51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[Atommik]

I've got the cab loaded up and ready to bring to work for my Saturday work session, mounting the cab!!

[pinecrest]

Git Summmmmm!!! That's right, baby!.... git it git it git it!


(hope everything goes AWESOME, and I can't wait to see pics!)

[oldman3]

Will be waiting for an update....Jim

[oldman3]

Will be waiting for an update....Jim

[msaintg]

I have a newbe question for you. I am far from the paint stage, but I was thinking about painting just the firewall so that I can put the cab back on and not have to removed it again. I see that you did a real nice job masking off the places where you did not want to paint yet. I was wondering why? If I paint the firewall and get overspray on the cowl area, what does that hurt? what am I missing? thanks

[Atommik]

msaintg, Thats the same reason I painted my fire wall first. I want to mount the cab ONCE. After I get all the front sheet metal fit up, I will install the motor and trans then paint the rest of the cab, doors fenders etc. I still need to build the box. As far as why I masked off the cab like I did, I did all the body work and primed and blocked the entire cab at once. I didn't want to sand off paint overspray on the other areas that I had already primed and sanded. So now when I paint the rest, I will mask off the areas that I've already painted. After I painted the firewall, I brought the cab back to my garage to store until I got the frame, and got it ready. I was afraid if the cab was completely painted while it was sitting in my garage, it would get scratched up. And when I loaded it up to take back to work last night, I did see a couple of areas I will have to re-prime because of some small gouges...I hope this long winded answer, answers your questions!!

[fredscarryall]

nice fab work on the brackets for the cab. your build is awesome.dig the orange.what size square tubing did you use for the cab mounts and what do they measure.

[Atommik]

fredscarryall,
Thanks for the kind comments!! On the cab mounts I used 4" X 4" X 3/16" tubing. It worked well in the rear but in the front I needed to trim off about 1/2 inch in width from each bracket to clear the rockers while mounting. So, over all it worked out well. I used the basic design of "jeffs 51 chevy" whose post had dimensions for making the mounts. My mounts ended up holding the mounting point about 4 1/4 inches off the frame in the rear (including about a 1/2 inch rubber spacer) and about 4 1/2 inches in the front. The back of the cab clears the s10 gas tank by about 3/8 inch.

[Atommik]

I went in to the shop at 6am today and got busy!! Worked till about noon. Then back home for some family time! Hoping to go in again Sunday and Monday mornings!! I got the cab mounted, (haven't welded anything yet, got to fit everything up first!) Bolted on the fenders, trimmed the inner fenders to fit. Overall, a very productive morning!!

[Atommik]

A few more...

[pinecrest]

Do you feel even a little bit guilty about using a lift? NOT FAIR!!!! hehe.

Looking good!!

[Atommik]

One thing that had me wondering for a while this morning, while lining up the left inner fender, I couldn't figure out why it didn't line up to the floor "toe panel" like on the right. There was a large gap 2-3". Luckily we have a computer in the shop and I was able to look at a few builds on this site and figure out that It is supposed to bolt to a bracket on the left side that must have been part of the clutch/ brake/ e-brake assembly. Since I no longer have that bracket, I guess I'll need to make something for the inner fender to bolt to!! Live and learn!!

I'm planning on getting the radiator support figured out tomorrow!

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Atommik

One thing that had me wondering for a while this morning, while lining up the left inner fender, I couldn't figure out why it didn't line up to the floor "toe panel" like on the right. There was a large gap 2-3". Luckily we have a computer in the shop and I was able to look at a few builds on this site and figure out that It is supposed to bolt to a bracket on the left side that must have been part of the clutch/ brake/ e-brake assembly. Since I no longer have that bracket, I guess I'll need to make something for the inner fender to bolt to!! Live and learn!!

I'm planning on getting the radiator support figured out tomorrow!

if you don't want to make one you can get them repop! Or if you want I can post som pics as mine is off now.

[99 to Life]

atommik,

set up there looks awesome. Anyway, just my opinion, It looks a tad shifted to the rear, like it could come forward a few inches. My cab mounts in the front were right by the bend in the frame, just enough to be annoying. It would also help if you had your bed and rear fenders to help moch up the wheel wells in the back with the front at the same time. If you are a little off in the front, your back will suffer. Mine is lowered so I get a different perspective. Looks good though, you'll be on the road in noooo time.

[Atommik]

Went in and worked on the truck Sun and Mon mornings for a few hours each day. I did move the cab ahead. I thought it looked right before, but after shifting it forward it does look much better, Thanks 99 to life, it's always nice to get another opinion!

I modified the radiator support and just had to fit the grill and get a pic. Unfortunately, no one was around so I couldn't fit the hood. I still need to do a little more trimming on the inner fenders and a few other areas. I definately will need to get some front wheel spacers!

[xpickup]

Atommik, looks great and boy have you been busy. It is really coming together fast. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

[oldman3]

Starting to take shape...Jim

[cleanshaven84]

I'm enjoying seeing this one come together. You're making some good headway. Keep it up!

[99 to Life]

attommik, glad I could help. Pics are always a bit deceiving but I thought I mention it. It is such a great feeling moching everything up. Makes you feel like its an actual truck. I got front 1.5" aluminum spacers of egay for like 70 bucks. I'm running 2" in the back. Great progress keep it up. Def nice to have someone help with adjusting cab and hood etc. Sux all alone, but atleast you got a lift, wow would that have made my life easier, and others. anyway, things are really shaping up, lastly def helps to have the bed and rear fenders so you get a happy medium with your wheel wells, also engine and trans too, so you can see where the dist meets the firewall, where your shifter will be and your rad to waterpump clearance.

[Atommik]

More parts fit up this weekend. Spent quite a while getting the hood lined up. Almost finished with all the front sheet metal fit up!!

Also got some tires, so I had them mounted and balanced on my painted IROC wheels! Still need to get chrome lug nuts and some kind of center cap.

[oldman3]

Looking good....Jim

[skymangs]

Looking good brother. someday hopefully my son's
will be at that stage!

[BlueJeep]

Looking good!

[xpickup]

Atommik, Looks great. Fitment looks great on everything too.

Shannon

[68gmc780]

Excuse my body shop ignorance,but is Dura glass filler a brand name and how does it differ from bondo or other body fillers?