This project has been a long time coming but finally making progress on the Chassis swap. I know there are a lot of threads out there about guys doing the swap and guys that don't like the chassis swap, but this thread will be my experience throughout this build. I may not do things the way someones else does it and that is fine. For sure will look for some guidance for folks that have done this in the past and have found some tricks. My goal is to get everything done and hopefully driving by Summer 2020 I will continue to update this thread as I make progress or do this or that. so far here is what I have done. Drove the S10 into the garage and started the dismantling of it. I am now down to the bare chassis, minus the fuel tank which I should be able to get out in the next day or 2 so that I can start the cutting of all the body mounts and the front of the frame. I am going to run the 4.3 and 4L60E but do a little freshen on the engine with a little hotter came and rebuild the "wear" parts. going to run the Fuel injection and bought the Painless wire kit for it along with a 18 circuit harness for everything else. If nothing else I hope you find some enjoyment throughout this process and maybe help someone doing the same as I.
I'm also interested to know if you will be using a kit. Seems like it would be a huge time-saver to use a body mounting kit, but takes some of the "I did it all myself" out of it. . .
It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility in occupation which brings happiness. - Thomas Jefferson
We used to do so many S10 conversions I bought a half dozen standard cab long bed S10's for inventory (need one?). Market has slowed way down in recent couple years. A couple of heads up tips: the 4wd S10 rear end is STILL too narrow and have the 2.25" front wheel spacers made out of steel, not aluminum. The cab and bed mounts are easy to fabricate but precise measurement is a must for the final "finished look". The bed mounts in particular have to be right for the filler between the bed bottom and running board to fit.
Get bed position measurement from stock truck and the make a tape line on mounted cab. Position bed to tape line and measure how tall bed mounts need to be---important for running board/filler fit [img]https://i.postimg.cc/nXw5ncZW/S10-032.jpg[/img]
Have you looked around ? Here is a "Build Thread" posted on the 67 - 72 chevytruck form by : joedoh . . . and he uses the stock 4.3 motor & trans . A really good read for info, also.
I'm thinking that I need too put my Dad's IH truck back on the road - - - may go to the S-10 swap. My 53 IH (I got this truck back in the mid 70's) . . is sitting on a Chevy car chassis , and needs an up-grade for sure.
This swap was done when I was working in a Paint & Body shop, before moving to Arizona (Richardson Paint & Body Shop, Texas). So, then I had all those tools . . . we'll see how it goes . . . I'm still looking , and following along .
51FarmTruck...I had a cousin-in-law stop by, who has built a number of non-trailer queen street rods, to give me some advice as to my current predicament. His experienced knowledge solved my problem. The next thing he told me without inquiry on my behalf was "everyone is going to have an opinion on what you did...right or wrong...so be ready for it. Make it safe and do it like you want." Stovebolt forum is great for "been there, done that" advice. When it's finally said and done, I'm going to live by the statement above.
“It’s your truck do what you want” has always been the mantra here in the HiPo Forum. All we ask is to make it safe, not only for you but others on the road with you.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
