The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Frame swap on 1946 Chevy 1/2 ton

I've finally committed myself to begin the restoration of my 46 Chevy pickup. I won't even pull it out of the weed row without first putting together a solid plan. My first concern is the chassis and how to keep expenses as low as possible. There's a company called superior glassworks that makes a chassis with brand new brakes, suspension, rear end, a mustang II front end, engine and transmission mounting brackets, and it will bolt up to and fit a 1946 Chevy pickup exactly. It will cost about $10,000. The other option is to get an s10 frame or something like that and put the chassis together one piece at a time. My question is which option would be cheaper in the long run? Or if anyone has had a brand new fabricated frame and how they liked it?

I'm sure the new chassis is nice but I wouldn't call that low buck. The S10 is the way to go, if you can figure it out and do a little fabricating. S10's are cheap on craigslist, drive well and have good parts availability and aftermarket parts are inexpensive if you want to go lower.

Get a long bed regular cab, wheelbase is close and centers the wheels, you can use the seat, wiring harness etc. square body style you can use the steering column also.

I collected everything to do the swap on a 49 at one time complete running low mile 91 S10 4.3 700r4 with a flat roof from a tree and a couple other misc parts for $600.00 If I had finished the project could have been driving for around $1000.00 or less. I can do the fab work though. If you cant, it could get pricey.

Thanks for the info. That sounds like the more cost effective way to go for sure. What all in the way of fabrication needs to be done to the frame? And what's the best way to get the wheelbase to where it needs to be for the 46?

Off the top of my head you will have to make mounts,cut off the ends of frame , and on a 46 possibly rework the frame where it kicks out behind the front wheels ? Or it might just be a matter of a little trimming on the body. Also move the engine and trans mounts back a few inches. I was using a different body style you would have to mock it up and see what needs to be done. Nothing a little time and a welder can't fix.

Long bed regular cab works well with no mods on a short bed.
If you did have to change the wheelbase the S10 frame splits in the middle cut some welds cut it to shorten or extend length and re-weld.

e-zchassisswaps.com has everything you need for $1600 and no running around chasing parts. A search will turn up dozens of how to articles for doing the swap. It's been done many times. As 2manyprojects stated ANY S10 will work since they are so easy to shorten or lengthen. The "C" channel rear of the frame fits up into the front boxed part which gives a natural splice joint.

Thanks again, I'll start my search for an s10 frame!

Thanks Evan, I did find a company that makes and sells a conversion kit from an s10 to a 46 Chevy for $1200 + free shipping. I think I've found the answer to my frame swap question