51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[Atommik]

A little "boring" stuff today...made running board brackets. I got one side completely done and the other almost done.

Also used our spot welder at work to weld on studs for the rear fender installation, This way, there won't be any visible hardware for the fenders inside the box.

[Atommik]

I finished building the tailgate today. I used some cable supports to hold the gate in the open position, They're from a newer pick up, not sure what. Just found them laying around in the shop! I stll need to finish grinding a few welds. I'm happy with how it turned out! The pics were taken during test fitting. The inner has a solid smooth panel welded in also.

[Atommik]

I also made my own "hidden latches". I found a spring loaded dead bolt kind of thing at a local surplus store. I took it apart and used the spring mechanism and transferred it to a steel housing, then slid it into the top tube of my gate, measured and drilled and tapped, and here you go!! Also found the "knob" for the slider part there.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Atommik

I also made my own "hidden latches". I found a spring loaded dead bolt kind of thing at a local surplus store. I took it apart and used the spring mechanism and transferred it to a steel housing, then slid it into the top tube of my gate, measured and drilled and tapped, and here you go!! Also found the "knob" for the slider part there.

They look great!!

[Atommik]

Thanks coach529,

and the best part is the cost...less than $5.00!

[Daze57]

very nice work as usuall

[99 to Life]

like the latches you build, bed looks great too

[Atommik]

Thanks, Daze,99,

I guess I need to make a roll pan next...and fuel filler hole for the s10 tank...

Time for a little more head scratching!!

[xpickup]

Atommik, looks great. I think I have pictures of how I do my roll pans on my builds. Keep up the great work. I know there is always something to think about.

Shannon

[Atommik]

I finished the running board brackets today. Look to be nice and solid!!

Also finished welding the cab mounts to the frame. I've been waiting until everything was totally fit up.

Made a gas filler neck using part of the s10 neck and the end of the original neck. It comes out just ahead of the left rear fender, low on the boxside panel. Re-used the original rubber grommet around the neck. Now where did I put that gas cap??!

Started welding the "caps " on the stake pockets I made. Only had time to get one about half way done!

Learned a valuable safety lesson today. I decided to add another bolt thru the box side into the box floor frame for a little extra strength. So I had my truck on a low lift at work. It goes up about 4 feet. As soon as I unbolted the 2nd rear wheel and set it down on the floor, the truck came up off the rear lift pads and started teetering on the front lift arms. (I had moved the forward lift arms further back to have better access to weld the running board brackets on, thus drastically changing the center of gravity on the truck.) I was able to hold the back end of the truck down with one arm while I grunted and groaned and managed to get one of the wheels back on enough to get one lug nut finger tight. I was lucky/watched over today!! I was safely to the side but the truck would have tipped forward and taken out the front end and my tool box!! Took about 1/2 hour to get my heart rate down!!

[oldman3]

Glad that you and the truck are OK, gas filler looks good...Jim

[Root2812]

I know the feeling. About 13 years ago I had my ranger up on the lift (about 6.5 -7 feet up) it shifted and almost fell. My dad and I dove out of the way when it started to move but luckily it didn't fall. Definately a brown pants moment. I'm glad to hear you got out of it with both you and the project unharmed.

[99 to Life]

stuff is looking good. glad you dodged a bullet. I had my truck on a lift for inspection and I was def worried about it tipping. scary feeling for sure. especially for the truck let alone your safety.

[Atommik]

I finished welding the "caps" on the sides of the stake pockets on Saturday. Also got the body filler work done on the box sides as well. Both side panels are now ready for primer.

I got a steering shaft out of a 2007 GMC Yukon that looks to be just the right length. I may need an adapter for one end but everything else looks good. It even has a universal joint on one end.

[oldman3]

Nice progress...Jim

[99 to Life]

looks great

[Atommik]

I took the box apart today and finished all the filler work and got all of it in primer.

Also finished welding the frame for the box floor and gave that a little black paint.

Put the box back together to get a few pics...

Getting really close to "ready for paint!!"

[Atommik]

Couple more pics...

[BlueJeep]

Looks fantastic! How did you attach the floor framework to the bedsides, more of those welded on studs? If I were to start my bed again, I would for sure make new bedsides...

What size tires are those BTW?

[Atommik]

Thanks for the comments!

The bed floor is bolted through the box sides. The bolts go thru the frame in the corners with a welded in nut inside the stake pocket. I fit it all up and welded the nuts in, then capped the sides of the stake pockets. I also have a bolt on each side, in the center, that is behind the tire so it's not easily seen. I was really trying to build the whole box with out any visible hardware and not welded any where in case I would ever need to replace or repair anything. Also when it gets painted I can paint the pieces and then assemble the box.

Blue jeep I will check the tire size and let you know.

[oldman3]

Looking super, nice work...Jim

[skymangs]

Looks great Atommik. Top notch fab work going on here!

[Atommik]

Thanks Jim, Skyman!!

[Atommik]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

Looks fantastic! How did you attach the floor framework to the bedsides, more of those welded on studs? If I were to start my bed again, I would for sure make new bedsides...

What size tires are those BTW?

Tires are 245/60/15 , 8 inch wide rims.

[Rods57]

Ok, so when can I bring my truck to you to finish???? looks great.