51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[99 to Life]

thats cool, glad you got it out for a good cause. I had to use my 51' last summer for a week cause my daily was down. Nice to have some extra whips that earn their keep sometimes!!!

[Atommik]

I finally got some truck time today. Started on the power door lock actuator install. Drivers side is mounted and I am starting on the holes in the jams for wiring. Should be able to get the pass side done tomorrow. Hopefully get it wired up also! Pics tomorrow.

[Atommik]

I finished the lock install today, including wiring. I ordered the Altman latches and the power lock actuator brackets from them also. The brackets were a pretty simple install. The actuator kit I got off of ebay.

I used the "screen door spring" method for running the wires from door to cab. It works really well. It was nice that my EZ wire harness came with a power door lock lead. The power wire from the control unit for the actuators also has an in line fuse.\

The only real issue I had with the altman lock brackets, were the plastic clips that hold the lock rod to the lever on the latch. They did not hold them in place. The rod kept popping out , so I added a plastic wire tie to help hold the rod in place.

[Kodiaks53]

Looking Good !

[BlueJeep]

Looks good! How do you access the wires with a sealed up cowl?

[Atommik]

I drilled a hole just large enough to pass the wires thru the inner kick panel, then ran them up under the dash. Eventually the wires will be covered by a trim panel on the kick panel.

[Atommik]

Trying to get some of the "little things" done that I have been putting off.

Installed turn signal indicators in the dash tonight.

[99 to Life]

nice, yeah all those little things add up quick.

[Atommik]

Well once again, the busyness of home and family puts the truck on hold. I did manage to get the driver's side door glass installed this summer, and drove it around a little.

I also found out that my S10 tank has a leak at the middle seam. Of course I found that out the first time I completely filled the gas tank. Luckily I had a siphon pump and removed enough to stop the leak.

I'm hoping to work on the interior pieces over the winter, and maybe get the drive shaft balanced and new u-joints put on. Then in the spring, new gas tank, bed wood, and whatever else on my list I can afford!!

[Atommik]

I started on some interior trim pieces. The kick panels were first ( smallest and easiest to re do if I messed up). I'm very happy with how they turned out.

Next week, headliner.

[99 to Life]

nice job, I'll be tackling some of my own interior pieces soon as well. just like anything else the right tools and practice and you can pretty much do anything yourself.

[Atommik]

Minneapolis local news had this story last night. 1957 chevy truck purchased used for $75 and driven daily for 38 years...he got his money's worth

Here's the link:

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/loc...-75/21169665/:

[99 to Life]

man thats ironic, my buddy sent me a link to that via text at 6am. cool story. though I don't see why the guy doesn't maintain the truck a little.

[Atommik]

A little progress. I got the headliner finished (but not installed yet). Still thinking of things to add to my project list for this summer. I did get a FM receiver/mp3/cd player and speakers for the truck for Christmas. Waiting for a little warm weather for install!

[99 to Life]

Nice, I'll be attempting most of my own interior as well, minus the seat cover. I didn't got the extent as you did with the fiberglass mold you did. Did it work out well for you then?

[Atommik]

The fiber glass mold worked well. However, next time I would do 3 or 4 layers of glass mat instead of 2. It's a little flimsy, but it does make it easy to get it in and out of the cab. It does hold it's shape very well when I hold it up in place.

[Atommik]

I got my headliner installed and replaced the leaky S10 gas tank. Hoping for some more warm weather to get some more things done before the Back to the Fifties show in June.

[99 to Life]

nice job, hope you get some miles in this summer.

[Atommik]

I got a couple more little things off my list today. Installed the refurbished speedo, and finished wiring my auxiliary gauges.

[T Hilde]

Looks sharp!

[Atommik]

I painted and installed a lower grille filler to finish off the front. I still may put a bumper on someday.

Also got the rear window installed, and door weather strips. A lot less noise in the cab now. I was going to install the passenger side glass, but the regulator was junk. New one on the way! I also ordered new wiper arms and blades.

[99 to Life]

looking good.

[Atommik]

I've been trying to decide how I wanted to proceed with the bed floor. I had some left over prefinished oak flooring from our kitchen floor, but didn't like that look. Then I considered using the "plastic" deck material. But I decided I wanted a little more traditional look, but at a lower cost. So I used oak veneer plywood, then attached polished aluminum strips to complete the look. The front edge tucks under a polished aluminum angle and the back edge is secure with a couple of deck screws. Since I built my own box, I don't have the normal cross members, so using a store bought flooring kit and strips would have required some modification. Also, with my battery located under the bed floor, I can remove the 2 rear screws in the floor and slide the whole thing rearward for access to the battery. As I work on this project I realize I'm not driving it as much as I thought I would, and I definitely do all I can to avoid bad weather, so I think the plywood should last quite a while.

[iowaboynca]

Shiny! Looks awesome

[chincha805]

were you able to use only 1 4x8 sheet of oak plywood. i want to do the same but the factory bed width is wider than 48" and will have to use two sheets of plywood.