We have a 53 with a Mustang II, and a 54 with a Late 70's front cross member swap.
Both trucks drive nice the MII is low (standard spindles) and handles nice. The swap was done by a previous owner and honestly has always bothered me that it had F*rd parts on it. Also I was looking at swapping the manual rack to a power one and I've had trouble finding the right rack. Who knows what parts were used originally as it was done before me.
The 54 with the Late 70's cross member is my father in law's and I've driven it a bunch, it has 2 or 3 inch drop spindles on it. The wide track width looks funny to me and others and I frequently get asked if it's a 4X4 (Even setting low). It is good heavy duty truck suspension and works great. If I were to do one I'd go the route of narrowing the rack to tuck the wheels better. When it was first done it had a lot of bump steer and really quick steering (Liked to wander) turns out it had the wrong pump (too much pressure) for the rack once that was resolved it was good.
The S-10 swap is one that I've been interested in for some time. I know several guys that have fabbed their own mounts and have driven one and thought it drove great. Years back when I drove S-10's I always like the way they handled. I started building a 47 on an S-10 several years ago with intentions on building a kit to make it easier for others. A job change and 2 kids later I had given up on that project to work on my big bolt and other trucks. Last fall I took up that project again and decided that there were 3 other guy's out there building kits so no need for me to do one. After some research and seeing trucks built with the kits in person I decided on the E-Z Chassis Swaps kit. After a few calls to Ed the manufacture I decided to become a dealer of them as well. A buddy and I made a trip up to MN to check out his operation and to arrange to get some kits. Now I'm working on my 47 again (Progress post to follow).
Enough history so back on topic. Things to think about with an S-10 swap. The wheelbase length is worked out in the kit but the track width is narrow, you get around that in the rear by changing to a different axle, in the front you can either run AL wheel spacers or get some negative offset wheels. Some guy's are afraid of spacers, I'm not anymore afraid of them than I am AL wheels but that's my opinion do some research and decide how you feel about it. The radiator/steering box can be an issue but it's addressable and both E-Z Chassis Swaps and AD Engineering have it covered. The good things: S-10s are plentiful and cheap I've even gotten a couple free for the haul off. Check Craigslist, Ebay and your local paper. I like the idea of all GM parts and being able to walk into the parts counter guy (not many actual parts guys out there anymore) wherever I am in the country and say I need this part for an XX S-10 so they can put it in their confusor. If you want to go to one of those V motor things guy's have been doing it in the S-10 for years even big blocks and it works out fine. One note of caution don't buy the S-10/V8 conversion mounts cause they don't locate the engine in the right place for the old trucks. With the S-10 there's a wealth of mini truck guys out there ready to help you get it low if that's the route you wanna go.
None of these options are going to be a piece of cake, plan on having a lot of space to work on it and double or triple the amount of time you think or are told it will take.
No matter what route you go, be sure to save any parts you have left over for guys who are retaining their stock parts, post them here, craigslist or ebay but don't just toss em'.
Steve
Last edited by KCMongo; 06/18/2008 8:53 PM. Reason: Mongo can't Spell...
