52 GMC, S10 frame swap, Dan M.

[skymangs]

Here's my latest project, 52 GMC, going on a 92 S10 chassis, keeping the 4.3L/700R4 and TBI. Cab is pretty rusty, so it will be getting some attention in the critical areas before it leaves. Cab corners and some smaller things, the owner is planning on doing on his own.

[BlueJeep]

Looking forward to see it coming together in the next week.

[oldman3]

We'll be watching.....Jim

[joedoh]

love it!

[skymangs]

Thanks guys. I've got a ton of pics, actually been working on it for about a week now. Lots of rust repair!

First step was to apply muriatic acid to the center portion of the frame rails, followed by ammonia, and rinsed off with water. The muriatic acid eats the factory applied wax coating on the frame, the ammonia neutralizes the acid, and the water rinses the ammonia away.

The owner provided some frame brackets that he had made. So I cut 3" out of them to achieve the ride height he was looking for.

[skymangs]

brake pedal assembly is modified and installed. Next I moved the driveline back 5.5" (he plans on converting to a v8 at some point). Built some motor mounts, and modified the trans crossmember to fit in the new location.

[skymangs]

Next was the front suspension. It received new upper/lower ball joints, upper bushings, 2" drop spindles, brake pads, brake hoses, and 2" spacers.

then I cleaned all the bracketry off the rear end (92 Camaro) and mocked it up on 2" blocks. Total WMS is 65", with his tires, it's 72" from outside of tire to outside of tire... I told him that he may have to roll the fenders!

[skymangs]

Here's the chassis on the ground, and with the cab fit. Next I tackled the structural rust. Floor supports, cowl braces, outer cowl panels. I started with the right side (which was much worse than the left).

[skymangs]

Here's the passenger side patch going on.

Followed by the "before" shots of the drivers side.

[skymangs]

Here's the left side going together. and the brake booster/master mounted up

[oldman3]

Looks good Chris, and your moving right along...Jim

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by skymangs

Next I moved the driveline back 5.5"

I was hoping to see how an unmoved 4.3 sat in the engine bay, since I dont plan on upgrading to a v8...

but I gotta say, thanks for all the great pictures!

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim,

Joedoh, I don't know that you could use the 4.3 in the factory position. Maybe if you used v8 conversion motor mounts to slide it back an inch or 2. I just don't think there would be clearance enough for an electric fan. In it's factory position, the 4.3 was about 8 inches away from the firewall, and the mechanical fan was occupying the space where the radiator will be.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I was hoping to see how an unmoved 4.3 sat in the engine bay, since I dont plan on upgrading to a v8...

but I gotta say, thanks for all the great pictures!

Here's what it looks like:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...90&postcount=4

[joedoh]

well, I guess I do have a devious customs raised trans crossmember kicking around the garage,

I'll see how it lines out, thanks.

[Clay54]

Chris, you said you modified the brake pedal. What did you actually do to modify it. Thanks, Clay

[skymangs]

Thanks bluejeep, that's exactly what I was trying to say, just not nearly as well as a pic...

Clay, I didn't modify the pedal itself, just the bracket that holds it under the dash. I trimmed it back, made a pie cut or two on the pass. side (to allow for the curve in the dash), and slotted one of the holes. I can take a pic tomorrow of what it looks like now.

[skymangs]

Here's the steering column going in. I wasn't expecting to open the box to a shiny Chrome column. My customer ordered his own, and didn't get any bolt on drop bracket or firewall mount. I had to weld the backside of everything so I didn't discolor the chrome too much. Worked out in the end though. I'm just not a huge fan of chrome columns I guess.

I also got the drivers side inner kick panel replaced.

[skymangs]

Drivers side floor cut and patched.

[skymangs]

Sorry it' been awhile. Too busy lately to post pics. All the metal work is now complete. Passenger side kick panel and main floor are shown below.

[skymangs]

Here's the center floor and trans tunnel. The steering linkage and shift linkage is also finished. The Rad Core support is complete, and tomorrow it will start getting fenders, etc. hung on it.

[oldman3]

Chris, repairs to the floor came out great....Jim

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim. It's a driver, so it should have solid floors I guess

Todays pics.

Throttle pedal assembly. I build a stand for these so the pedal has full travel.

[skymangs]

Here is mocking up the front end to set core support height.

Looks like ride height is just under 7" right now. Should settle another 1/4-3/8" after it gets the rest of the weight added, and driven down the road a bit.

[CharlieSheen]

Sarge....Some place,Somewhere, a car shredder received a coffee break because of you today,lol!