Chester49 Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Hey guys, I am finally in the process of working on my 49 B1B. Has anyone done a s10 frame swap? Is there any frame that's better than the other? I look forward to everyone's input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Sure, it's been done. S-10 seems to be the go to frame for almost every frame swap conceived whether it fits well or not. Eastwood has one going on, builder used to post here, not much, if any, lately. Early 90's Dakota fit the width of the your body much better. Several years ago a member built his truck around a C-4 Vette chassis and suspension upgrades can be done to your present frame and it will fit perfectly. Try the search button for frame swaps and settle in for some reading. Lots there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porky55 Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 The Dakota works very well, but if your wanting an s10 frame than I'd get on YouTube and type in Eastwood pile house. Eastwood is building a 1950 truck on a s10 frame. Lot of cool stuff and they show a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester49 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Great. Thanks for the info, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 I have looked into the frame swap as well, as I have collected a few stray body parts from others' project leftovers. The 1st gen Dakota is a close fit to the B-1-B-108 in wheelbase & track width. The Ramcharger has a close fit wheelbase but the track is too wide. S-10 has a close fit wheelbase but the track is too narrow for my liking. Fitting the Pilot-House on a D-series or BR-series Ram is a lot of work as the track is too wide, so ya have to flare the fenders or get creative on fender placement. Any way ya go, it'll be work but you'll get modern gearing & braking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester49 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Great! Thanks, JBNeal. I'm looking at a s10 chassis tomorrow, we will see what I decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 I have my 53 on a 91 Dakota frame and it fits well. I actually initially put it on an S-10 frame and the front wheels were tucked in way to far in the front fenders and it needed an s-10 4x4 rear end to even get clearance on my box. I ditched the s-10 frame and put it on the Dakota. Eastwood knew that the track was narrow, but were willing to put real wide wheels on it. I did not like the look. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruff1148kr Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Had the chance to visit Eastwood in Pottstown PA when I went home to visit my Mom. They took me back in the shop to show me the truck up close. Let me say this that they guys on this site are more creative and do better work as far As I can tell. that project is in its 3rd year with tons of work to go. what a beautiful shop with tons of tools and help and endless supply of anything they might need. I venture to say that truck would have been done a while ago if any of us would have half of that. Actually made me fell real good about my project and what I have achieved myself in a short time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester49 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Well I ended up with a s10 chassis, I couldn't pass up a rolling chassis for $125. I am still in the design and engineering phase, so we will see what happens. Thanks for everyone's input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbyrd Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 mine is a B-1-C. rides on an 87 dakota chassis. 3.9 V6, 904 and all. mine was a longbed reg cab chassis (124inch WB) my 49 is 116. i chopped the frame where the factory seams them together, and fabbed up all the mounts. everything fits like a glove. a very easy conversion. i have about 1000 miles on mine. ample power, 21-22mpg, drive anywhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbyrd Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 here is a photobucket link to my assembly.......http://s207.photobucket.com/user/superbyrd/library/49ratdodge2014 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencrandab Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hay superbyrd how comfortable is your truck to drive. I'm referring to the seat and steering wheel position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencrandab Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hay superbyrd how comfortable is your truck to drive. I'm referring to the seat and steering wheel position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbyrd Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 seat is dakota seat, i removed the stock "riser" from the cab floor, used 2 1/2" sqaure tube under my seat tracks. steering wheel comes further back in the cab, and at a lower angle than stock. i am 6'2" and 245lbs, and it is plenty comfortable to me. we have driven to quite a few events, some 2-3 hours each way, and even the wifey likes driving it, with no complaints. so,that ought to say something, lol. only thing i would maybe do different, would be to use a tilt column. i don't need or care for the truck having it, i'm just saying most people like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester49 Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 So I have decided to fit the S10 suspension to the dodge frame. This should allow me to keep the updated suspension and brakes, and the body will fit without any fabrication to the frame. The next step will be to prep the frame and start fitting the suspension. Thanks for all the info, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1950 pilothouse Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 What about a Jeep Wrangler or Cherokee frame? Would that work to make a 4x4? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radarsonwheels Posted July 5, 2019 Report Share Posted July 5, 2019 Anything is possible. It just depends on whether you want to shrink or enlarge the frame or the body to fit or move the rear suspension forward or back. I shortened my dakota frame 2 feet, completely re-‘engineered’ the rear suspension, channeled the body, and sectioned my bed 12” and it still kinda looks like a lowered 1/2 ton with fancy wheels. I do know that the jeep zj rear is 4”ish too narrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavisco1 Posted July 5, 2019 Report Share Posted July 5, 2019 Jeep Cherokee is unit body, unless you are thinking about the first gen 74 to 83 models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry g Posted July 6, 2019 Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 I want to put pics of my s10 /Dodge but it wont allow me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Elder Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 On 7/6/2019 at 10:29 AM, Harry g said: I want to put pics of my s10 /Dodge but it wont allow me I wish it did that with all things chevy.....lol.....Harry you probably have to downsize your pictures before they will be accepted by this format. Good Luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAubuchon Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 Good information. I have a 1950 want to pull my camper what is the year range for the Dodge Dakota's that fit the best. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAubuchon Posted August 22, 2019 Report Share Posted August 22, 2019 CODE 504 has a complete kit to use the s10 frame with the dodge trucks, has any one used them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 Just curious and hear me out, has anyone ever seen a '49 B1 pilothouse cab riding on a 2nd Gen 3500 frame with an L6 Cummins? I may or may not know a guy debating the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 check "TODD build thread' here on this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 Awesome lead brother, that answers alot of questions. It is definitely possible. I'm not looking to increase the size if the cab interior. I think I am gonna go a more simple route of getting the width by adding some side steps on the cab and fender flares or add some width to the fenders. I also gotta deal with a 24 valve instead of a 12 valve which adds some cost to the wiring and some considerable headache there with the ECU but I can tune it. That thread definitely helps clarify some areas I have been wondering about. I'm gonna take a different approach with 2nd Gen frame and a '49 B1 but there is enough in that thread to get an initial plan of attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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