Here's my GMC/S10 build

[sgtusmc]

OrrieG- I have roll pan mounted in the rear. I might have to hook up some dagmars in the rear.

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

Yeah I'll put some miles on it till he gets his licence. We wanted that old truck look without having real rust to worry about. So a nice paint job was out of the question. What we did was, I Por15'd the cab and bed (top and bottom in and out)then we went down to the local home cheapo and bought some satin rustolium dark olive paint in a can. Rolled in on. Sanded down the orange peel, sprayed areas with red and brown oxide primer. Then sprayed over the primer with dark olive. Sanded it alittle to get that worn look.

So did your paint turn out ok being rolled on? I went out and got a couple of spray guns but, after reading another thread I'm apprehensive about spraying in my garage. And rustolium, that's a good idea. I think that I'm gonna do that also (hope you don't mind). Your truck turned out real good. Bravo Zulu.

[sgtusmc]

Yeah it did. I thin'd it with some odorless mineral spirits. Then used high dense mini rollers. I was shocked on how smooth the outcome was. I did have to sand it down to get more of a flat worn look. Do a search for "$50 paint job". There are guy's doing very nice smooth paint jobs via the roller. Good thing about it is touch up paint is available any where they sell rustolium. You can also get it in a spray can and spray the hard to reach areas. It's not for everyone, But it was outstanding for my application. And, it's very durable.

[nickp51chevy]

I'm going to do a flat or satin green as well but I want to do more of a dark forest green (hope they make that color).

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

I'm going to do a flat or satin green as well but I want to do more of a dark forest green (hope they make that color).

They do have a dark green, I used it on my trailer. Sorry don't have the number, paint can is long gone. Around here they call it Forest Service Green.

[sgtusmc]

My 54 Caddy bumper came in today. It's in better shape than I thought (it's not perfect). I can't believe how heavy it is. It's almost as heavy as the ARB bumper on my Toyota. There's surface rust which will match my grill. The only dents are in the dagmar tits. It's gonna be fun try'n to mount this bastaid. Does anyone know who makes front bumper brackets for a 54 Caddy to a 53 GMC on an S10 frame....LOL!

[sgtusmc]

Sorry, forgot the pic's. Gotta go clean and vacuum. There was so much rust and dirt in the box. I got that crap everywhere. I gotta get rid of the evidence before the wife gets home. I'll just tell her I've had this bumper forever.

[sgtusmc]

Took em out to the garage and sat them in front of the GMC. Looks like they'll fit.

[wild one]

Cool - dagmars on a GMC! One of the guys in the car club I belong to has a 1954 GMC that he put dagmars on - here's a link to his club page describing his truck with some more pictures/videos :
http://www.waywardgarage.com/RelicsC...tinsTruck.html

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

I can't believe how heavy it is.

Like I said, get ballast for the bed, maybe a keg or two...

Are you going to make a license plate mount between the two?

[sgtusmc]

OrrieG- I think I'll take your advice on the rear. As far as the lower center section which has the license plate mount. I'd like to keep it, shorten it to fit.

wild one- I checked out your buddy's GMC. It's really nice. I like what he did with the dags. I've never seen that done before.

[andrewt2]

just read through the whole build, really like what you've done with it. subscribing.

[sgtusmc]

We was visiting family today. My wife drove my mother to the store so I thought I'd take a final pic. I thought I'd never see her again (the truck).

[Daniel U]

Did I miss a front end shot with the new/different bumper mounted? Looks good from there.

[junkman1jmc]

i love it. i worked on mine today look for updates soon

[andrewt2]

so whats the best advice you can give for someone considering doing this same s10 frame swap you did? what rear end did you go with? whats the radiator your using out of? would it be best to buy a running driving s10 and just use every little bit of it you can or just a rolling frame? i want something that will stear start cruise the highway with no problems and stop good.

