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1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
The project has begun with much help from this forum already. I've acquired my 1949 Chevy 3100 from Oklahoma and just sourced a 1988 S10 to swap. It wasn't my original plan, but after finding some issues with the 1949 that couldn't be overcome, my thrifty side has taken over and decided to do an S10 swap. Disassembly began 1-1-2017. Let's see how far I can get in 12 months!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7510/2...b4893dbf88.jpg https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/607/31...d05e89af9b.jpg This is about the point where I may have gotten in way over my head... https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/466/31...3cc1c5f074.jpg I have already seen head shaking from my biggest fan, my wife. She isn't sure this will ever be drivable which gives me more incentive to actually finish this project. Past projects have included a 180 gallon salt water aquarium and a custom motorcycle. I am beginning this journey with no fabrication experience and very little vehicle mechanics knowledge. I do, however, have an ample amount of ambition and flexibility. Both of which have already been applied to reaching rusty screws :) --------- 1 year update October 1st 2017 ----------------- So here I am 1 year later from the first picture with my 3100 rolling up to the garage. Oddly enough, the truck doesn't look much different than that day but so much has changed. The S10 was taken apart down to the frame and suspension. New mounts fabricated while I also taught myself to weld. A V8 engine showed up mid year and I had to source a new transmission. The learning curve has been steep on both of those. I have learned SO much this year, not only on how to build a car, but how much less scary everything is once I had completed each step. I still believe the project is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards in self-confidence and pride are priceless. As he sits now. Although it doesn't look like much of a car, it takes a few bolts to get all that sheet metal back on. Just waiting on some wiring and to hook up the front radiator. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/...ccdb2b39_c.jpg Fitting the fenders before welding up all the new mounts https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/...80d45ac6_c.jpg Getting some Vitamin D while using one of my most versatile one-man-job tools, the cherry picker. Not just for engines :) https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4282/...d4defe6c_z.jpg The S10 broken down to the frame. Engine and transmission came out and the frame was cleaned up https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4286/...c5b7e700_z.jpg The goal this winter is to drive again even if it means around the block for a shakedown. The goal for my October, 2018 update will be to show off a running, driving, truck. I think my biggest hurdles to get there right now are the airbag suspension setup and finishing the rear box. Almost all the work will be on the rear of the truck. To date, I'm just under $9,000 for all the parts, engine, transmission, and the two trucks it took to get this far. Looking at an October 2018 update of a running driving truck means I am realistically at double my original timeframe of having it done within a year. Just reality of life with family, kids, work, and "adulting." Hopefully my reality can help set expectations for others thinking of taking on this project. ----------- Thanksgiving 2017 update ------- Just going to throw in how fast things can go once you have gained a little knowledge. My last major update would have been a bit under two months ago. 1. The engine was tuned and put in along with fluids for trans, radiator, and engine. 2. Electrical system basics are wired up and the steering and steering column were installed 3. Built a collector and exhaust pieces to connect the headers 4. Front fenders back on 5. Transmission tunnel fitted and tacked in. 6. In an afternoon, I had the box mounts built and now the bed box is positioned. Going to tackle running boards this week. Tomorrow (Wednesday) my daughter and I are going on the first maiden voyage outside the garage under the truck's own power. Wow I can't believe I can actually say that. It was my winter goal and I'm there before seeing the first snow flake :) ------------ Jan 24, 2018 The final update ------- She's finished. Driveable. Fairly safe... :) Final steps included getting the inner fenders installed, wiring the headlights, and finding electrical gremlins. I built some gauges from the original 49' shell with the S10 speedometer and odometer. Budget wise, I am at $7,888 including the rear 3 link and air ride system that hasn't been installed. That includes hocking what I could, scrimping where I could, craigslist gathering parts, and the original truck was an additional $4500 with delivery. I set out to spend $10,000 on the project, so I'm at $12,388 from start to finish. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4609/...e8cdd4a7_z.jpg -------------- October 2018 Update ------- Phase 2 of this build has begun... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774242 |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
And here we go!!!...looks like you've got a good truck to work with..
