....OK so we're crazy. Here's the idea...you take a running S-10 pickup that you got for free, .....you gut the body,......then drop the body of a 1954 Chevy onto the S-10 chassis. Connect the electrical system and drive off into the sunset. .....well OK, it isn't exactly that easy. But it is kinda like Monster Garage, and everyone knows that's some cool sh*t.
todate .....
Nov 17th. I drove the S-10 to the "Chop Shop" (well ok, it isn't really a chop shop, but it probably looks like one, thanks to me). Everything is workin' on the S-10, lights, brakes, radio....but there is a minor problem with the frontend "alignment".
Nov 18th. The S-10 truck is dismantled, and we disect the carcass. ...do you know anyone that needs some S-10 body parts?
Jan 2 2007...set backs have slowed the build, like Mr "Thumbs" sticking this thumb where it could be crushed
(oops! Sorry Mike), kids getting sick, me getting sick, the Holidays....
Well anyway the cab is mounted, body mounts are 3x3 square tubing welded to the frame to match up with the original 54 mounting holes. Mike capped off each tube with the salvaged S-10 frame mounts,so the body biscuits fit. We used the original S-10 mounting bushings. , squared off the washers and fastened them up through the 3x3, then bolted the cab down.
Fabrication for the bed mounts are done. Also used square tubing, but resting on their sides. Now when the bed is located in the proper position we can tack an angled lenght of steel to each side panel and bolt them to the square tubing.
The "alignment" is done.
We started reinstalling the front body panels yesterday and started planning the radiator supports, when it appeared apparent that having the frontend in one piece would make things alot easier, and give us more room.
Frank also did some bodywork on the grille assembly.
Things are starting to come together. I'll post some more pics, as soon as I get the pixs off of Taylor.
We need to locate the steering column postion and new pedal locations, mount the master cylinder, install the wiring.... along with a few thousand other little things.
....one problem with the 54' pickup is that it doesn't have a bed floor. After setting the bed on the S-10 chassis with our lower stance, the floor of the bed is raised significantly. Meaning the distance between the top of the bed sides, and the bottom of the floor is only about 12"s. We toyed with the idea of builbing a wooden bed., but we didn't really want all the added weight. After a few "malt beverages", Mikey came up with using the donor S-10's bed floor. It might just work. The S-10 bed is wider then the 54's, but the S-10's bed is not as long. We figured out that if the floor was cut out and reversed (the front of the S-10 bed becomes the back of the 54's bed) we had a perfect fit.
....here's me and my girl, "2E". She's a Moluccan Cockatoo.
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todate .....
Nov 17th. I drove the S-10 to the "Chop Shop" (well ok, it isn't really a chop shop, but it probably looks like one, thanks to me). Everything is workin' on the S-10, lights, brakes, radio....but there is a minor problem with the frontend "alignment".
Nov 18th. The S-10 truck is dismantled, and we disect the carcass. ...do you know anyone that needs some S-10 body parts?
....Ok, I probably should introduce our lil' Cast of Characters before we go any farther.
There's "Mark". That's me, the crazy guy with the "Dr Frankenstein" idea, and two trucks.
"Mike", the guy who lives in his garage, torches everything in sight and owns the shop.
"Frank", the crazy, Chevy lovin' "hillbilly" body guy.
"Rob and Rob", our unlucky friends, that just happened to answer their phones, and we con'd into helping us pick up the cab of an S-10.
"Frankie", the unlucky stepson of Mike. It just seems he's always around at the right time to lend a hand.
"Taylor Elizabeth", the photo girl/shop cutie.
....and last, but certainly not least, there's "Kim". She's Mike's wife, and manages to put up with all our crap. ...and I have no idea how she does it. ....Thanks Kim ; )
Nov. 23rd. We pick up the 54 Chevy, from it's tomb. It had been in a storage shed since 1994, and in storage since 1989. Since I purchased it, it literally has only had about 20 miles put on it. Those miles were from me driving it home.
We start dismantaling the 1954 Chevy truck (they didn't intend on these things falling apart). It's hard to believe the S-10 was easier to tear down.
Lessons learned,
#1 "....Rust can hide, totally unseen, in some unique locations."
#2 "....Using a hoist to pick up a cab, is alot easier then calling your friends."
#3 "....It is amazing how thick some people can lay Bondo on!"
Nov 24th ....we finish the 54 tear down. Frank gave Mike and I, a class in front end alignments... "Hillbilly Style". Worked pretty slick, if I must say so myself. At the end of the day we finally lowered the 54 into it's new resting place....ontop the 2001 S-10 chassis, it might just work.
Not too shabby for a week into the build. Now the real fun begins.......
..Bodywork, building new frame to body mounts, Bodywork, building a new radiator support, Bodywork, building new bed mounts, Bodywork, installing the S-10 wiring & reconnecting it, Bodywork, fitting the A/C Heater assembly,Bodywork. .......Frank is still saying the bodywork isn't that bad, and who am I are argue. I'll try and post a pix of his awesome Yellow 57 Chevy Pickup. He swears it started out in worse shape. ....then there's Mike. With all the fabrication that needs to be done it seems neverending. But he did build a custom Hummer on a Dodge 3/4 ton frame, with a V-10.....yea, yea, yea,...... I'll try to get a pix of it too. Mike swears this should be an easier job then his Hummer.
There's "Mark". That's me, the crazy guy with the "Dr Frankenstein" idea, and two trucks.
"Mike", the guy who lives in his garage, torches everything in sight and owns the shop.
"Frank", the crazy, Chevy lovin' "hillbilly" body guy.
