51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[Atommik]

99,
I always keep an eye on your build and saw your posts about the dead bolt. Great idea!! I'm planning on a cab corner install also,and an emergency release in case of battery failure!

Now that I think about it some more, I did buy a jcwhitney, keyless entry system with remote start for our old dodge caravan (in about 1999). The van already had power locks, but the remote start and entry was easy to install and lasted longer than the van!!

The customer comments on the whitney web page were mostly very positive. I think I just sold myself on the idea!! Just $79.00 for 2 actuators, control module, wiring kit and 2 remotes. Seems like a good deal!

I'm going in to work in the morning to do some sandblasting on the running boards and a few other misc parts. Almost done with sandblasting. I finished repairing the grill today and have it in primer. Pics tomorrow.

[Atommik]

Here's a few pics of the latest progress...

[xpickup]

Atommik, love the orange and the white paint. They will look great together. I like the headlights and would love to see them lit up. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

[Atommik]

Shannon, actually the running boards are just epoxy primed, but I am planning on doing the two tone grille bars, orange and white, and a white pin stripe around the cab like the factory stripe.

[Atommik]

I got a call from "my guy" at the scrap yard. They just got in a 1990 GMC s15, reg cab, 2wd, long box!! Just what I've been waiting for!! He's going to check it over tomorrow on their hoist and make sure the frame is good. Hopefully, I'll get it early next week!! I've been trying to do a little busy work on the 51, but haven't really done anything productive lately. That should change next week!!

[99 to Life]

hope it works out for you man, congrats. The frame will keep you busy for a while for sure. I wouldn't be tooo picky on the frame,
If there are some holes or rot, just replace them areas. If its taken this long to find a frame, you just might have to put more time into it.

[Atommik]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it will work out. Even it would have a little bend in it or some other damage, we've got a frame rack at work.

And as my dad said to me, and I tell my daughters..."I can fix anything except a broken heart and the crack of dawn!!"

[99 to Life]

yeah great saying. it will all come together for you. You'll figure it out, you'll end up cutting some off the rear of the frame and the front. Other than that just get the cab on, set your height, put the front fenders on put the bed on and get the wheels lined up, then fab your cab mounts and mount the cab, then get the engine and trans in there and you'll have to relocate engine location and probably have to make or modify a new trans xmeber. all in all s10 swap is not hard and I have two other frames lined up (not to rub it in) but it is just very logical to go that route, just like a sbc, just simple and effective.

[Atommik]

In my head, I've mounted the cab and fenders about a thousand times!! My cab mounts are ready and I've been looking at many threads on here about sbc/s10 motor mounts. I'm as prepared as I can be...I know some unexpected things will come up, but that's the way it goes. I'll just step back, figure it out and make it work!!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Atommik

I'm as prepared as I can be...I know some unexpected things will come up, but that's the way it goes. I'll just step back, figure it out and make it work!!

With that in mine, you should have no problems, go get it....Jim

[Atommik]

As you can probably tell, I'm a little excited to move on to the next phase of my build!!

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Atommik

As you can probably tell, I'm a little excited to move on to the next phase of my build!!

that's a good feeling.

[Atommik]

I did a little clean up and rearranging in my garage today. Built a large two level shelf (8' X 7') to store the currently unused truck parts. Once the cab and motor are mounted, (not the box), I will be able to back in the garage with the shelves over the top of the rear half of the truck. Once the bed is done, I will have cleared enough off the shelves to remove the bottom shelf. Then, I can back in under the shelf with box mounted. By the time the truck is complete, I will no longer need the shelf at all!!

First pic...new shelf
Second pic...
shelf with my stuff on it
Third pic...cab and motor tucked out of the way.

[oldman3]

Sounds like a plan....Jim

[99 to Life]

looks great man, gotta love the organization. Love the pic with the cab and engine and parts in the BG.

[focusedontheprize]

Always amazes me when I dedicate a few hours to cleaning and re-organizing the garage. At the time, I am thinking it is a waste of time and I could be working on the truck. Then when I finish I always think "Damn this was a good idea". Nice setup.

[Atommik]

I got my s10 frame today!! Included in the deal: Rolling chassis with 4 tires that actually hold air, Gas tank (20 gal), brake booster and master cylinder, steering gear and ps pump, 2 piece drive shaft. It definately needs a major clean up and paint. I think I got a good deal at $200, and a pair of 2008 Jeep Liberty headlights! Pics tomorrow.

[xpickup]

Atommik, great score on the frame and extras.

Shannon

[Atommik]

Here's a couple of pics of the frame and I also got the cab mounts painted.

[Atommik]

I started the prep work on the s15 frame today...Removed all of the box and cab mounts, degreased and pressure washed. Then I cut off the front of the frame rails and capped them. It's starting to look like something!

[Root2812]

Lookin good... Were all the parts you needed in that door I gave you?

[Atommik]

Hey Greg, yes and thanks again. I think I may use the whole regulator instaed of trying to swap the spring!

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by Atommik

I got my s10 frame today!! Included in the deal: Rolling chassis with 4 tires that actually hold air, Gas tank (20 gal), brake booster and master cylinder, steering gear and ps pump, 2 piece drive shaft. It definately needs a major clean up and paint. I think I got a good deal at $200, and a pair of 2008 Jeep Liberty headlights! Pics tomorrow.

Looking good! You should try to get the pedals out of that s10 too, see my build thread for how well they work.

[Atommik]

I spent a few hours Saturday putting POR 15 on the frame. I would have liked to disassempble everything, then have it blasted and then repaint it and reassemble it, but time and money are in very short supply. The frame is at my work and there is no way I could leave it there for as long as it would take to do it like I'd really like. Also, this will be my daily driver for 6 months of the year, so having the frame repainted and beautiful is not high on my priorities for my build. The frame is solid, and the suspension components look to be in very good shape. The front brake parts look like new and all the grease fittings were, well, very greasy when I cleaned it all up. So it looks to me the original GMC s15 appears to have been maintained fairly well.

I'm hoping to mount the cab this coming Saturday!

[99 to Life]

congrats on the frame. Looks good man. Now the fun really begins. Can't wait to see some progress.