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time. break it up into work chunks and list them.
looks like a great donor, that is the simplest s10 to use the whole drivetrain and electrical system |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
I'm excited to watch your progress, I'm also starting a S10 swap on a 1950 3100 I got a few weeks back. Are you planning on using a kit? I've been leaning towards going with Code504
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
No plans to use a custom kit. I'd like to fabricate what I need to and put money elsewhere. The 504 kit looks like they are expecting a new gas tank and assuming a different engine than the S10. I'm trying to use as much of the donor truck as I can for now.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
In for progress!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
A little more progress before I end for the long weekend. Front clip is off in three major pieces, drivers side fender, passenger side fender, and finally the grill, radiator, and front bumper. I stopped at Harbor Freight for a cherry picker so I can take the bed and cab off as assembled as possible. That will be the next challenge when I get some free time. The chassis and 235ci is taking up the space I need to put the cab back onto the S10, so it will have to be sold or moved elsewhere.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Bed disassembled and ready to remove. I thought it would be easy...4 bolts in the corners and bam. Oh no, the two bolts nearest the cab are hidden under the bed. I ended up using a hole cutter to get to the tops since they all just spun around. When reassembling later and putting a new bed down, I am sure I'll cut the same holes and add some sort of nice stainless plug for easy access to the bolt heads. New HF 2t crane worked a charm in picking it up.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/277/31...09d5ba62_z.jpg https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/408/31...9756bae4_z.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
I follow!
I love AD trucks, looks like you got a very decent one! Be sure to post lot of pics! |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
A lot of time spent in the garage today, but I don't feel like it was much progress. The cab feels like quite the mountain to climb to get it off.
Started with the steering column. I don't have enough room to lift the cab up and over, so I removed the linkage for the gear shift and the four bolts holding the steering box to the frame. Should sit low enough to move the cab backwards and slide it off the steering column. This sounds simple, but I spent hours messing with bolts, spraying on PB Blaster and working the threads. Inside the cab, I was introduced to the extremely tight quarters behind the dash and trying to get the gauges out so I could disconnect the wiring. What a P.I.T.A. that is! All in a days work. I'm taking a break for a few days because I removed so much stuff as a new guy that my head is swimming a bit trying to remember how it all went together to begin with. I've taken lots of pictures and rethreaded the bolts into their holes after a piece was taken off. I'm now thoroughly in the "what the hell am I doing" phase. https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/301/32...2b756e9f_c.jpg https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/650/32...918f0309_z.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Haha...now you know how we all feel
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Looks like you have a very nice truck to start with so you are already ahead of the game in that regard. Just enjoy the build and post lots of pics as you go.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
man the amount of work you are going to save with a truck that nice is going to be substantial.
I cut every single steering column with a 6" cut off wheel to pull the cab off but I can see why you want to keep it together. maybe roll it outside, take off the wheels and lay the drums on the pavement and see if you can get enough lift out of the cherry picker that way. did you build a lifting tool out of 2x4s? with the doors off you can make it taller and get big lift. I am a big fan of |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Cab is off and the chassis already off to its next home. Another guy was building a 50 and needed a stable platform to work on. He was tickled with the 235ci already in it. I made enough money to cover the S10 long bed I'm buying so its a net zero so far. I am very pleased with my decision at this point.
A few small wrinkles in removal. One of the running boards had no screws and I found it had been welded to the supports by the previous person. I also didn't think enough steps ahead. Cab is now off with my fancy crane attachment out of 2x4s and I forgot to build a stand so its currently just sitting in the air in the garage. Off to Lowes again for more 2x4s and some caster wheels. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/723/31...1e6756be_z.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Looks like great progress so far. The lack of rust should speed things up greatly. There is tons of great info in this site and plenty of helpful people. Good luck!
