Definitive S-10 Frame Swap Vehicle List

The S-10 frame works good GM builds them with a front clip and rear clip with u channel in between conecting them ,as I remember I started with a 123" wheel base frame and ground off the front factory weld where the front clip and u channel conect when I cut 11"off the u channel slid the front back into the u channel and re welded it, after making the 2x4 steel tube mounts that I welded to the rails for the body mounting I got from Summit raissing blocks for pick ups these are hard composit blocks that I cut to level out all the body mouning points some were 1" some 1 3/4". I replaced the rear cross member because mine was damaged did this with tube, I had to cut the front frame horns to mount the front sheet metal and bumper brackets I did luck out with the S-10 frame being pretty damn close to the wagon frame width this whole thing was not that big of a deal and now thats it done the car does handle and ride as good as I want it to look.

 

Got my bed mounted


It is only 6" deep

 

That should be a nice swap. You should go do an intro and make sure to keep your post towards hot rods and not 4x4's or the Flaming Monkey's will come after you.

 

and what might those discussion have brought to light? any pro's con's above and beyond what's staring you right in the face...

 

ok that's what i was wondering... somebody had said cut the floor "out"... and i was taking that as the whole damn floor... and actually i haven't cut the floor yet... i just made my tunnel... which apparenlty i've been made fun of for...

 

well... i think there is a "day late / dollar short" type of statement that applies here... i've cut and beat the bloody hell out of my inner fenders already... i only say that because it has not been of the one and done variety... i seem to have shaved off a 1/4" at a time until it fit... it's lookin good though...

 

Five-Oh,
Got any of a 41 Ply 4dr sdn frame/suspension swap? I have an '85 Diplomat K-frame that I wanted to put under or in place of the stock '41 frame. Basicly I stripped the Diplomat to use everything to put into the '41.

Or anyone out there that could do it for me?

 

Nope - nothing new brought to light.

I've mentioned that I really think that a custom, generic back half that would slide into an S-10 frame front half would really sell - catering to old trucks first, and cars second. Something that the stock S-10 rear and suspension would bolt to, to keep costs low.

They didn't see the market for it, but I certainly do if the price was right.

~Jason

 

that's what my whole thought process was... slide it into the s-10 frame... but as it turns out the s-10 is gonna slide right into the 51 frame... other than that whole 2 piece chassis thing... but i'm not too worried about that... far as i can tell that's the only draw back...

 

Another drawback is that because the main reason of putting an S-10 chassis under your ride is because it's cheap. Even if a custom back half existed that prevented folks with trucks from having a 6" deep bed, and even if ALL the S-10 suspension, etc bolted right on, the $500 plus shipping for said rear half would kill a lot of people's budgets (even though their truck beds would be at full-depth).

~Jason

 

yeah that's a problem... i paid $100 for the s-10... it had a blown motor and i would have paid that just for the fun we had ripping the damn thing apart... my goal it to cut the other chassis in half... cut out the cross members... overlap the frame rails... and adjust where it needs to be adjusted...

 

Some of the local stock car racers that are running G bodies use the lower control arm from a full size 80's Ford sedan (Crown Vic or Grand Marquis), It's wider by 2", although they just use it on the right side to get more camber. Apparently the spring pockets line up, the geometry doesn't get screwed up and they fit with very little modification. If they fit G bodies they'll fit an S10 chassis. If you use the Ford Lower control arms, lengthen the tie rods and use aftermarket upper control arms (they're available for the roadrace crowd) you could effectively widen the front track by 4" using bolt on parts. Also I think '93 and up Blazers had larger brake rotors so if you use those spindles you'd have better brakes too. Comments?

 

Comments?

HOLY SHIT, THAT'S AWESOME!!!!!

That's my comment! This thread totally needed this shot in the arm, and folks like you with that missing tidbit of information that makes all the difference! THANKS!!!!!

Now, all we need is to get someone out there to try it, or hear from someone who has! Pictures, anyone?

