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Has anyone out there used something other than a sbc or ls in their restomod or ratrod 47-55 AD with an S10 or custom frame? And I don't mean something like a 4.3 v-6. I'm talking like a 6.2 or 6.5 diesel or even a Duramax. And since I have a soft spot for Pontiacs, what about a 389 or 400?

Modern Diesels are really too heavy for an S-10 frame, 6.2 or 6.5 would be marginal.

ED

Whatever BB or Diesel you decide will be a plan, fab and mock up exercise. Does not matter what "body" goes on the Custom or S10 frame. The basic work will be the same. Design Rube as you go.

52Carl makes a lot of Mad Max Rebel War Wagons like that. Check him out.

I like to keep 'em near original.

The Duramax idea came from a video I saw on YouTube. Guy put one in a ‘66-67 nova station wagon. Don’t know any of the details but the guy made it fit. Just ideas right. Nothing definite. Thanks for the replies.

The 4.3 V6 weighs 425# and the Duramax 835# so you have 400#'s more weight but since it is a truck the front suspension is designed to handle load weight in the bed. If the IFS is from a single cab long bed S10 the max load in bed was probably around 1500#'s which added at least 500#'s onto the front end when bed loaded which is in the design range if no load at all in the bed. Although it may handle the extra weight it will drive like a pig since the front to rear weight ratio will be at least 75/25---helpless on any road with less than ideal traction. My 76 LUV with a 400 sbc was completely helpless if it rained.