The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop S 10 Frame Swap on a Canadian '53 GMC

Well after some advice from the guys on here it looks like I am going to attempt a frame swap on my '53. My desire is to end up with something that's fun and easy to drive. 46gmcpu has been giving me some advice and after looking at his 46 I'm inclined to listen:) That's one great looking truck.

I've got a couple photos up on my progress so far, pretty much all of which has been pulling apart the truck. I'm going to try and keep this thread as a bit of a log for the project.

Looks like I may have located the donor truck and for a great price!

Great news!

Well the other truck fell through but there is one up on salvage. It's a 2002 Sonoma 4x4 crew cab. Does anyone know if the frame would work? I know it'll need shortening but does the 4x4 change anything frame-wise?

I would pass on that one. The 4WD makes the suspension different, it's torsion bar front and wider. 2WD is what you want. Put a wanted ad on Kijiji, I had TONS to choose from, even some in SK.

Yeah, I've got another one on the line so I'll likely just pass on the 4WD. Thanks for the input.

Hi,

Another rodder in Alaska put a 50 AD truck on a 2WD trailblazer frame - kept all the trail blazer powertrain, suspension, brakes etc..

I had a ride in the truck last year and it runs/drives really well. I can put you in touch with him if you like.

They did the whole conversion in 4 months working part time so it can;t be that hard to do.

He hangs on on vortec4200.com

Here is a complete build thread on a trailblazer to AD truck swap..
AD on a trailblazer chassis


and here it is complete on the chassis dyno


dyno time

I don't like the width of the Trailblazer in relation to the AD truck fenders. It just doesn't look right IMO. To each their own, definitely a neat idea.

I read that the width can be a problem as well. Looks like they stretched the fenders to fit the frame. I think I'll wait on an S10 even though it looks like I'll need to do some frame shortening. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Well I finally got a hold of a donor truck. Lucked out with a regular cab long box at the government salvage. Hopefully I'll get it swapped into the garage so I can start tearing it down this weekend.
Added one picture into the album in case anyone wants to take a look at the sweet custom exhaust and rear bumper.

http://www.ad-engineering.com/HOMEPAGE.html
Not sure if this would help but have a look. These guys have taken all the guesswork out, and sell a nice kit. Seems like a reasonable price to a successful project.
I think they have all the answers to the problem.
Good luck.

Well it's been quite a while since I've done an update(looks like about a year...). I had a busy summer getting married and the associated fun that goes with that.

Anyway I managed to get the S-10 stripped down and it's been moved out of the garage. Just today I pick up another truck, 2002 GMC Sierra, for a grand at the government salvage again. It'll be donating its engine and possibly trans to the build. I'm hoping I can get that ripped out fairly soon so that I can get going on the fun stuff. I'll get a couple pictures up sometime soon.

Happy Thanksgiving to the fellow Canucks!

Good luck with the swap. I am doing the same with an S10 Chassis and Silverado Drive Train. Here is a link to my build. I am using the prototype for the most recent version of the AD kit.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=609082&highlight=s10+frame+swap

There is a LOT of useful info on the 67-72 Chevy Truck site. I would be in trouble without it.

By the way, make sure you keep all of the Control Modules and harnesses that go with the motor and tranny. I'm not at the point of hooking them up but I know you will have headaches without the original electronics.

Please post pictures when you can.

Just added a few more pictures to the link. The engine and trans are out of the Sierra and I'm going to get the S10 frame into the garage this weekend. Then I can get the frame prepped for the engine, trans, and body. Coming along pretty well.

Thanks tlorber. That build of yours looks great

We'll I've got the engine and trans mounted to the frame. I'm looking into airbag suspension kits right now and I need to start working on the body mounts. I'll have some new pics in the photobucket soon.