GeeVee,
These are the kits that I resell, I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have on the S-10 Swap.
http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com If it's a good solid truck (the 51) and you can easily get it running/driving/stopping safely. I'd recommend adding 3 pt belts to it and getting him on the road. Other than the belts a brake upgrade would be top of my list as a dad.
If you want to make it a hot rod project and build it up together the S-10 Route is a great low budget way to get to IFS, modern brakes, and a more modern drive train.
To start one thing to consider (Like most old truck projects) is how good the body is, depending on what part of the country the truck is coming from and what kind of life it's had you can get into a lot of body work. A lot of people don't think of the safety factor of a cab with rotted out floors, kick panels and cab mounts. Even if you want a vintage looking patina on the truck I always recommend doing the necessary body work on the cab to get it solid.
Back to the S-10 route. The goal of the kit we sell is to recycle as many pieces as possible from the donor truck (S-10) and save money in the process. The kit allows you to not just use the S-10 frame but to also the complete brakes system (right down to the pedal), steering column, accelerator pedal, wiring harness, and even the motor and transmission on 4.3 trucks. We include motor mounts for the 4.3 V6 and V8 Conversions as well as the transmission cross member and bracket to allow you to use the S-10 Column shift.
Steve
