51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[Atommik]

Jim
Yeah, I'll keep an open mind about the design...like I said its a ways off...

Tom

[99 to Life]

looks good, like the idea. I'd go with a vinyl and foam possibly. The possibilities are vast.

[focusedontheprize]

Interesting idea I have to admit. Did you go with aluminum foil because of the sticking? The reason I ask is if you wanted to get it completely flat with no wrinkles you might be able to use that clear plastic sheeting. If you can find a way for it not to stick, you could stretch it on the top of the roof as one piece.

Cool idea though. Nice look riding also.

[Atommik]

Yeah, I used the foil so the fiberglass would "release" easier. I think the plastic sheeting may not hold up to the heat and chemical reaction of the curing resin...

[Atommik]

Just got back from a work trip to Houston (Mercedes Benz collision repair training) so no work on the 51 this week.

I did however have a little time this weekend, so I installed the glove box door and fit up the speaker grill. I will soon be putting a hinge on the speaker grill to hide a radio. Thanks to Kustom Brad (I think) for the idea...or it may ahve been 992LIFE...anyways, it's always nice to get great ideas from others!!

[Atommik]

Starting to get serious about finding a frame. I talked to a friend of my boss who works at/ runs a huge salvage yard about an hour from my house. He said last month he cut up and scrapped 2 s10's that were what I was looking for. He said don't worry, he gets them in quite often. He'll call me when he gets one in. Quoted me $200 for a rolling frame with steering box, gas tank, master cylinder, brake booster and drive shaft. Sounds like a good deal...can't wait to get it and move on to the next step of my build!!

[99 to Life]

I put my radio behind the dash but not in the speaker area. that was brad. But I think I might make something for my next truck to keep the stereo hidden in there and put speakers on the kickpanels. I don't even like jamming out too much, I like just hearing the engine most the time.

sucks to hear about them frames getting scrapped, I seriously can't stand scrappers. But yeah 200 for a rolling chassis is good. I've paid less for a few of mine, but I'd do 200.

[Atommik]

I'm planning on speakers in the kick panels and behind the seat, but nothing too crazy!!

[focusedontheprize]

Truck looks great.

I am running the stock frame under mine, but did get a little curious on how much I could grab an S10 frame for around me. I opened up the swap sheet and looked in Craigslist a few weeks ago, I cannot get over how many S10s there were in there (Upstate NY).

You'll find something soon. I want to see all these parts on a frame. Haha.

[Atommik]

Yeah, I can't wait to start putting parts on a frame...maybe 2-3 weeks from now.

Sandblasted the right front fender and grill on Saturday. Then epoxy primed both. Started the filler work on the fender this week. The right fender is the last major body panel I have left to straighten!!

I thought about disassembling the grill to be able to do a better job of sand blasting and eventually painting, but I want to have a chrome grill someday, so I'll just fix a few dents in it and paint the one I have...then when my money tree finally blooms...I'll get a chrome grill!!

[Atommik]

A few more pics...fender repair.

[Atommik]

My jammed hood, a little hard to take pics of, it's sitting on a stand and I didn't have anyone around to help me flip it over.

[Atommik]

And...here's a work project that was finished a little while ago...49 Caddilac. We repainted it (yes, that's the original color) it was a super clean South Dakota car. Now for sale.

[99 to Life]

looking good man, diggin that caddy too.

[Atommik]

I went to the Minnesota Street Rod Assoc. "Back to the Fifties" car show today. They probably registered 12,000 cars and trucks for the show over a 3 day weekend. Only vehicles 1964 and older allowed to register. Here's some AD truck pics...I'll post more when I've got a little more time!!

[Atommik]

Here's a few more...

[Atommik]

More...Note the custom front bumper hood and fenders and rear "tail fins" on the 54...

[Atommik]

There is also a huge swap meet on Sunday morning. I found a set of 1951 Minnesota "truck" plates I will proudly hang on mine when it is done!!

Minnesota allows you to use a vintage plate as a collector plate, as long as it is the same year as the vehicle title. Also, collector cars now only need to have a rear plate.

[oldman3]

Thanks for posting....Jim

[n_elsod]

I didn't get to make it there this year. I'm joining the MSRA next year and then I will be there. Still have to paint my new hood.

[Root2812]

I was there all day Saturday. It was fun!

That ratty one with no roof has a 5.3 vortec in it. I saw it at the Princeton show a few weeks ago. I took several pictures of the engine bay to check the clearences.

[Atommik]

Went to the DMV today with my "vintage" plates, they checked and no one else has that plate number, so I got the okay from the state to use them as my collector plates. Another small step to being on the road!!

[oldman3]

That's good news.....Jim

[Atommik]

Did a little repair to the front grill bars...they're actually in pretty good shape.

Also ordered an EZ Wiring harness. I'm not really ready to start wiring,(I'm still waiting for an s10 frame), but in the mean time I'll mount the fuse box and maybe try to get a few things in the cab wired. Dome light, lighter socket, heat controls...

Looking into a JC whitney door lock actuator kit to use to build dead bolt locks...any opinions about quality...?

[99 to Life]

not familiar with jc whitneys actuators. I used some from rockyhinge. I built my own deadbolt system with keyless entry. Some pictures of it on my thread.