Project: AREA|51 [OCD meets ADD]

[lolife99]

Great build!
I like the 4x4 chassis idea.
And you get a wider track width, for the front wheels,... that these trucks need with the s10 chassis swap.

Love all the innovating ideas in this build.

[msaintg]

thanks, I guess my confusion is that I used a 4X4 S10 Blazer frame. I had to cut the spindle off of the old axle to use in the front or the wheels would have fallen off. My track width is toooo wide. I had to use the factory 40mm offset rims up front so that the wheels do not hit the fenders. I had to put 2" spacers in the back or use a different offset rim (I could not find different offset rims to match). The 1996 blazer only had drum brakes in the back. I was regretting using the 4X4 frame. Oh well, I do like that it is boxed all the way to the back axle and the anti sway bars are beefy. I can't wait to see how you do it. thanks again.

[xpickup]

DJDAudio, You guys got a bunch done. Keep up the great work.


Shannon

[98layinframe]

I had the 4x4 frame sitting around complete so thats the main reason we used it, but as mentioned above the wider track width is much nicer since no spacers are required to achieve the correct track width. The lower arm will be cut and plated flat for a lower bag mount, the upper mounts will be made out of 1/4" plate.

Msaintg - since the truck will be riding on bags, full turning abilities wont be required when the truck is sitting low. A standard 2wd s10 offset wheel will clear the fenders, but yeah he might have to air up some to make a sharp turn. Also to lay the frame on the ground out back you normally need a notch in the frame, the way we did it no notch above the axle will be required. The quad cab frame had a 123" wheel base so by shortening it 6" and raising the back 3" allowed everything to line up at 117" wheel base and easily clear the axle on a 28" tall tire out back. (If it will even fit under the sheetmetal.)

Ohh and in 98 they changed the front spindles on these trucks to a dual piston caliper brake setup and started using disk brakes on the rearends. For the front spindles you can simply swap over to a 2wd 98+ s10 blazer hub set, they look the same but dont require the axle stub.
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[72BlckButy]

Great build!!!!
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[DJDAudio]

Working with as light touch on a wire wheel, I was able to remove the heavy rust... I am kind of liking the look. Was also amazed the old paint was still there.

[DJDAudio]

Mothers-day weekend, so not much progress, but got some work done on the hood.



Got the rest of the rough rust off the hood.



I was able to get the side moldings off with no damage.



The undercoat will be for another day haha



What a fun bit to try and find!



Was able to get everything off without a single broken bolt!



Even the front brace.



Not even any rot behind the emblems.



Was also able to get everything cleaned up that was under all of the items.

Next up lots and lots of sanding haha

[DJDAudio]

I needed some shiny motivation, so this just came in for the project



Scored it for $50

[99 to Life]

subscribed, your lucky you got that truck. I seen it on CL ahahhaaaaaaaa. I got a lead on an awesome 51' that I'm due to pick up at some point, so I couldn't get this one. Glad you got it. I'm loving the build, you guys are digging in, wish I had some help like that. I like the 4x4 frame so far. Engine combo I'm fine with, something different. Awesome your drivetrain lined up. Love the sketch you did back in 98'. I have some fender skirts I was gonna use, if your interested, maybe a trade!! They are fiberglass though.

[DJDAudio]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

subscribed, your lucky you got that truck. I seen it on CL ahahhaaaaaaaa. I got a lead on an awesome 51' that I'm due to pick up at some point, so I couldn't get this one. Glad you got it. I'm loving the build, you guys are digging in, wish I had some help like that. I like the 4x4 frame so far. Engine combo I'm fine with, something different. Awesome your drivetrain lined up. Love the sketch you did back in 98'. I have some fender skirts I was gonna use, if your interested, maybe a trade!! They are fiberglass though.

Thanks!

And wow small world, My friend was the one who found it on CL and called me , " This will not last, we need to go look at ASAP" haha

Good thing he put his foot down it got my but in gear to go look at it. And glad I did.

Worse shape then what I was looking for but, people seem to want amazing amounts of money for these trucks if not completely rusted out.

Hope to get some more updates this weekend.
Will let you know on the skirts, Not sure if the project will go that way or not yet.

[99 to Life]

I actually seen that truck on there for a little while, I'm surprised it went that fast to be honest. Its all fixable and I've seen far worse, not bad for the price with title.

as for the skirts I'm in no rush, I was gonna maybe use em on my 52' I'm painting but its just so far from that I dunno what to do with them. I have lots of parts, if you get in a bind hit me up maybe we can barter or something.

[DJDAudio]

Any interest in a large old school welder? It is an P&H 300amp single phase. And shot in the dark but a Yamaha drum set? I am in need of running boards small roll prices from bed to running board. And would love to trade driver bed fender. Mine is for a spare tire.
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[DJDAudio]

Wow long time since an update, sorry about that, work has been crazy as of late.

