Definitive S-10 Frame Swap Vehicle List

Yup, the old Ford and Chevy pick-up frames were not very beefy at all. Open C-Channel with a couple of cross members rivited in. About 1/8 inch steel too.

The Ford F-1's frame was made to be flexible so it would bend and twist on rough terrain and roads.

When I done my S-10 swap I had both frames side by side, and the S-10, although uglier, is much stronger.

 

Nice stance. It looks like it was meant to be like that.

Do you have any pictures of the floor?

 

Does the S-10 come in a 4x4?
I am thinking about putting my 49 F-2 2x4 on a 4x4 frame if it will work..

olyrailman

 

Yes they do!

 

You know, a better swap for your F2 would be a '67 - '72 F250. It's almost a bolt-on, you net newer suspension you can bolt disc brakes onto, a Dana 60, you get to keep your 8-lug wheels, etc.

And because the frame is the same width, you're fewer brackets away from mounting it onto an S-10 chassis, and your bed will fit like a glove!

~Jason

 

what do you guys think of the idea for a chevrolet AD-truck on a chevrolet caprice or malibu frame??

i like the ide what this guy have done only dont like the idea that he has cut up his cab...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2203245

 

progress.
chopped, channeled, sectioned
S10 frame is narrowed and dropped with spindles, springs, rear leafs and block

 

I had thought of that one, but I would have mae some new 2x4 rails inboard then chopped of the outside Caprice ones, would not have had to hack up the cab that way....hmmm and I have a super clean Caprice carcass ,maybe I should be looking for a truck eh!!

 

Thats nice!! Make sure you keep us updated on your progress!

 

Without having measurements and all in front of me, do you think the front half of an S-10 could be mated to the back half of a Caprice frame?

~Jason

 

Ok this is a newb question i have been reading and either missed it completely or isnt here but why is it suggested "Try to get one that is 1989 or newer with the 2.8 or 4.3 V6 with an automatic transmission. If not, any S-10 2WD Longbed from 1982 on will work" whats the engine and trans option getting you verses the rest of them??? i'm lookin now to buy a s10 that been takin off the road by sgi nice box and topper on it for a few hundred so lookin to make a bit of dough back maybe all its a 84 s10 i'm lookin at now. But am curious about that statement for engine and trans.
P.S. This is my first swap haha go easy on me and thanks for all the info on the site this site offer plenty took awhile to absorb it all.

 

Haven't posted on this thread for a while, got the truck half way mocked up. Figuring out all the new body mounts, here's a couple pics. I named her whale shit..................




Later,
Billy

 

Billy,

Lookin great man! 40 pickups are my favorite. Always like seeing progress on your truck. Keep the pics coming. Thanks.

T

 

Since mine is 75 miles away and probably still under snow, anyone know offhand if the rails on the S10 frame are too wide for a '39 Chevy car body?

I have the S10 and I have the '39 Chevy that's an old stock car which needs a new frame badly and it occurred to me maybe I could kill two turds with one stone and come out with a vintage stock car that handles halfway decent. I think the wheelbase works out fairly close, close enough anyhow given the fenders are all cut back and there's no wheel arch to worry about.

 

For just the frame, you are correct, the frames from 82 on will work, however the axles and differential are stronger in the post '88 vehicles. Engine and transmission options are not a concern unless you want to use the drivetrain.

 

Hey Folks... I am thinking about putting a 34 graham on to a S15 (jimmy 4 door). does anyone know of what kind of problems I may run into or why I shouldn't use a Jimmy on this?

Thanks

~Joe

 

You know - that might just fit! Granted, you'll have to make a couple of brackets, but I think you're onto something!

When it thaws, grab a tape measure. It's worth checking out!

Hell, post your results so this thread will come up in a search for other '39 Chevy guys.

~Jason

 

That is turning out great.

It looks like Ford meant for it to go that low (as opposed to the broken look that some low ones have).

 

smooth50, thanks for the encouragment, Im kinda slow on posting pics, spend a lotta time running my shop, acting retired, and slowly work on the truck, it's got Billy wrote all over it. I'll post as progress allows.
Later,
Billy

 

Flipper,
Thank's for the thumbs up, Im happy with the look, I love em slammed!!!!!!!!!
Later,
Billy

 

Yeah, when I know something I will. I read the beginning of the thread and see the S10 frame is like 38" wide so I kind of think if you adjusted the frame to the 112.5" '39 wheelbase it will either work, or be real close. This thing is so beat up, rusty and hacked if it's legal to run that frame I probably won't even shorten it, just match the body up to the rear axle, weld the cage on and hang the body off it. If it's too wide I can use the rub rails (which were made from the stock bumpers) to hide the difference.

More fun: I think to be legal to run with the vintage club up here it has to run an inline six - which conversion mounts for the front should be no problem, but may mean needing to move the trans crossmember back a few inches.



I think an S10 frame is going to be too wide for a '34 Graham because of the way it bows out at the cowl like most 70s-80s passenger car frames. '35 or so and older cars almost need a stock frame, or a custom made frame, to look right when they're done.

 

On the 1934 Graham, would it be easier to use the back half of the frame from the S10 and make a custom frame front end and marry the two together or should I just make an entire frame from scratch?

opinions?

 

Yeah, man - it'll be REAL damn close. And that crossmember is a drill & bolt kind of deal - no welding required!

As for the Graham, if the front end bothers you, you could always find a Camaro and sub it...

~Jason

 

The original frame is rotted badly... I have to get / make a new frame....

I don't have a camaro or a sub frame, I do have the GMC jimmy (s15), I do have a Ford Pinto, I do have a Chevy G-van, I don't have new / clean steel (but can get some at a cost), I do have the remains of the graham frame (too far gone to be repaired) with all the stock suspension.... I am trying to make / obtain a usable frame for a 1934 graham.

Would anyone recommend any of these frames or combination of frames to get the 1934 graham on the road or should I attempt to make one from scratch? I would prefer to not to put more money than I have to to make a frame.

any suggestions?

 

You know, it's not unheard of to modify the S-10 frame to suit... lots of guys do it. Sometimes it's easier to start with something and modify it, you know?

~Jason

 

Hello, new to this forum. This is a bitchin' thread. I havn't read through the whole thing but havn't seen anything on 1 1/2 ton trucks. I have a 46 1 1/2 ton chevy cab and a 48 Stude 1 1/2 ton cab. . Thought about an S10 frame and mock up a bed. Any thought?

Thanx

 

Ok last tech question I have is how are you deciding where to mount the body on the s10 chassis, do I need to install a engine mockup first or is there a preset mounting position for my 51 Chevy Fleetilne deluxe 4 door. I'm goin to be using a 350 engine auto trans. Also since i'm in the beginning stages do you want me to try to post some pics of my teardown and rebuild? What areas of importance would you like pics on.

 

Would you like a Measurment? I have a s10 blazer 2 wd Frame in the garage..

And a Short cab pickup at the Shop I can get width from for you.. I can post monday if you would like..

 

This thread will make your eyes bleed, dude!

If your 1.5 ton trucks are like the Fords, where the cab was the same, and they just had different front fenders & hoods, you should be okay.

~Jason