51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[skymangs]

Atomik... I just joined the ranks as only AD at a show last Saturday. 400+ cars and only one 47-54 Chevy pickup, and one Corvair. Both happened to be mine. Nice feelin!

[Atommik]

Shak,

Thank you for the kind words. I was constantly encouraged by others on this site whether they knew it or not! Enjoy your build, and post pictures!!

[Atommik]

I ran across these pics of a "yard" just off the interstate in Nebraska. We were there 2 years ago. The trucks looked to have been there awhile and the gate looked like it hadn't been opened in years!!

[99 to Life]

wow, beautiful pics man. Gives me hope that some dryer areas still have bone yards. Out east its drying up and whats out there is in bad shape. Idiots scrap them rather than save them.

[Atommik]

Not much new on my build. Working up a list of things to work on over the winter. For now I'm just enjoying the last days of summer cruising around in it!
I Did order a glove box liner and a couple of CHEVROLET badges for the side of the hood. Saving up for Altman latches.

[iowaboynca]

Much deserved...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6275886

[51Charlotte]

Agreed!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Atommik]

Hey I just noticed my truck is up for truck of the month (October) on this forum!

Since the theme is Halloween/ pumpkin/ORANGE...my truck is right up their alley!!
Nice to be nominated!!
Thanks to those who do that job!!

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by Atommik

Hey I just noticed my truck is up for truck of the month (October) on this forum!

Since the theme is Halloween/ pumpkin/ORANGE...my truck is right up their alley!!
Nice to be nominated!!
Thanks to those who do that job!!

I can't say that I know who nominated you but I can say that I know where one of your votes came from!

[99 to Life]

congrats, yeah orange for october, pretty fitting.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I can't say that I know who nominated you but I can say that I know where one of your votes came from!

Same here, us AD guys have to stick together...Jim

[54 chevy 55]

Originally Posted by Atommik

Front mounts done except for drilling the mounting holes!

Great job you are doing. I have a 54 chevy trk that somebody put on a 72 c10 frame. trying to use the s10 trying set my cab height any help. The kits out my bugget

[Atommik]

Originally Posted by 54 chevy 55

Great job you are doing. I have a 54 chevy trk that somebody put on a 72 c10 frame. trying to use the s10 trying set my cab height any help. The kits out my bugget

Yeah the kits are expensive. I think my rear cab mounts are 4" off the frame rail and the front mounts are 3 1/2" or 3 3/4". The rear of the cab clears the s10 gas tank by less than 1/2". You basically need to set the cab close to where you think it should be, then put on the front fenders and hood (with hinges and latch). From there you just make adjustments to the mounting of the cab and rad support until it all lines up. If you are using the original 54 radiator support, you will need to modify it to clear the s10 steering gear. It's a good idea to put the box and rear fenders on also, just to make sure it all lines up right.

The benefit of the kits is it tells you exactly where to mount everything. But what's the fun in that??!!

[Atommik]

I found another picture of my dad's old service station. He's the one standing by the car washing the windshield, his business partner is standing in the service lane. Photo is from 1959. The tow truck on the left looks like it may be a 54-55 1st series.

[ghettoluxury]

Looks to be a Dodge the corner windows are too small for GM.

[99 to Life]

Sweet pic man. yeah I agree looks more like a dodge. 54-55 would have a one piece windshield too. But really hard to see whats going on in the pic.

[nikwho]

Originally Posted by Atommik

I started on the box sides today...

Hey Atommik, do you recall what angle the box sides were bent to? Are there any sites that reference all of the specs and measurements for these beds? I think I'm going to go the route that you did. Looks great!
Nik

[Atommik]

I measured my original bed before I scrapped it and I believe the angle was 50 degrees. But since I was building everything from scratch, I had the sheet metal bent to 45 degrees, just to make it easier to remember and easier for the sheet metal shop. I have it written down in a notebook, but I can't find it. I'm sure if you post on the message board asking for the angle and other dimensions, someone will have the info. Thanks for the kind words on my build!

[Atommik]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Houston for Mercedes Benz aluminum welding certification. Had 5 different types of welds to make with various types of aluminum. Some die cast aluminum and some "chill" cast. All had to be done in the overhead position. I think the toughest one was a 14" long butt weld on 2mm plate, (overhead). All of the welds had to be perfect. They will be sent out for visual and destructive testing, and I'll get the results in 2-3 weeks.
The pics are of some of the welds that would not be sent in for testing...not good enough!
This was by far the most technical, and difficult training I've gone through for my career as an autobody technician. I'm sure it will help my steel welding skills improve also!

[Katrina/10]

That's a skill worth having.

[Daze57]

good job and good luck on passing the tests !!!!

[N.T.Q]

should have brought another truck home with you

[99 to Life]

nice man, hope you get it. I'v yet to weld aluminum, but just got a new welder with spool gun, so I'll give it a whirl. Hoping to get a tig soon though. What welder did you use?

[Atommik]

Everyone in this class used a Fronius welder, made in Austria. It is one of the 2 approved by Mercedes Benz. The other is Weilander Schill from Germany. That's the one we have at work. They are wirefeed type welders. 1.2 mm aluminum wire. 100 percent argon gas. They cost about 10 grand!! Glad I don't have to pay that bill!

[Atommik]

Well I found out I failed one of the five welds for certification. I'm flying to Houston on Monday to weld a few more samples for them to test.

On a truck related note, I really haven't done anything on the truck except make lists and prioritize the list, and wish I had more money!! I was hoping to do some work in the garage this winter, but it has been so cold. Supposed to be -19 tonight.

I did, however, finally put my speedo together.