~Jason

 

this would said drive shaft tunnel i've been made fun of for... it was quick, sturdy and when all is said and done should work out swimmingly...

 

If there is a market for it, I can get square and rectangular tubes bent thru a vendor of mine. I would invest in it....again, only if there was a market. I myself am trying to recoup my cost from the crossmember endevor.

 

Its called a tall spindle conversion and it uses GM Full-sized parts (Caprice, etc.) UB Machine can provide much of the parts, you still have to use the larger ball joints. And yes, the 94 and up blazers have dual piston brakes available which stop better.

 

I never made fun of ya... and besides folks, it's on the floor, under the seat! Come on!

~Jason

 

This is the 888th post in a thread with 74,393 views. You tell me there's no market for it! LOL!

~Jason

 

My IFS threads on other sites had 40+ people stating that they were interested and only a few actually opened their wallets. So call me skeptical. Plus, while it may be 888 posts, there are only about 50-75 authors.

We would have to do a poll, get real interested parties to at least put seed money down to cover the FEA and materials then take it from there. Then again, my next frame will most likely be purpose built with both IFS and IRS - most likely for components from a C4 or C5.

 

I should've just clipped my stock '54 frame.

Passenger side frame rail on my truck, just ahead of the rear spring hanger

 

That doesnt look good..

 

Started out as a rusty tear and turned into the mess it is today when I backed into a filing cabinent getting it in the garage. Used a piece of 1/4 inch C-channel to replace the old rusted out sheetmetal cross member and used a jack to straighten the frame out some since last picture was taken. The spring hanger is in the same location on either side and I don't think it screwed up the wheel base either.

Gonna plate and box it. I will eventually back-halve it. I'm just trying to get it going for the Spring and Summer this year, and I think my repairs should last through that 1000-2000 miles of driving.

Couldn't be as bad as my '86 Nissan! Broke in half (literally, both sides above the rear axle) on a speed bump and a local mechanic and the previous owner plated and boxed it a couple of winters ago. Its had about 35,000 miles on it since then. Pulled to the left a little but was probably related to something else screwed up under it.

 

Dang..

 

Not what I'm talking about, the tall spindle conversion is for pre 82 F body clips,...totally different than a G body or S10 front end,.....besides, those tall spindle coversions introduce a ton of bumpsteer

 

I myself am into Cool cars.

Hello, .. Im choosing the S10 frame for the Henry j for not only the ride.. but easy availability for parts.. Most parts stores around here have no idea what half these cars are.. when I break down some where unknown.... I want to make sure I can have parts the same day.. Im not a fabricator of any type except for autobody.. I have to build with in my means.. my computer stays at home when Im on holidays.. so its nice to have easy access when I walk in to a pep boys or what ever store.... . I use my cars every day. except for in the winter.. . thanks for reading this.. I dont want to be stranded 2000 miles from home because I cant get a tierod end or some oddity part.., except for on ebay.. where I have access to the computer.. ..

 

I really think you'll be happy with it!

~Jason

 

Hello all,adding some updated pics of my 37 Ford on S-10.
327,350 using s-10 headers,tilt column,fabbing up new box.
My bead roller on the back.
Made new floor for it ,being channeled 2inches had to make tranny tunnel.
Still have to find rear fenders,bought some wide whites for it,gonna try them on soon.
Still want to chop it 3 inches,,all takes time and $$$$.

I had thought of selling it,no market for toys so decided to keep working on it.
hmmmm...no pics agin

 

I won't argue with that, there are only about 50 - 75 authors, but almost 75,000 different sets of eyes have seen this thread. If a guy was going to greenlight such a product, this thread would be where to do so, and/or direct them to the website where they could see/order it. Of course, with the economy the way it is, lots of folks might be bookmarking it for later, you know, when they're back to work.

~Jason

 

Nice truck, old bean!

But I think the steering wheel goes inside the cab.

~Jason

 

start your own company jason,

you can outsourch the build