Re: s10 v8
 

if only i could actualy afford that lol, although i do plan on buying a better s10 and just swapping the body then the computer and wire harness if i have to, i want to keep atleast the frame cause im going to be re building that and the engine im putting in while im in indianapolis for college in the next couple months. i mainly want to keep the frame so i know it will be like new when im done and for the lift kit, although im considering doing a body swap with something, maybe a el camino if the wheel base is close enough that i can work with. its always in the thought process till i actualy do something

Re: s10 v8
 

I hear that man, itll be cool whatever you do with it

Re: s10 v8
 

if i did that then i would probably do a sas then put in a 8" suspension lift and go from there maybe a dana 60 upfront then a corprate 14 bolt in back

Re: s10 v8
 

ya it dont matter what i decide as long as it keeps movin along lol

Re: s10 v8
 

Not sure if your question about running a 4.3 computer for your 350 TBI swap was answered. I'm 99% sure you can. The thing that you would need is a prom from a 350 computer. If your truck is originaly TBI you should be able to use your same wiring harness, might just have to extend some wires for them to fit the V8. Well you need to do that with a 2.8 to 350 swapp which I am doing.
I'm planning on keeping my 91 S10 TBI, Because I want it to look like a factory installed v8 in a S10.

Re: s10 v8
 

just wondering if i go down this road, since the models of el caminos i would be looking at are carb, what would i have to keep off of this cab or get off a original 350 tbi truck to get that cab to be able to run the 350 and have everything working properly

Re: s10 v8
 

ok sweet thanks, do you got a thread for your s10 on here?

Re: s10 v8
 

if i were to go down the road of a body swap with a el camino would the s10 frame be wide enough? i can lengthen it but id prefer not to mess the the cross members unless i have to, im going to be getting new body mounts on the frame and re positioning them the lengthening the frame to fit the body perfectly

Re: s10 v8
 

No I don't, but I'm the type that just does it. then post pictures of the finished project. BUT maybe I will do it on this one.

I used to have a 79 malibu, I'm pretty sure the bodys are wider than the S10 wheelbase stance is. I've seen guys do this but usually with full size truck frames. seeing the s1o front axle is IFS. you'd probably want to go solid axle anyways. the 87 you posted up would be a better canidate for the camino body swap.
If it was me, I'd just get another cab and what other bodys you need, and put this lil S10 back together.

Re: s10 v8
 

ya it didnt work out with the 87.. but then i guess with it being more narrow it would be better for me to use the s10, i want to make everything i can custom so then make a custom frame and make it to look good, i plan on making this a extreamly clean truck when im done. ive decided that im going with a 77 el camino base then adding all the fetures id want to suit my taste, im going to take it and turn it into a peice of very functianal art:)

Re: s10 v8
 

Wow 77 el camino now thats a wide body. If your wanting to build a one off frame, I would just get the differentials, and go from there. Find a divorced transfer case, that way your engine and transmission selection won't be limited. Plus you can position the TC where you have good driveline angle when it gets lifted.

Re: s10 v8
 

im going to be remaking all of the mounts custom, baisacly im just keeping the frame for shape and strength and im going to look into ways to reinforce it so that it will have a higher towing capacity

Re: s10 v8
 

nice, my dad says im insane :crazy: my moms against it :me2: and so many people hate this, im going through all the way to rub it in their faces :frog: its official that im doing the custom frame and body swap now, im either going to use a 73 or a 77 el camino body

Re: s10 v8
 

im looking at doing a 77 like this (link) or a 73 like in the picture. i know im going to have a 8" suspension lift then a 2" shackle lift. ive been seeing on el camino central that the different generations had different wheel bases, would either of those two gens fit on the s10 frame with min fab or would i have to build the custom frame either way?

Re: s10 v8
 

If it was me, I wouldn't mess putting the s10 fram under an el camino. Those cars have full frames any ways. So why not just fab hangers and such so you could put full size truck diffs under it. Or you could build a frame for the frame to set on like the white one pictured. Another thing to consider. The S10 transfer case front diff, are made for working with a little truck, You go adding the weight of the elky body. It might not last very long.

Re: s10 v8
 

i plan on putting full size components on it, im putting a dana 60 axle in front then a corporate 14 bolt full floater in back, 350 tbi engine turbo 400 tranny then a gear to gear transfer case i think if i remember right that one was a np205 then im getting a custom drive shaft

Re: s10 v8
 

Why don't you scrap the s10, buy an elcamino and use the existing frame from it?

Taking the original frame out, only to replace with a ifs s10 frame that will take more work than its worth, doesn't make any sense man.
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Re: s10 v8
 

because the s10 has heavy sentimental value, its my first legal vehicle so I want to use that frame and do the extra work instead of taking the easy way

Re: s10 v8
 

Then build an s10. Just because my shortbed has sentimental value doesn't mean im gonna pit the frame under a ford escort. Build what you got man.
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Re: s10 v8
 

well I've also always wanted a 4x4 el Camino, with the generations I'm looking at (mid 70's) the wheel bases were different some would fit on a s10 some won't, if the one I get is to big then I just have to extend and fit the components on that frame

Re: s10 v8
 

You could use the el camino frame, add a 1/2 ton drivetrain, 350, th400 and an np205 and be way ahead of using the s10 frame man.
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Re: s10 v8
 

the s10 frame is just the base, once i get the model el camino im going to use bought and in my driveway im going to get all the wheel base mesurments and rebuild that frame completely custom. im going to extend it using another s10 frame from the same generation then im getting the cross members off of a 1/2 frame that had the turbo 400 getting the engine mounts off of a original 350 frame positioning them and welding them on, looking through different body mounts (the part welded on the frame) and see what kind would work the best position those on and weld them in place. im rebuilding the frame completely custom to fit the el camino i get perfectly

Re: s10 v8
 

i plan on putting tons of hard work into making this frame and paying attention to every little detail to make it work and look perfectly. im already aware of what im getting my self into and how long of a build its going to be but ive been doing research on 4x4 el caminos and im going to take my time make sure i get everything done just right and perfectly

Re: s10 v8
 

this is sweet, we had a axle just sitting out front for about a year and i always thought it was a dana 60 till i got a close look at it and turns out is a 14 bolt full floater like i wanted so i asked my dad about it and he said he will probably give it me since he cant build anything for the next couple years because of the house payments and everything

Re: s10 v8
 

heres a update, i got the cab and box off finally and loaded on the trailer with the rest of the scrap and almost all of the family is convinced they just watched the murder of a vehicle lol, then while i was working on the frame (getting the drive train and lift out) ive decided ima cut my losses and sell the frame and the lift together instead of keeping the frame for my next build. then we picked this up a couple weeks ago as a present for my dads year sobriety {CoNgRaTs DAD!!}. its a 88 k1500 with a 350, i will be starting a thread on that soon, just doing some personal touches and finishing.