Nick |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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haha thats great. I did something similar with the 41, I realized when I pulled the cab off the s10 that the 41 cab was sitting on the body cart. :dohh: and cautrell is right, rust repair is easily where I spent at least 200 hours on mine. |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
More progress than I had expected over the past 20 days. I have the S10 in the driveway and drove it around town a bit. This got the brain working as I thought about this build. Am I crazy...some of you may think so.
My thought process is. If I'm dismantling the S10 already to get the other body on, should I consider changing the rear end and drivetrain while its all easily accessible? As I drive the 6 cylinder up the hill to my house, I keep imagining an LS as opposed to the original plan of upgrading to a sbc 350. I have a buddy talking all kinds of smack about his 400hp Camaro and I'd love to wipe that grin off with an old '49 haha. I originally planned against the LS because I wanted the classic carbureted engine and everything is mechanical to match up the original mechanical gauges. If I go electronic with the fuel, drive by wire, and an ecu, how crazy different do things get? Do I need to replace all my gauges too? This is really just thinking out loud. As usual, I've already been trolling the forum finding other LS swaps that are done. I admit there is a lot of engine lingo that just makes no sense to me. The actual engine swap doesn't look terribly more difficult than what I'm going to do. I'm already going to have to move the motor mounts for the S10 V6, I'm already going to have the sheet metal off... |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
:lol: I like your enthusiasm!
Once you research 'em LS swaps don't seem to hard. I'm sure you've gone to the LS swap section on the forum. Ton of info! If not, here it is: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=206 ls1tech.com can be helpful as well. Yes, you are probably going to have to swap gauges...but there are some pretty cool mods that were done here on the site to accommodate. (if memory serves, I believe Joedoh's last build he mocked up his own gauges.) |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
my early advice to you was to get quickly to a running and driving truck because upgrading an already sorted truck to have an LS motor is a much shorter project than trying to coerce an inert project that you have never heard run to run, and have a thousand things to finish before you can drive. the less you add to the list before starting, the easier it is to work on it every weekend without getting discouraged.
if you look at the project threads there are a few guys that have done what you are talking about, making three (at least three) dissimilar systems work together. however, there are also a lot that get sold as unfinished projects and even more that never make it past disassembly. its not about motivation, motivation is a lie, motivation never built anything. perseverance and determination build trucks. put a punch list on the window and pare it down to the essential stuff. if that includes a drivetrain swap, so be it, but dont be misled by how easy disassembly is, reassembly is where the hours are. |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Disassembly is essentially demolition. If you ever watch those house flipping shows they blast through demolition with abandon. That correlates to what you're doing. Where they spend the time is selecting colors, accessories, they have subcontractors make their countertops, do the re-plumbing, they encounter termites, bad previous work and have to cope with it. This ALL correlates to these truck projects and all those subcontracted things cost money and some need special tools or skills. For a first timer your initial instincts were correct. Then you began "thinking" but it was really dreaming - something we all do - and that leads you to the "slippery slope." Take a read of my build thread to see where it leads. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Take one thing at a time. Write notes to yourself. Write things on parts with a Sharpie. "This side connect to X". You think you will but you WON'T remember it all. Come back here and say, "I'm losing steam" - guys will help you, they really will. Best of luck and we'll be pulling for you |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
And to echo what dan and joe said take lots of pictures before disassembling .that's the best memory I have.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Ok ok ok I hear ya. Back on track! I have a whole flickr album just for disassemblyy :)
