This may sound crazy...

[67ChevyRedneck]

...I did a fair amount of googling and searching this section of the board, but came up empty...

My next future project is hopefully going to be a 47-53 Chevy on a 94+ S-10 frame.

Here's the crazy part. I've been researching vehicle weights and whatnot and it appears the 94+ S-10's weighed 3,300+ lbs depending on model. The 47-53 trucks come in around 3,200-3,300 lbs as well??? My crazy idea is to use "most" of the S-10, including the 2.2L and 5spd. Yes, I said the 2.2L. I have one in my 99 and with a couple performance modifications it gets up and goes down the road just fine. I think it would be great to have an old pick-up with a unique engine and great fuel mileage. My S-10 gets 22/29 city/hwy and if a 47-53 could pull off 17/23ish I'd be really happy. I'm just guessing the fuel economy loss based on the "It's a brick" factor.

So, anyone else ever thought of this... OR DONE IT????? I know GM built that prototype truck with the I-5 engine, but wrecked Colorados are really pricey!

[cajundragger]

the I-5 is a POS anyways...

sounds like a plan for something just to drive and cruise.

4 cylinders just aren't for me though.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Yup, something nice to cruise in. I've never really cared for going fast, but I do enjoy going through the gears myself. I basically want an S-10 with a cool 47-53 body. I'm very happy with how my 99 S-10 rides/handles/drives. The other option would most likely be a 250 backed by a 5spd from a 4.3L S-10. I'd just like to do the 4 banger to be different.

I'll admit to having never driven an I-5 colorado, but at 242hp and 242ft-lb of torque... that seems pretty peppy to me?

[cajundragger]

I guess the I 5 power is decent, but its a crappy engine. Nothing but problems.

[Palf70Step]

Idea sounds OK to me. You'll definitely see a drop in MPG just because of the vehicle shape/drag. I've been thinking of one also, but with a 250 & 5 speed from a C1500, but first I got to finish my 70.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Yeah, I found a really nice red 52 for sale about a month or two ago. The guy wanted 8K for it, but I felt it was about 3K too high. It was definitely a fresh paint lets make a quick buck truck, but the body appeared extremely solid. It had the original engine, interior, suspension, etc, all of which weren't touched during the "restore." It looked like it was pulled from a barn and the outside painted without ever removing anything. He liked my Z71 and offered the truck plus I pay him $1,500, I said no thanks. I went by to look at it again a couple weeks ago and it was gone. Maybe it was worth it, but I didn't feel it was.

My dad had a 50 GMC 5 window when I was in my early teens, but it was a NY truck and we ended up giving up on it because it was so far gone (there wasn't much in the aftermarket world for them at the time), it went to the crusher I've always wanted a 47-53, but felt the "newer classics" were more safe/fun to drive, but with all of the kits, etc for them now to basically make it an S-10, or go all out with the front and rear suspension kits, they can be every bit as safe/fun to drive as a newer truck.

[magsnubby]

Check these guys out:

http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/

It might be a bit pricey but it lets you use almost everything from the S-10.

[56chevy1300]

I'm a fan of 4.3L V6's...I would like to see a 2.2L...make sure you start a thread on this board!

[pugs]

Is day go for it why not. All I want is a nice D/D myself. Im working on a 57 that i put onan s-10 chassis, going to be running a 250 inline 6

[Lrall]

I'm in the process of doing the swap right now. But, you cant use the current motor without moving it, unless maybe its an automatic but still the front will be an issue. Anyway, you have to move the motor back, which means you would probably have to buy/fab engine mounts. But, the swing pedal/bracket can be modified lightly to work with the AD truck. New steering linkage is a must, the stock s10 just wont work w/o major mods. You could probably get the stock s10 motor and stuff to work but you would have to move the motor/trans and lengthen some lines and such.

[Lrall]

oh and the colorado wheelbase is different im pretty sure....plus the suspension is different and would require big inner fender modification.

[49gmc]

go for it!
just to be different
i love it

[Daniel U]

I'm getting 20MPG on the freeway with my '88 5.7l TPI IROC Camaro(I just rolled over 235k on the odo with all orignal, stock power train). I'm sure the wieght and shape will factor into my '54 with the same power train, but V8 power is the way I chose. I'm a sucker for different stuff though. Stay GM and I'll support any direction you chose

[67ChevyRedneck]

I had an 86 305/700R Z28 a couple years ago. Fun car, not very fast, but fun. It easily got 21-22 mpg highway, but I could only ever get 14 city out of it, which is the majority of my driving. That's close to the EPA rating of 15/23. I have two other v-8 powered trucks to play with.

Thanks for all the comments, support, links, etc

Unfortunately, I'm currently unemployed, which has left me a lot of time to research. I really want this to be the next project I do when I get back on my feet My wife thinks they're "cute trucks" so I may have permission I have a fairly nice 58 that's at my parents house in NY (originally a southern truck I brought to NY in 1995), but I think I may let that go to my dad.

[BigDaddyDave]

With the right amount of money anything is possible.That does sound like a cool project.