The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1937 Chev Pickup frame/mechanical swap with 1993 Chevy S-10?

Hey guys...

I was curious if it was possible (or how hard it would be) to swap frames between my 1/2 ton 1937 and a '93 S-10?

Actually I'm interested in swapping much more than the frame as you'll see below.

I am running the original frame and suspension at present and was going to convert to a mustang or S-10 clip sometime soon anyway, but I have an opportunity to get a 1993 S-10 complete with:

-Chevy 350 & 700r4 tranny both aprox. 30,000 kms on rebuild.
-New Edelbrock intake
-New shorty headers
-New starter
-New flow masters(2) (1 3" in and dual 2.5"'s out.
-Edelbrock 750 cfm carb.
-B&M ratchet shifter.
-New custom engine mounts
-New custom tranny mount.

I'm just curious how difficult a swap like this might be given the fact that his truck is already restored "frame off" with no body panels put back on, but all the mechanical stuff already done...

My questions are this:

-Is this swap going to be a nightmare IF we do it and can we anticipate any serious issues?

-Will the frame require much modification in order to fit?

-What do you feel the S-10 would be worth taking all those parts into account and the fact it would reduce the amount of mechanical work needed greatly?

Thanks in advance for your help/insights/suggestions...

~Trev

Hi Trev,

I know a guy who did the frame swap of an S-10 to a 36 GMC. The truck looked very good and handled well. It had the correct stance also.

He used to tell me that the worked involved was demanding as he narrowed the rails in the middle area to the width of the original frame. I think the steering box was a problem because it was mounted on the outside of the rail. Think he also had to move the engine / trans mounts as well

My suggestion is if your frame is good as you claim stay with that. Box it as this will increase the strength 500%, if you plan to use the 350 engine. I would think the price is right for what you are getting in the S-10 using the parts. I also think it would be cost effictive to use an aftermarket IFS and save you a lot of time in the construction.

There is a site posted on a thread I recently read on here for this swap on 50's type trucks...I will try to find it and sent it to you.

If you do decide to go ahead with this swap please post some pix as I would like to see your progress.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Dave

My GAWD Kid why are you switching in the middle, don't you like what you have??
4 what it is worth; buy a cab and repop parts and install them on the S 10. Sell the 37 (you don't like) for the cash to have your fling. More than likely you will encounter some insumountable engineering and will abandon the project eventually. For the time moola and energy you are going to spend you could be driving and grinning.

There is a fella in our area that has 2 that he has done.They look good and he said that it wasn't hard.

Wheezer...

yeah I like what I have BUT would like another clip in it eventually anyway and with the rebuilt 350 and tranny that come with the package as well as the other spare parts I'd have new better stuff if I was able to do the swap, then get rid of my old frame engine and tranny and recover most of the money back... win/win...

All I want to establish BEFORE I do all this is if it is possible without huge hassles... That's what I'm trying to avoid by taking this step IF I do it...

~Trev

Geez I wish you knew more about what he had done and how he had done it, blu... would have been nice to know what I'm up against!

Oh well hopefully someone stumbles across this who has done one or two on this era of truck so they can list the pitfalls and the modifications needed to make it happen...

~Trev

Thanks for the post, Dave... so if I read you right you're saying buy the S-10 for the parts and swap all of those onto the '37 but leave the frame as it is???

Hmmm... that would be another way of going... thanks, we'll see what happens after I get a few more responses and know what I'm dealing with in both scenarios...

~Trev

Trev,
Its a lot of modification...alot, according to the guy I knew who did one. Its much easier to box yours and, in my opinion, use the S-10 parts.I would even keep the original front axel or drop it a bit with a modern replacement...I like the straight axel looks these days, however the MMII it achievable and I think you can get a bolt in kit fron CE. Depends on how far you want to go and what it will take to get you there. Keep us posted as I am every interested if you decide to do the S-10 conversion.


Dave

I plan on getting out to see this S-10 this weekend, hopefully with 1958GMCnut if he has time...

Dave seems to feel the package is a good deal, but I want to bring him along so he can take a look at the motor and tranny at the very least and check 'em out so I know I'm not buying someone else's junk...

Stay tuned for developments and pics if I manage to get out to see this...

~Trev

Good Luck TREV!

Oh well the S-10 is gone...

I had intended to get over there saturday but the seller wrote me friday night to say the truck had been sold... such is life!

Despite that I'm glad I made this post... in addition to the posts here suggesting I box the frame, Achipmunk also sent me quite detailed instructions on how to do it... It's probably well beyond MY abilities but I wouldn't rule out the prospect of getting it done and installing a camaro or mustang clip which should still keep me under the price of the S-10...

Thanks to all who gave their opinions and input... much appreciated!

~Trev

Trev,

Don't know how much you are willing to spend but you could buy an aftermarket frame with all the suspension mounts already installed. You could work on painting the frame, installing the engine and trans and plumbing it and when you are ready...transfer the body. Just a thought...

I would very much like to see the detailed instruction list on the S-10 swap. You never can have too much knowledge about that kinda stuff.

Good luck buddy,

Dave

Trev, don't just look at S10's also look at some of the Jap trucks. Most if not all use torsion bar suspension & when you look at it the front suspension look like a M2 suspension. Most have a boxed frame w/5 & 6 lug disc brakes & the rearends are basicly bulletproof. Plus the track width is close to AD & back Chevy/GMC trucks....Joe

Joe,

I hate to admit it but I have seriously thought about using some of those jap trucks. A close examination reveals the narrow boxed frames makes them a very good candidate for an early model chevy truck swap. The 4WD also proves to be an excellent donor as well, if your into that type of swap. Glad you mentioned it because some folks think Chevy with a Chevy is the only way to go and it is a major "sin" to use foreign parts. I'm with you on these as a great frame swap...nice daring post...lol.

Dave

I have seen lots of them being used while looking on line, alot of guys use just the frame rails under their 30's ford since they are very close to the stock ford frame. They way I look at is like this, If it will work use it....Joe

Joe, spoken like a true swap artist, I'm with ya buddy.