MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Orange52 · 07-09-2009, 04:14 PM

I can't make up my mind. Keep going back and forth trying to decide which way is the better way to go. Each has its pro's and con's. I have both. Ie I have my original frame with an MII crossmember installed (then slightly butchered by me, but nothing a competent fabricator couldn't fix. ie not me), I also have a std cab longbed S10 frame with v8 installed and cab mounts created using plans from Jeff51.

I want a truck that I can reliably drive across the country if I want to. I've read some bad things about MII's tearing the I bolts through the upper A arm mounts, and the fact that special bearings are needed to run the GM rotors isn't something I like.

On the other hand, I don't like the idea of running spacers in the front if I go with the S10 frame.

I'd have this thing done by now if I could just make a decision and stick with it!

Ok, throw your opinions my way! Which is better?

nickp51chevy · 07-09-2009, 04:39 PM

The spacers for the S-10 are perfectly fine if your not planning on taking it off road. They will hold up. You could also get a deeper back space on your wheels. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

iokua80 · 07-10-2009, 08:58 PM

I've done the s10 swap. I like the s10 swap as far being really low and still being able to turn. I'm not running spacers on mine. It works for me.
Later,
Josh

mylow53 · 07-10-2009, 10:15 PM

i'm a fan of the m2. i prefer to use the original frame. i haven't done a s10 swap so i can't say it's easy or hard. but i did the m2 wasn't that hard it was everything else that was hard. and yes get a pro do do your welding. suspension installations are not the place to practice your welding...

Thadious · 07-10-2009, 10:51 PM

Did the S10 swap myself and same issues with the spacers... currently running 2 1/2" ones just for layup, but will be mocking up and building a tubular set, probably from chromoly tubing in the future.

Will post them when I do.

Cheers,
Ted.

54 jimmy · 07-10-2009, 11:50 PM

i don't have any spacers on the front of mine. i don't plan on putting any on. without spacers with stock s10 wheels it gives you a tucked look which i like. i am also running the stock 2wd rear axle with 10 inch wide mags and the backspaceing on the is the same as the stock wheels so it brings the back wheels out to where they need to be. take a look at my build pics and you'll see. the only thing is when i get my box put together i will need a little mini tub in it no big deal.

jeffs51chevy · 07-10-2009, 11:54 PM

For me it was the availibility of the s10 frame and other major components that I already had on hand. I have 15 x 8 cragars with a 2 1/2 back spacing. They fill out the wheel well nicely. I won't run spacers at all. If reliability is what you are going for, the s10 is about as reliable as you are going to find. Not to mention parts are in every town you will roll through. How'd the mounts work. I hope they are working for others and not just me.

Thanks,
Jeff

Orange52 · 07-11-2009, 08:11 AM

Jeff, I've got the front cab mounts temporarily bolted in place, I think they'll work great. Now I just need to decide if that's the best way for me to go.

07-09-2009, 04:14 PM	#1
Orange52 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 17	MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? I can't make up my mind. Keep going back and forth trying to decide which way is the better way to go. Each has its pro's and con's. I have both. Ie I have my original frame with an MII crossmember installed (then slightly butchered by me, but nothing a competent fabricator couldn't fix. ie not me), I also have a std cab longbed S10 frame with v8 installed and cab mounts created using plans from Jeff51. I want a truck that I can reliably drive across the country if I want to. I've read some bad things about MII's tearing the I bolts through the upper A arm mounts, and the fact that special bearings are needed to run the GM rotors isn't something I like. On the other hand, I don't like the idea of running spacers in the front if I go with the S10 frame. I'd have this thing done by now if I could just make a decision and stick with it! Ok, throw your opinions my way! Which is better?

07-09-2009, 04:39 PM	#2
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? The spacers for the S-10 are perfectly fine if your not planning on taking it off road. They will hold up. You could also get a deeper back space on your wheels. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

07-10-2009, 08:58 PM	#3
iokua80 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sylva NC Posts: 92	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? I've done the s10 swap. I like the s10 swap as far being really low and still being able to turn. I'm not running spacers on mine. It works for me. Later, Josh

07-10-2009, 10:15 PM	#4
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? i'm a fan of the m2. i prefer to use the original frame. i haven't done a s10 swap so i can't say it's easy or hard. but i did the m2 wasn't that hard it was everything else that was hard. and yes get a pro do do your welding. suspension installations are not the place to practice your welding... __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5

07-10-2009, 10:51 PM	#5
Thadious Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Creston, BC Canada Posts: 368	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? Did the S10 swap myself and same issues with the spacers... currently running 2 1/2" ones just for layup, but will be mocking up and building a tubular set, probably from chromoly tubing in the future. Will post them when I do. Cheers, Ted. __________________ '51 Chevy Build - In the design stages Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one. If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you... My new build - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...70#post8958970

07-10-2009, 11:50 PM	#6
54 jimmy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: pittston,PA Posts: 1,183	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? i don't have any spacers on the front of mine. i don't plan on putting any on. without spacers with stock s10 wheels it gives you a tucked look which i like. i am also running the stock 2wd rear axle with 10 inch wide mags and the backspaceing on the is the same as the stock wheels so it brings the back wheels out to where they need to be. take a look at my build pics and you'll see. the only thing is when i get my box put together i will need a little mini tub in it no big deal. __________________ There is nothing you can't fix with a BFH or a FIRE WRENCH. 1997 chevy k1500 ext cab z71 (daily driver) sold 1996 chevy k1500 reg cab 4x4(daily driver)totaled 2008jeep patriot (wife's daily driver 2008 chevy 1500 ext cab 4x4 sold 2011 chevy 1500 crew cab ltz (daily driver) 1996 chevy 1500 reg cab 4x4 project sold 2006 pontiac grand prix gxp (daily work commuter) Last edited by 54 jimmy; 07-10-2009 at 11:51 PM.

07-10-2009, 11:54 PM	#7
jeffs51chevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: caldwell, idaho Posts: 132	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? For me it was the availibility of the s10 frame and other major components that I already had on hand. I have 15 x 8 cragars with a 2 1/2 back spacing. They fill out the wheel well nicely. I won't run spacers at all. If reliability is what you are going for, the s10 is about as reliable as you are going to find. Not to mention parts are in every town you will roll through. How'd the mounts work. I hope they are working for others and not just me. Thanks, Jeff

07-11-2009, 08:11 AM	#8
Orange52 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 17	Re: MII or S10 frame swap for AD truck? Jeff, I've got the front cab mounts temporarily bolted in place, I think they'll work great. Now I just need to decide if that's the best way for me to go.



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