52 GMC, S10 frame swap, Dan M.

[skymangs]

Thanks... I like to think so. I have saved 4 of these trucks from certain destruction and put them back on the road this year. There just aren't enough of them left to be too picky on what you can save and what you can't.

[skymangs]

Updates. Radiator, Trans cooler, and e-fan are in. Bulk of the wiring is done (the owner wanted to re-purpose the S10 harness and fuse block). The ECM is
mounted behind the glove box). The front end is on (for the last time) with locknuts on everything. Grill and surround are in as well. Tomorrow it gets the bed lined up, and cross sills made. The owner should be bringing me his new gauges and some misc. little odds and ends tomorrow. I'm hoping to have this one done and back in it's owners garage this weekend.

[skymangs]

Last one

[Low Elco]

Looks great! I 'bleve I'd whang that fender dent out some. Yer doin' the Lord's work on that cab.

[skymangs]

Lol... I'd like to, but it matches the large dent above the drivers door, and the owner likes the "character" it gives the truck.

[CharlieSheen]

Yup,dont fix the dent,its the first thing people will touch.Kids love em.

[skymangs]

Started the day today with window channel repair (had a little cancer). Got that finished up and got the glass installed as well. The owner is going to install the side and vent glass himself.

P.S. I did repair the rest of the rust, just forgot to take pics.

[skymangs]

I also installed the new steering wheel, and opened the new gauges to give them the once-over. Gauges and wiring are tomorrow's project.

I also mocked up the box, rear fenders, and running boards. Tomorrow the focus is on wiring and gauges, along with finishing up the running board brackets.

[oldman3]

Really taking shape...Jim

[skymangs]

Here's the new design for running board brackets. The angled upright makes them much stronger than butt welding them straight to the frame.

[skymangs]

Here's the gauge install. Dan chose 5" Omega Kustom gauges. All electric with a programmable speedo. I cut a ring to fit behind the bezel, and tack welded it to the original cup. Then mounted them up.

[oldman3]

Nice job, looks good...Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim.

Here's a bit on the 4 gauge set. I made a panel to fit below the speaker grille for fuel, oil, water, and volts.

[skymangs]

here's a bit on the fuel filler neck. I used the top two inches of the original filler neck from the in tank cab and welded a section of 2.25" exhaust pipe to that. Then I used some conduit to make the overflow line. It comes through the bed side on the drivers side, re-using the S10 tank.

[skymangs]

Front bumper installed, and hood on. Next job was to fill the old gas neck hole on the passenger side of the cab and re-age it to hide the repair.

[skymangs]

My part in this build is finished, and it went home to it's happy owner today.

[oldman3]

Turned out nice, love the stance...Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim... I gotta say that this one has really grown on me. My only regret is the lack of V8 power.

[CharlieSheen]

Sarge,truly Badass.Expert re-aging process.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by skymangs

Thanks Jim... I gotta say that this one has really grown on me. My only regret is the lack of V8 power.

Chris, not sure on the V-6 he had for you, but my 94 Blazer with the V-6 with the center port, not the throttle body, puts out around 195 hp. and with 3:42 rear and 4L60e trans, it gets going pretty good for a six...Jim

[STOCKISH]

Wow, that was fast! Awesome work.

[joedoh]

super great!

[skymangs]

Thank you all. Jim, the engine is a 92 4.3L TBI... nothing too impressive, but it'll move it down the road just fine.

[BlueJeep]

Agreed, 4.3 will move just fine. These trucks are comparable in weight to an s10. So what's next in line?

[skymangs]

48 Chevy, S10 swap, 350/350 Combo. Coming in later today. This one will likely take 5 or 6 weeks. I've been invited as a Co-driver to Petersen's 4WD magazine "Ultimate Adventure", so I'll be gone for 10 days around the end of this month.