Found a 54...

[sweet70beast]

The rear hump over the rear axle is higher on the 50 frame than on the 54 frame. To bad your not closer I would trade you a 54 frame for the 50 frame.

[Handfull 54]

That is a nice truck you have. I too have a 54 and can relate to some of the "custom" work that people do. I used a fatman front end and parts from pick ur part. Someday I'll replace the lower section with tubular A arms and get rid of the strut rods. I put in a big block and so had to make my own headers. My advice would be to take the body off the frame and start there. Like anything you build, it needs a good foundation. Best wishes.

[Handfull 54]

You should check that frame you bought because 54 frames are different from 47-53 frames,especially in reguards to mounting the bed. The beds do not interchange. Perhaps someone has put a 53 bed with a 54 cab and can shed some light on if it can be done. I found out with my own truck that it's cheaper to get some new or used solid inner fender wells as you will spend a lot of time fixing ones that are swiss cheeze. If you have more time than money then have at it.

[lpguy]

Well i ended up scrapping the whole idea of reusing an original frame... Just saw more positives going with an s10 frame... Im not really doing a restoration anyway and since im planning on driving this quite a bit it will be nice to run to the local auto parts stores and grab what i need...After selling everything i didnt need anymore i bought an single cab longbed frame but suspensions was well worn.. So now im in the process of installing a McGaughys 2/3" lowering kit and replacing all of the bushings. Ill probably order a set of UB Machine tubular upper control arms next week. I also spent this past sunday laying under an explorer during the downpour pulling out a 4.10 LS 8.8 with discs.
Heres a comparo next to the s10 stocker

I just need to buy a new cover for it due to the jy punching a hole in it to drain it.... To swap it in i just need to alter the shock mount plate, order a fitting to tie into the stock s10 hardline, and make a run to home depot for a few items to reconnect the stock emergency brakeline to the new discs... Once i get the new frame rolling im gonna pull body off of the original and try giving it to someone who wants to salvage it for a front clip install.

[lpguy]

Can a mod move this thread to projects and builds
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[99 to Life]

very interesting 54' you obtained. If there were only a word for vehicles that meant "butter face". Very misleading from the outside. But definitely a good foundation to work with body wise (minus the firewall) I would honestly just build or purchase a recessed one at this point.

So are you selling off your OG (original) frames and IFS?

S-10 route is pretty good route, hard to go wrong there.

Hope everything gets rolling for you, it will be a great truck.

[lpguy]

Yah it was really misleading... Im going with a recessed firewall when I get to that point... I already sold the spare frame and ifs kit... Im gonna trying giving away the frame the cab sits on now.... Its solid other than the po mods to the front end...ill hopefully have the cab mounted by the end of the month if my job will allow it... I havnt done much to the truck in a while due to getting married... Who knew it,was,gonna be so expensive for a "small" family wedding lol
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[99 to Life]

It will all work out. Glad you got rid of that other stuff and you are willing to give that frame away. I wouldn't scrap it, it is easily fixable and has history. Heck the axle alone is worth 50 bucks, it can be turned into a drop axle for someone. I'm not a huge fan of recess walls but if it would make it easier for your engine and would probably be easier for you at this point. I don't what is more expensive, trucks or women!!

I'm running a 2/3" static drop on my s-10 frame, pretty happy with it. I'm sure you will be too. Just make sure your pinion angle is right. Something I didn't do at that time and have to go back and do. Also your driveshaft will be about 58" or so depending on your set up, so a custom shaft will be in order or maybe a two piece, which I used but am over that and I am going with a 1 piece. Good luck

[lpguy]

Well i redrilled the shock mounts for the 3.75" ubolts today and got the new axle mounted..I have a question for anyone else using an explorer rear end though... Has anyone retained the third shock in a swap? Any benefits from it?