Frame swaps - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigblockc10 · 09-12-2005, 10:09 PM

I don't know if this question has come up before I would assume it has but I'll ask anyway if it has maybe you can direct me to the thread.

Okay here goes I have a 70 swb stepside that I am back-halving I am wondering if it is possible to use a chevy S10 frame as a start for reasons of availabilty,price,newer technology etc.etc.

I realize fabrication would be required which is no problem I have all the cool toy's to do such work(plasma cutter,Mig welder,frame jig) I was wondering if it would be worth the effort has anyone done such a swap I know the older trucks have done such a swap.

Any input good or bad would be appreciated.
Thanks for a great site

Stroker · 09-12-2005, 10:52 PM

I would think the stock trailing arm suspension properly set up would be better than what the s10 could offer, but I'm no expert in the suspension field. I've seen pic posted with the front wheels in the air using basicly a stock rear suspension with coil overs. I believe a 14 inch wide tire will fit with some tubbing and the right offset.

bigblockc10 · 09-12-2005, 10:59 PM

Yeah I saw trhe same pic's.
However I am backhalving anyway 4 link narrowed F***d 9 inch coil over yada yada.
I just need or want a newer front suspension set-up without going the custom route.
Does this make sense or am I out in left field way out!

bigblockc10 · 09-12-2005, 11:09 PM

Oh forgot to mention new tires are 28.5X18.5.
Got them brand new with new polished centerlines skinny's for the front for 300.00 from a street rod buddy took them off his TBucket he went old school steels and moon caps.

milehightoyz · 09-12-2005, 11:25 PM

i dont know if this would be of any help to you or not but i used an s-10 front frame stub and rearend under my 58 chevy shortbed. my initial intention on using the s-10 stub rather then the typical camaro/nova subframe was that there were tons of inexpensive and easy to find parts available for them (ie, drop parts, air suspension etc.) as you may already know the s-10 frame is far narrower then the fullsize truck frames which make them look a little goofy. i wanted this look prolly for the same reasons you do, because i wanted really wide wheels. i was going for a "slammed dub city" style truck with 18x10s on the front and 20x12s on the rear. i would make up the difference in frame widths with reverse backspacings on ym wheels giving me huge wheel lips on front and rear. here are a few old pics too show you what i mean, that is an 18x0 on front with 5" backspace and there is still tons of space bewteeen the wheel outer lip and the fender. anyway in the end if i could do over i would probably not use s-10 stub and go with the camaro/nova subframe instead.

here are some old pics of the truck when i first started on it, that is a stock s-10 front end before any drop parts were installed. this is a front pic to show how wide of a wheel you can fit up fornt with gobs of space still for more. that is an 18x10 with a 295/45/18" tire and 5" back space on the front and a stock tire next to it.

Side pic to show 4" lip on the wheel:

Profile pic:

milehightoyz · 09-12-2005, 11:26 PM

p.s. since you are getting backhalved anyways, why not just throw a 73-87 crossmember under your front end?

Stroker · 09-13-2005, 12:26 AM

OK, now I understand what your doing. I was thinking you where planning to use the S10 frame as back half on the 70. I don't know of anyone using the S10 frame under the 67-72s. If you go for it be sure to take pictures as you go. I'de like to know how it works out.
BTW the 58 looks Cool.

09-12-2005, 10:09 PM	#1
bigblockc10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Holland Pa. Posts: 76	Frame swaps I don't know if this question has come up before I would assume it has but I'll ask anyway if it has maybe you can direct me to the thread. Okay here goes I have a 70 swb stepside that I am back-halving I am wondering if it is possible to use a chevy S10 frame as a start for reasons of availabilty,price,newer technology etc.etc. I realize fabrication would be required which is no problem I have all the cool toy's to do such work(plasma cutter,Mig welder,frame jig) I was wondering if it would be worth the effort has anyone done such a swap I know the older trucks have done such a swap. Any input good or bad would be appreciated. Thanks for a great site __________________ 1970 C10 Stepside (soon to be a 68 w/PS/PB/S&W back-half narrowed F**D 9inch w/Discs) 66 427/435 corvette motor (hopefully 871 Blower) 66 M21 4 speed (swapped in a built TH400) 31/16.5/15 Mickeys (soon to be 29.5X18.5X15 MT) 1972 C10 Stepside Pro-Street 1988 bed 3" Top Chop Custom Red Pearl paint w/overlapping Ghost Flames P/S P/W P/B P/DL P/door open Everything Shaved Frenched antenna 461CI BBC BDS Blower 1100 Dynoed HP TH400 Super Heavy Duty Full Back-Half Narrowed 12 Bolt 4:10

