54 6100 frame swap?

[mac7bis]

So I made a deal to get a 1954 6100 flatbed and was curious if there is a different frame I can put under it. I have a rotted out 1973 c10 long bed that I'm not sure if it would work. I know that the s10 frames seem to be the prefered choice over the stock frame.
any ideas or opinions?

[mongocanfly]

Your 6100 would be a better fit on a full size frame..an s10 frame is going to look very narrow under there..your trucks front end is wider and longer with much bigger wheel openings than a 3100...pull out your tape measure is the best way to find out..

[joedoh]

here is a "big truck" project that used an s10 frame.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=648459

[mr48chev]

I'd say your 73 Chassis is what you want for the swap. I've got a 51 4000 series out in the back that I have been thinking on a mid 70's Dualie chassis with a flatbed. I've also been thinking on the lines of just swapping the suspension and shortening the 4100 frame to put and 8 ft bed on it. Looking at it that might be simpler than swapping the frame in the long run. Either way you need the full size chassis with some big wheels and tires to make it look right.

[dwcsr]

6100 is a 2 ton truck so you really need something closer to a C40 or C50 if your swapping frames, go to a c10 it would look very odd if any of the sheet metal fit at all. no way a S10 would work.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

no way a S10 would work.

you did look at the link I posted, right? lower50s is done with his, it was a 9000 series on an s10.


mac7bis no one has asked what you are wanting it to look like when you are done? street rod or keep it a big truck? lowered or workhorse?

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by joedoh

you did look at the link I posted, right? lower50s is done with his, it was a 9000 series on an s10.


mac7bis no one has asked what you are wanting it to look like when you are done? street rod or keep it a big truck? lowered or workhorse?

I didn't look at the link until now but there's not much S10 frame under that but ok you can make anything "fit" anything. But if you want it to look normal and drive every day it doesn't fit without serious modification.

With that said it is a very cool and unique truck

[mongocanfly]

I've followed his build as well..it has kinda a funny car look to it with the s10 front tucked under those wide fenders..like stated anything can be "made" to work with enough enginuaty.

[mac7bis]

Originally Posted by joedoh

mac7bis no one has asked what you are wanting it to look like when you are done? street rod or keep it a big truck? lowered or workhorse?

I think it would end up being a slightly lowered workhorse or parts runner. I'm slowly working on a 53 f100 that's getting a 07 crown vic front clip and rear end, so modding to make it work wont be a problem.

I would rather not use an s10 chassis since i can easily get the c10. Based off the pdf and frame measurements/specs I've found online, it looks like it would work.
I'm just curious if anyone else has gone this route.

a pic of the truck

[mac7bis]

Sorry to everyone for the huge picture, it locked me out before i could edit it.

[dsraven]

after a quick peruse through the S10 link I would be leary of doing that with so much weight on the tubular control arms and stock sized S10 ball joints etc. diesels gotta weigh a lot more than a stock v6 that came in an S10. thats just me though, overbuild everything, haha.
if you are just planning on using your new find for a parts chaser and some lighter hauling, why not look at a 1 ton chassis for comparison/fit? if you don't wanna get into a bunch of frame mods and air bags etc, and you wanna ride that won't break your back on every speed bump, that would maybe be a better choice than a 2 ton frame. have you looked at
gmupfitter
for frame specs on newer trucks? there are drawings with dimensions etc.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by dsraven

after a quick peruse through the S10 link I would be leary of doing that with so much weight on the tubular control arms and stock sized S10 ball joints etc. diesels gotta weigh a lot more than a stock v6 that came in an S10.

not to disagree, but if that were true no one would ever use a mustang II, and I have seen stock MII arms on 2 ton big block hot rods.

[47 Fasttoys]

Why not look at something newer? I'm running an '03 1500 chassis. They are a little more up front, say $1000, but you don't have to rebuild all the suspension to get a solid starting platform. The track will work on the 1 1/2 ton and up trucks.
Rob

[55dude]

late model rollover would be a great donor, try the copart insurance auction so you get a complete truck with everything and usually you can start the vehicles before you buy. you could use all the wiring so you didn't have to buy a separate wiring setup than get spendy!

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by joedoh

you did look at the link I posted, right? lower50s is done with his, it was a 9000 series on an s10.

Thanks, that's a cool build thread. But by the time he's done, there's almost nothing left of the S10 frame, lol!