Yet Another s10 swap

[jeffs51chevy]

Originally Posted by rhodog77

Jeff,

when you swaped to the 4x4 rearend, did you use the 4x4 leaf springs of just the axle. I got mine all broke down and ready to clean up. Didn't want to clean the new springs if the setup is wrong.

thanks

brian

Brian,
I found the Blazer springs to be sightly shorter than the pickup leafs, so I swaped them out. I'm currently trying to source s10 lightning or ZQ8 (I think) coded leafs. I haven't confrimed it personally, but they are supposed to be 1 1/2 inches lower than stock - goodbye lowering blocks. Hope that helped.

Jeff

[WIDESIDE72]

very helpful thread!

[bustac]

Making progress...still needs driveshaft, radiator and steering column.

[BOOOGHAR]

jeff, how are you mounting the master cylinder, I was thinking of mounting mine under the cab since there is extra room using your body mounts

[jeffs51chevy]

*****UPDATE******

Fired up the motor this weekend and man was that a kick in the butt. Rebuilt the motor myself, minus the machine work. It was almost like watching your children walk for the first time. Ok a distant second, but very cool. We also started setting the sheet metal (hopefully for the last time). I hope I've got all the bugs worked out. The truck should be driving by the end of the month. I'll let you guys know.

Jeff

[Daniel U]

Very Cool!

[Thadious]

Sweet! Congrats Jeff! Looking forward to that day myself!

[rhodog77]

Jeff,

Awesome to hear that you got the motor up and running. I was wondering what happened to you. Hadnt seen your thread updated in a while. Thanks for the offer on the fuel cap. I went with 1952ssr's idea of seperating the caps, still have to get the old cap and tear it apart. Might have to take you up on the offer if it doesnt work. Make sure you shot a video of your first drive and post it up. Im sure it will give a bunch of us some motivation.

thanks again

Brian

[jeffs51chevy]

Thanks guys!

I appologize for the lack of updates, but life is currently kicking me in the teeth. My home computer died and my only access to the internet is while at work and the office filter stops me from posting photos. Truth be told, I would rather spend the money for a new computer on my truck. I know, priorities, priorities. Ok, back to the salt mine.

Jeff

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by jeffs51chevy

Thanks guys!

I appologize for the lack of updates, but life is currently kicking me in the teeth. My home computer died and my only access to the internet is while at work and the office filter stops me from posting photos. Truth be told, I would rather spend the money for a new computer on my truck. I know, priorities, priorities. Ok, back to the salt mine.

Jeff

in the meantime, if you email me your pictures, and id be happy to host them on my webspace for you.
my email is MrDude_1@FastGM.com (theres a _ between Dude and 1 that you cant see when its underlined)

[nickp51chevy]

Congrats on your progress Jeff!!!

[daverod]

Guess I'll copy your cab mounts. I'll might have to copy some other things as well. I really have no idea. Told ya I would get one of these trucks one day.

[jeffs51chevy]

Daverod,
I'm glad to hear you finally jumped in. Let me know if you have any questions. I don't know much, but will help out as much as I can.
Jeff

[busarich]

Nice build post. I am planning on going with a S10 frame on my 58. Very nice work.

Rich

[51chevytruck]

I have been following for awhile any updates?

[Leroy-B1]

Watching this one
Posted via Mobile Device

[hipasschev94]

i just had a couple questions, im going over the options with my s10 once i work on the body and this is one of the ones that caught my eye, i never got how to tell if the 50's trucks were a full size or not so what ones like that body style would fit with the body mounts and stuff and then would it work with a 92' 4x4 s10 short box?

[99 to Life]

There are several ways to distinguish the Advance designs (AD) aka 1947-55 1st series trucks. There are 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons (noted by hood emblems as 3100, 3600 and 3800 I believe) also frames and beds are a tell tale.
Their wheelbases are as follows
116 in
125.25 in
137 in

However the factory truck wheels are actually offset 2" in the rear, so that is why the Reg Cab "longbed s-10" works so well.

