Can I use this frame for an S-10 swap?

[fencepost]

My dad has a 98-2000 model 4 door S-10 jimmy 4x4. Been reading up on the S-10 swaps and love the ideal. He has no intrest in this truck but the running gear is flawless. It has a 4.3 4x4 with overdrive tranny. Haven't been able to find anything on a 4x4 swap other than the rears are what people want. Can anybody shed some light on this question? He also likes flat beds just now thought we could do the truck fenders and cab with a flatbed maybe? Thanks.

[53GMC]

I used a 4x4 frame in my S10 swap....i did not have any problems with my frame being too wide or anything like that but i believe it would be a good choice. I noticed no real obstacles with going with a 4x4 frame...if anything, from what i have read i believe it may have been a little easier than some 2WD models because i did not need to use spacers on the front wheels to make it wider in front.. but not sure what might be different with a jimmy than a S10

Im running a 4.3L with overdrive tranny also... i used a 1996 extended cab short bed 4x4 for my swap

hope this helps!
53GMC

[sgtusmc]

Also, since your going to make it a flat bed. You don't have to worry to much about a perfect wheel base (you have some play room with the flat bed).

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Its usual to move the motor rearward because of how it fits in the engine compartment of the AD truck. You may be okay if you stay with the 4.3 but if you are going V-8 you may need to clock the transfer case in order to clear the torsion bar crossmember.

[fencepost]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

Also, since your going to make it a flat bed. You don't have to worry to much about a perfect wheel base (you have some play room with the flat bed).

Not sure that is what he will do or if he or i will do anything. He has taken 2 mazda pickups both totaled and made one and extended the rails using a section from one between the cab and rear tires. Then built a nice metal flat bed truck looks realy good. He mentioned wanting to build one of those trucks once he's had a blue million of them. I can remeber going to school in one. Just wondering if it would be close to the s-10 builds. Sgtusmc i love your build i'm all about using junkyard parts to build somthing truck looks great. And thanks to all those who replied this is a nice site.

[sweet70beast]

I haven't done this swap but what I have read about it they say that S10 Jimmy/Blazer frames are not good frames to use because the rails do not go strait back like the pickup do, the J/B frame is a perimeter frame like the Chevelles. I've heard that it "might" could be done with a ton of work. I have never heard of anyone using a Jimmy/Blazer frame for their swap because the pickups are so much easier to do.
It would be easier and probably cheaper to get a rolling frame from a junk yard and use whatever you can from the Jimmy.