49, bagged, 6.0, patina, the works

[tetfemal]

The truck looks amazing!!

[reaper71]

Looking good...

Mark...

[84blaze]

Is there a lot of adjustment with the kit, or will you have to modify the kit to move the cab back?

[booney]

looks great so far! I saw on another thread that he put spacers on the front to widen the stance. do you think yours needs it?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Nick!

Nice build, don't know how i missed it before now.

My TF is also getting a 6.0. It's an LQ4 out of an Isuzu box truck that was totaled at 81,000 miles. Because it came from that I got a 4l85e trans. Not sure if the 80 vs. 85 trans is any different externally? I'm being told the 85 is a bit stronger for the heavier loads the NP van carried but I don't know in what specific way. The Trans does stick up a bit more in the cab but a factory stock 4 speed trans floor cover will handle it instead of the stock 3 speed cover.

Looking forward to seeing how you finish your engine's "look"? Right now I am planning to give my engine a conventional SBC look using a Holley intake and Delmo valve cover adapters with Mooneyes or Edelbrock finned valve covers and a large/tall foam air cleaner. But of course this could all change as it gets finalized.

Best, Dan

[NickL]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

Is there a lot of adjustment with the kit, or will you have to modify the kit to move the cab back?

Not really other than the holes being slightly slotted to allow for slight measurement discrepancies. What I actually meant by the cab needing to come back was it's not sitting on the actual mounting points it should be, the parking brake assembly is in the way so it's sitting a hair forward.

Originally Posted by booney

looks great so far! I saw on another thread that he put spacers on the front to widen the stance. do you think yours needs it?

Thanks! If I kept these wheels, they would need them. Most people use 2" spacers on the s10 swap due to the narrowed track width.

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hi Nick!

Nice build, don't know how i missed it before now.

My TF is also getting a 6.0. It's an LQ4 out of an Isuzu box truck that was totaled at 81,000 miles. Because it came from that I got a 4l85e trans. Not sure if the 80 vs. 85 trans is any different externally? I'm being told the 85 is a bit stronger for the heavier loads the NP van carried but I don't know in what specific way. The Trans does stick up a bit more in the cab but a factory stock 4 speed trans floor cover will handle it instead of the stock 3 speed cover.

Looking forward to seeing how you finish your engine's "look"? Right now I am planning to give my engine a conventional SBC look using a Holley intake and Delmo valve cover adapters with Mooneyes or Edelbrock finned valve covers and a large/tall foam air cleaner. But of course this could all change as it gets finalized.

Best, Dan

Thanks Dan! I am actually not too familiar with the 85e and its size comparison to the 80e. I can tell you I probably didn't have to trim the tunnel to fit the 80e although it would have been very tight. But I'm assuming with the Lokar shifter I plan on running with the added height over the tranny, the slight tunnel will be needed. We'll see.

As far as finishing the motor, I'm a big fan of the "modern look old truck" style so I plan on using the plastic vortec engine cover to clean things up and hide the intake mani. Although, I REALLY do like Delmo's line of products to make these things look like a true SBC. I'll be sure to follow your build!

[reaper71]

Hey Nick, Liking the build.
To save fabrication time of having to make a new tunnel you could go with the floor mount shifter from lokar like the one below. I used this style on Blakes 67 and will not go back to the tail mounted one again!
It saves alot of room and if the body ever has to come off you just take off your linkage and the shifter stays with the rig. I already bought one for Orangepeel just my 2 cents.

Mark...

[NickL]

Originally Posted by reaper71

Hey Nick, Liking the build.
To save fabrication time of having to make a new tunnel you could go with the floor mount shifter from lokar like the one below. I used this style on Blakes 67 and will not go back to the tail mounted one again!
It saves alot of room and if the body ever has to come off you just take off your linkage and the shifter stays with the rig. I already bought one for Orangepeel just my 2 cents.

Mark...

Love this, thanks for the great suggestion. Will definitely look into it! Next up is building the steering linkage and getting the column in. Tired of pushing this thing around without being able to steer it haha.

[reaper71]

It's always good when you can direct it where to go without having to kick the tires.
If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, I've worked on a few of these.
What is your plan for the dash....stock or custom?

Mark...

[NickL]

Originally Posted by reaper71

It's always good when you can direct it where to go without having to kick the tires.
If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, I've worked on a few of these.
What is your plan for the dash....stock or custom?

Mark...

Haha thats the story of my life for the past 3 years. I most definitely will, thank you. Dash will be stock with all dakota digital goodies and painted probably an off white along with the remainder of the interior and the wheels.

[reaper71]

This is the Dash and steering wheel I did for mine, all hand made.
I was just curious to see what other Guys are doing on the interior.

