Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Troy54gmc, Yes it's me. I don't just build Musclecars.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Very nice work on the frame.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Nice save..thoes 4 link brackets are sweet..

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Hey right on Lou, i really enjoed watching you on that show, you were the only one with a personality. Hey i know a couple of people allready asked this but where can we get some 4 link brakets like that? are u selling them?? Nice work on the alignment tool very cool. i to do mostly work alone, its amazing what you can think of when your alone and need a helping hand.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

sweet panel...!
I enjoyed your work on MusleCars too... always DVR'd it so I could run it in the shop!

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

08) I’ll tie the front end and the back half of the frame together. After that I’ll finish boxing the frame. Plumb the brake lines and put in the steering after that I’m done with this Panel.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4093.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4095.jpg

I took out a piece of the frame them

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4087.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4089.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4097.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4098.jpg

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Man that frame was "JackedUp".....:lol: But you got it under control..:sumo:
Nice Work!!!!

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Lou,

I was wondering if you could show some pictures of how you addressed the additional width in the steering center link and sway bar if you're keeping it?

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

9) So today I put the Gas tank in the Panel. I don’t know who made it. I would say it is about a 15 Gallon tank. Normally the tank is on the passenger side but, the 4-Bar is in the way now. I figured I would put the tank in the rear. The rear cross member was trimmed and it fit like butter baby.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...IMG_4098-1.jpg

Now it’s not the best picture but if you look close you can see the cross member.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4115.jpg

I took some 1” tubing and welded it to the shock bar. Then some 2.5” flat stock was bent for the top straps. They will keep the tank from going forwards and backwards.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4107.jpg

A piece 1.125” tubing bent at 90 degrees welded to the chassis. They will keep the tank from sliding side to side. Then a 1”x 2” for the bottom and the gas tank is in place.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4113.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4114.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4109.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4112.jpg

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

I assume he'll cut and sleeve the center link and use a swaybar out of something else, maybe 70's camaro, 4wd s10. You could also probably get creative with the end links and use the original s10 swaybar.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Subscribed.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

10) In one of the other post, I tacked a temporary bracket for the Panhard bar. I finally got around to putting in on. I have done this design many times. Its always worked good for me. I just have one more gusset to put in.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4120.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4119.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4116.jpg

I’m sorry that the pictures aren’t that great.

The other thing I did was box the frame were I tied it back together. I used some .125 plate (Mild Steel) nothing special.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4101.jpg

The factory S-10 frame is boxed so it is a little wider than the 47 frame. So I made the outside edge flush then put a plate to cover the opening on the inside.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4103.jpg

I’ll get some better Pictures of the frame when I pull the body off .

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

11) I decided to put another couple of braces on the shock bar. It just looked like it would flex too much.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4111.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4124.jpg

I made it real simple some 1.125” x .120 wall tubing.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4126.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4125.jpg

I’m going to run a brace between to the two bars. Then it’s done. So the next step is the front end. To answer some of the questions I’ve been getting about the front end. No I’m not putting a rack and pinion on it. Yes I am putting a sway bar on it.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Hey Lou,

What angle do YOU install the coil overs at & why??

Nice job still/so far.

Ratty 46

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

12) Here are some random pictures of the front end that I cut up for the Panel. Now as you all know the S-10 is 5 inches to narrow. I’ve been told that the “G” body front ends are ok if you don’t get to low. I’m not sure because I didn’t have a G-body around. So the S-10 was the one for the job.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/1_2486-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_3980.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...FOU/1_2506.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...FOU/1_2512.jpg

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

13) So had a few of my sons friends come over to the house so we could lift the body off of the chassis. Nothing like strong backs weak minds to get the job done. Then I took the hoist and flipped the chassis on it side.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4137.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4135.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4140.jpg

I got all of the welding done in a couple of hours. Slammed the engine in put the body back on. All that’s left on the chassis is the crosmember has to be notched for the exhaust. Now comes the part that I have gotten tons of questions on the steering linkage. I wish I could tell you guys some really crazy story about how I carved a centerlink out of a piece of steel with my 2 inch grinder. NO it was much easier than that the inner tie rod holes on an S-10 center link are 9” apart.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4142.jpg

I added 4.25 to the center of the S-10 frame. The centerlink on a G-body [79 – 87 Monte Carlo, Regal] is 13’ and yes it is the same front end just wider. So I went to the parts store and got one. All I did was bolt it up. Next is the sheet metal I’ll start that in a couple of weeks.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...U/IMG_4143.jpg

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Hey Lou i noticed that manual tube bender in one of your pictures. Is that what you use for all your bends? if so where did u get it and what did it cost? Thanks troy.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Hi Lou,
I really love the way you widened and installed the s10 front frame clip. I especially like the way you tied it in behind transmission mount under the cab, it won't have that grafted on look when you raise the hood. I am seriously considering doing this to mine, and have some questions if you don't mind.

First is what v8 motor mounts did you use, and how did determine how far to move them back to get the engine the proper distance to the firewall?

Can't wait to see further updates on this build. I can see it is gonna be first class.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Troy54GMC, The bender is from Chuck Smith Motorsports tools in Mooresville NC [704] 660 0707 super nice guy.

Flatbed51, I looked at a couple of trucks I found one that I liked the way the engine sat in it. I measured the distance from the grille to the pulley and then to the firewall. The engine mounts are from Prothane they are the taller 2nd gen Camaro mounts

Ratty 46 I was told many years ago by this old man never mount your shocks no more than 30 degrees. I also read in the book Doorslammer that same thing. Its because the shock isn't efficient past that. It has to do with how it works compression rebound that kinda stuff. The angle of the dangle I will find it and give you the whole story.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

I figured you had a formula of sorts ... the pix are kind of optical in that the angle looks much more than just the 30 degrees ... that's why the question.

Thank you.

Ratty 46

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Lou,
Nice work! I particularly found the front centerlink info extremely useful! I'm looking at finding a way to extend the stock S10 control arms by about 2" on each side and was wondering where to find one that would be about 4" longer.

I think I've found a set of stock upper arms that will bolt in, next is the lowers...

Nice work!

Cheers,
Ted.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Really cool project man and nice work.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

As far as I know no one makes longer lower control arms. I could have made some arms, but I thought it would be cleaner to make the front end wider.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

Hmmmm... spent part of the day cruising wrecking yards around here and think I found a set of stock upper that will bolt in for a 2" length increase (same width, same drop and offset as the S10, just longer) and the lowers may be the same, but I won't know until I get mine out for some measuring and sizing. If I can find them, I'll post where they come from, as I know this is the biggest PITA for an S10 swap.

Cheers,
Ted.

Re: 47 chevy panel
 

The uppers are easy to make. The lowers are were I see the trouble. Why don't you just widen the front end?