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Went on vacation to St Thomas, so I wasn't able to work on the truck. Tonight I got a cab roller built and set under the cab. I also ordered some parts to refurbish the gauges and fix the one passenger panel with a patch. PA law requires no holes that allow exhaust to enter the cab, so I know I have to deal with this stuff before I'm road worthy. I'm also going to be in a holding pattern for the next couple of months because I need the other side of the garage to dismantle the S10 and the boss says no until the winter is behind us.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/321/32...2cbf4f19_c.jpg So, while the S10 is still together, I put her to work and got some firewood :) Also replaced the driveshaft carrier bearing just to sort out some vibrations. https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/419/32...54d7619992.jpg Nerdy Parts list: 5" rollers from harbor freight. 2x4s in a square just wide enough to pass the legs of the 2T harbor freight lift arms. 48"x48". |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Looks like she coming along I still gotta take my 49 apart. When you plan or taking the s10 apart? I took for ever until I got motor sold and haven't done anything to s10 just front end gone waiting to see if I can get more parts sold before I thrash it
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/671/32...7524f51fb0.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/401/32...cfb1ee02b8.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Looks good so far! I have to second ( or third) the motion of what you have to start with will make things much easier. I am building an a.d. /s10 swap using the ls. I have mixed feelings about what people are saying as far as to just stick with what you have for the powertrain. The s10 swap isn't overly difficult, but there are many, many man hours before you have something you can actually drive. That being said, go with your gut. If you want a ls engine, do it now. Being able to complete the build with the original powertrain will be satisfying in itself, but with the fuel injected v8, you wont be able to remove the smile off your face with a baseball bat! Happy building and keep up the good work and posts!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Wow, mid February for my last update. I went to Australia and had the flu between now and then. Got to see my cousin's bagged C10 and got some new inspiration for my build. (Mobsteel 20x11 rear and 20x8 front. Looks awesome! accuair bags and electronic system. Even has an app for your phone) I'm getting ready to roll the S10 donor truck into the garage and wanted to get some high level tips.
When taking apart the truck, how did you guys keep track of the engine accessories bolted to the fenders, where did they get relocated to and how to keep track of things that go through the firewall? The bed and front grill seem pretty straight forward. I just need to label my headlight and blinker wires. The radiator goes and then I see the front horns are cut off in other build threads. Finally. Is there any sheet metal I should keep for any reason? Most of mine is intact but rust in corners of most fenders. I don't think its sellable. One example that comes to mind is finding a pre-shaped piece to fill my gas tank hole on the 1949 cab. Maybe keep a fender around for donor metal? Thanks in advance for the tips...pictures of progress coming soon :) https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2856/3...98754564_z.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
looking good. I saw your other thread where you cut out that floor and brace, probably shouldnt have done it that way because you havent mounted the cab yet and now you dont have a reference point for one of the mounts. but hey, learn as you go!
when I tear down a donor I like to take all the harness and all the stuff that mounts on the firewall and fenders and leave it hooked up, and pile it on top of the motor using a couple bungee cords to keep it compact. for the lights, I leave the sockets and lights on the wires. pretty hard to miss a turn signal if the socket and bulb is staring at you. for saving sheetmetal I like using the bed floor from the S10, I gave some floor cutting dimensions in a thread somewhere I will look it up again. whats that you want to run a wood bed? well, you still can, and I have. keeping the s10 floor simplifies the bed mounting (literally took me 4 hours) over starting with some rectangle tubing and making the wood a stressed member like the stock floor is done. it also gives you wheel tubs right away so you can tuck those mobsteels. other parts I keep: I cut out the firewall where the wiring/brake booster/gas pedal mount so I can keep the relationship (dimensions) of the parts to each other. if you plan to sell the cab keep in mind you cant offer a title or VIN tag with it, you need to show the s10 became your truck and there cant be a "ship of theseus" paradox with two trucks having the same truck basis. I keep the back wall for some nice flat sheetmetal, and I scalp the trans tunnel in case I need it. mobsteels are bad ass wheels, and adam is a dynamite human being. he hooked us up with the right mounts for our hubcaps so we could run them. they are HEAVY though. crazy heavy, like 44 lbs each without tires. Your friends C10 is cool, I had one on an S10 frame with 22" billets and a 4 banger! Quote:
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Two really good points I didn't think of. Cutting out a part of the firewall for pedal positioning and those fender humps in the bed! I was actually thinking of grabbing the trans tunnel too.
