My 57 - 58 S10 Swap

[pbeguy]

I picked up a 1957 Step Side on Craigslist, The truck was mostly complete. It was sitting on a 1966 SWB frame that had been modified I sold that to a local guy and picked up a nice rolling S10 frame. I picked up a 1958 clip for a very good price and may go that route.
I used to buy and sell S10 parts and have most of what i need for this project. I want to chronicle my project here.
I am going to stretch the S10 frame to fit the wheelwells exactly.
Here are a few pics to start.

I also included a pic of my last project which was not surprisingly an S10.

I spent the last 25 years in Paint and Body and call it my passion.

[pugs]

how much do you have to stretch the chassis to make it work for ya
keep the pics coming

[pbeguy]

About 7 inches.

[pugs]

on my s-10 frame I took 9" out to fit the wheelbase

[BOHICA]

pbeguy, that's a nice looking Blazer.

I'm very interested in how you stretch your frame because I'll be using a Bravada frame and have to stretch it 7 inches as well.

[pbeguy]

I got some work done today.
In the pics you can see that the S10 frame is actually a 2 piece unit. The front half is the same on most trucks.
The back half is added depending on what is being built by GM.
I took my grinder with a thin wheel and seperated the front runners from the upper and lower channels.
Then I cut verticallly just inside the factory welds. It takes some patience to make sure you don't hack the hell out of it to get it apart.
Once apart i just add the space needed and prepare to tack it this weekend. I happened to have a couple of frame sections
from an old build that I am going to weld in so that it looks factory
I got the 4wd 3.73 posi added also. With the extra 4 inches the 4wd offers,
I have a little over 50 inches to work with between the wheels.

[nuke1]

very nice, can not wait to see this build, i have a picd of that blazer in a calender at work in the paint room, go figure. what are your plans for the truck?

[pbeguy]

I bought the Blazer from Maxwell and spent 10 months finishing it. We were both happy House of Kolor chose it to be a calender truck.
This build is going to be old skool with some new tricks.

[pbeguy]

Got some things accomplished this weekend.
The frame is welded up and smoothed out. I am completely happy with the results. I still think I will box the frame in for strenght.
I installed a brace that was on the back of an old Blazer for support.
I also took a DA to a fender and was surprised to find good metal to work with.

[watahyahknow]

nice project ...

[pbeguy]

Got the front bags finished. I decided to set the cab on and see where I was.
To my surprise the rockers planted themselves on the concrete when I let the air out.
It will have about 5 inches at ride height when I am done
I was surprised because it still has stock spindles, sway bar and 29 inch tires.
It might be possible to put 22's on the front without a lot of work.
The extra Blazer crossmember I put on at the rear fit the bed perfectly.
I am going to start on the rear system during the week after I decide which way to go.
I have all the parts to build a 4-link or I might just put on blocks and a c-notch.

[pbeguy]

New pics.
I had to set the body on to check for fit.
I still have to bag the back.

[watahyahknow]

looks like its drooping a bit in the middle both the cab and the bed

[pbeguy]

The cab and bed are just sitting on the frame. I am going to fab the mounts up to level it out and use some factory rubber spacers.

[joeys66pickup]

i would like to see how you do that....nice project!

[GRIMSS]

Is the front a 2wd s-10? Are you doing anything about the width if it is?

[57ToyBox]

Lookin real good there PBEGuy
I'm subscribed to your threat. Keep those pics cum'n
I'm just courius, what is the measurement on your wheel base? centre-to-centre

[71'tahoe]

GRIMMS, from what I can tell from alll my years of messing with the s-10's,his frame pic in the #6 post looks like it is a 2wd frame. He said he was using a 4wd rear axle for the width in the rear,its 4" wider. I could be wrong but thats what it looks like to me. Hope this helps until he can chime in. Going to be a cool project.

[GRIMSS]

The s10 front end is very narrow under these trucks. Here's what i'm getting at. this pic is a burb I cut up that has a 2wd axle close to center under it. Are you doing anything to widen the front?

[joeys66pickup]

WOW that is skinny...geez with some proper front runners it would look 10 times worse!

[watahyahknow]

hmmm he might be able to get longer a arms for that .
nathan from porterbuild should be able to make him sumtin that works

[57ToyBox]

SURE !!! That'll do it Longer A arms and a nice set of wheels with the proper off set. That'll get ur done

[pbeguy]

I am going to run 2" spacers on the front to widen it up.
It is a stock 2wd short wheel base frame.
I did use a 4x4 rear because it is wider than 4x2.

[GRIMSS]

Thanks, that's what I was wondering about.