09-12-2005, 10:52 PM	#2
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	I would think the stock trailing arm suspension properly set up would be better than what the s10 could offer, but I'm no expert in the suspension field. I've seen pic posted with the front wheels in the air using basicly a stock rear suspension with coil overs. I believe a 14 inch wide tire will fit with some tubbing and the right offset. __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

09-12-2005, 10:59 PM	#3
bigblockc10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Holland Pa. Posts: 76	Yeah I saw trhe same pic's. However I am backhalving anyway 4 link narrowed F*d 9 inch coil over yada yada. I just need or want a newer front suspension set-up without going the custom route. Does this make sense or am I out in left field way out! __________________ 1970 C10 Stepside (soon to be a 68 w/PS/PB/S&W back-half narrowed FD 9inch w/Discs) 66 427/435 corvette motor (hopefully 871 Blower) 66 M21 4 speed (swapped in a built TH400) 31/16.5/15 Mickeys (soon to be 29.5X18.5X15 MT) 1972 C10 Stepside Pro-Street 1988 bed 3" Top Chop Custom Red Pearl paint w/overlapping Ghost Flames P/S P/W P/B P/DL P/door open Everything Shaved Frenched antenna 461CI BBC BDS Blower 1100 Dynoed HP TH400 Super Heavy Duty Full Back-Half Narrowed 12 Bolt 4:10

09-12-2005, 11:09 PM	#4
bigblockc10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Holland Pa. Posts: 76	frame swap Oh forgot to mention new tires are 28.5X18.5. Got them brand new with new polished centerlines skinny's for the front for 300.00 from a street rod buddy took them off his TBucket he went old school steels and moon caps. __________________ 1970 C10 Stepside (soon to be a 68 w/PS/PB/S&W back-half narrowed F**D 9inch w/Discs) 66 427/435 corvette motor (hopefully 871 Blower) 66 M21 4 speed (swapped in a built TH400) 31/16.5/15 Mickeys (soon to be 29.5X18.5X15 MT) 1972 C10 Stepside Pro-Street 1988 bed 3" Top Chop Custom Red Pearl paint w/overlapping Ghost Flames P/S P/W P/B P/DL P/door open Everything Shaved Frenched antenna 461CI BBC BDS Blower 1100 Dynoed HP TH400 Super Heavy Duty Full Back-Half Narrowed 12 Bolt 4:10

09-13-2005, 12:26 AM	#7
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	OK, now I understand what your doing. I was thinking you where planning to use the S10 frame as back half on the 70. I don't know of anyone using the S10 frame under the 67-72s. If you go for it be sure to take pictures as you go. I'de like to know how it works out. BTW the 58 looks Cool. __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

09-12-2005, 11:25 PM	#5
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 600	i dont know if this would be of any help to you or not but i used an s-10 front frame stub and rearend under my 58 chevy shortbed. my initial intention on using the s-10 stub rather then the typical camaro/nova subframe was that there were tons of inexpensive and easy to find parts available for them (ie, drop parts, air suspension etc.) as you may already know the s-10 frame is far narrower then the fullsize truck frames which make them look a little goofy. i wanted this look prolly for the same reasons you do, because i wanted really wide wheels. i was going for a "slammed dub city" style truck with 18x10s on the front and 20x12s on the rear. i would make up the difference in frame widths with reverse backspacings on ym wheels giving me huge wheel lips on front and rear. here are a few old pics too show you what i mean, that is an 18x0 on front with 5" backspace and there is still tons of space bewteeen the wheel outer lip and the fender. anyway in the end if i could do over i would probably not use s-10 stub and go with the camaro/nova subframe instead. here are some old pics of the truck when i first started on it, that is a stock s-10 front end before any drop parts were installed. this is a front pic to show how wide of a wheel you can fit up fornt with gobs of space still for more. that is an 18x10 with a 295/45/18" tire and 5" back space on the front and a stock tire next to it. Side pic to show 4" lip on the wheel: Profile pic:

09-12-2005, 11:26 PM	#6
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 600	p.s. since you are getting backhalved anyways, why not just throw a 73-87 crossmember under your front end?



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