s10 frame guys

[whammer33024]

talking to the 47-55 guys, would you do it again? if you had a good stock frame, would you still go s10 or mod the stock frame? trying to decide what route i want to go. i like the idea of finding parts on the shelf at my parts store as oppose to having to order everything in.

any thoughts are welcome

[Rude Dude]

It all boils down to one thing how deep are your pockets, if you got a nice frame and $$$. then aftermarket! If limited budget go with S-10

Originally Posted by whammer33024

talking to the 47-55 guys, would you do it again? if you had a good stock frame, would you still go s10 or mod the stock frame? trying to decide what route i want to go. i like the idea of finding parts on the shelf at my parts store as oppose to having to order everything in.

any thoughts are welcome

[ozzie50]

This is a tricky question. If I had the money sitting around I would modify the OG frame. However, Since I picked up an s-10 for 200 dollars and I sold the extra parts for 300 I ended up on the plus in that area. It wasn't just the idea of the frame, but also it has a gas tank in a decent spot, which would have been an extra cost If I bought a new tank. If I was making a show truck I would want to use a modified frame, but I am not. For me I will get my truck on the road a lot faster then saving up for Mustang II kit. I have probably spent a total of 150 on metal for the swap.

Also, watching swap threads it seems like a lot of added work if you don't use a long bed frame.. And those are getting pricey now.

[98layinframe]

Long bed s10's are selling for a premium around my area due to everyone doing body swaps on older vehicles.. so clipping the stock frame is the way im headed. Just have to decide if i should run the 2wd s10 clip, 4x4 s10 clip.. of which i both have or spend money on a G body clip.
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[whammer33024]

thanks for the responses guys. budget will definitely be limited. i own a parts store so parts won't be expensive, but availability for the older stuff can get pretty iffy. haven't really looked around to see if there are many longbed s10s around the area, but i'm sure with a little looking i can find something.

between my dad and i, we have probably owned 25 s10s over the years. both of our delivery vehicles are s10s so we definitely have familiarity with those. this would be my first real build ever. i do have a 97 camaro SS with a 396 LT1, but didn't have to do too much work to that. dad has built several vehicles in his time and won many awards so i'm sure we could figure things out between us

[ozzie50]

Be sure you bookmark all the s10 swaps on this site and a few others. jeffs51, bluejeep's, rhodoggs just to name a few. I owe a lot of my build going pretty easy to all the people who made threads and posts.

[whammer33024]

good call ozzie, i will do that.

i may have a beat on an 84 longbox s10...i will keep you all posted and welcome any more thoughts

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I did a 54 a few years back with Camaro clip, and I'm about 75% done (cab, bed & running boards are all on) with a 53 S-10 swap.
Just my opinion; the Camaro clip was WAY easier and no difference in price. For me, the running boards on the S-10 was the biggest challenge.

[mknittle]

if I have the money next time I will build one. other wise I would start with a 3/4 ton and modify it.

[S10Fan]

My 50 is sitting on an S-10 chassis, but. My OG frame was a mess and unsafe to use. If my OG frame had been unmolested I would have used it in a heartbeat.

4-link kits are cheap if you do the welding and the mustangII setups aren't too bad if again, you do all the welding.