As far as VIN goes, should I be keeping all items that have a VIN on it for validation? I plan on continuing to use my 1949 title that is registered with the cab plate. So you're saying as long as someone else doesn't claim to own half my truck because they have a cab with my chassis vin on it then I'm good. I hope to offset the issue with the floor mounting position by purchasing the replica floor support beam. Test fit, its pretty close but I do notice about a 1/2" gap. Don't know if that's from the floor settling or if I just need to bend the flanges of the replicate floor support out a bit to meet the horizontal supports. I only cut a small piece of the floor out, so I'm hoping I didn't get any warping issues. Maybe I should rehang the passenger side door just in case before welding things up. Not sure at this point if I can use the S10 bed floor. It has that plastic liner stuff in it so who knows what is underneath. I have sobered up from the LS1 idea simply because I am learning a ton and the fewer big steps I need to learn, the better I think this will turn out in the long run. Why make that mountain of a learning curve any steeper than it needs to be :) |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
using the whole bed floor is the ticket. you can cut the whole bed floor out of the 49, cut the s10 floor correctly, and put them together on the truck. adjust it and tack it, bam, bed mounting taken care of and you can lay a wood bed right over top.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...psjsgh4goe.jpg http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psridvdtzn.jpg |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
I will definitely go that route with the floor, but I may not keep the inside fenders. I saw a post recently with someone using the top of some rusted out 49-54 fenders as the inner fender. I liked that the inner curve followed the curve of the outer fender. My 1988, has a much more squared off inner fender. I know its just style differences, but hey that's why its my truck :)
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
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Ha ha, I'm teasing but this IS why these projects slide down the slippery slope. You see things you like and want to do. You think of things no one else has done yet and want to see if you can pull them off? But that's why these projects are so fun and so rewarding if you can have the resolve and determination to get them done. Then everyone drives them awhile, someone comes along and offers them stupid money for them and a new one begins before you know it. Best of luck, we're pulling for you(I LIKE the inner fenders done that way too if you have tubs. I don't, but would have done it that way too if I'd needed them!) |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
I'm in for the journey. If I can't find the time to work on mine at least I can read about others progress on break/lunch. Keep up the good work. Progress no matter how small is progress and progress is motivation.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
I'm being very very careful with how many "extra" projects I add as I go along or the "while I'm here" projects. My wife reminds me I did this for the journey, so I focus on the next job and don't worry too much about the dreams of driving it. For now, the only thing that matters is whatever the next two or three steps are and if I have the tools to do those few steps.
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Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Pretty pleased with myself. Built the floor pan piece out of sheet 16GA. A bit of grinding to do to clean it up and some primer. The project isn't without mishap; I caught the firewall insulation alight and didn't notice until I went to take pictures 10 minutes later. Thankfully caught the embers before the whole thing went up :devil:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4177/3...26aae716_z.jpg This was the last project I needed before the big tear down of the S10 to get it ready to be a donor. |
Re: 1949 Chevy with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition!
Thoroughly in the middle of the "What the hell was I thinking" mindset as the S10 is dismantled. Taking the dash apart didn't seem too bad. Labelled the wiring as components came off and threw out any plastic covering knowing I wouldn't need any of that again. Then I got to the engine bay, no problem take the hood off and got ready for the next step.... wait, what's the next step??
All the pictures I see online are of an S10 and then magically a dismantled S10. I've been cataloging as I go with pictures but I can't believe how much is attached to the firewall. I don't know if I even need to keep some of this stuff. For example: The air conditioning unit looks huge and is routed through the radiator. Am I keeping the radiator? Am I keeping that big ole fan? What is the giant flying saucer thing the brake reservoir is attached to? Do I keep the air conditioner? Sorry if these are dumb questions, I'm a little overwhelmed by the details. I can name the major components in the engine bay, but the devil is in the details. So what order of things should I be going in? Dash, front grill, radiator, fenders? Dash seemed easy. False confidence :) https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/3...a782e49c55.jpg Saucer thing behind brake booster https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...7a6f2940ed.jpg Air handler? Am I keeping that giant thing? https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...645903cee5.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4179/3...d0a070a880.jpg |
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