"Rob and Rob", our unlucky friends, that just happened to answer their phones, and we con'd into helping us pick up the cab of an S-10.
"Frankie", the unlucky stepson of Mike. It just seems he's always around at the right time to lend a hand.
"Taylor Elizabeth", the photo girl/shop cutie.
....and last, but certainly not least, there's "Kim". She's Mike's wife, and manages to put up with all our crap. ...and I have no idea how she does it. ....Thanks Kim ; )
Nov. 23rd. We pick up the 54 Chevy, from it's tomb. It had been in a storage shed since 1994, and in storage since 1989. Since I purchased it, it literally has only had about 20 miles put on it. Those miles were from me driving it home.
We start dismantaling the 1954 Chevy truck (they didn't intend on these things falling apart). It's hard to believe the S-10 was easier to tear down.
Lessons learned,
#1 "....Rust can hide, totally unseen, in some unique locations."
#2 "....Using a hoist to pick up a cab, is alot easier then calling your friends."
#3 "....It is amazing how thick some people can lay Bondo on!"
Nov 24th ....we finish the 54 tear down. Frank gave Mike and I, a class in front end alignments... "Hillbilly Style". Worked pretty slick, if I must say so myself. At the end of the day we finally lowered the 54 into it's new resting place....ontop the 2001 S-10 chassis, it might just work.
Not too shabby for a week into the build. Now the real fun begins.......
..Bodywork, building new frame to body mounts, Bodywork, building a new radiator support, Bodywork, building new bed mounts, Bodywork, installing the S-10 wiring & reconnecting it, Bodywork, fitting the A/C Heater assembly,Bodywork. .......Frank is still saying the bodywork isn't that bad, and who am I are argue. I'll try and post a pix of his awesome Yellow 57 Chevy Pickup. He swears it started out in worse shape. ....then there's Mike. With all the fabrication that needs to be done it seems neverending. But he did build a custom Hummer on a Dodge 3/4 ton frame, with a V-10.....yea, yea, yea,...... I'll try to get a pix of it too. Mike swears this should be an easier job then his Hummer.
Jan 2 2007...set backs have slowed the build, like Mr "Thumbs" sticking this thumb where it could be crushed
(oops! Sorry Mike), kids getting sick, me getting sick, the Holidays....
Well anyway the cab is mounted, body mounts are 3x3 square tubing welded to the frame to match up with the original 54 mounting holes. Mike capped off each tube with the salvaged S-10 frame mounts,so the body biscuits fit. We used the original S-10 mounting bushings. , squared off the washers and fastened them up through the 3x3, then bolted the cab down.
Fabrication for the bed mounts are done. Also used square tubing, but resting on their sides. Now when the bed is located in the proper position we can tack an angled lenght of steel to each side panel and bolt them to the square tubing.
The "alignment" is done.
We started reinstalling the front body panels yesterday and started planning the radiator supports, when it appeared apparent that having the frontend in one piece would make things alot easier, and give us more room.
...Oh we gained a Crue member. That's "Nate", Mike's lil brother.
So, we made a solid, one piece, steel tilt front end. I say we, but it was Mike and Frank that pulled this off. Hood and fenders are welded. Looks great.
Frank also did some bodywork on the grille assembly.
Things are starting to come together. I'll post some more pics, as soon as I get the pixs off of Taylor.
We need to locate the steering column postion and new pedal locations, mount the master cylinder, install the wiring.... along with a few thousand other little things.
Jan 5 & 6 ....spent the weekend leveling the cab and "capping" the fenders. The cab measures out even but looks count, so we adjusted the cab height. It's perfect now. Next we started to "cap" the small fender pieces that remain in place on the cab. Made a template, cut the metal out and welded into place. Nate did some clean-up work, sanding the welds smooth.
The small pieces came out so good, we just had to try the main fender pieces too.
....one problem with the 54' pickup is that it doesn't have a bed floor. After setting the bed on the S-10 chassis with our lower stance, the floor of the bed is raised significantly. Meaning the distance between the top of the bed sides, and the bottom of the floor is only about 12"s. We toyed with the idea of builbing a wooden bed., but we didn't really want all the added weight. After a few "malt beverages", Mikey came up with using the donor S-10's bed floor. It might just work. The S-10 bed is wider then the 54's, but the S-10's bed is not as long. We figured out that if the floor was cut out and reversed (the front of the S-10 bed becomes the back of the 54's bed) we had a perfect fit.
Well, and leaving a 8" gap in the front of the bed. Since cuting the S-10's bed meant keeping the beds inner wheel well humps, the 54 gained custom "Wheel tubs".
This will help clear the tires in the back. The 54's rear differential was about 3-4 inches wider on both sides, then the new S-10 differential. This put the S-10 wheels inside the 54's bed area, and the tires on both sides of the bed's side panels.
Next come possible alignment tabs, the hinge works and the raditor supports.
We finally decided on a very simple Tilt hinge. We used a set of sway bar mounts from a 4x4 lift kit, stainless steel tubes and some scrap metal.
We capped the ends of the frame rails, and added grease fittings to the sway bar mounts. We trimmed the tubes to a "sexy" 45 degree angle.
We welded gussets and the grille support down tubes to the pivot tube. Then we added a stop so the nose doesn't hit the ground while I'm showing off at the local drive-in. Notice the grille and hood re-inforcements. These help tie all 4 front end pieces together into one piece.
here's the front end with the grille attached.
....here's the end result
....here's me and my girl, "2E". She's a Moluccan Cockatoo.
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