WWYD? heavily mod a frame or s-10 swap?

[cshades]

I really don't understand the need to swap frames on this stuff when there are so many very nice aftermarket suspensions that will go under one of these trucks in a couple of weekends of time.I know every body thinks that because it is a 3/4 - 1 ton that nothing fits.That is not true i actually am doing a 47 1 ton truck for the kid right now and i put a must II under it with no problem.A 71-81 camaro rear axle appears to be the correct width and i am assuming a chassis engineering rear spring kit will get me where i need to be.
When i inspect cars for customers that are purchasing I always have a hard time recommanding that they buy some thing that has had a frame swap or clip put on it.I think they usually look cobbled up.This isn't true in all cases but most.
Plus i figure i always have to spend enough time on body work why do i want to waste a bunch of time trying to make some pice of crap of frame work under something that it was never inteaded for?

[need louvers ?]

I would certainly use the stock frame. As a 3/4 ton it's not that much bigger than a half ton, easy enough to shorten, and easy as hell to sink a Mustang II into. The only way I would EVER consider a S-10 frame swap would be if I was given a cab and bed complete with no frame under it. But even then, these are still so common that the frame are all over the place, so I'm sure I would just grab one and build what fits...

[jamesgs4]

Originally Posted by squirrel

I don't get into the lowering thing on old trucks, so my 57 1 ton was pretty easy to build...stock front brakes and suspension, later model 8 lug rear from a 3/4 ton suburban with more highway friendly gears, and a big block in front of the original granny 4 speed. It would be a real bitch to try to get a bike in the back of it though!

did the bbc just bolt on to the 4 speed, or is there a special bell or plate to make it work?

[toddwith2ds]

If you have a frame, stick to original. If you think that you have the skills to do a frame swap, you have the skills to mod the stock frame. I am in the middle of an s10 swap on a 51 3100. Its easy enough, but as stated earlier, very time consuming. Good luck with what ever you choose.

[49ratfink]

that's a cool old flatbed. I'd just leave it alone and drive slow.