The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop '39 GMC on S-10 Chassis

I am trying to decide which way to go in updating my '39 GMC 1/2 Ton Longbed Pickup. One way would be to update the stock chassis with a Mustang II front suspension, new differential and V8 with automatic. On the other hand a 2WD Extended Cab S-10/15 has approximately the same wheelbase and track. Does anyone have an opinion on which would be the easiest and most economical way to go. Also what particular problems may be encountered both ways. I would appreciate any help in this matter.

I guess it really depends on how much money you want to spend!!
You can find a complete, useable S-10, with body damage, for probably half of what you will spend for all the components necessary to build this project. Plus, you will have all the extras that you don't think about from the donor truck as well. Sit down and make a list of all the components you will need for your project and see what the cost total is.
I put my 50 GMC 1/2 ton panel truck on the complete rolling chassis of a 1990 GMC 1/2 ton 4wd truck. I've built many rods and mongrel projects...decided to let someone else do the "engineering" on this one...GM! All my street rod "buddies" thought I was should do it by individual components, until I showed them the money math.

well...since i have a '40 Chev and am currently putting a '51 onto a '97 S-10 chassis i believe i can speak with some credibility here. First-use only a chassis with a 4.3..i would never put the 2.8 in...TBI would be the easiest to use however a vortec 4.3 would provide a significant improvement. Stock chassis height provides some troubles....with the rise in the S-10 chassis over the rear axle you must raise the body line and lower the ride height of the suspension. I however am taking a different approach....we have left the body line about where the s-10 was and are raising the level of the bed wood to acomidate the raise in the frame at the rear. Your front track-width will be about right depending on what wheel u want to run...you will need to change rear axle to something wider....easieat change will be to a s-10 4X4 rear axle....stock s-10 is 55" some 4x4 are 57-59"...sufficent to clear box depending on wheel u run

I second the notion about the 2.8L engine - my first car was an '84 Blazer with that POS, and 20,000 miles after a rebuild it was already wearing out again.

Third affirmation on using the 4.3L engine. Had a 4x4 S-10 extended cab with a fuel injected 4.3 that was a completely different beast than my friend's 2.8. They should be available in the boneyards.

If you want to go all out, you CAN drop a 350 V8 into the S-10 chassis, but perhaps that is phase 2.

I am presently putting my 40 Chevy pick up on an 89 S-10 4x4 with the 2.8 and 5 speed stick. I would rathwer use the 4.1 but the 2.8 is in good conditionand in the truck. I have had several 2.8's with good luck. I ran them on rural mail routes. one lasted over 155,000 miles. nothing rougher than a rural mail route.
I am just getting started so I will need all the help and advice I can get too.
Thanks
Fred

Sorry guys I ment 4.3L not 4.1

You are all right about the 2.8 . The 4.3 is much better....but why screw around with a 4.3 when a 5.7 will exceed all expectations, and get as good gas mileage as a 4.3 will. I get as good gas mileage with my set up as my '93 safari gets on the highway, plus, when towing, the 4.3 falls below 12 and works like a dog. The 5.7 get 14 pulling the same trailer, and you don't even know it's behind you. Remember, driving these old units down the road are like pushing a brick, aerodynamically speaking.

I'm in the proccess of an S10 - 47 1/2 ton swap
Here's some info I got on another board.
Hope it helps.
Mongo

I want to thank everyone for their ideas and help. I am still trying to sort this out, but it gives me a lot to think about. Hope to have it going this summer. Thanks again!

Hey KCMongo,
I was just going to suggest checking out the other board. I down loaded all of So-Whats posts, and every other post I could find on the AD chevy to S10 swap.
I really want to do this for my next project, maybe build a daily driver.

Orange52

<----Not trying to HiJack Post

Orange,
That's my plan too I'm so hooked on these old trucks driving my 94' daily seems so boring but I wouldn't put the traffic abuse on my 53'. So I figured building the S10 - 47 Hybrid was the best bet, I'm trying to use as much from the "Donor" S10 as possible including most of the electrical, HVAC, Column, MC, cutting pieces out of the body for patch panels, etc.
And a buddy made me up a set of S10/V8 motor mount adapters so I can use the 2.8 rubber mounts for my 305.
MONGO

for what it's worth...i have found using the HVAC was more trouble than it was worth. The ductwork for the vents would be a big hassle. The only componants worth salvaging would be the compressor and condensor. Also for $50 you can buy all the wiring u need and another $60 will get u a decent fuse box.....your time is worth more than 100 in this area.

rodS,
Let me clarify I don't plan on trying to transplant all those things complete I'm sure a good deal of hacking and modifying will be necc. in the case of the AC system, as bad as the donor truck was, it came to me with "COLD AIR" which was a big suprise. Later exploration showed it had a full charge of R12 in the system. A buddie at a shop is gonna reclaim this for me and put it in a bottle for storage till I'm ready for it. I'm expecting I'll end up modifying the airbox or maybe even building a whole new one to pull air from the side vent on the cab (like a deluxe heater) I plan on using the control head from a 91 caprice I have as I think it will look much better and hide easier when I want it too.
MONGO