The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Poll. Which is best route S10 frame or clip?

I see requests for S-10 longbed frames in various parts of the board. Even saw one where the guy was lengthening the frame some. And then I see discussions about this front end clip or that front end clip etc. So which is the best way to go?

Seems to me the S-10! Suspension is already worked out, you just have to make mounting brackets for the cab. Although not trivial, doesn't appear at first glance to be as complicated as adding a front clip to the existing frame. Besides you get the possibility of having a modern drivetrain too, gas tank location, plumbing etc. all done for you.

Hince the question which is the best way to go?

By the way I have a high mileage '93 S-10, small V6 with T5 tranny, all in good shape. Engine needs a rebuild. Not that big a deal. Kind of a 'bird in the hand' type situation . 'course I don't have the AD truck yet. Still looking. Have a line on a '51 5 window, very rusty, would need a new bed, etc.

Wade

personal preference is the answer.

The best way to go is keep it a truck. If you want modern suspension and ride get a modern vehicle.

If you want leaf springs in the rear and IFS in the front I think the S-10 is a good option. But if you are happy with rear leaf you have to ask why not use the orginal frame.

There are lots of reasons not to do a clip, and doing a search here will probably find you a few hundred of them so I won't try to repeat them.

My responses sound like I'm against making the change. I'm not, but I think its very important to know why you are making such a significant change before tackling the project.

I always want someone to tell me what they think 'best' means before trying to tell them what is best for them.

I'm working on five different truck projects and on two of them I'm planning to use the orignal frames. I think I have the best plan for each and that gives me a different answer on each project.

You really want to think through how you want to use the truck and how you want it to perform before making this kind of decision. If you want an S-10 that looks like an AD truck the S-10 swap might very well be your best approach.

here is a website called advanced-design engineering www.ad-engineering.com check this out it awsome ! this is the way im going to go with my 51 3100 after doing lots of looking its the only way !!

Same questions Ive been asking, except an art deco has a 115 inch WB. None of the s-10's match that. A dodge dakota is real close though.

Advantages are having modern stuff under old sheet metal. Much safer, especially when running an 8 banger engine..

There are always different opinions, but the modern brakes and suspension, gas tank position etc...as mentioned before, all contribute to the positive side.
Im gonna keep searching till I get all of the answers i need before i make a purchase of any frame, but if you buy a longer frame and cut it down, you would then have to cut the drive shaft, and the other area is width...on an art deco a half ton rear axle goes to 59-60 inches on the original frame, so we would have to know the same for the swapped frame rearend, or switch it with a better one.

Much thanks to Bill gervais for sending me those charts and measurements..thanks Bill.

I am quite happy with my original front solid axle. My ride is good and it works. I think GM spent a lot of time engineering things to work in harmony on these trucks and as a result I am staying with their decisions.
The S-10 conversion kit that is available is very good. If I just wanted IFS I would go with an aftermarket IFS kit rather than try to weld a subframe from something else on the front of my truck.

Its whatever is right for you.I used a TCI M2 frontend on my 55 2nd and I am very happy with it.Course every year the price goes up on these units,but it is by far the easiest way to go.Seems to me if you go the front clip,(Camaro) route you will probably have to rebuild everything,same with an S10 frame.So in the long run there wont be much difference in the cost.

On a stock AD the rear tires are located forward in the rear fender. The 117" wheelbase of the S10 puts the rear tire in the exact center of the wheel opening--looks much better.

From coilover Which S-10 has the 117 inch wheel base? I got 2 numbers. One for 108.3 inch wheel base(2001 model-regular cab) and the extended cab at 122.9 inch wheel base.(2001 model ext. cab)

save a lot of work stay away from rusty ones my vote is use a bolt in front end from a 75 chevy truck

Toomany2count-thanks tons brother-good stuff..

As said before, personal preference is the final answer as this subject can be argued with both sides having good reasons. I used the S10 under my 49 because I wanted a daily driver and I had no useable frame with my truck purchase and the S10 was available cheap. I did completely rebuild the front end because it is an '85. Also used the AD Engineering kit to save alot of time in fabrication although it drives the cost up. It is on the road now and drives great and I'm happy to have gone this route.

49S10 could you post some pictures of your truck? I'd like to see the finished stance, the engine compartment, and any pictures of how things look underneath.

If you don't have a place to host the pictures please email them directly to me. I'll put them on the web where others can see them if its okay with you. I'll host as many pictures of the build as you can send me.

Oldsub-
I'll take some in the next day or so and email to you.

Thanks 49S10! I'll look forward to receiving them.

49s10-I would like to see those pictures as well. can you e-mail them to me?

I am deciding this as well. Here are my thoughts:

1) An S10 swap doesn't involve major frame fabrication. Installing a clip takes precise measurements and good welding. Let's face it, it has to be perfect.
2)There are V8 swap kits for S10's, a Camaro or "G" clip may have a V8 already. A V8 install in an aftermarket IFS and AD frame could take major fabrication again.
3) Aftermarket IFS kits are expensive and imagine trying to buy parts for it? Eg: A spindle for a 85 S10 or 79 Camaro is easy to find.
4) An S10 frame with an AD body; is it an S10 or an AD truck? An original frame with IFS kit has that certain cool factor.
5) Lowering or adding airbags to an S10 frame could be done with aftermarket S10 parts.
6) A rolling chassis for an S10 is $500 from an autowrecker here, a front clip is about the same price.

I am starting with a 3600 long box, and will be a short box. In this case, I would have to add a front clip, and shorten the frame. S10 frame is looking the way to go for me.

Saved-- A few responses.

An S-10 swap is either buy the AD-Engineering kit or fabricate body mounts included the radiator mount required to hang the grill and fenders.

The aftermarket V-8 engine mount available for the stock frame is pretty straight-forward and NOT a big fabrication project.

The aftermarket IFS kits are usually based on an OE IFS and many of the parts can be bought at a local parts store, or Ford dealer. Most kits are based on Mustang II stuff, others use GM or Chrysler parts.

Is it an S-10 or an AD? If you call it an S-10 people are going to be confused. I'd call it an AD truck and only mention the S-10 stuff when buying suspension parts.

Running a dropped straight axle is more cool than any IFS option.

Just my thoughts on reading yours... Take them for whatever you think they are worth.