1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap

[msaintg]

Hi, new member here with a new project. I have never done a project such as this before, but I decided it was about time. So I jumped in with both feet back in Feb. of this year by buying a 1947 3100. It is in pretty bad shape, mostly complete (minus engine). It spent most of its life in Sho Low AZ (where it does snow). It is my goal to do an S10 swap using everything I can from the donor vehicle. I want the 4.3L V6, auto tranny combination, as new as possible. Now I am a stubborn and impatient sort, so after looking for a running S10, single cab, long bed with the V6/ auto combo for over two months on Craigs list with no luck, I purchased a 1996 S10 Blazer 4x4 instead. I had found a lot advice on using the S10 long bed, but had seen nothing about anyone using a Blazer frame or a 4x4. So I thought, what the heck, how different could it be…. Well, needless to say… a 4x4 Blazer is a LOT different. Did I mention I am stubborn? Well, I am determined to make this work… here is what I am starting with:

[msaintg]

I need to keep this project on a very tight budget, but fortunately, I have lots of time. The first step was to rip everything apart to see what kind of a mess I got myself into. It only took 6 hours to completely dismantle the 1947 and another 18 hours to get the Blazer torn down the drivetrain.

[mknittle]

Looks like you are moving right along. This is going to be interesting.

[msaintg]

The first thing I noticed was there was a lot of rust in the bed of the truck so replacing the wood floor was going to be expensive. I also noticed the Blazer frame was bent from being rear ended… that would have to be fixed first. I determined that I would have to lengthen the Blazer frame 9”. As luck would have it, I decided to lengthen the frame right where it was bent. Note: the Blazer frame is boxed all the way to the rear cross support (where the shocks mount)… that is where it was bent.

[msaintg]

By March 19th I had the frame lengthened 9”, front horns and body mounts cut off, and moved the rear axle mounting point back 9” (which also moved it up 3”)

[msaintg]

Moving on to building cab mounts using the top part of the Blazer mount and scrap metal from the 1947 frame.

[msaintg]

I decided it would be way cheaper to replace the wood bed with an S10 bed floor pan. Next I fit a new floor pan in the bed and started on the new bed mounts. Wow that was so hard trying to hold everything in place and measure and then weld in place those mounts.

[msaintg]

Well, you now up to date. Grand total so far: 170 hours labor, 15 weeks, $500 for truck, $1000 for Blazer, and $200 for radiator. Oh, somewhere in there I spent $50 on motor mounts and $80 on lowering blocks for the back and lower keys for the front.

[NBBAZ]

Interesting thread! I'll be watching this one. Please post more pictures and info as you go. Good luck!

[waybad]

nice build!

[Daze57]

great work so far !

[msaintg]

Worked on the seat belt mounts. I also cut and welded the gas fill tube in a different position so that it lined up better with the fender. Ya the pic shows the fuel line passing through the frame... only place to put it. I could not run the filler tube above the cross support because it would get squashed by the bed and I could not run it below the frame because it would be too low going into the gas tank. It is actually going to be a little low already. I will box that in later.... all's good. Mounting the upper shoulder nut was pretty easy but mounting the lower part required me to have to build a box and weld it in to properly recess the unit. I screwed up and welded the box together with the seat belt assembly installed.... the heat from welding melted it. Now I have to buy new seat belts. damn.

[Clay54]

I need your help!! Check your inbox, I sent you a message. Thanks, Clay

[msaintg]

Replaced the inner and outer cab corner this weekend. This was the worst of the rust on the cab. You can see from the first pic, this truck was about 8 different colors. The last coat was white house paint.

[90\87Formula]

subscribed.
what did you use to raise the Blazer body?

[msaintg]

just a floor jack. it was real scary. I later bought an engine hoist that worked real well to move the blazer body....I later cut the Blazer up into tiny pieces.

[Rednek13x]

Wow, great build, love what your doing using everything!

[Johnny49]

If you're a total amateur with very limited tools, I hate to think what I am! Can you come do my truck when yours is done?

Great looking project. I'll look forward to following your progress!

[msaintg]

week 20. I took a week off because of the heat, then last week I hauled all of my scrap steel... over 1100 pounds ... to the recycle place and got a wapping $87 for my troubles. I also got a screwed up back in the process... sheeeesh! After taking a week off for that, I was back at it this week... even though it is still getting up to 112 deg. here.

I don't like how the side posts on the bed just come down and end like they do, so I decided to drill out the spot welds and remove them. The front one will get moved forward (towards the front corner) more to close the ugly gap at the cab. All four supports are now rounded at the bottom. Not done, but you get the idea......

[98layinframe]

Wow love this build so far! Im also planning to use a 4x4 s10 suspension under my truck so this build is very interesting to me. Also like the s10 bed floor section.. was it a fleet side or stepside bed floor?
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[98layinframe]

Also can i ask how far from the front fenders do the wheels sit in with the 4x4 wheels? Im planning to use 2wd standard offset (4.5" backspacing) wheels and wondering how close to the fenders they'd sit.
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[msaintg]

Spent some time today working on the drivers side cab corner, but mostly I modified the transmission hump from the Blazer to fit in the truck. I found a lot more rust in the floor once I ground all of the dirt off. Oh well. Not done, but you get the idea.

[49ZR2]

Looks like your having fun! I like the fact your on a budget and keeping the costs down keeps the creative juices flowing!

I've been enjoying mine.

[msaintg]

ya, I'm bummed that I can't use the Blazer AC unit or tail lights. I am still eyeballing the Blazer doors and tailgate trying to decide if I am going to cut them up for sheet metal, door latches, power window stuff, etc. I am running out of flat sheet metal to make patches from.

[1952ssr]

Nice project, sometimes the only way to learn is just to do it and if you mess up figure out why and do it again. Can't wait to see it finished.