Don't even try the newer frame route, it's way to much work for the little you gain. You can swap in a drivetrain and still keep the frame. brakes are the same. add disk and bigger rear drums to what you have. Trucks with frame swaps always look funny, the track width and wheelbase never line up just right.
Do a brake update if you want, but just know that when properly set up, the originals do a darn good job of stopping. The one area you will want to change is gear ratio, as it is now, 45 to 50 mph is about tops.
Make due with the parts you have, fixing what needs fixed and rebuilding what needs rebuilt, it's the cheapest way to go. I painted my bumpers to save money, and powder coated anything that needed chromed with a $100 kit and old kitchen stove. Things like this can save a boat load of cash and can be swapped out anytime for better parts if you want. Change very little from what Chevrolet built, get it road worthy and get some drive time before planning any major work. I painted mine before driving it, I should have waited as there are somethings I wish I had done different. Its to late now, as I don't want to hassle with paint again.
Joe
The newer frame is actually much easier than some of the other options.
My truck is the best driving and handling vehicle I own, and I owe that to the S-10 frame that's under it. It's also extremely helpful that if you need a part and are 1000 miles from home you walk into a NAPA and buy it off the shelf. Can't do that with a stock truck, sorry.
I would like to thank everyone for their sound advice. It's always nice to hear from folks that have been there and done it.
I work with this fellas dad and their both straight shooters. They rigged up a fuel pump and a gas can to get it running. He does have the bed with the tailgate. The bed has two stake holders? In front of the rear fender. Although at sometime one of them on the drivers side has been cut flush with the bed. I assume to allow for a spare tire. The fenders on the bed don't flare at the back. So I don't think their the right ones. Although he does have another set that does flare out and they come as part of the deal. All the parts are there plus a few extras.
If I do get the truck I want to put it on a newer frame so the brakes and all are modern. I would like to drive this truck every day.
I guess I'll probably wind up pulling the trigger on it. It sounds like I can get my money back out of it if I need to. I have four kids so it might be a fun project for us.
Thanks again, Mike
That truck is well worth $400 in my opinion. Check the pictures of my truck. What I started with was similar to what you're looking at. Mine's on an S-10 frame and is a great driver. Mine started as a 3/4 ton (long bed with 2 stake pockets in front of the fender as you describe), but I shortened the bed to make it a short bed.
You can do a truck like that on the cheap, definitely. I've got less than $5k into mine. Only thing I farmed out was the exhaust and the powdercoating for the wheels.