Mark...

[84blaze]

Have you made any progress recently?

[NickL]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

Have you made any progress recently?

I got sidetracked with another small build which is now sold and will fund the rest of this build. Really excited to place a big order here to attempt to finish this thing by July.

Would love to see some different steering shaft ideas when it comes to LS's within S10 chassis. I have an idea but am open to different options.

[NickL]

Intake Manifold disassembled waiting for new injector orings and a few other things before reassembly. Also added purge solenoid block off.



Finished the other rear shock mounting. Suspension is all done for now. Nissan d21 hardbody shocks worked out to be the perfect amount of travel





Tons of parts coming in the mail so this weekend should be big progress. Motor will be completely reassembled with accessories/intake mani/headers and dropped back between the frame rails. Speedway upper control arms came today and the rest of all the new steering components should be here this weekend minus the notchless tie rods from MMW. Once the motor/steering is in, onto the fuel system.

[HULK64]

I was planning on running the Proforged S10 steering setup- but I am running drop spindles and close to the same drop setup as you. What's the deal with notchless tie rods? Are they necessary with drop spindles?

[84blaze]

Originally Posted by HULK64

I was planning on running the Proforged S10 steering setup- but I am running drop spindles and close to the same drop setup as you. What's the deal with notchless tie rods? Are they necessary with drop spindles?

If you want a quality steering set up I'd recommend the Little Shop MFG No-toe kit.

S10 NO NOTCH / NO TOE STEERING SYSTEM

I'm running it on my static S10 Blazer and Bagged 49 3100 on S10 chassis. It's a great piece.

[NickL]

Originally Posted by HULK64

I was planning on running the Proforged S10 steering setup- but I am running drop spindles and close to the same drop setup as you. What's the deal with notchless tie rods? Are they necessary with drop spindles?

Everyone has pretty much nailed it. Clearance/to help with bumpsteer. Some updates:

Heres a photo. This is without the motor in the truck and an undersized tire. So you can imagine what it will look like with a larger tire and weight on the frame.



Injectors re-oringed/cleaned. Intake manifold assembled and back on with a new valley pan gasket and knock sensors. S10V8.com 1 5/8 short tubes on.





New water pump, steering box, idler arm, centerlink. Just waiting for my MMW tie rods.



Again but showing the new Speedway GM metric tubular uppers



Took some measurements and decided the 69 Mustang EFI tank from Tanks Inc. would work great. Fabbed some basic mounts and got it in today. Just need to bolt it up and trim the front lip a bit to clear the shocks when aired all the way up.



I'll install the pump tomorrow but am going to wait to run the lines/corvette FPR until after boxing the frame.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I think bumpsteer and toe correction is the big advantage. However I couldn't figure out if it was needed with reasonable sized wheels.

I found out about it literally right after my front end arrived (of course) but since I'm on a clipped AD frame and to lay running board actually doesn't max out the suspension I'm going to hope it all sort of works itself out in the wash....

[84blaze]

Originally Posted by Dave_The_BMXER

I think bumpsteer and toe correction is the big advantage. However I couldn't figure out if it was needed with reasonable sized wheels.

I found out about it literally right after my front end arrived (of course) but since I'm on a clipped AD frame and to lay running board actually doesn't max out the suspension I'm going to hope it all sort of works itself out in the wash....

Only needs 16" Wheels

[gigamanx]

Subscribed! Any reason you went with the 3 link over the 4 link rear from Thorbros? I was considering the same but wasn't sure of the difference between the two.

[NickL]

Originally Posted by gigamanx

Subscribed! Any reason you went with the 3 link over the 4 link rear from Thorbros? I was considering the same but wasn't sure of the difference between the two.

No real reason other than I can't remember them offering a bolt on 4-link back then. Maybe they did haha, been quite some time.

[NickL]

Cab at the blasters



Made some boxing plates from cardboard and had my local machine shop draw them up and cut them on the plasma table. Welding these in soon.



Picking the cab up



Back on the frame for a final test fit now that the parking brake is removed. Then braced before panel replacement



MMW notches tie rods installed



Can finally steer this thing in one piece



Thats it for now. My buddy is making great progress on the cab panel replacements. Ill have some photos soon.

[reaper71]

Looking good, Any plans for the cover on the intake?
Meaning smoothing it out etc..

Mark.

[NickL]

Originally Posted by reaper71

Looking good, Any plans for the cover on the intake?
Meaning smoothing it out etc..

Mark.

Nope, just leaving it. Im more for the OEM styling of it.

[gigamanx]

How far down did you strip the cab before blasting? I think mine will need it but i don't know how much I'm supposed to take off. Do they primer after for you to stop flash rust?