47-55.1 S10 Frame Swap on 47-53 - Would you do it again?

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by joedoh

lots of 4x4 guys out there, I have done kits for 5-6 guys, 2 of them have "finished" their trucks and the rest have the body mounted.

the points they make are:

if you start with an ext cab the frame has to be shortened behind the torsion bar crossmember.

the max you can move the engine/trans/transfer case back is 2 3/8" before the transfer case hits the crossmember. you can get more if you notch the crossmember. this impacts your radiator clearance, gotta move it in front of the core support with a v8 swap.

if you start with a longbed s10 truck lining up the sheetmetal is easier than with a 2wd (because of the height off the frame/ride height)

my kit parts will work with a 4x4 except the front bumper mounts which need some slight modification.

there was a guy who built his own brackets and did a 4x4 one on here. looked really good. dont forget maintsg truck too, he converted to 2wd with a 4x4 frame.

Wow. That seems like a lot of intricate work. Glad i went with an 84 GMC step side donor chassis. It was wrecked (cab top sheared off) but fairly easy to put 54 body and bed on by my lonesome and under really rough conditions. Besides it was 24 years ago and S-10s were not cheap then.

[joedoh]

I guess i gotta ask what intricate work I talked about?

shortening the frame is pretty standard if someone start withs the wrong wheelbase; use a longbed and its even easier than the 2wd swap.

moving the motor back wont be an issue for most people, using a v8 does it automatically, just need a trans mount.

the front bumper mount I make now will work just fine on a 4x4 chassis with a little grinding where the swaybar goes.

I think someone could do a 4x4 s10 faster now than it even took you to do the 84 shortbed swap. I have made mounts for those C10 swaps (and jeep J10 swaps, and dodge 2500 swaps, etc) and they are taller because of the kickup under the back of the cab. doesnt hurt on a 4x4 swap, free lift kit haha.

[vintovka]

Altering chassis is a precise art well out side my abilities. Everything you described is intricate compared with straight body swap in a wet cow pie laden pasture with only a couple boards and a cutting torch.

[lgh1157]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

Tell us how you really feel

And i think i did a pretty good job hahahah

If i did do it again, i would buy a "s10 kit" - more for the time i could have saved

I guess they are all a puzzle, . . . . and dont get me wrong, im pretty stoked now that i have it done

Heres a pic :

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I think someone could do a 4x4 s10 faster now than it even took you to do the 84 shortbed swap. I have made mounts for those C10 swaps (and jeep J10 swaps, and dodge 2500 swaps, etc) and they are taller because of the kickup under the back of the cab. doesnt hurt on a 4x4 swap, free lift kit haha.

2 weekends to remove old body and bolt/weld 54 on. 23 years ( and counting) to get it right.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Joedoh will likely chime in but I am thinking a stock height may be tough to pull off and still look stock because the stock s10 2wd is lower in the frame to begin with. you can space the body off the frame to whatever height you want but you can't change the stock s10 frame ride height much. it will get taller with a taller set of tires to match the stock old truck, if that's what you plan, but the stock 2wd s10 likely came with a 235/75r15 which is 28.9" tall

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/chevrolet/s10/1997/

https://tiresize.com/chart/

2wd 80’s s10s had 205/75r14 tires stock. 4WD had 235/75r15.

[28TudorAZ]

Originally Posted by lgh1157

And i think i did a pretty good job hahahah

If i did do it again, i would buy a "s10 kit" - more for the time i could have saved

I guess they are all a puzzle, . . . . and dont get me wrong, im pretty stoked now that i have it done

Heres a pic :

Looks great!!!

[WIDESIDE72]

About ten years ago I came across a good deal on a 55.1 five window pickup. I decided to upgrade the suspension and steering and after weighing the pros and cons of upgrading the stick frame vs an S10 chassis swap, I decided in the s10 swap. I knew where I could pick up a 1985 s10 lwb rolling chassis for $300. I sold all the body parts for $400, so I made money. I decided to use the EZ Chassis swaps kit to save time. I picked up a wider 4x4 rear axle with 4.10 gears and posi for $100 and sold the old rear for $50. The swap kit worked extremely well. If you have the time and skill it may not be worth it to you. It is a little more comprehensive than mentioned above. Not only does it have brackets and instructions for the cab bed and bumpers, but it comes with pieces to mount the s10 steering column and brake booster. Unfortunately “life has gotten in the way” as they say and the truck project is currently dormant. It currently has a rebuilt vortec 350 with a carbed intake, ZZ4 crate motor take out cam, s10 b8 swap headers and an S10 T5 trans. It still needs floors, bodywork and wiring.

[lgh1157]

Originally Posted by 28TudorAZ

Looks great!!!

Thx bro !!!