C10 Frame on a 48 Body (I know I know)

[73kay]

Ok, I googled for hours last night and besides the wheel sticking out a bit that's all I have heard that is bad. Here is what I got:

I have a 76 c10 stepside with a i6 250 3 speed saginaw in good shape
I have a 48 gmc 1/2 ton cab and a frame with 235 that I am trying to see if it still has any life left.

If that motor is junk I might just see why I can't take the front clip and cab off the 76 c10 and put the 48 cab there. Then in theory use the pedal/steering assembly and modify that into the 48 cab as well as use the wiring, steering column and anything else out of the 76. The wheelbase is 116 for a 48 and the c10 is 117.5 I think.

The cool thing (if all the stars align) that I wouldn't have to touch my motor, trans, driveshaft, rear bed and just build it forward. If this works, I plan to long term take off the 76 outer bed fenders and get the appropriate style ones.

I have done some rough measurements and I believe both cabs are approx 5 ft long with the 48 having a 6-8in narrower width. Both have a 3.5 in insert for the motors. With that small saginaw I might get away with not having to touch too much of the floor and I don't want to drop the truck so that gives me some more flexibility.

All in all, I need some more honest information so I can know what to expect. I have a welder and am just finishing up another 76 c10 restore, so I'm not afraid to get involved.

If my 235 cranks up then I could just swap the 76 bed, but I want to run this option first and see what you guys think.

Sorry it's so long, thanks!

[flashed]

Im in to see what you do but that truck is too nice as it sits to take apart.

[73kay]

I know I know, lol I actually have it on craigslist right now, but the more I think about it, if my plan works I would way ahead doing the swap and having the 48 running and a platform to eventually add a 350 and an overdrive tranny down the road. Also just having that stepside bed saves me a bunch I think because I believe the bed dimensions are the same, just the undercarriage part and the outer fenders changed if I am not mistaken.

[chopit]

I'm find myself with flashed on this one. But hey, its your rodeo. I just paid the admission fee to see if ya hang on 8 seconds

If you are like me, you'll prolly change your game plan 100 times anyway depending on the opportunities that arise lol

[53 292]

I would actually build up the 76 into a nice cruiser haha but thats just me.

[73kay]

Originally Posted by 53 292

I would actually build up the 76 into a nice cruiser haha but thats just me.

I did! lol I put a crate 350 and kept the 3ott on my fleetside 76 and then this stepside fell into my lap. Wife wouldn't go for two of the same trucks, but she likes "bubbly trucks" haha

[mr48chev]

If it were me I'd CLR the dayights out of that shortie and find some big ugly rims to stick on it and pawn it off as a "patina truck" and use the money to do the AD right. There has to be a Fort Hood boy with some extra pocket money who would think a Patina short box riding on 20's is the hot lick. Not to pick on Ft Hood boys as I was one in 1969 but Why have a cobbled together looking truck when you can do it right?

[73kay]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

If it were me I'd CLR the dayights out of that shortie and find some big ugly rims to stick on it and pawn it off as a "patina truck" and use the money to do the AD right. There has to be a Fort Hood boy with some extra pocket money who would think a Patina short box riding on 20's is the hot lick. Not to pick on Ft Hood boys as I was one in 1969 but Why have a cobbled together looking truck when you can do it right?

I hear ya but the math doesn't add up to me:

If I use the 76:
Drivetrain
Steering column/shifter
Electrical 12 volt
Exhaust
Bed
Front disc/rear drum
Ifs
Wheels etc

If I use the 49 frame:
Need power train
Brake system
Pedal assembly
Steering parts
Electrical
Bed
Suspension/shock upgrades etc
Exhaust
And so on...

So bottom line I think I would be way far ahead with the swap and if I sold the c10 for say 3k I would still be far off than I would now. Regardless I still need to source a front clip and running boards but in theory I would have a running 49 that "just needs a front clip" among other things.

As for the wheel base I would attempt to use narrower tires and rims that have a lot of inset or whatever.

I would love to use the frame and motor and still might but I want to seriously see why the c10 wouldn't work as a good donor. Your thoughts?

[joedoh]

here is the only one I am aware of with a c10 front suspension, he narrowed the arms 2" per side to get them inside the fenders with standard offset wheels. he has a great shot of before and after. his thread link is in his signature, I only linked to the single post.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&postcount=77

a word on offsets, if it takes 2" to get a standard offset wheel inside the fenders, a standard offset is 0 to +12 or so on an 8" wheel, you will need a +50 to +62 offset 8" wheel... thats a ton, like volkswagen or saturn fwd offset which are generally accepted as the highest offset fwd. in backspace that is like going from a 5" backspace to a 7" backspace 8" wheel. Thats a lot.

