51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[99 to Life]

nice speedo, good luck with the test and yeah I feel you on the money and cold. don't know which one I would rather not have the problem with the most.

[Atommik]

Well, with a tax return around the corner, I will soon be ordering Altman latches and the rest of the glass and weather stripping.
I've also ordered some color samples for vinyl for the door panels and kick panels that I will be making, and found a local source for headliner fabric and foam.

Come on SPRING TIME!!

[Atommik]

Started on the seat belts. I'll be using BMW seat belts I got from a car at work. Made "boxed in" brackets for the retractors that will bolt to the floor in the cab corner area. Then I'll need to make a mount bracket for the buckle ends, mounts for the lap belt end, and mounts for the pivot point on the shoulder.

I also started on the door trim panels. Made a paper template, transferred it to some hardboard. I'll trim that up tomorrow.
I bought the foam and adhesive last weekend. Still waiting on a couple more fabric samples...Also thinking of a simple design to get a little orange in with the grey interior.

[FarmerSid]

Nice fab job. I like the full length door panel. Should take a lot of the tinny sound out the door when you close it.

[99 to Life]

nice job, 3 points are a must. I like tradition door panels and one piece, should look good.

[Atommik]

Thanks guys.
I ordered a set of Altman latches yesterday and the lock actuator brackets. I decided I'd go with the remote door locks so I don't need to install a lock cylinder on the drivers door, or slide across the seat every time I want to lock the truck. The brackets were an extra $35 and I found a remote lock kit on amazon for about $40.
I wish it would start warming up here...3rd coldest winter in 100 years! No heat in the garage.

[chev3600]

You may want to consider adding an emergency release cable if you're going with remote open system. Just in case...

[Atommik]

Chev3600,
I considered that, but I will still have a lock cylinder on the passenger side for "emergencies".

[Atommik]

Just found out on Friday, I got my Mercedes Benz/ ISO aluminum welding certification. We are currently the only shop in the 5 state area (MN,WI,ND,SD,IA) to have this certification. Mercedes will not sell structural aluminum parts to a body shop if they are not certified. Hopefully this will bring our shop some more work!

Started assembling the vent window frames. The weather stripping kit from LMC is very complete and nice stuff. I will be actually putting the glass in the frames on Monday.

Still waiting for my Altman latches to arrive...

[Root2812]

I'm still looking forward to seeing that truck in action at one of the shows this year.

[99 to Life]

congrats on the certificate.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

congrats on the certificate.

X2, good deal...Jim

[Atommik]

Thanks guys.

Greg I plan on being at a few Anoka Saturday nights and Back to the Fifties on the Sunday of that weekend. Maybe some others along the way!

[53ChevyKevin]

Just read the build from first to last post. Great job. I just bought a 53 3100 that was already put on an S10 frame. Looked like they were in a big hurry, now Im going thru the whole thing to make sure its safe. I have no radiator core supports on the front and no inner fenders. You can literally pick up the whole front end by hand cuz its not attached to anything. Ill have to get the inner fenders and a rad support bracket and do some mods on them so i can get it all buttoned up.
I saved all the picks of your rad support for ideas. Thanks for the in depth posts, its been real helpful

[Atommik]

53 Chevy Kevin,
Thanks for you comments. I was helped so much by others on this site, it is my pleasure to "pass it on". Glad I could be some help to you. Feel free to ask any questions or if you need pictures, I probably have pics I didn't post that may be helpful.

[53ChevyKevin]

Thanks a bunch. If i have any questions i'll be sure to ask.

[Atommik]

Heres a couple of pics of the vent window frames.

[99 to Life]

looks good, I love the vents.

[Kodiaks53]

I finally got to sit down and read your whole build thread. My truck was in about the same shape as yours and we are pretty much following the same route with the rebuild. Yours is looking really Great. I posted a picture of my wheel setup and then realized I just deleted all my photos from my build thread.... bummer. Now to find the time to fix my mistake, as soon as tax time has passed. Keep up the good work and I'll be watching !

[Atommik]

Finally got my Altman latches and door actuators. Hoping for a little warmer weather to get back at it!! Now I need to dig around and find my lock cylinder...

[Atommik]

I started on the latch install today. The jam on the drivers side was so tight that the new latch plate was rubbing on the striker plate. After a little "massaging" of the door frame, I got it all to clear with not a whole lot to spare. Then while lining up the striker, I could tell there was no way the striker would line up with the latch correctly.
So with the striker out I shut the door and marked where I will need to drill a new hole for the striker on the plate. I'll need to move the hole almost a 1/4 inch lower. A little welding and re-drilling tomorrow and it should be good to go. I'm not sure why this jam/inner cab corner is so messed up. The door gaps and body lines are nice...I wish the inner door wasn't painted already, I've put a few gouges in it that will need to fixed. When I painted it I wasn't planning on switching out the latches and I also thought this would "bolt in" a little better. Overall I'm happy with the latch kit, but I could think of a few improvements.

[Atommik]

Driver's side latch is done except for paint. I'll do the pass side next then paint it all at once.

I thought I had a fuel tank pick up tube problem...turns out truck was out of gas. Still learning how to read the fuel gauge that I swapped into the original cluster. The needle is shorter and the sweep is a little different. I guess I pretty much drove it dry before I stored it last fall.

[Atommik]

Finally got the passenger side latch in. Still waiting to get started on the power locks, then the door glass. I've been really busy doing home chores and preparing for my oldest daughter's High School Grad party. At least my truck is drivable so I can cruise around and enjoy it while I continue to work on it!

[iowaboynca]

Glad to see you back on the horse!

[Atommik]

Got to use my truck to "rescue" my wife and daughter. They were at the park and the 99 suburban wouldn't start. Seems like the fuel pump is not working. Waiting for a tow. At least I've got a good "back up"!!

The '51 has the least amount of miles of all of my vehicles.