By Moderator: Richard’s Journal started here in the Welcome Center. When I took on this project, I had an idea of "must haves". I wanted better suspension, power disc brakes, A/C, V8 power with auto trans. But I wanted to keep as much original as possible. No tilt steering, door locks, power windows, etc, etc. My son Clayton was pushing for an S10 frame build which would have given me almost everything I wanted. However, I really didn't want to deal with fabing body and running board mounts, radiator core support, bumper mounts, etc etc. Original frame with everything already there was my decision. The rotisserie made frame work much easier.
What I ended up doingI bought a Danforth front end kit that uses S10 control arms. Found a 1996 2wd S10 Blazer and cut the front end off in the guys front yard. Disassembled, cleaned it up and painted. Boxed in the frame to install the Danforth crossmember. Had to do some cutting on the original GM crossmember. Not knowing exactly how the control arms should go on, I welded the perch pieces on backwards. Had to carefully cut off and reweld them on. Bought a '94 Lincoln MVIII steering rack and salvage yard. Used grade 8 bolts to mount the rack to frame. Mockup of control arms with the 2" drop spindle. Boxed in rear frame to relocate shock mounts. Didn't want the power brake booster on the firewall so went with one in the original location. Fabbed up lowering blocks for the rear axel. The rear is from 2003 4X4 S10 Blazer 3.73 posi. Had to strip everything off the rear end. New perches, brake pads, ubolts, etc.
That's about it for the frame for now.
| 1953 Chevy pickup restored-sold to purchase Toy Hauler trailer | 1964 GMC long bed Pickup 305 big block V/6 bought to restore with son and his 14 yr old son
