48 panel sheet metal on an S-10 chassis?

[austinsailor]

I have a 48 panel that has a hunk of scrap iron for a motor, a chassis needing everything and needing some new metal on the front. I have a good front clip and doors handy and it occurred to me this evening I should consider mating all that with an S-10 I bought a while back.

S-10 is a 91 swb 2wd 4 cylinder 5 speed. Sheetmetal is pretty rusted, but the running gear and tires are good. Looking at specs, the S-10 is 108.3 wheel base, panel is 108. Seems like a match.

Bought the S-10 for $150 ( guy said the clutch was shot, but needed a slave cylinder) so not a lot invested.

This is probably not the most ideal mating - a 6 cylinder, for example, would probably be more desireable, but it's all here and available. A few body mounts and some wiring and I could change two of the things sitting in the way to a drivable vehicle.

One advantage in Missouri is, over 25 years old can be registered historic, no inspection, just buy a tag. And unlike some states, it's registered here as what it most resembles, not what the chassis is. So, no safety or emmissions concerns.

So, bolt it together, buy insurance, buy a tag and it's on the road.

Thoughts? I'm sure there are better donor chassis around (Dakota, etc) but nothing more available than sitting there in the way at no cost.

[Dave72dt]

Check your axle width dimensions as well as S-10 frame widths. S-10 will have a higher wheel arc as well which may interfere with the floor of the panel. Not saying to not do it but I get the feeling there may ( read WILL ) be a lot of fab work involved. You're going to get that on any frame swap.

[Plymouthy Adams]

there is always a bit of fabrication in these swaps..very little out there is a bolt up nd drive..you can feel lucky if just a sub system will bolt in on exchange much less the entirre rig. The S-10 is the right price to cut..jget out the steel tape..jot down your number and start juggling..a key area to look for is the front firewall tip up as the frame transitions..

[greg g]

You got torches??? It will fit. Now a lot of folks will get up in arms about GM stuff under a Dodge body, but I lean toward one on the road is worth two in the driveway. And since you already go the stuff why not go for it?

The only thing I have against this type of inter species conjuntion is that some of them look obviously wrong. Nothing says Mongrel like wheels out of position within fenders, or tires sticking out of fenders. So if the width works or can be made to look appropriate with different wheel offsets, and they look centered in the wheel arches have at it.

As for the 4 cylinder, the s10 will accept a bunch of engines so down the road a piece some other engine may present itself.

[austinsailor]

Torches, gig, mug, saws and grinders. I can destroy most anything!

Seems like in some previous post I read that the S-10 had a narrower track than our trucks. I haven't been able to find specs on that. I won't be home for 2 weeks so all I can do now is try to think it through. Fortunately, the S-10 came with a set of reverse-like wheels with nearly new tires. Assuming I'm remembering correctly, that should help that look.

[greg g]

perhaps this will help

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/S-10_frame_swaps

[OLD DODGE]

The S10, Ranger, and the early Dakotas were really good at hauling.....

feather pillows!

I have in the past used these trucks to haul items that don't fit into the feather pillow category and it puts a real strain on the suspension. You may want to check out that the panel body itself doesn't squash the S10. Even if it does so only minorly, that won't leave you any room for payload.

Perhaps a later Dakota?

[austinsailor]

I'm not much worried about payload, but it is one of the first things I was thinking about. The panel body is heavier than the pickup bed, so it'll be like more than a feather load empty.

It's simple to add leaves or overloads. Do you think it's going to be more drastic a problem than that?

I am a bit concerned over the 4 cylinder's power, although I don't expect or need a hot rod runner.

I'd use it mainly painted up in my businesses colors and logo, to run errands and park on the lot as advertising. Using it to run errands and take money to the bank certainly wouldn't strain much - there isn't much to haul these days!

[OLD DODGE]

Do you think it's going to be more drastic a problem than that?

I am a bit concerned over the 4 cylinder's power, although I don't expect or need a hot rod runner.

Gene,

You will have to make that decision for yourself. If its severely underpowered and has a distinct lean to the rear I'd say you would be very disappointed with the fruits of your labor.

I haven't seen anything on your WK lately. Stalled project? That is one very cool truck!

Kevin Clause

[austinsailor]

WK is inside, runs, but needs doors assembled and hood finished, brakes and wiring installed. Got sidetracked on a couple boat restorations, and a '42 Plymouth ready to assembly. Work is taking too much time - basically, not enough available time. I think work needs to go!

Got a 51 Fargo 1 ton pu with a hoist under the pu bed I still need to do brakes on and install a new pto pump on.