Anyone tried this before?

[49ZR2]

ZR2 under a 49?
Well I’ve been lurking for a while and thought I’d share what I’ve been doing. I picked up a 49 5window in early 2008 and began making plans to restore it. This would be my first build. After learning about the s 10 frame swap that many of you have done I was hooked. It seemed to be the logical way to go. So I put the word out to my network that I was looking for a s-10 long box with low miles, perhaps a rollover. About a month later I heard about a s-10 at an auction. I located it and decided to go take a look. It turned out to be a 2000 ZR2 that had been rolled and only had 19,000 miles on it. The cab and box had been removed, and it had been kept inside the past 6 or 7 years. Now everything I had read told me to walk away but my tape measure was telling me something different. I hadn’t planned on nor was I looking for a 4x4 but I’d always liked the old Napco trucks. I didn’t want a 4x4 nose bleed truck just a knock around old truck for the weekends that would be reliable. I had 3 hours before the auction ended to decide, so I made a few phone calls to buddies that have done a project or 2 and made a decision. I set the limit that I was willing to pay and went on my way. I picked up the rolling chassis the next day. It sat in the garage until the threat of snow so I finally removed the cab from the 49 and set it on the 2000. I’m in the process of mocking it up to locate cab mounts and to decide if the motor gets moved back or not. Here are a few pics.

[49ZR2]

Here's a few more pics.

[pugs]

looks like you went in the right direction, i would say move the m/t back a few inches

[Lextech]

Looks good. I'd say it's about half way done right now. I agree--The engine could go back a few inches unless the bellhousing/tunnel would take up too much gas pedal room.

Jeff

[54 jimmy]

the trandsfer case will cause problems with the torsion bar s and the drive shaft angles. i was going to use a 4x4 too but it would have been too much work to do. although i was going to use a v8 so you may not need to move it back with the v6.

[drivesfed]

I am impressed by those that tackle a project such as this. It looks great so far, good luck and keep us updated.

[49ZR2]

Originally Posted by Lextech

Looks good. I'd say it's about half way done right now. I agree--The engine could go back a few inches unless the bellhousing/tunnel would take up too much gas pedal room.

Jeff

Originally Posted by pugs

looks like you went in the right direction, i would say move the m/t back a few inches

The truck sits about 4inches above the frame right now and moving the motor and trans back 6 inches will only cause a slight rise in the forward area of the bellhousing tunnel. Pedel room shouldn't be a problem but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks

[49ZR2]

Originally Posted by 54 jimmy

the trandsfer case will cause problems with the torsion bar s and the drive shaft angles. i was going to use a 4x4 too but it would have been too much work to do. although i was going to use a v8 so you may not need to move it back with the v6.

It looks like I can slide the m/t back 4" without any inteferance. I would like to go back 6" that would allow me to use the stock fan that was on the 4.3 then coolers for the trans, power steering and oil can be mounted to the front of the radiator. The 6" move will cause rework/ removal /relocation of a frame stiffner in front of the torsion bar, relocation of the trans support, and motor mounts, front and rear drive shafts, am I missing something?

If I leave the m/t where it is it looks like there will be 1/2" to 1" clearance between the motor and radiator.
Tell me more about the drive shaft angle problem. At first glance removing 6" from the drive shaft doesn't seem like a bid deal. I have to replace it anyway, it got dented from the roll over.

[54 jimmy]

it is the front drive shaft angle ane the mods to the trands mount that you need to worry about. at least that what i was told and saw when i was going to use a 4x4 frame on my 54 gmc.

[49ZR2]

Originally Posted by 54 jimmy

it is the front drive shaft angle ane the mods to the trands mount that you need to worry about. at least that what i was told and saw when i was going to use a 4x4 frame on my 54 gmc.

Ok I see what your saying. So if I'm moving the m/t back the angle should be less severe than it currently is in the front and just a bit more severe in the rear. I'll take another look at the front setup, but I think it will be ok. I've got a 2002 1500HD I'll take a look at as well.

Great thoughts and ideas guys. Keep them coming, I appreciate all your imput.

[55dude]

if your chassis is all stock why would driveline angles be any problem? looks like a sweet project. keep the pic's coming.

[mr48chev]

Yep, You would probably improve the front driveline angle a bit with moving the engine/trans/transfer back a tad and if the truck isn't lifted I don't think that amount will cause any problems with the rear driveline. It looks like that is going to be a neat truck when you get done and with the bark of the six it should be fun to make a lot of folks guess what you are running for power.

[49ZR2]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Yep, You would probably improve the front driveline angle a bit with moving the engine/trans/transfer back a tad and if the truck isn't lifted I don't think that amount will cause any problems with the rear driveline. It looks like that is going to be a neat truck when you get done and with the bark of the six it should be fun to make a lot of folks guess what you are running for power.

Originally Posted by 55dude

if your chassis is all stock why would driveline angles be any problem? looks like a sweet project. keep the pic's coming.

Thanks guys for the confirmation. I am using the stock ZR2 setup. What you can't see from the pics is the normal radiator challenges associated with an s10 frame swap. With the cab sitting 4" off the frame as seen below, I think I can fit a radiator in square so that the inner fenders and fender supports don't have to be altered.

By the way the ZR2 frame height is 24" at the cab, same as the original frame.

[nickp51chevy]

i'm interested in this. my next build i want to be on a 4x4 frame. i'm gonna follow along with your build. looks great so far.