[torchlight]

In my opinion, you are fooling yourself if you think a frame swap is the cheaper route. I think you see more abandoned frame swaps than anything else, and it seems like folks forget that adapting an entirely different truck body to a frame is going to have its own significant costs - both in time and money. I just don't see the power train and suspension savings making up for it if you already have a solid stock frame to start with. And then there's the fact that an AD on one of these frames probably isn't going to look just "right" due to the track width and body fit issues you've already been discussing. Just an opinion though - great thing about these trucks is that theres a million ways to build them and no wrong way as long as you're happy with it!

[chopit]

Just to give you another perspective...lets say #1 you want go the frame swap route and #2 you think you can get around $3000 for the c10.

I bought a running driving 4.3 700r4 but body beat to hell with title single cab lwb s10 for $350. As attested to over and over on this board it is the best swap to really get late model with correct wheelbase, offsets etc.and cheap maintenance parts. And every bit of the info you need to do it is right here, even down to the diagrams for the mounts.

Now lets say you don't get as lucky as me and have to give $800 to $1000 for that s10 but you got $3000 for the c10. That's a lot of extra cash for all the other goodies and body parts etc. you need! And you are getting a much better setup than the c10 offers!

Again, just food for thought as you make your decision...

P.s. I sold what little bit of parts weren't crap off my s10 and netted out at $200 lol.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by 73kay

I hear ya but the math doesn't add up to me:

would love to use the frame and motor and still might but I want to seriously see why the c10 wouldn't work as a good donor. Your thoughts?

I'd have to say I have seen far too many cobbled together trucks stuck on the wrong frame in my lifetime and leave it at that. It may just be that the guys around here that I've seen stick an AD cab on a mid 70's C10 frame had no skill for making them look right and what I have seen are some pretty crude attempts at putting a truck together.

[73kay]

Well Chopit called it. I think I'm gonna change my mind. A guy just called today about the c10 and willing to pay asking price and he doesnt care about the engine tyranny and column so I get to keep those maybe. The best part is that he is looking to do frame off restore so it would be going to a good home.

Now it's s10 or stock frame lol I think I'm gonna take my time on this one and use the stock frame. Thanks for the input I appreciate it.

[torchlight]

The 'taking your time' route would be the S10 swap, honestly. Clipping a stock frame will be a faster build, I promise!

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by 73kay

Now it's s10 or stock frame lol I think I'm gonna take my time on this one and use the stock frame. Thanks for the input I appreciate it.

in my opinion, unless the frame is shot go w/upgrading the stock frame. But then again i'm spoiled out here on the west coast where the frames don't see salt.

in the long run i believe you'll find that you'll be happy w/your decision. Please feel free to share in the build section when you get started.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by torchlight

The 'taking your time' route would be the S10 swap, honestly. Clipping a stock frame will be a faster build, I promise!

I did the 47 on an s10 frame in just over 4 months, from grain truck to outstanding driver with a lot of custom touches, like keeping the 98-03 pedal assembly and bussed electrical system and even modifying the original gauges to work with the s10 steppers.

end of may


october 6th


now I dont mean to imply one way is better than another, only to counter your statement that s10 swaps are slower.

the truth is that anyone can lose track of a build for years and give up in between. there are guys on here with 10 years of little progress. write down what you want it to be and build only that. dont do the "while I am in there" snowball, buy things once.

[73kay]

Haha I love it. Good stuff guys. I gotta first get all my parts together and figure out what I have to work with. I don't know much about these trucks and I'm testing the starter and didn't know it literally was a push pedal starter lol is there a link or sticky resource that explains the features etc? I'm sure I'll start new threads but maybe some free chicken from anyone?

[chopit]

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/361.cfm

[73kay]

Just got this 53 with everything except the engine and tranny for
1000. It already had a ford 9 in. Don't know the ratio yet but gauges look sweet and even has the keys. Only bad is no vin, but I'll just use my 49 cab instead and I would like to use the 53 frame if I can bc it has tube shocks already.

Needless to say I'm sticking with the stock frame and want to
Use a t5 with the 235. What do you guys thing?

[chopit]

Between the 2 of 'em, looks like you got yourself off to a good start,

Get the c-10 sold?

[73kay]

Originally Posted by chopit

Between the 2 of 'em, looks like you got yourself off to a good start,

Get the c-10 sold?

Yea sir! Made a good bit on it too. That was sweet.

[joedoh]

looks complete, nice score

collecting is the easy part, get it done!

[73kay]

Originally Posted by joedoh

looks complete, nice score

collecting is the easy part, get it done!

Tell that to the wife! Hahaha totally pumped for the project. A few months ago I thought these old tricks were totally outside my price range. (I'm a squarebody guy) but now that I have one, it's not that bad. Haha

[YukonXL04]

I know what you mean. Luckily I'm really close to having a stock driver, but nowhere close to affording to restore it.

[jhnpldng]

Originally Posted by joedoh

collecting is the easy part, get it done!

I just made that my sig with a slight change, get er done.

I just bought 4 ADs.