The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 46 panel on s-10 frame

Has anyone done this? Any tips? Ideas? The panel is 115 inch wheelbase. The S-10 is extended cab 4x4 with about 123 inch wheel base. I am not bothered by shortening the frame. I am apprehensive about the 4x4 and since it has no motor I am looking for bolt up info on a v8. The price was right a friend gave me the S-10 so I have no fear of chopping and the friend is a welder.

Shortening an S-10 frame is supposed to be easy. Find the joint between front and rear sections, cut the welds, slide it apart, shorten an appropriate amount, slide it back together and weld. Paying attention to alignment and doublechecking all measurements of course.

I'm told the 4x4 rear axle is about the right width for an Advance Design truck, which I think would make it wide for an Art Deco truck. The two-wheel drive axle is not as wide.

The front of the S-10 is (according to other sources) the right width for an Advance Design truck, which again, makes it too wide for your Art Deco truck.

All my information comes from talking to others, so you should check it yourself... You'll want to make sure you are happy with the way the wheels will fit if you go ahead with this.

I have an acquaintance who is looking at options for his '46 pickup, and this is one he has rejected, though I'm not sure I would have.

He also looked a Toyota 4x4s which fit better width wise, but the one he was looking at would have needed to be lengthened.

Thanks for the input. Measured today and the rear axle is 3 inches narrower on the 4x4 than the 46. But, it has wider brake drums so at the lugs it is very close. Also, the frame joint seems to be easy to work with. Only the crossmember for the aft end of the torsion bars will have to be moved back by drilling six new holes. The front frame rails are about an inch different over the front axle. The inner fender well (front) will need to be notched at the front shock mount. I still am having problems working out the master cylinder placement. Thanks again. Please send any more ideas you have.

As for master cyl.
I'm putting a 350 & 4speed from a 1970 1-ton into a 45 1-1/2 ton. Of course, the newer bell doesn't have mount points for the pedals.
But, I took the pedals and hanger from the 1970 and they fit up under my old dash very nice. That puts the master cylindar up on the firewall. I am
running the clutch rod down through the hole where the clutch pedal used to be. It mates up with a new rocker that I have to build. This is turning out to be a lot easier than I expected.
JR

What about the dash reinforcement? anything extra needed?

I just started doing this swap on a 47 (second series)(AD) truck I've talked to a few guys that have done it and it sounds like a good swap, I was given an S10 by a buddie too. In my case the S10 is a regular cab short box so it's only 108" so I'm gonna shorten my 47 bed in the front instead of lengthening the frame (Also not an option on your panel).
If the 4X4 was a 2.8 the V8 Swap should be pretty straight forward, check out Ebay Search for S10 V8 and you should be able to find several guys selling brackets that adapt the 2.8 stock mounts to a smallblock.
Good luck, and if you wanna check out my progress (not very far yet) you can hit my site http://www.mongosgarage.com/S47/progress.htm
Mongo

Mongo-

Gotta love the teardown--so much progress in a short period of time. I visited your site and wondered if you're going to keep the S-10 fuel tank location for the AD. The filler neck photo showed me a great salvage item to get fuel to my own relocated tank.

Keep on wrenchin'!

51PhatBoy Thanks hopefully I can keep up the pace on it, the farm is 2 hours away from my home so I can only work on it weekends but hopefully the long holiday weekend coming up will yield good results.
I just went and published a post from last night about my fuel tank plans.
At this point yes I plan on keeping the S10 tank and location but it will require some modification to the tank, I want the filler neck to come out the bedside right in front of the fender like it did originally on the 47 (Just on the passenger side).
Good luck on your project!
Mongo

TooMany2count I just looked at the pictures you have posted of putting your Suburban on an S-10 frame.

'Streets' suggested you might have some information about this swap. I'm curious how you handled mounting the front sheet metal and the radiator. Did you take any pictures of that part of the project?

Have you finished this part of the project?