Before I begin my long winded speach from my soap box about the famous S-10 frame swap, let me first say the information I'm about to share is based soley on my observations and personal experience on the subject and that's about it. Take it for what it is.
I'm in the process of finishing up the body work and painting of my 1952 1/2 ton pickup which I mounted onto a S-10 frame. I used a frame from a regular cab, long bed S-10, then I added the full ZQ8 sport suspension from a late model Extreme, consisting of front and rear lowered springs, gas shocks and fat sway bars. I also installed dropped spindles to really get it down in the weeds. I'm running a slightly warmed over GM 350 crate motor, dual exhaust, a 5 speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch and a Camaro Z-28 rear end with 3:42 gears. The truck also has a tilt wheel from a late model JEEP and a bench seat from a late model Chevy pickup and 1 pc. door glass with power windows. I chopped it 1-1/2 inches and removed the windshield center divider bar and wing windows to give it a cleaner look. And lastly, I'm painting it gloss black.
Okay, up onto the soap box I go. First off, for those who who are new to this hobby or have never done anything quite like this before, let me just say this isn't a quick and easy, slam the old truck onto a new S-10 frame and drive away deal. It will help if you have the means to design, cut and fabricate metal parts and be a decent welder to safely complete a swap like this. Yes there is a kit out there to mount the body to the S-10 frame, but that's really about the easist part of the whole swap, and if you can't make those simple brackets, you're in for some surprises ahead. Also, I do know all about the kits available to install brake boosters, pedals, etc. but if you are planning to go that route you better have really deep pockets.
Okay,lets assume you got the truck safely mounted to the S-10 frame. Here's all the rest of the swap that you nobody ever tells you about. You need to mount a steering column to the dash and floor and connect it to the steering gear box. Install a brake booster and brake pedal and reinforce the firewall to prevent it from flexing. Install a parking brake and run cables along with new brake lines. The engine needs to be set back a couple inches towards the firewall to provide room for that radiator you'll need. A new transmission crossmember also needs to be made along with a custom made driveshaft. The stock S-10 rear axle is to narrow so you need one from a 4X4 pickup truck, Camaro, etc. The late style Blazers 4X4 rear also works if you want a disc rear end. You'll need to decide what to do about the gas tank, use the stock S-10 pickup location or use a Blazer tank mounted at the rear or a use a custom tank. Exhaust is another item on your list of things you need along with 12 volt gauges and all new wiring front to rear. Some of this stuff you can buy and some you'll need to build or have built.
I have done all the work on my truck in my garage at home. About the only thing I didn't make was the wire harness and the drive shaft. I also have been happily working on it for four years with the body work taking the longest. With that said, the S-10 frame swap does work really good but other options should always be considered based on your level of experience, how much time you have, and of course and how much money you have to spend. Regardless, you should always have fun!
