Yet Another s10 swap

[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.

[wibas]

You can also get all the engine brackets off a S10 4.3 engine and they will bolt upto the 350. That way everthing lines up and you get the serpentine setup. Make sure you use the right water pump for your motor. Some of the late model 350's were reverse rotation. Use the same length water pump as the 4.3. I did this on mine and it works good. I bought a junk 4.3 for $50.00 and got that back scrap when I was done.

[papas52]

thanks for all of your info!!! i got brackets that looks like the ones in 99 to life poto, ps pump looks the same also. when i mounted it the pulley lined up to the same belt as alt. think i need another crank pulley with three belts so i can bring the ps pump out some to match the crank belt .

[papas52]

i got a differant power steering pump pulley & swaped it .the new pump pulley is for a 1985 c10 with a 350 motor , it lines up right now on the crank . thanks for your help !! and all your info on s10 frame swaps it really helps us a lot!!! hope to work on gas pedal install next.

[47owner]

this is great information. I haven't started on my 47 long bed. I was planning to use the S10 extended cab since its about 4" shorter than my long bed. I thought I would shorten the bed. Has anyone tried using the mounts off the S10?

[99 to Life]

yeah that is the saginaw style pump. I used that mine off of a full size chevy as well.

as for the longbed, I have seen people shorten short beds, to fit on reg size s-10 frames. As for the s-10 mounts being used. I have seen people hack em off and flip em and use them as cab mounts, is that what you are referring to? I think if you have the materials it looks nicer and is easy to fab your own mounts for both bed and cab, but if you can re use something heck go for it, JMO.

[47owner]

I will fab my own if going to looks like a hack job. My 47 LB has a 126" wheel base and the S10 Ex cab has a 122". I was concerned that the extended frame S10 was different as far as the shape and contour of the frame. I have tried looking around for this info. There are a lot more Extnd cab S10 then the Reg Cab Long bed.

[99 to Life]

well keep in mind the original trucks rear wheels didn't line up centered in the fenders. reason being, when it had a full load it would squat down and be centered. So I would say the wheelbase needs to be a total of 128" on the original truck, but it is not. So if you use a 122" s-10 you can cut your box and possibly running boards to compensate to get the fenders to center up in the wheel wells. Or another thought could be move the fenders up a little on the bed and cut your running boards. Not sure if it would be noticeable or not having all the extra space past the back of the fenders. One thing is for sure. Not many guys use the longbeds, I personally would go for it.

Also I wouldn't think there would be any problems with the ext cab as long as it is 2x4

[47owner]

Thanks for the input. I plan to stick to the long bed, hopefully I won't have to mess with the drive train too much.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 47owner

Thanks for the input. I plan to stick to the long bed, hopefully I won't have to mess with the drive train too much.

Check out my build thread in my signature if you want to see what it'll look like. 2.375" is what I cut out of the front of my bed to fit the extended cab s10 chassis.

[Larry Daehler]

Jeff,your pictures and information are the best. I am doing a 51 and was wondering what you did to get the box height seeing the frame is so high in the rear? Any help or pictutres would be great.

[47owner]

great info, i feel inspired to start my change over. did you change out the rear end from a 4x4 or just use spacers?

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 47owner

great info, i feel inspired to start my change over. did you change out the rear end from a 4x4 or just use spacers?

If you were asking me the answer is both. I used a 4x4 rear axle and 1" spacers for the factory s10 wheels to clear the bedsides. Worked perfect.
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[47owner]

I am going to look at a 87 S10 ex cab, hopefully i can get a good deal on it.

[papas52]

does any body know how to slow down the fuel in the return line to get more fuel pressure to the carb ; i have 350v8 in &the s10 in tank fuel pump thanks!!

[99 to Life]

So your running the electric s-10 fuel pump? What carb? Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? What is it saying if so? What carb?

[wibas]

If you are running a S10 in tank pump for a carbed S10 you may not have enough volume. If you running a S10 fuel injected in tank pump you probable have enough volume but too much fuel pressure and would need to run a fuel regulator. The good regulators have a fuel return line and are adjustable. I'm running a S10 V-6 in tank fuel pump with an adjustable regulator on a 400 hp carbed SBC. I can maintain 4 psi all the time.