47-55.1 s10 frame swap to 1952 5 window PU

[1badtransam]

Hey folks,

I have a 1997 S10 regular cab, long bed with 4.6 vortec with automatic transmission lined up to purchase.

My plan is to basically use all of the modern components and just the "bolt" on the 1952 body - I know it won't be that easy...

Does this 1997 donor truck seem like the best option to accomplish this?

Thoughts and thread links?

Thanks
Fred

[joedoh]

i have done a few just like that, 4.3 v6 4l60e trucks. check out my gallery and you can find a lot of the trucks in the project section. 97 doesnt have the complicated electronics taht 98+ have but also doesnt have the high reuse parts like columns and pedals of the 82-93. if you are interested in buying the parts to make it work, I make just such a bolt on kit, you can find it in the vendors section. i also make pedal assemblies to reuse the 95+ s10 brake pedal/booster/master, booster plates that keep the correct 5 degree angle, motor mounts and transmission mounts to move the 4.3 back 7 inches, and a bracket for the 97 gas pedal too.

if you want to build your own brackets check out the s10 swap how to in the FAQ threads. if you have questions about doing it yourself we will help!

[mr48chev]

For S-10 swaps Joedoe is the go to guy for correct answers the first time.

[Father&son56project]

I used an identical S10, but from 1997 (same thing as a ‘96). It was my first frame swap and it was really not that tough at all. Mine was for project Fargolet, which was a dodge truck, but the process is exactly the same. I managed to reuse the column and pedal assemblies, but it was a bit of work, and it’s not terribly elegant. If I were to do an AD series truck/S10 swap now, I would get the kit from Joedoh as it would save a ton of time and it would be done correctly (and you would spend most of the cost of that kit on steel anyhow).

I reused absolutely everything I could (the S10 I bought was in pristine condition with low miles) and the end result was fantastic. It was also extremely inexpensive. There’s a wealth of information here that will guide you through this swap, and members who are very generous with their time and knowledge.

Good luck!

[1badtransam]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will definitely check out your vendor section for the bolt on kits @joedoh

I'm also looking at a 1990 regular cab, long bed truck. Any thoughts on 1990 vs 1997

[mr48chev]

Most of these guys already know that I am not a fan of frame swaps for the sake of swapping frames if you have a 3100 with a good solid original frame to work with. Joedoe usually starts out with a cab on a pallet and a stack of parts rather than really decent original trucks. If you have a decent original frame it might be productive to actually investigate the options for upgrading that frame and in the end have a nicer truck with a higher value than an S-10 swap just because you thought you had to have an S-10 frame to be one of the cool guys like all too many guys on Facebook do. on the other hand if your frame is damage by rust, hacked up, bent or not usable, head on do the swap.

[1badtransam]

mr48chev - My 1952 is actually running and in great shape. I want a nice ride, with some modern features like power brakes, power steering, AC etc.. . I can get the donor pickup s10 for under $1000 here in west texas. I figured I can get a modern driving truck up and running for under $5000 and a little bit of work.

Thats the idea.

I would totally consider upgrading the original frame with modern components, but I believe I would spend significantly more.

Your thoughts?

[fauXGT]

'Flat-Out Engineering' sells the weld in kits for Vette suspension onto the stock frame.
The project truck I bought also had a C-4 Vette that came with it. He bought it for less that $400, then the kit from Flat-out. Full front and rear C-4 suspension conversion, but not easy to install the kit. Not for the novice. The aftermarket coilover shocks are about $1000 total to add on, but I got the entire project pretty cheap. He lost interest.