Yet Another s10 swap

[jeffs51chevy]

Originally Posted by daverod

Sweet build. I want to do one of those trucks someday. Looking forward to seeing you finish it.

Thanks Dave -

Weather is getting a little nicer. Here's a little update:


Here is the front view with 2 1/2 inch backspace and no spacers. It's real close.

[nickp51chevy]

Jeff, you were one of the great inspirations for my build, and it looks like that we are still at the same stage. Isn't life great.

[1950 GMC]

Love the stance....

[Dan Bowles]

Looking GREAT.

[jeffs51chevy]

Thanks guys for the encouragement. That seems to be what I need the most these days "encouragement". Nick, it's funny how life takes you down different paths. How many kids do you have now? My three are great help, but as I'm sure I was with my dad, not much gets done. I find myself chasing wrenches down more than turning them. It will all get done . . . someday. I apologize to those for the lack of progress, but it's still a lot of fun. I hope to have more done soon.

Thanks,
Jeff

[nickp51chevy]

We are trying to have another now. I still only have the one kid. I lost my job about the same time you had your kid. (don't no one worry about me I'm fine.) That's why I think that we are about at the same point still. I love having my little guy out in the garage helping some times. Check it out: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...0&postcount=84 . I also chase him down with my tools making sure he isn't hitting the trucks and car with the pointy end of a screwdriver.

I still go back to reference your build sometimes to look at how you did something that I might be working on.

[wibas]

Jeff can you tell me more about your radiator mounting? In the picture I can see the top mount but not the bottom mounting. Thanks Scott

[jeffs51chevy]

Originally Posted by wibas

Jeff can you tell me more about your radiator mounting? In the picture I can see the top mount but not the bottom mounting. Thanks Scott

My mounting system was as simplistic as I could make it - channel upper and lower. Go back through my pics and you will see just a channel/saddle running on the bottom between the core support rails. It has three holes clearanced for the three bolts on the top of the steering box. I simply lined the bottom with a piece of old beet truck conveyor belt for insulation (both noise and corrosion). You can use semi truck mud flaps as a substitute (thanks Dan). I also used pieces strategically wherever the aluminum radiator touched other metal. The top channel is just a pressure fit for now, but will have three or so bolts coming up through the core support and capped off with accord nuts. If this doesn't make sense, let me know and I will take more pictures.

Jeff

[bjcaldwe]

Your truck is coming along nicely. Great work.

[southbounddee]

love the wheels!,..what color are you thinking of painting that sweet lookin' truck??

[jeffs51chevy]

Originally Posted by southbounddee

love the wheels!,..what color are you thinking of painting that sweet lookin' truck??

Believe it or not, the wheels were a local Craigslist find for $160 total. A little soap and water and they look better than I could have hoped for. The backsapcing was all bonus. As for paint, I haven't gotten that far. I've owned several charcoal grey trucks, but I'm still undecided on this one (any suggestions?). I know I will drive it for atleast a year as is. I want to have fun with it as well as work out the bugs before it is painted. This, of course, is predicated on my ability to get it finished before my six year old can drive. If he is driving it, it will stay as is for much longer.

Jeff

[southbounddee]

i hear ya,..i got a buddy that has a '41 chevy truck that he had it painted a satin gun metal gray with black trim and that sucker looks gooood! but then again i think primer looks gooood.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Wow, those wheels look great Jeff.
And, paint? Who said anything about paint? I'd run it just like it is.

[jeffs51chevy]

Working on a few little projects. Got the running boards remounted ant the rear bumper on. On with the pictures:

[nickp51chevy]

Nice! It looks good. Are you planning on towing with it? I won't with mine cause of the little 307. And those wheels look nice on there.

[jeffs51chevy]

I'm not going to be towing a 5th wheel, but I thought I would mount the receiver because I had it. I'm going to redo it because it is just too low. I'll probably suck the bumper in another inch or two also. This was my first try; seems like I have to try a few times before I'm happy with things. Oh well.

[Dan Bowles]

Getting better all the time!

[jeffs51chevy]

Been working on a bunch of little projects. The first was salvaging the hinges from the s10. I started by cutting the spring latch off and trimming the pivot point into a circle.

I shortened the links and used a welded nut on the upper link to attach it to the bed side. I then used a hole saw to cut in the lower pivot point.

This is the back side of the tail gate.

Here is the finished product.

More to come - thanks for checking it out.
Jeff

[rhodog77]

jeff,
nice post on the tailgate hinges, im going to reuse mine as well.

brian

[jeffs51chevy]

Second project was to use the stock s10 tank and figure the filler. I started by cutting down the original filler tube just below the vent tube. I then welded them together.

I had to cut the lip of the s10 tubing, and then slid the 51 filler neck over the s10 filler tube. After a little welding, I was even able to keep the unleaded flap door.

Here is the whole view.

Thanks again.

[jeffs51chevy]

Did a little figuring on the gas pedal. Here's two not very good photos, but you get the idea:


One last one.

[jeffs51chevy]

The last one; I started to mount the battery. I started wanting to put it on the frame, but after listening to differing arguments, I decided to put it under the hood. Thank you Atomspliter for the idea to put it on the passenger inner fender. I've just started, so I'll just post a teaser.

That's it - thanks for checking out the old girl.

[Thadious]

Ah Jeff... great minds think alike! I just finished frenching in the battery on the passenger's side as well! Think I dropped it in a total of about 4" and hardly made a dent in the fender as far as space. The routing for the heater come out just a little inside of that, so tons 'o space for everything!

Missed a good Portland run this year btw... tons of stuff... Picked up a new tailgate, front splash panel (bumper to grill), tailgate chains, bumper, seatbelts (2000 Dakota jump seats), bearclaw latches from a 89 YJ and still debating on using PT cruiser door handles or modding some originals (turndown or pushers).

Cheers!
Ted.

[jeffs51chevy]

Originally Posted by Thadious

Ah Jeff... great minds think alike!

I wish I had your mind. I wouldn't have to redo so many things.

Originally Posted by Thadious

Missed a good Portland run this year btw... tons of stuff...

Yeah, I was bummed I had to miss the Roadster show. It is always a great time. Some years, more or less expensive, but always a great time.

Post up some photos of what your working on. I like to see the detail you put in project. (hint hint)

Jeff

[macs51chevy]

Thanks Jeff for the info and pics. I have a 1951 Chevy 3100 and I was considering one of the kits on the market. But after seeiing your post, I think I will follow your build. I purchased a complete running S15 longbed for less than 1/2 the price of one of the mounting kits. Hopefully I can sell what I don't need from the S15 and recoup much of the cost of the frame. Good work and thanks for sharing.