1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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:

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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”)

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

March 31 I fit the inner fenders. The 4x4 S10 Blazer has the top A arms on the side of the frame instead of on top. I think it is going to be nicer down the road to have the wider stance in front. Most guys cut the frame horns ½” past the last steering box bolt, but I lest 2” there because of how the anti sway bars mounts on the Blazer. I just trimmed the inner fenders around the frame there.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

This truck did not come with a radiator in it, so I didn’t know how it was supposed to look and fit. I bought a radiator online for a stock 1947 truck and found it was 2” too tall because of interference with the steering box. I decided to just put it in at an angle so that the base was just in front of the steering box. I guess I will find out later if that was a good or bad idea.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Problem…. I don’t want the 4x4 stuff. I thought I could just pull the differential out and put 2x4 spindles on it…. Wrong! Totally different spindles. Hummmm, plan B, cut the spindles off of the old axles. Whoo hooo, works great. I also moved the front motor mounts back 5”. Like I said earlier, I am doing this on the cheap, so I literally ‘moved’ the mounts instead of buying or fabing up new ones. The first pic is what the spindle looks like installed.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

When everyone else (the smart ones) went out and bought the right parts, I on the other hand was determined to make the Blazer gauges, steering column and brake assembly work. Wow, what a pain that was getting the Blazer brake assembly cut out and modified to work under the dash. And that stock dash had to go.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Turns out it is not as simple as I had hoped to remove the transfer case from the transmission. You can't just remove the transfer case and put a new tail stock on the end of the transmission. You have to take the transmission all apart and replace the output shaft. Shoot! Well, plan B, leave the transfer case in place (expensive spacer) for now and remove it later down the road when I need to rebuild the transmission. So I had to modify the cross support to clear the transfer case that is now moved 5” back. Here is a pic of the body and bed mounts too.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

OK, back to the dash. Now I know you guys have been looking at all the previous pics and were thinking… wow, what crappy looking welds. Well, just remember that I am a total amateur with very limited tools. I have zero sheet metal experience or tools either. With that said, I am pretty damn proud of how this dash is turning out. What I lack in skill I make up for in determination.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

May 12th, working on closing in all the holes in the cab. Wow, can’t believe there is over 50 holes in the firewall. Closed in both cowl vents and fitted the Blazer gas cap cover into the fender.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Next to make the seat frames so that I can mount, you guest it, the Blazer seats.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

nice build!

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

great work so far !

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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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Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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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Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

thanks. I used a short bed fleet side. I wish I could have found a long bed, but it was cheep. I am not sure how the wheels sit in the fender... I have not measured that. If I had to guess, I would say 4". I will measure that the next time I have the fenders on.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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. :)

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

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.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

nice work you are not alone on this one. I'm working on a 1949 chev 5window p/u on a 1997 jimmy 4x4 frame

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Are you going to lengthen the frame or shorten the bed? Are you keeping it 4 wheel drive?

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

will only be a 2wd don't want the 4wd.
going to make a flat bed to get it on the road then take the back frame from a 2nd blazer to make the right wheel base
have you gone your wipers working . i used the rear wiper off a 2002 blazer

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

if you need any info on the wiring let me know Ihave the wiring diagrams or anything I can help with.I rewired everything from the computer to inside of the cab . have the fuse box ,relays(used from blazer) under drivers seat

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

I would like more info on this wiper motor swap?? looks killer!!

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Is there any reason why guys use the REAR wiper motor instead of the FRONT one? I have both. just wondering.

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

the front goes completely around and the rear only goes about 120degress
it's more like the vac wipers that were on the trucks
i have more pic of how I did my wipers if you want to see them

Re: 1947 S10 4x4 Blazer swap
 

Very good on this project.great ideal on the front axle,the new two wheel dr. frames are set to be used both ways.your work looks good,no matter how long you work on these,you always learn something new.