53 ~ S-10 project (yup, another one)

[5150]

nice, going to go pick up my 52 I bought before Christmas next week!!!!!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

So how sturdy is that cab lift set up when you are rolling the stand away from the frame? Seems like an iffy set up, but so many guys are using it (I obviously haven't yet)

I stole the design from board member "1-ton of fun" the only thing I did different was to double up on the short 2x4's that attach to the hoist. I was scared they may split. Plus I used a bunch of wood glue to keep them from splitting. But, it seemed to do fine....

Well, got the cab off today. Didn't work out quite like I wanted. I had to take the hood off. I wanted to sit the cab on a set of moving dollies I have, but just one miscalculation; the lift gets in a bind going that low. So, for now I have it sitting on wood. Guess I'll have to build a cart for the cab to sit on. Lowes, here I come (my apologizes to anyone with dial-up. I like pictures)

[1950 GMC]

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[53GMC]

love this thread bowties.....your AD cost $100 more than mine but looks $100 dollars better also!!

[MrTucker]

Not that you need them, but I believe someone on this board has plans for a cab dolly...

[chevy49]

kind of latebut it might help another member.sorry

[Dan Bowles]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Dan, I tried that.
First attempt was with the wood cab-lift. I even had a ratchet strap (red strap in the pic below) that ran from the hoist to the hole in the floor where the starter button came thru.

Sorry, didn't realize you were using the wood lift. I don't bother with that after I dropped a cab and ruined a good door on the lift.

Put your cherry picker in like you did through the door and run 4 chains or straps to the 4 corners, 2 eye bolts to the cab mounts and 2 to something in the back or just lift under the door and lift like an engine. Nothing lifting on the doors or roof. Just shorten the straps. You can put it way up and as far down as you'll need to set it on a frame.

I'll have to document it next time.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Finally got the whole lift thing figured out. I tried the crossmember gadget I made, but it still seemed like it wanted to roll forward. I had welded a link of chain on a bolt for each side to attach to the front cab mounts.
But, this way seemed to work best for me.... There are two bolts on each side, directly under the ends of the dash. Looking under the dash I could see that they are bolted to sturdy brackets. So, I removed one on each side and replaced with a longer bolt with two links of chain on each. Then, hooked my ratchet straps in a link. Worked like a charm, no forward roll.





I'm not quite ready to sit it on the frame yet, but I wanted to be ready.

[99 to Life]

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[63 & 64 Bowties]

I know this is painfully slow, but my brother and I are also restoring a 70 Mach 1 that is taking a lot of my time. We're doing it over at his house. We've done several of these, but this one is by far the biggest undertaking so far. Complete front and rear frame replacement. We do them to resell. Here's the build thread in case anyone's interested in the ole Stangs.
Anyway, I ended up selling the front clip off that dually for $400 off Craigslist.
And, I've got the body sitting about where I think I need it. I used the "ratchet strap inside" method and it worked great. It's just on with C-clamps for now, until I get the front clip on to verify placement....

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Got the fenders & hood on for alignment

[63 & 64 Bowties]

This is gonna stay original paint. And since I have a hand-painter sign guy who has lettered two trucks for me so far, I'm thinking of something like this as part of the door art (since the truck is blue)....

I had asked him a while back if he could do one and make it look like it was 50 years old and he said he could.

[5150]

very cool, Bill

I want to do something like that on my doors also.

[99 to Life]

Nice looking build so far.
Also this is stock height right with 15" tires?

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Hey thanks Bryan.
And, 99 to Life; short answer.... I don't really know. Your's doesn't have it? I'll take a look tomorrow. I just thought it was standard. Maybe it's an extra piece, I'll let you know.
And, it's stock ride height with the 14" S-10 wheels.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Sorry no updates for so long.
Got the bed in place....

The running boards are just blocked up in place at this point.
With the bed in place and everything looks like it's lined up right, time to permanently mount the cab. My front cab mounts....


For the rear cab mounts I used the stock AD mounts.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Front bed mounts....

Rear bed mounts....

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Running boards on....

[63 & 64 Bowties]

[PaDan]

The truck is looking real good. Keep us posted

[rhodog77]

Hey Bill,

whats the info on the wheels that are on your truck. They look like stock OE GM wheels. Im on the hunt for some. what year, model did that come off of. thanks for any info

brian

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by rhodog77

Hey Bill,

whats the info on the wheels that are on your truck. They look like stock OE GM wheels. Im on the hunt for some. what year, model did that come off of. thanks for any info

brian

Brian, they're the crappy ole 14" S-10 wheels. I just painted them before I even started the swap. I guess I'm kinda weird but I get inspiration when the wheels at least look good so I can get an idea in my head what the finished product will look like, even though those wheels aren't staying on the truck.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I'm starting on the steering. Everyone has their own tastes but I didn't like the looks of the modern S-10 steering column with key/wipers/signals in an old truck....

I bought a 34" plain-jane column from Speedway....

[5150]

I agree, that is a better look

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I wanted to keep the vibration dampener, but it's 1"DD and the column is 3/4"DD, so I tore into the S-10 column for some "parts."



I was able to scrounge up enough 3/4DD and ends to make my link.
I cut the end off the 3/4 coupler and the 1" end off and welded them together....




They still need to be welded up and I have a shaft bearing to install on the 3/4 shaft for stability, but I'm not gonna do that until I fit the motor/trans and get my motor mounts made up.