Ok here is my dilemma. I posted on here before about clipping my '54 Plymouth. I've decided I want to put a S10 clip under the front. I thought about rebuild the stock Mopar front end, but it has some kinks in the frame. I think it'll be easier to just replace the front with an S10 clip and parts will be more readily available. I plan to drive the snot out of this car. On to my dilemma. I want to do the S10 clip, it's not a problem to do. My issue is deciding whether to buy a S10 clip or cut up my 87 Blazer and use the front clip, rear end, brake booster and other parts. If I were to buy the parts separately it would come to about what I paid for the Blazer. It's already a lowered driver that I do drive a lot of the time. It however smokes, a/c doesn't work, needs minor body work and other odds and ends. I am just torn between cutting up a running driving car or just buying another clip and various parts. Any advice would be appreciated. I am trying to get this car to a driver by May '09 or earlier. Would like to go to Roundup in it in April and most importantly drive it in my wedding in May. Oh yeah, I already have a motor and trans for the car. Wouldn't be using the S10 motor or trans. Thanks everyone.
If you cut up the blazer you'll be giving up 1 car for another, the 54. On the other hand, do you have anything else to drive while you do this cause it won't happen over night? If you do, then i would just cut up the blazer if the swap can be done.
Or check craigslist and other resources for an S-10 with a blown engine or hit in the side/rear. Then, if your blazer hasn't died once you get the plymouth roadready, sell your Blazer.
My two cents is keep it Mopar Here's a cheap Dakota near you ($500) http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/799661859.html
Yeah it's 2 wheel drive, 2 door. I should also mention I have 2 other cars that I drive. An 03 Lexus IS300 and a my '59 Chevy P/U. I thought about just selling the Blazer and buying parts. I am just really confused. I also thought about a scrapyard run and getting a clip. I thought it would be cool to keep it all Mopar too, so thanks for the craig list reference. Thanks everyone for all the advice. I look forward to getting on this site everyday and reading what input and thought people on here have on everything.
Chop it up and use everything you can!!! Here is my dads 50 dodge with a S10 clip, ford 8 inch rear, 350/350. It's getting ready to turn 300,000 miles on its 3rd motor (the second lasted about 3 months) he drives it every day.
I would find a clip at the junk yard and do it that way, then you don't have 2 rigs down at the same time. The Dakota swap would be cool but i believe they are around 60"s wide which is way to wide for that year plymouth/dodge.
cut up your own blazer, part out what you don't use, and turn the remains in for scrap. It'll be the most profitable method hands down given how little the truck is worth as a driver, and what you'll pay for parts.
Use the Blazer if you want, but the 2-wheel drive rear end is way too narrow. You'll need a 4x4 S-10 rear end. (And '87 Blazer is the S-10 size, right? Because if it's full-size everything will be too wide.) I, too, started out with a complete driving donor car for my '53 Chevy, and it is amazing how many parts you can take from one car if you want to (battery tray, interior light sockets, brackets, you name it!)
If you don't get the one listed above for 200 bux I would tear in to your blazer get everything you need and can use out of it...it's already there, you have other cars and you won't have to deal with the hassle of selling a non smog exempt car (it's a hassle here in California) cool tees: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236347
I don't have any pics but I will see if my dad does. I know he has all the factory specs for the S10's from when he used to work at a Chebby dealer.
Frankenstein, that's one beautiful car. Shiiiiiiny. Makes me wonder why anyone leaves a car in primer. If you've got another car to get you around, I'd tear into the Blazer you've already got and sell the rest for scrap. --Oh, just read an above post. You do have two others... so yeah. Why go out and buy more stuff when you've got it available? But, then, I'm a one-car guy, so... yeah.
Cut up the blazer. No need to buy something you already have. I'm using a nova subframeon my 53 Cranbrook. It's taking some time time to get it just right.
Called my dad and I forgot that the pics and info from when he did the s10 under his 50 is all in Tex Smiths chassis book. It starts on page 47 if I remember right.
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