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When doing a s10 frame swap from what I have read. It drops the body 2 1/2 inches? Is ther and advantage to this or even going lower? I like the original height of the trucks is why I ask. Thanks

Honestly speaking? No, there is no advantage. That isn't to say somebody might argue you'd have a lower center of gravity. You will although there is a "but" involved. The bottom line is the AD trucks enjoyed some aerodynamic advantages but at the time they were built aerodynamics as a serious design element had not occurred. Going lower? That depends entirely on your point of view. I have no use for a pickup riding 4 inches off the ground, but some folks think that's really special. Again...all point of view. The AD trucks were engineered to be pickups and while you can certainly enjoy driving them on the highway, they were not in any way designed for today's speed nor today's highway maneuvering. The speed limit when these trucks were made was 60 daytime and 55 at night. In that vein, the AD trucks will be perfectly fine. If you want a pickup to drive at 75, 80 or some other speed like that, then you need a newer design. Driving an AD truck at any speed over 60 or 65 is going to require some extra work on suspension, steering and especially...brakes. Now, in defense of the S10 swap, you will get those things and some say you can do the swap in a way that maintains the original height (some say this isn't so easy without making it look "odd"), but any original value your truck may have could and probably will vanish. But again in fairness if the swap is done correctly, you may find a market for it with younger people who want to drive fast. Good luck. If you do elect to go this route, get the work done by somebody who has done this several times before and who knows exactly what they're doing. It won't be cheap, but at least at that point it will be done right and you'll be able to get a clean title, vehicle inspection...and most importantly insurance. Also...get your money ready.

Thanks.

Do you plan on using your truck like a truck or more like a car? I know where I live, in a car I can only use about %50 of the roads out here. Also weather conditions play a role, we get flash floods out here, alot of people get heavy snow ect.. so what your driving in is a thing to consider as well.

South Arkansas two lane and gravel

Arkansas two lane and gravel? Make sure the the brakes are good and keep it stock.
That is just my opinion, read up a lot and then decide.
It's your truck, build it the way you want it!

Don

If it were me I would want to keep it at the stock height, maybe even beef up the brakes/suspension. but it's your truck so have fun with it.

Leaning toward stock frame. And upgrades on suspension and brakes.

There's ALOT of information available on the ways to do such things right here on Stovebolt. I'm pretty sure you have a number of options as far as disc brake, power steering, and suspension mods/conversions. Looks like you got a bit of reading to do

Yes I do. There is lots of stuff to check out here too. Thanks

Is there any advantage to lowering the body of a truck 2 1/2" or greater? I'm not going to argue one side or the other, I'm simply going to present my experience and opinion.
I lowered my truck about 6" and have noticed a great improvement in handling and a marked improvement in fuel mileage due to reduced turbulence under the truck.
However, I cannot see any improvement to handling or gas mileage by a 2 1/2" body drop. That does vary little to lower the overall center of gravity.
I think these trucks look perfect at stock height and pretty d@mn good at about 5 or 6" lower, but they look odd anywhere in between and just plain impractical lower than that.
When I first got my truck I planned some radical modifications including an S10 swap, V8, repaint, etc., but have fallen in love with the truck in a basically stock form. Every modification I've done to my truck (drop axle, transmission swap, rear diff swap, re wire, etc) have all been things I could do in a day and have it back on the road the next day which is great as this has been my daily driver for the last 13 years.
The only time in the last 10 years I have considered using an S10 chassis was when I came across a nice regular cab long box GMC S15 4X4 with 4.3, 5 speed manual, and manual 4x4 transfer case. In that case I still would have made sure my truck looked stock and sat at stock height.

I like the 4x4 conversions too. They look good and some even look original.

My 54 is on the original frame but is lowered 7", pacer IFS and a nova rear end. the gear ratio is 2.73. My truck my choice I drive it all but snowy weather. 11 trips to KC 1200 miles round trips and 2 to the East coast about the same distance. But like 2 ton said your truck your way Just make it safe to drive.