So here is DAY 6-7 on the 51.



The day started with ripping everything that was not bolted down off.



Looked like we had a flea-market going on haha



Took 20Min and a shopvac to the floor, now we can see what we where working with.



Pulled the trans plate, every bolt had to be ground out.




They sure do not make them like this anymore haha



With nothing left in it, it still weighed a ton! pushing it around was not fun.



My creative cab picking solution haha



Friend of mine helping lift the cab up



And this brings me to day 7. Empty frame!







Rear axle looks to be a 10" Eaton HO72 10 Bolt.



Mother nature decided we needed some water on the project lol



Friend of mine sandblasted the upper arms, they look so much better!

... But we will not be using them.. Stay tuned for that one



Put everything temp back together with all new ball joints to roll the frame over to the cab.



Getting the cab over onto the S10 Chassis.



Before you yell, I know it needs to go forward lol



Fits pretty darn well on the 4X4 frame.



The old frame went out to pasture , it will be up for sale soon. Hope I can get something for it.



So with the cab up in the air we found nothing much was holding it together haha, time for bracing.



This may look a little strange, but it gets all the weight up onto solid metal, and lets the rusty bits hang down so we can get them replaced. Also holds the door jambs in place so the doors will fit back on when we are done.




Talk about an old scary patch job ... eek



Bottom of the driver door.. was well missing,.



Going to have to cut a good bit out of the firewall....



Test fitting items, Yes I know the bed is not on right, the cab needs to go forward 6~8" once the firewall is cut out.

That now ends Day 7. I may not have another day off till the end of the month, so may not have any quick updates.

[DJDAudio]

Ok while This was all going on, I have been in search of a new welder...

This is what I had.



A 1,000lb P&H 300Amp welder.

It was amazing, but would blast holes in 1" steel. It was horrable on any small metals. So sheetmetal was out of the question.

Put it up on Craigslist for trade.
Sure enough a guy called!

So here is the tricky part, how do you get a 1,000lbs fridge sized welder into the bed of a truck?



The inside was all copper bars! had to be $350 in scrap alone haha



Rigged up a engine hoist and crossed fingers.



Got it into the bed, it was about an hour drive out for the trade, but he did pay for the gas.



This is what I traded for, a Working new'ish Farm Hand welder... ( Cambel housfeld ) obscure brand. but a solid little 110V welder.



After using it for a bit, it felt so underpowered.

So I dug out some electronics I had in stock to beef it up a little



Step one I installed infinite heat control, via a SCR mounted inside on the primary of the transformer. I also put on matching knobs. I think it turned out great.

More to come on that... here is where the ADD part kicks in.

[DJDAudio]

I have a remote controlled lawnmower, well the control box was falling apart so It was time to build a new box for everything.

Step one build in terminal strips and car antenna.





Step 2 fill with electronics



Then mount some LED's



All wired up and ready to install,



And here is the RC mower. with the new box attached.



The 3 foot car antenna works wonders on my reception!

[DJDAudio]

Ok, now back to the welder.

Decided to upgrade the tiny little fan, with a little overkill haha





And here is the new 'beffy' power supply I built for the welder.

( insert Tim Tayler grunts )



The little welds are the stock 120 welder at Max power. The monster welds are my new supply at 1/2 power


so.....




I wanted better heat control, so I started gather parts to build my own switching power supply.



Threw a schematic together and set to work.



Here she is all built up.



The gauge is setup to show 0-200Amps that is always live, so it allows you to adjust the knob and see what amp range it will output.



Fan cooled , the heat sink is from an old Pentium Slot 1 possessor.



Next built myself a welding cart from an old AV cart, and beefed up the casters.



Wired in the new controller.
You can also see the crude cover I made for it.



All of the lower high current side.



2/0 Wire.. overkill? nah haha




I am using the 110V welder as just a feeder.

This just looks funny for some reason lol





And BAM, shortly after first weld, 2 of the Large 200Amp diodes failed on me.. grr. so Time to dig out some spares I have.


That is about all I have been up to for now.

More soon as I get the welder finished.

[72BlckButy]

Man... You're amazing.

Wish you were my neighbor. Hahaha.
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[98layinframe]

Dougs definitely pretty amazing at making cool electronic stuff out of old parts.
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[99 to Life]

wow, I'm blown away you have the patience and smarts to upgrade a welder like that. The remote control lawn mower is haaaaaalarious, I love that thing, you should patent that.

nice truck progress, will be PM'in you

[Low Elco]

Damn Sam! That's awesome! I wish I could do electrical stuff like that. Truck is cool, you're gonna need that welder.