole]

I just got a 1951 3600 p/u that is in need of a " second chance" it is very solid for being almost 60 years old. I want to use it as a daily driver when it is done..it is a long bed that i will be cutting down to a short bed. my question is... do i go with the 1951 frame and shorten it up,along with mII set up in the front, and 4 link in the back? or.. go the s10 route, 4 link in the rear. i would like to "bag it" but i'm not sure the money will be there for it,and i am trying to be realistic about my build...so please feel free to give your advise and or opinions... thanks Greg

[sgtusmc]

If money is an issue, Try and find a great running long bed standard cab s10 with a 4.3 and A/C. They can be had for pretty cheap. With the purchase of the s10 you don't really need to buy anything major. You get it all gas tank, engine, tranny A/C, IFS and all. You will have to buy some metal for brackets or flip the S10 mounts. The other option is great also, just more costly and work. Just my two pennies. Either way you go...good luck in your build and welcome aboard.
I did the swap, and would do it again.

[masshole]

thanks SGTUSMC .. your build thread was excellent..so your 2 cents is welcomed..and appreciated..i found a long bed reg. cab at a local "bone yard" $200 for the frame only..not bad price I think but no motor/trans or rear end. my friend has a rear end out of a 4x4 s10 blazer that i can have for FREE...I THINK i will look a little more for a more complete truck tho. anyway thanks again for the reply.. Greg

[masshole]

i am going to figure out this whole pic posting thing... (at some point)

[masshole]

this is my 51 as I just got it

[sgtusmc]

Your very welcome sir. If it were me I'd pass on the frame. By the time you add all the parts, money wise and time locating parts you might be spending more money in the end than buy'n a complete running truck. Remember you can use a extended cab if the deal is great. It will just take more time fabbing it up to fit. If you have the time a deal will show itself. The way I post my pic's is via www.photobucket.com.

[sgtusmc]

As I was...looks like you figured it out.

[masshole]

sgtusmc.. my 2 brothers are USMC...so I had to send them pics of your truck. they are also out in Cali. I am hoping to spend x-mas out there (oceanside) so I will keep an eye out for ya on the streets.....

[masshole]

well cab has been taken off frame and put on the table so iI can start doing the sheet metalwork. it looks like at some point the driver door was over extended, and put a long crease in the side cowl. I think I am going to just order the replacement cowl rather than weld up all the dent puller holes..

[pgf545]

On that door...the one I am working on had the same problem. Watch the area where the hinges mount mine was bent forward also and I had to straighten it out. I did the inner cowl also but only because it was rusty. I think I have some pictures on my build thread if not let me know and I will see what I have here.

Bernie

[masshole]

THANKS Bernie, I will check to see if mine is bent tonight. Also I noticed that the pass side cowl on mine .....the vent fins have been bent up for some strange reason. whoever did it, did a good job because they are consistantly BENT! at first I thought it was factory but after seeing some other pics it's not,so I guess I will be ordering both sides and replacing theem. I will post a pic tonight so you guys can see what I am talking about. question: to drill out all the spot welds what works best? just a drill bit or a spot weld cutter? I have never used a spot weld cutter so i'm not sure. thanks
Greg

[masshole]

here is a pic of cowl vent on the pass side that has been bent. do I cut the vent out and just patch the hole....or replace cowl panel?

[solidaxel]

............. Cut it our and fill it, not needed.

[masshole]

ok I know its kinda early in my build, but I am thinking about what seat to use. I saw a truck on here somewhere that used a 3rd row seat from a chevy tahoe, but now i can't find it....i guess i will just start drilling out the 100 or so spot welds that hold the factory seat pan tothe floor. If anyone has seen the truck with the 3rd row seat on here would ya let me konw where to find it. thanks Greg

[masshole]

well to 'SWAP" it is! got my donor s10 this week, I almost feel bad having to rip off the body( not really) LOL.. just want to keep moving forward on my 51.I got the bent vent cut out and also the old seat mount was removed(thanks to my 14yr old) so if all goes well I can fill vent hole with new metal in the a.m. and then start on s10 tear down. the s10 has a ZZ4 350 with a 5 speed,HOLY COW is it fast. I see a 4 link in the rear of it ASAP! So stay tuned for more updates and pics...........Greg

[masshole]

vent out

[masshole]

are my pics way to big? If so, can someone tell me how to shrink them? thanks Greg

[masshole]

"the donor"

[masshole]

my helper!!

[masshole]

seat mount cut out

[masshole]

filled the old gas filler hole, now I need to drill out all the spot welds on the side cowl to replace the panel....is it a pain in the a@@ to replace these? any advice before i get started would be helpful. thanks Greg

[solidaxel]

Just follow the seam below the hood hinge, locate and drill out the spots.
When you have the new aftermarket panel in place make sure the rounded edge of the hood fits the same contoure as the new panel, before it is in paint !!!

[sgtusmc]

That's a really nice donor. You should be able to sell most of it. Any pic's of the engine?

[masshole]

spent a few hours yesterday working on the 51, I was able to remove the pass side cowl after drilling out what seemed like hundreds of spot welds! I am going to order the replacement panel today.


No pics of thr motor yet SGT. but I will take some and post them up.

[masshole]