The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1954 chevy 3100 frame swap

Does anyone have any tech tips/advice for a frame swap made relatively painless for an AD truck? I drive and use my truck daily for work and pleasure and I'm not afraid to scratch her, she has a solid body probably will last for another 50 years but, the old frame is starting to make me wonder how long she will go, I've been using her for twenty plus years in the mud and on dirt roads as well as on the black-top, and I know metal fatigues, thanks in advance,

Hi Tom. Welcome to the 'bolt.

There are a few folk on this site who have done a chassis swap,using a later set-up from a junk yard.

There are companys who build aftermarket chassis but obviously there's a cost! $$$$$$!

Sit tight and some one will chime in soon!

There are plenty of alternatives to swapping out the chassis,but it's entirely up to you and your wallet.

Jock

I switched the frame on my 54 due to a change over to hydra-matic driveline. I built up a rolling chassis of the new frame and then moved the body and driveline over.

as far as a late model suspension goes, A-D Engineering makes a conversion kit to put an A-D body on an extended cab S-10 frame.
http://www.ad-engineering.com/

go to www.mongosgarage.com he does s/10 swaps.

heck, keep it for parts and get another stock ad........

some of these folks that need the better ride, engine, etc
need a BMW and not a bolt..

Hi Tom -

Welcome aboard! I'm not into frame swaps, but I know there have been several frame swaps to S-10 frames with good success!

I mainly wanted to let you know that my name is Joe Fuchs and I can identify with your last name. Do you pronounce it "Fox" or the German way?

Good to see the name on this board ....besides me.
Joe

Hi Tom,
I did a frame swap on my 54, due to to the original frame having bad rust-through behind the cab. I put it on another 54 frame that was in very good condition (it was from Greg H when he did his frame swap). If yours is in good shape it should last a long time.
Samantha

Welcome to the Stovebolt!

The S-10 swap may be the best alternative, since two kits are available for that swap.

But unless you are looking at problems like cracks or rust I'd suggest putting new bushings in the one you have. You may be surprised how durable they can be.

After saying that I should admit there is an S-10 frame in my shop waiting for a swap...

Actually the S10 frame needs to be from a regular cab truck with the long bed. There is a wealth of information on this swap in the archives or you can probably google it up. Be aware that this is not a week end swap out and takes much cutting, welding, fitting and fabricating.

Hey Joe,

What a surprise, I had an uncle named Joe Fuchs, and I try to insist on the German pronunciation for the last name, thanks for the input as I try to weigh all my options, I'm probably going to use an S-10 frame with a kit from Advance Design Engineering as I think though they are a fair sum the product looks very good and easy for the most part to do, and can be done with no welding or raising the inside of the bed in one good weekend,have a good one, Tom

The surprise I have is that someone wants to swap frames from one with tougher gauge steel. Swapping a frame is a major job and I wonder what indicates you need to do this. If it is to gain IFS with a front clip I would understand the swap, but just because you suspect your frame has weakened???
A bunch of us here have done a "frame up" restoration on our trucks and I'll bet everyone would agree that the frame was as strong now as the day it was built. (exceptions of course make the rule). I would suggest if you're concerned about stress fatigue etc. you should pull the cab and check it out. If you are still concerned, box the frame and drive it another 60 years.