Blazed and Confused: 55 Series 1 on 02 Blazer Frame

[Rabid Anti-Dentite]

Having done a 54/S10 frame swap in the past, but not being able to keep it, I decided to attempt it again. On the last truck, I used the Code 504 frame swap kit, but I want to keep this one on a tight budget, so I am going a different route.

I will upload some pictures when I get home, but here is what I have, and my plan.

1955 Chevy 3100 Short Bed - $1800
2002 Chevy Blazer 4 Door Rolling Chassis - $150
Blazer front end rebuild kit - $95
40' of 2"x1" 11 gauge steel tube- $67
15' of 2"x2" .125" steel tube - $36
10' of 4"x4" .125" steel tube - $48
3'x3' 3/16" steel plate - $15
5.3 LM7 w/ 4L60e - $500
18" wheels and tires - $300

Total - $3,011

My plan is to swap the body onto the blazer frame (107" wheelbase) remove 9" from the front bedsides, install the 5.3/4L60, lower it a few inches, redo the entire interior and drive it. I want to stay below $7500 all said and done.

So far I have removed almost everything from the Blazer frame except the suspension/wheels tires and steering components. I then covered the frame in muriatic acid and pressured washed the frame to strip to bare metal, followed by a coat of gloss black paint. The front 6 body mounts have been removed, I have kept the back 4 because I think I can either use them as bed cross sill mounts, or they wont be in the way.

I have fabbed up the body mounts using Hussey's design, and I plan on bolting those on to the frame instead of welding them.

I will order the Code 504 LS engine mounts, and fab up my own trans cross member.

The 1955 Series 1 got dropped of at my house last night, and the truck is very clean, just needs the typical AD stuff like cab corners.

I will add some pictures soon, but I am hoping to get this up and running quickly, then work on a major part of it every year, with next years project being paint and body work.