The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Another Frame Swap 1958 to S-10?

I need to know has anyone ever done a frame swap with a 1958 apache 3100 swb stepside bed, what frame you used, & what all you had to do to make it work :confused: ???
I'd like to use a S-10 frame due to some of them having ABS brakes, having a few of them, & 1)4x4 blazer which I'd like to use.
Once I know the trials & tribulations I may be going with a 1960-62 impala 283 HP/HO against a 4.3 4x4 trans.

Thanx to tha guyz who'll help with this in advance

don't know about the blazer, but I think the S10 would be too small to be do-able - measure it up, especislly cab mount area to rad mount, which is needed to mount the front sheet metal, and see where the wheels would hit the openings [or not] - I've seen a TF on a late 90's frame w/ all the driveline and electronics

Bill

Do some measuring. I think you'll find the S-10 stuff is too narrow for a TF truck.

The 4.3 can be thought of as a small block V-8 with the front pair of cylinders lopped off. The transmission that sat behind it should readily bolt to your 283.

the TF truck has a narrow frame compared to the s10 which is surprisingly wider (s10 frame across 3ft 4inches & TF 2ft 10inches across. As far as the wheel wells that's partly what i need to know & cab mounting. Possible cab mount modifications has anyone had to with newer frames :confused: ?

OldSub the 4.3 trans will bolt to the 283 w/o problems by the way had the 283 bolted up & runnin' like a cheetah in the blazer. 'Twas jus' too much Powwwer for the lil'midsized blazer

That's the first time I ever heard anybody say they had too much power. My Dad used to have a 87 Blazer with the 2.8 Liter in it. What a dog. That 4.3 is pretty peppy though.

wHell Shipwright if you'd have read it again you'd know i said a HP/HO (high performance/high output) 283 from a 1960-62 model impala with a 4.3 trans in a blazer. I have a 91 s10 w/ that "dog" 2.8 but it's a tbi 5speed pretty peppy too

if the s10 frame is 6" wider than the 58 than the cab mounts will be inside the frame where you'd hafta fab a whole new setup, and the wheels will stick outside the fenders - compare wheelbase and look at where the rad mounts on the 58 vs front axle position

Bill

2many - if yer sayin the tires would be way inside the openings, then sounds like they'd be rubbin on the inner fenders? guess the s10 would have a much narrower track width

Bill

Rubbing the inner fenders is a problem others have talked about when using the S-10 rear axle. It sure could be a problem. I've seen wheel spacers and offset wheels as a solution.

i have a feeling it is the size of the wheels you run with tire sizes. Backspacing on rims/wheels make a big difference w/ tire sizes & I normally run cutlass rally wheels on my s10's 14x6.5 they set in but dish out. They've been chromed 100%

i don't know if it's different w/ a TF truck on a s10 frame but thas' why i'm here

TooMany2Count i guess i will do exactly that today & measure all the important parts of the frames. when time allows me to get the cabs of both the s10 & the 58 apache off if nothing else i can sit the 58 on the s10 for eyeball inspection for difficulties etc. Even though i didn't quite understand exactly what some of you said I Will Be Doing a Frame Swap

The carbed 2.8L V6 is hands-down, the worst engine EVER devised by GM. Possibly by any manufacturer. I would call it a boat anchor, but that would be a grave insult to cinder blocks everywhere.

http://chevytrucks.org/tech/s10_frame_swap.htm

Check out this page.

thanx alot guys but i've already decided once i get the time to take off both cabs & sit the whole 58 down on the s10 frame & eyeball how much work it's goin' tobe. if it's way off then i've got a 71-74 5lug disc brake entire frame setup that i can get for little or nothing once again thanx guys i appreciate it ~beers4all~

So, Apache Outlaw, what was the outcome?

I think that it would be a shame to do this swap. We drive old trucks because they are old trucks. If you want a cushy ride, and low maintenance, buy a new truck and give me your 58. :•D

58Apache_Outlaw,

I have a 59 Apache that I installed a 76 Camaro front frame section; it was a perfect fit.
I have the install instructions at home and will scan tonight and e-mail them if you want.

I don't know if this info is any good, but here is my deduction.It seems quite a few of the guys on this site have used the long box/reg cab 2 wl drive in their AD trucks with good success. Now if they use the same box in the 54 and 55 1st series as the newer ones ,right on up into the 80's, it seems to me you should be able to use the S10 frame in a 58 Chev/GMC.
Lothar.

sorry for bein' late on this but the '72 fullsize shortbed worked 110% perfect i've recently moved to a lil'spit town of Beaufort,NC & my truck remains unfinished in the lil'o spit town of Jefferson,SC :rolleyes:

OUTLAW is framed, primed, ready & awaiting her 283HP, & awaitin' her rebirth hope this january