S-10 wheel bases are as follows (all have been used in some way or another)
Regular cab short box - 108.3" (AD bed gets shortened)
Regular cab long box - 117.9" (most common used frame little mods)
Extended cab short box -122.9" (AD bed stays same, s-10 frame shortened)
(All of this is assuming you are using the AD short bed truck)

Body mounts will never line up. You have to make custom ones, it isn't too big a deal. S-10 route is a great way to go. When you get into the 4x4 stuff, that opens all kinds of problems, not saying it hasn't been done, but 4x4 just complicates things quite more.

[hipasschev94]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

There are several ways to distinguish the Advance designs (AD) aka 1947-55 1st series trucks. There are 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons (noted by hood emblems as 3100, 3600 and 3800 I believe) also frames and beds are a tell tale.
Their wheelbases are as follows
116 in
125.25 in
137 in

However the factory truck wheels are actually offset 2" in the rear, so that is why the Reg Cab "longbed s-10" works so well.

S-10 wheel bases are as follows (all have been used in some way or another)
Regular cab short box - 108.3" (AD bed gets shortened)
Regular cab long box - 117.9" (most common used frame little mods)
Extended cab short box -122.9" (AD bed stays same, s-10 frame shortened)
(All of this is assuming you are using the AD short bed truck)

Body mounts will never line up. You have to make custom ones, it isn't too big a deal. S-10 route is a great way to go. When you get into the 4x4 stuff, that opens all kinds of problems, not saying it hasn't been done, but 4x4 just complicates things quite more.

would a short box s10 reg cab frame work with a 58 apache with mods or would i have to use a full size frame?

[99 to Life]

well I believe these are the wheel bases for the taskforce which should be the same as apache's. Now I don't know the track width, but I don't see that being a problem.

1/2 ton - 114"
3/4 ton - 123.25"
1 ton - 135

So if you used a half ton apache and a shortbed s-10 you have a difference of about 5.7" So you could stretch the s-10 frame to make up for it.

also I think you should post this in a new thread so we are not cluttering this one. But yeah I think you can make it work just fine.

[mknittle]

The 58 is waaaay to wide for the s10. I do a front suspension swap aftermarket or second generation{70-80} camaro or firebird. both are good.I like the camaro but that's just me.
And for the rear I would at least use a newer differential for a better gear ratio.it all depends on what you want to use it for..

mark

[99 to Life]

Here is a great example of an s-10 59 apache swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=398361&page=5

Task force track width
60.75 inches, while the rear track measures 61.02 inches.

S-10
54.4"Front 54.6"Rear (6.3" narrower than task force)
4x4 is about 57.2"F 55.1"R

The track width for an AD is 58.5 up front 2.25" narrower than the Taskforce

So in essence I wouldn't say it wouldn't work, because you could use spacers, as I and lots of people have done on the AD trucks. Plus if you are like me, I like a lot of tuck in the front fenders, I don't like em way out flush with the fenders.

On the other had, yeah you can go with the camaro or firebird but going shorter (s-10 route) allows you to control your wheel tuck, but on the other hand limits exhaust and gets crowded.

The options are endless and there is no right or wrong, just preference. I really think this should be in a new thread, so we don't clog this one up and I think it is great info fro someone else wanting to do this swap.

[papas52]

nice info !!! i am doing a s10 swap on my 52 chevy 3100 i have a 350 engine with a 350 turbo trans. the s10 i used was a 1984 single cab long bed does any body know if i can use the power steering pump off the 1984 s10 on the mid 70"s 350 engine how to mount so the pulley will line up right? thanks!!!

[bustac]

May work, but I'd use a generic sbc ps pump the fittings will bolt up to the box.

[99 to Life]

I bet a pws pump off a v6 s-10 would work, not sure of if the 4 cylinder ones would work. You can get these saginaw style pumps pretty cheap, especially at junk yards. My bracket ran me 65 bucks or so off ebay, but it is aluminum, I'm sure you can find something cheaper.

But this pump came off a 350 and mounted right into the s-10 steering box. I used pws hoses for the 350 when I got the hose at the parts store, so don't say I need a hose for an s-10 unless that is what pump you go with.

this is an old photo I had, something to show you.

also not sure what all you will be doing with your 350, but if you get a new water pump, make sure it is a long water pump, that should have the accessory holes for the pws pump bracket and also your alternator. Some short pumps don't have all the accessory holes.