My version of the s10 swap

[oldman3]

Very nice work...Jim

[Cape Codder]

Just want to say I am impressed with the fab work and the imagination to solve the problems with this swap to your advantage. Nice work.

[xpickup]

BlueJeep, that should keep the dirt contained. Nice job.


Shannon

[BlueJeep]

Just a little more work this week. I came up with a different solution than most for supporting the front clip. I made some outriggers to capture both ends of the grille, this ties in the strongest section of the front end securely to the radiator support. By doing this I don't feel that I need to reinstall the fender braces, and I'll re-purpose those holes for mounting the inner fenders.

Driver's side:


More to come....

[BlueJeep]

Now that my radiator support has more to it, I can use it to mount the front of the inner fenders.



And some bracing for the rear of the inner fenders:


My newly widened wheel tubs:


And welding more up:




A little more finish work on this one and it'll be about done, then just carbon copy it for the other side and on to the next task.

[99 to Life]

looking good

[xpickup]

BlueJeep, I can not wait to see them in the wheel well. I will look good.


Shannon

[Mater/10]

This Build is Awesome bud Keeper Rollin!

[skymangs]

Awesome work man...

[BlueJeep]

Finished welding up the first inner fender, and bolted it back in. Since I still have the coil spring removed I was able to cycle the upper control arm and trim as needed to get it to full stuff.

All the way down:


And all the way up:


Here's a shot looking up and back:


Here's up and forward:


And this is what I had hoped for the entire time. No longer should this truck get road grit spraying up on the cowl, fender mounting flanges, etc. I think I'll hang a little mud flap off this too, just to keep the bottom of the running boards clean as well. With all this prep, I'd better put some miles on this to make it all worthwhile....

[99 to Life]

looks good, whats your plan to access the headlight buckets/wiring?

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

looks good, whats your plan to access the headlight buckets/wiring?

It'll be much easier than stock my friend! I now have access to it from the engine compartment. I have new lights for it that have the replaceable bulbs that pull out of the back, so I'll cut the backs out of the original buckets and I'll be able to reach in from the engine compartment and change them, just like on newer cars.

View from engine compartment:


Plenty of room right here for the wires to run. On the passenger side I'll route my heater and AC hoses up and over the inner fender:


And lots of room at the back to run them wherever I need/want to:

[ghettoluxury]

Very nice way to fix the only real problem with this body style.

[99 to Life]

aiight, yeah those pics help me out. should be a nice set up then. good work.

[oldman3]

Really like what you did, nice job...Jim

[BlueJeep]

Here's the plan for the ECM. This will go between the new inner fender and the firewall on the driver's side. Just need to pull out the wiring harness and make sure it's long enough before I mount it solid.

s10 ECM bracket part 15995679

[STOCKISH]

Very nice work, love the tubs.

[BlueJeep]

2nd side is far easier and quicker than the first. I hope to finish it up tomorrow so that I can move on to other things.

[99 to Life]

nice work, 2nd time around yeah always nicer aint it!!

[BlueJeep]

Now that I'm over my cold, I was able to get something done. Inner fender is now in. Now there is plenty of room for the A/C compressor.





Now I have to find room for the battery here:

[skymangs]

Damn that's nice looking work!

[BlueJeep]

It feels so good to be working on something other than inner fenders for a change.

Next up is figuring out where I want to mount the A/C. I need to make sure my cowl vent still functions, the wipers have room to work, and I can get at the bolts that hold the hood hinge on. Shouldn't be too tough. There really isn't any reason to not mount it up close to the firewall, so I'm going to go as close as I can. There also really doesn't need to be anything but wipers above it.

I think this is getting pretty close:








Also, I think I'll be re-using the OEM metal defroster ducts. I'll have to expand them from 1.75" to 2" but that isn't a big deal. They have a more favorable angle than the Vintage Air ones for tucking the unit up high, plus they're not cheesy plastic.

[oldman3]

bluejeep, I used my original def. vents also with my VA system, gives you room for other stuff...Jim

[99 to Life]

cool you'll be keeping cool. I won't be!!!

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by oldman3

bluejeep, I used my original def. vents also with my VA system, gives you room for other stuff...Jim

What did you do to bump the diameter up to 2"?