Mr. T's truck - 49 3100 on an S10 frame

[skymangs]

So this is a customer's truck (we'll call him Mr. "T", it adds a little mystery). This one is a 48 or 49 3 window cab going on a long bed S10 chassis. The owner wants a flat floor pan, and to use as many of the S10 components as possible, so it will stay a 4.3L TBI truck. I'll be re-using the S10 brake setup, wiring harness, ECU, steering column, etc, etc, etc... Here's a couple of pics as I picked it up.

[skymangs]

Yes, that's the bed in pieces strapped to the back of the frame

So after doing some mock up, and deciding where it should sit, the driveline was moved back 6 inches. since it's a 4.3, it will still have about 3.5" behind the distributor.

Cab mounts were templated and built from 1/8 wall steel. The top plates are 3/16" steel. As always, I kick my cab stand legs out at a 15 degree angle to reduce the stress of a vertical weld on the frame.

[skymangs]

Here's the cab stands mounted on the frame.

Once I had the cab where I wanted it, time to move that motor back to make room for the core support. Owner wants to run the mechanical fan as well.

[skymangs]

Trans crossmember needed to shrink by about an inch on the passenger side since the frame tapers down as it goes back. Motor's all set now, moving on to pedal assembly and steering column next.

Forgot to mention. Cool parts include Champion double pass aluminum 19x22 radiator, 2" drop spindles, Lokar shift rod, and moon gauges.

[skymangs]

Here's the column. It was a little short for the cab, so I had to cut, extend, and reverse the lower lever on the shifter. Also had to remove the factory stop light switch tab, it was interfering with the bright switch. I think I'm going to re-locate the stoplight switch above the column. Pics tomorrow.

Need to finish up a couple small things on the column, lower bracket needs to be made, stop light switch re-location, etc.

That's it for today.

[xpickup]

Skymangs, looking great. Love the patina on the cab.

Shannon

[oldman3]

Hey Chris, moving right along and looks good. Dates on the pics are funny, seems like your working backwards about 7 years (ha ha)....Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Shannon, unfortunately the fenders and box don't match the cab's patina. I think the owner is planning on a flatz color, but not 100%, I'm just along for the structural work.

Jim, I never remember to re-set the date on my camera. One day I'll get round to it I guess. LoL

[oldman3]

Chris, it's all in fun bro, got to mess with you once and awhile...Jim

[Clay54]

Chris, in post #2 there is a metal something, I am guessing a ruler, laying across a cab mount. If it is a ruler, I'm thinking it could be about 12 inches, therefore I am also suggesting the cab might be setting about 6 inches off the frame. If this is true, would you give me those measurements. Thanks, Clay

[skymangs]

Clay54, yes, that's a steel ruler to help me ensure I was keeping everything straight. Send me a pm so I don't forget to send measurements. If you can hold out about a week, I can give you a full schematic of all the measurements for every bracket including the running boards, bed, radiator support brackets, and measurements of where everything should be on the frame.

Jim, I know brother, this is the second time you've mentioned it... LoL

[Clay54]

PM sent. I appreciate your time. Thanks, Clay

[skymangs]

No problem Clay.

More progress to post. Steering column, brake pedal/booster, installed. Ready to weld the floor in tomorrow. here's some pics.

The last pic shows where I re-located the brake stop switch bracket, nestles nicely above the column now, and isn't visible below the dash any more.

[skymangs]

The owner didn't ask for it, but I hate looking at that off center column hole in the dash, so I took a little time to fill it. Last few are the finished column/pedal assy. install

[skymangs]

Here's Lokar's shift rod installed and operational, and the custom gauge panel I'm making for his Moon gauges. There is already a large hole cut in the lower dash for an aftermarket radio, so these will go in it's place. More on that tomorrow.

[STOCKISH]

Great work man. He picked the right guy to work on it for him for sure.

[oldman3]

Nice job on everything Chris, see you fixed the date on pics. Didn't you know they off set the column to the right, so the farmer could sit closer to his wife....Jim

[skymangs]

1972SuperCheyenne: Thanks, I try.

Jim: Yep, the column is offset about an inch to the right. LoL

So here's todays progress...

Floor is in, gauge panel is mounted, throttle pedal and riser are in and functional.

[skymangs]

I also cut the hole for the S10 fuse panel, and started working on some wiring issues, but no pics yet.

The L/R stake pocket had some rust issues that needed to be addressed before I can put the bed together. And I started work on modifying the core support.

The rest of the weekend (around kid's basketball games and church) will be dedicated to getting the bed assembled, and fitting the bed/running boards. Once that's done, it's all a downhill slide...

[xpickup]

Skymangs, looks good, you are moving right along.


Shannon

[wickid demon]

Liking the gauges in the dash, looks better molded in than hanging below the dash on a generic cluster. Keep up the good work. at your pace it will be running by summer.

[oldman3]

Chris, you are layin' em down and pickin' em up. That's a lot of work in a short time, nice going bud...Jim

[skymangs]

xpickup: Thanks, I am trying to finish this one up so I can get the next project in!

Wickid Demon: Summer? It will be running this week, I'm shooting to have it finished by the 2nd or 3rd of Feb.

Jim: Thank you, again, I love doing this stuff, so it's hardly work at all!

Updates:

Today was all about bed and running board alignment. I think I nailed it. The front end is nose up by 2" until the drop spindles come in, but I accounted for that when I mocked up the bed and running boards. Bed sides and running boards are dead level with the cab floor

[skymangs]

Here's how I did my cross sills. I replicated each one with 1.5" 11ga. boxed steel, using a stock cross sill to mark all the holes for the bed strip bolts. On the backside I used a 1" hole saw to allow access to the bed bolt nuts. Then I blocked up the bed off the frame and fine tuned the height with some thin wooden garden stakes from Lowes. I used some 1x2 wood to simulate the thickness of the bed wood, then measured my bracket height. Cut brackets out of 1x2 11ga. boxed steel, and welded some angle gussets to capture them to the top of the frame. The brackets will be bolt on, in case the owner ever needs to remove the bed. I'm recording all my dimensions, and keeping all my templates so this will be less work next time!

[oldman3]

Nice job Chris...Jim