[sgtusmc]

The best advice I could give you. Is buy an S10 with a 4.3 with A/C. Those engines are nice and fast. Now if your plans are to run a V8, any engine or lack of will work. You need the right s10, It should be a reg can long bed they fit the best (no splicing up the frame to get the wheels right). My rad came from Summit. It's one of there summit brand alum jobs. The measurements were like 19" wide by 22" tall (from what I remember). I'm still running the stock s10 rear end. It'll work if you have a v8 too, but you have to be careful not to thump on it or you'll kill your gears. If you want a decent running truck go with a 4.3 V6 s10 reg cab long bed and keep the rear. I regret not buying a truck with A/C in it. I could always put it in later I guess. It would have been nice to have it all there when I bought the truck. I cruise 70-80 on the freeways with the 2.8. It's nice to pass old timers and see there faces with in these trucks.

[sgtusmc]

Sorry andrewt2, I forgot to add. I'd go with a running truck.

[jeffs51chevy]

I was going back through your build, just for ideas (you have alot of great ones), and I realized I've never commented on how nice a ride you have. you've done a fantastic job of taking a theme and translating it to a finished truck. You should be commended on your attention to detail. The fact that you made it a family project double or tripples the cool factor. Keep up the great work. - Jeff

[playinsafe44]

This truck just looks right. You wouldn't know it was on a different frame unless someone told you. Are you running wheel spacers or a different offset wheel in the front? Do you have the 4x4 rearend in this? How far off the frame did you mount the cab? I would really like to know how well it rides too. I hope to get mine going this fall (I already have the AD kit installed, just need to button it up) when I finally get to leave Korea. Your truck is awesome man.

[sgtusmc]

Jeff, Thanks for taking the time and going through my build thread and for the positive words man.

playinsafe44, yes, I'm running wheels spacers, in front as well as rear( I think 2"). I'm still running the 2wd rear because I still have the stock 2.8 in it. Once I upgrade to something bigger I'll swap out the rear. I have 2 120mm Mortar Cans that I'm going to use as wheel tubs so I'd like to keep a short rear and big rear tires. The front & rear wheels are your stock bottom of the line s10 rims that came with the donor truck. I think I'm around 3-3.5 off the frame. As far as the way it rides...It feels like a stock s10, nothing great till you compare it to a stock 47-55. I do have front and rear sway bars out of a xtreme that still need to be installed. That might improve the handling.

AND, what the hell are you doing in Korea? Who are you with over there?
I've done allot of training with the ROK Marines (Republic of Korea Marine Corps) there. They are some hardcore, well trained, very disciplined, bunch of Korean bastard that I've had the privilege to train with.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by sgtusmc

I've done allot of training with the ROK Marines (Republic of Korea Marine Corps) there. They are some hardcore, well trained, very disciplined, bunch of Korean bastard that I've had the privilege to train with.

Ditto on that, in the early 70's some of the most respected (feared) troops I encountered were the ROK and Indian Sikh's. We had a lot of guys coming back from Viet Nam in our unit that told some interesting stories and we trained troops from ROK and India among others.

[sgtusmc]

OrrieG- I've never had any "real" training with India. I did spend about 50 days there in 2000 providing security for President Clinton and HMX 1. Here I am with the Indian Air Force (great group of clowns!).


I love breaking Army balls (all in fun). Here's a great pic for the Army fellas-

[playinsafe44]

Thanks for the info. I've heard a lot of mixed feedback with wheel spacers. Some say they are rough on wheel bearings, too dangerous to run with dropped spindles, tire/wheel shops won't work on your stuff if it has them, and some say they are just too dangerous all together. I'm stationed over here at Osan AB. I just hit my 4 year mark in the AF as a 2T2 (air trans). So far I've deployed to Kirkuk, Ali Al Salem, and had a TDY to work Katrina relief (2 weeks). I have 2 months left on my tour here at Osan, and then I'm headed back to the wife and kid at Travis AFB. They weren't kidding when they said "the military isnt a job, it's a lifestyle"

[Houston54]

Sgt - I just looked through this thread and have to say I have never seen an S10 swap come out so well. Good job! Do you have any details on that sun roof modification? Glad to see someone else use the original gauge buckets for the aftermarket gauges.

I found those Dolphin gauges to be pretty shabby though in terms of the backlighting on the gauges. Speedo lighting is fine.

Any additional details on the door panel install?

Nice Truck!