My version of the s10 swap

[BlueJeep]

At home:



First project was the seat. I wanted to fit it one more time before taking it to the upholstery shop to get covered. Since this is a different seat than I had in it before, I wanted to be sure. It fits perfect.



Upholstery guy recommended carpet on the back of the seat vs. vinyl. He said if it was vinyl it might stick to the back of the cab on a hot day and possibly tear if I fold it forward, since it will touch the back of the cab I decided he was probably right.



Here's the color of vinyl I picked out. It'll be pleated, and we'll do the door panels and visors to match.



Before I started hanging things for good I wanted to put down some sound deadner. I know there are different opinions of brand, but this is what my dad used in his Chevelle with very good results, so I'm sticking with what I know.









I also picked up some Underhood black paint, so as I prep things to go back in place I'm giving them a quick coat to clean it up. Looking forward to starting in on the wiring!

[oldman3]

Looking good...Jim

[Indian113]

That is really turning out NICE! Can't wait to see it running down the road.

[tlorber]

That's great that things are coming together. The project shows progress AND you get to free up space in the garage.

[joedoh]

love that caramel color for the interior!

[47owner]

That is sharp. I can't afford to make my truck look that nice. I will spend my budget on the rest of it. Probably the outside will look more of a ratrod type. Do you have any photos of the engine mounts. I have read that the engine has to move back 7 inches for a V8, 350. I plan to use a 4.3L V6 off the S10, does it have to move back 7 inches?

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

nice congrats. ahhhh yeah carpet is good idea on back of seat. My vinyl bled off a little on my white cab wall.

Don't want to mess up my new seat cover or my paint!

Originally Posted by oldman3

Looking good...Jim

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Indian113

That is really turning out NICE! Can't wait to see it running down the road.

You and me both, it's loooooong overdue. Next one will go a different route.

Originally Posted by tlorber

That's great that things are coming together. The project shows progress AND you get to free up space in the garage.

And free up space in my basement and free up space at my dad's shop and, and, and..... Amazing how much room a truck takes up when it's all apart!

Originally Posted by joedoh

love that caramel color for the interior!

Thanks, the color is called cognac. I had originally picked out a lighter color but now that I had a color sample to take with me I thought this one was better.

Originally Posted by 47owner

That is sharp. I can't afford to make my truck look that nice. I will spend my budget on the rest of it. Probably the outside will look more of a ratrod type. Do you have any photos of the engine mounts. I have read that the engine has to move back 7 inches for a V8, 350. I plan to use a 4.3L V6 off the S10, does it have to move back 7 inches?

That WAS the plan with this truck. I have a problem not knowing when to stop. If you look back at the first few pages on this thread you'll see the motor mounts I used to move the 4.3 back 7" from the first time I built it. Used the stock s10 rubber mounts.

[lower50's]

Looking really nice the 2 colors will go well together.

[47owner]

Thanks, Bluejeep, I found the earlier posts on the mounts. I will move it back 7". Do you have any tips on the 4x4 rear axle swap?

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 47owner

Thanks, Bluejeep, I found the earlier posts on the mounts. I will move it back 7". Do you have any tips on the 4x4 rear axle swap?

Sure, you unbolt the 2wd rear axle and bolt in the 4wd rear axle. Yes, it's about that easy. I had to swap out parking brake cables on mine too.

[47owner]

Great, thanks.

[Chance48]

Very nice work blue jeep!

I will prolly be a 4 year vet on my build aswell, but it'll be right, like yours.

I enjoyed this read and looking forward to seeing your finished product.

[47owner]

I just noticed on one of the photos, did you use the original brackets for the running board?

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by Chance48

Very nice work blue jeep!

I will prolly be a 4 year vet on my build aswell, but it'll be right, like yours.

I enjoyed this read and looking forward to seeing your finished product.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 47owner

I just noticed on one of the photos, did you use the original brackets for the running board?

Yes, and cut the down. If I did it over again I'd make new ones out of square tube, it would be easier.

[BlueJeep]

Today's progress, more parts installed for good. Got a decent start on the wiring and mounted the A/C plenum. Also mounted the outside door handles, really liking how things are coming together!



Test fitted one of the gauges:

[Chance48]

Lookin great, bet your excited. Soon be cruisin!!

[99 to Life]

looking real good. how you like how the ac unit fits up under there?

[lower50's]

Jealous your way ahead of me. It's a great feeling putting stuff together for the last time.

[47owner]

Going to look at a donor truck today. Your truck in coming along.

[BlueJeep]

Little bit here, little bit there...that's how my progress has been happening lately.

Working on finishing up the radiator support and wiring the 5.3. Started with paper, got it to fit really well and then transferred to 20 gauge.














And this afternoon I picked up these, really happy with how they turned out:


And the door panels:

[99 to Life]

nice fab work, interior looks great.

[47owner]

What gauge metal did you use?

[tlorber]

Nice color on the interior. I plan on using something very close (already have the seat), but I'm not sure what the exterior color will be.

Hey, BlueJeep, I'm just getting to my fuel system now. Did you retain all the EVAP tank and lines for emissions, and retain the required wiring in the harness?

[lower50's]

Lookin good and the seats turned out real nice.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

nice fab work, interior looks great.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 47owner

What gauge metal did you use?

I assume you mean on the radiator support. 20 gauge, plenty heavy enough!

Originally Posted by tlorber

Nice color on the interior. I plan on using something very close (already have the seat), but I'm not sure what the exterior color will be.

Hey, BlueJeep, I'm just getting to my fuel system now. Did you retain all the EVAP tank and lines for emissions, and retain the required wiring in the harness?

Thanks, the color of vinyl I chose was called Cognac.

Yes, I retained the EVAP tank, lines, and wiring. From all the reading I did, there is no good reason to get rid of it. It keeps the fuel that evaporates from the tank retained so it can be burned, rather than floating away into the atmosphere. My tune on the ECM I believe turned off the diagnostics for it, but it will still function. Someday I might have that turned back on....so I know if it ever goes bad.

Originally Posted by lower50's

Lookin good and the seats turned out real nice.

Thanks, I'm happy with it too. Now if I could just get the rest put back together....