Well, it has almost been a year since I have worked on the truck and with the cold months coming I need to get my plan laid out.
Right now I am back to trying to determine my next steps. Over the course of the past year I got laid off from my job, got a new job, got called back to my original job and have had my hands full with my 2 daughters and going out of town on the weekends. I have also used some of the time to start reading and researching some BUT it just seems to make me more confused on where to go next.
At this point it has been determined that we want to leave the truck in its patina form, as much as possible. I have sold off everything I can and the cab is gutted, besides the steering wheel/column, and the engine bay is gutted, besides the steering box. In order to keep the patina look I would need to replace the cab corners, kick panels inside the cab, the floor, and Im sure some other pieces. Since we want to keep it looking old and I am ok with the patched panels showing on the outside and so forth. Here is where I am at a loss on what to do. In my head, which I know this is not easy and it wont pan out this way, I would like to do everything as follows:
1.) remove cab and body panels from current frame
2.) repair/replace panels
3.) get necessary hardware for body to mount to s10 frame (reg cab long bed)
4.) get a motor (5.3L) and all wiring
5.) mount the motor and everything mechanical I can
6.) put body panels on frame
7.) finish assembly
Now again, I know that it wont work like that and this is where I am completely confused on where to go. I read that a rolling s10 frame isn't easy to mount the truck cab and panels onto. Then I read an s10 rear end will not work and I might have to source a custom rear. Basically, in order to not ramble on and on, I keep getting told and reading mixed info.
At this point, I just want everything on a more modern frame and I want it running. I don't care how it looks for now, on the exterior. My wife says to buy the frame and motor and then get a friend to help with the welding and then throw it together. I explained its not that simple.
So now, here is where you guys come into play. With my goal being to make a patina truck that has incredible power (thinking 5.3L and a turbo) and also we want incredible handling, what first?
Sorry if I asked this last year in the above thread. I just figured I might as well repost everything since this thread is old. Any help/guidance would be great. Even sources for parts and more research would help. Thanks
