Mike T - 1952 Chevy S10 swap

[skymangs]

Next I built some motor mounts. Uprights are 1/4" plate steel, 3/4" 3/16 wall tube provided the "bolt-through's". I also had a manifold clearance issue. The passenger side egr casting didn't clear upper A frame. The "PM" (prior mechanic) had welded the egr closed. I clearanced over 3/4", to get it to fit. Drivers side is tight, but it clears fine.

[skymangs]

Last 2... clearance on the drivers side, and exhaust from the old chassis mocked up. clearances look pretty good. Will need the driveshaft re-tubed though, when the "PM" changed to the Posies springs, they centered the wheels in the fenders, and made the driveshaft a little too short. Looks like a KC trip on Friday to drop it off.

[BlueJeep]

I had to do the same thing on mine, cut the lower part of that tab off. FYI the 2003 up manifolds had that boss there, but it was not machined because they had done away with the EGR by then. Mine is a 2003 so no welding of holes required.



On the driver's side I just switched to a 2002ish Camaro manifold that tucks tighter to the block:

[skymangs]

Side work... built a set of frame swap brackets for a local guy this week.

[skymangs]

the factory crossmember was pretty tweaked, so I cut it out, and built a 1x2 .25 wall square tube crossmember in it's place.

[skymangs]

I re-purposed the S10 exhaust hangers. Cut the double hanger in the middle, and used it for each side with some 1/4" rod.

[skymangs]

2" drop spindles installed. Mocked it up with a fender and running board. WAY TOO HIGH! 7" at the bottom of the running board. Tomorrow I'm going to pull the cab and chop an inch off the top of the cab stands.

[skymangs]

So I cut the tops of all the cab stands off, and removed an inch. Then re-welded them on, and mocked everything back up. 6" on the nose... Nailed it.

1/2" more drop for the sheetmetal, core support, and bumpers... should put it at 5.5", perfect stance!

[oldman3]

Looking good Chris...Jim

[ghettoluxury]

So, what is your total height off the frame to bottom of cab floor braces?

[Jyman]

Do you have drop spindles on the front end to help bring down the height a little?

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim,

ghettoluxury: I'll have to measure to be exact, but about 3.25" off the frame on the front stands and 4" on the rears.

Jyman: yes, 2" drop spindles

[Jyman]

its looking good, was there anything else done to drop the truck? I know this might be a little early to ask but are you going to lose any depth of the box?

[skymangs]

Jyman, thank you. Yes, the bed will lose about 1.5" of depth, but not enough to require a filler panel on the end. I only use 2" drop spindles and 2" drop blocks, this gives it full suspension travel. Any lowering springs will affect your ride quality, so I don't use them.

It is important to note that these trucks were all "hand assembled". I have measured floor height to roof height of 3 different cabs, and they varied as much as 5/8", so when you build your mounts TACK them together, TACK them on the frame, then check your ride height before you burn them in! I was off by almost an inch my first go round on this one, even though the math from previous builds told me it would be 6" ride height.

[Jyman]

Thanks for the tip and info about the cabs, but I'm a little bit further ahead of you currently but at the rate your going you will pass me. right now I haven't done anything to the suspension and I have 9.5 inch's to the bottom of the front fender and If I remember right my cab is mounted 5 inch's off the frame. I just finished up the rad mount/electric fan and I am now working on mounting the box.

[ghettoluxury]

Thanks for the info Skymangs I was looking for a good estimate. I want to set the running boards about 6" off the ground so this gives me a good place to start.

[skymangs]

Jyman: no problem, anything I can do to help let me know. I'm shooting for finishing this one up by the end of this coming week.

ghettoluxury: if you shoot me a PM with your email, I can send you some info that will help immensely.

[skymangs]

Got the steering column in today. It's topped with a '54 Chevy car steering wheel. I still need to come up with some sort of spacer to fill the gap between the wheel and the column. New column is tilt, so it'll provide a little more room for knees!

Tomorrow I'll be installing the steering shaft and borgeson joint.

[skymangs]

I also got the core support cut down, and prepped for the new 19x22 cross-flow radiator. I use GM radiator cushions so that the rad "floats" in the support. I'll be adding a condenser and trans cooler in the next few days.

[oldman3]

Looks good Chris, like the radiator, where did you get it?...Jim

[skymangs]

LoL.... Speedway. It has both upper and lower hoses on the right, perfect for LS swaps! Also the correct hose sizes for LS motors.

[crawdadfox]

Some very helpfull information!

[918733]

You wouldn't happen to have a part # for that radiator? Thanks

[skymangs]

Speedwaymotors.com, Item # 917340-22. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...evy,23864.html
You can also find it on ebay, sold by them, with free shipping.

[skymangs]

Got the power steering hooked up, the steering shaft in, and the new AC compressor and bracket installed today. I also finished some wiring, fuel lines, and brake lines. Bout ready to start hanging some sheetmetal again!