New Project 1955 1st series 5 window 3100 S10 frame swap

[WIDESIDE72]

Last weekend I got the S10 frame cleaned up, 2wd axle removed and 4x4 axle mounted along with EZ's wheelbase correctors.

[WIDESIDE72]

As far as cleaning the frame, I got really lucky. Being the truck was from Texas, most of the gunk came of when I power washed it. I sent a couple of hours with a wire wheel and cup brush on a small angle grinder. The P.O. had done a lot of the hard work when they swapped a V8 into the truck sometime before I got it. They had done a lot of cleaning on the frame up front and on the front suspension. Back during the week, I shot a little primer on the spots that I had already cleaned on the frame

[WIDESIDE72]

This past weekend, I got the old mounts cut off and ground down. I am no pro with a torch, but managed to not gouge the frame up too bad. I have a big Milwaukee angle grinder, or what my dad calls a pipeline grinder that he gave me years ago. (He is a retired pipeline welder). I think it takes 8" wheels. It made short work of the welds that were left. It's size and weight will wear you out, though.

[WIDESIDE72]

I also cut the front and rear frame horns off. After looking at the fronts, I wonder if I might need to trim a little more. No big deal...

[WIDESIDE72]

I flipped the frame over on its side and on its end and different times so that I could clean up the bottom side easier, prime it, then paint the whole frame. That's the donor 94 Caprice 9C1 in the background of the first photo.

[WIDESIDE72]

I also got the bed off the old truck. It was somewhat complicated by the fact that a P.O. had welded an old junk piece of tank steel in for a bed.

[WIDESIDE72]

There is some patching to be done, but nothing major. The bed sides look to be pretty solid as well. The huge wrap around rear bumper did a great job of protecting the rear fenders from dents, bur caused dirt and junk to collect between the fender and bumper on the passenger side.

[WIDESIDE72]

I almost forgot that I pulled the front clip last weekend. I picked up another grill a while back that is in better shape for $100. It will need some work on the "nose" piece, but the rest is pretty nice.

[WIDESIDE72]

This past weekend, I got the cab mount bolts off, and the clutch and brake pedals disconnected. It has been 20 yrs since I pulled the cab on a truck like this. I can't remember the best (easiest) way to get the steering column loose... Anyone?

[WIDESIDE72]

All of this pulling, swapping, etc is taking place outside of the back yard in my "pasture" under a big Oak tree. My wife comes out from time to time to check on me and hang clothes on the line. We are both excited for the baby girl coming in April. She has bee picking up baby clothes from resale shops and friends. In this series, she is line drying some of her recent purchases. I was watching her when I was making a return trip from the house.

Yes, our neighbor has a pontoon boat in his front yard (!) But, I am tearing an old truck apart in my "back yard" (pasture really, outside the back yard). I also have a generator and spare air compressor in an old dog house to keep them out of the weather, so you can probably figure that there is no HOA where we live. The dumb thing is, he has as much room in back as I do, with more Oak trees, but no one has ever kept it mowed and Cedar trees are taking back over again, after it was cleared like mine!

[WIDESIDE72]

Isn't it funny how baby clothes hanging on a clothes line brings a smile to both of our faces?

[WIDESIDE72]

I just had a bright idea. Since I have a pretty nice 1985 S10 LWB body, and a good 1955 2nd series running gear, after I get done with the 55 onto an S10 frame swap, I could do an S10 body on a 47-55 frame swap! Something tells me that it would go over like a fart in church. I'll bet I would have the only one like it at the next cruise night! The straight six might pose a problem due to length. HAHA

[xpickup]

WIDESIDE72. Looks good and it looks like you have been busy. Congratulations on the up and coming baby girl. Life will really change when the little one comes ( a good thing), I have 2 girls and a boy. keep up the good work.

Shannon

[WIDESIDE72]

I picked up a pair old school slot mags this past week. I drove about 80 miles one way to pick up what was supposed to be a set of 4 15" x 8" US Indy wheels in 5 x 4-3/4" pattern. When I got there, two were as promised, but two were 15" x 10" unilugs. The seller felt bad that he misrepresented them, so he let me have those four, plus a pair of 14" x 10" unilugs and a set of four N90 15 x 7 81 Camaro Z28 86-88 Monte Carlo SS wheels for the same asking price.
( THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON EBAY.: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AMESELX%3AIT )

Luckily, I posted the unilugs on the local Craigslist and they sold yesterday. I have a line on another pair of 15" x 8" Indys. I have always been hesitant to buy a pair of wheels instead of a full set, as I had a "fear" that I wouldn't be able to find a matching pair, but this situation sort of forced my hand.

I got a coat of Rustoleum black on the frame, and plan to paint the whole frame with a coat of POR15 chassis paint after I get the body mounts on.

I almost forgot. That is a hot tub in the background. More redneck lawn art. The neighbor on the other side from the pontoon owner gave it to me when they moved. It works but the bas or whatever you call the part around the outside was rotted away. I plan to build a deck around it and have the top even with the deck, instead of having to step into it like a typical hot tub.

[southbounddee]

can't wait to see more!

[WIDESIDE72]

I got the cab pulled off of the old frame today.

[WIDESIDE72]

It looks like I have a little rust repair ahead of me... The outside bottoms of the door look Ok, though... I talked to a fellow a little West of here who has some rear fenders that look a little better than what I have, and the driver side doesn't have the spare tire indentation mine has, so we'll see how that goes.Take note of my "Redneck Rotisserie".

[WIDESIDE72]

Ayone interested in a 55 1st series 1/2 ton open driveline rolling chassis? I still need to pull the running boards off. The engine needs a water pump. I will include the steering column, radiator, a rebuilt carb and stock in cab gas tank. $750

[WIDESIDE72]

I accidentally bent the center link due to the flat tire on the pass side. I will try to straighten it for loading, or I can just sit it on a trailer with my loader.

[IL boy]

Nice progress. keep the pix coming. i like the red neck yard art i wish my neighbors would stop complaining about my "lawn sculptures"

[WIDESIDE72]

Yesterday I noticed that the 55 has Firestone Wilderness A/T tires on it, AKA Explorer Exploders. THe sidewall are like jello on these things.... Good thing I won't be driving it with them!

[WIDESIDE72]

I also got the front bed mounts bolted on and the front and rear cab mounts tacked in place. As soon as I get the areas in front of the door patched, I will power wash the bottom of the cab and set it on the S10 chassis for the first time. I think I will work on patching th cab corners and floorboard then.

[WIDESIDE72]

UPS dropped off the floorboard patch panels and cab corners today. I think I will patch the cowl panel in front of the door on the passenger side, but replace the driver side, as it is bent behind the hood where somebody ran into something pretty hard with the running board.

[WIDESIDE72]

Does anyone have a lead on who has the best price on the cowl patches?

[1952ssr]

Here's a link to a cluster at a pretty good price and it also comes with the outer trim. I only got the cluster. I think with patience and a little engineering you could put the whole unit in. I'm having to use little (radio shack) lights for my turn signals, bright light indicator and service engine soon light. Which is located there in the middle of the guages.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-AV...Q5fAccessories