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Hey everyone I'm new here and looking for some advice, any thoughts would help. I'm in the process of buying a 1949 Dodge Wayfarer from a neighbor down the street. Everything seems original except for the bumper I haven't been able to find a picture of that bumper anywhere. Along with this car he has a Chevy S10 frame he wants to throw in the deal at a price of around $1,750 for everything. After doing some research I've noticed that adding a small block V8 to that frame can be a complicated process. I had the intention of switching out the current stock motor for maybe a 350 or a 305 and an automatic transmission possibly a 700-R4 The car has already been converted for a 12V system. This will be my first attempt at building my own car, I've done body work on cars with my dad since I was 14 and I've taken a year technical course in mechanics and would like to brush up on what I've learned. Here are some pics of the car, Hope I get some input soon, would be nice to hear what people with more experience have to say. I'm trying to keep the build under $3,000 and I dont mind a rat rod look, I'm not a flashy kind of guy.

Welcome to CHR. That front bumper may be original, but the uprights aren't. Google 1949 Dodge Wayfarer and you'll find all kinds of pictures of the stock models.

I'd recommend selling the S10 chassis for scrap, or advertise it on Craigslist. A chassis swap sounds easy, but its a royal pain to try to mate a car like that to a modern chassis, especially a truck chassis.

i`d give that for it in a new york minute ,, and i`d most likely see if i could get that flat 6 to fire off .. i would not want to hot rod that jewel .. at most a Chevy 4.3 v6 .. by the looks of the late 90`s wheels an tires it has ran in the last century .. would you bring it to north bama for an extra 500 bucks ?

I would love to keep the original frame but I think there might be damage to it mainly rust, And it would be nice to have a bit of power under the hood, the reason I chose a 350 or 305 motor is because I know some one who has em rebuilt and ready to go for cheap. Everything I've read about the S10 frame is pretty disappointing I would love to have some disc brakes and modern suspension. The S10 frame is just an option thrown in by the previous owner of the car. apparently at one point it was a lowrider set up for hydraulics hence the wheels, but the car hasn't been started in five years and has a manual transmission which I'd like to make automatic.

the S10 frame and V8 running gear is too common a swap to be much of a hassle .. i know plenty of V8 S10s running around and some aftermarket body makers suggest the S10 frame ..go for it

Originally Posted by PoorInMiami

Everything I've read about the S10 frame is pretty disappointing I would love to have some disc brakes and modern suspension.

I would disagree with whoever said that. The frame is within mm's of the same thickness of a fullsize truck frame. They share front suspension parts w/the '79-'86 Monte Carlo, Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass, and the Pontiac Grand Prix so there are lots of stock & aftermarket stuff for them. You get disc brakes, a 1/4ton or so rear suspension so it's not going to ride like a truck. The frame has a weld join area where the front & rear frame rails are welded together. This is where most either shorten or lengthen the frame to suit their needs. Best part is IF it will fit is it has all modern suspension & whatever drivetrain you decide to use that take parts you can buy at any parts store.

Read through THIS LINK of DEFINITIVE S-10 FRAME SWAP VEHICLE LIST. It's 50 or so pages of different vehicles that others have used the S10 frame under. It may help you decide whether or not to use the S10 frame. ......joe

I'd like to toss in a dozen "likes" to Joe for post #6.

SBC swap manual....
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Che..._S-10_V-8.html

Parts for S-10 V8 swap....
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/S-10_Order.html

Here's a photo of the car showing the grille assembly....
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1949-1...-wayfarer2.htm
Subscribe to Hemmings Motor News and check Parts for Sale to find parts for the Dodge....

Note to Poor in Miami: Don't buy anything until you figure out how you're going to sell it.
Before I would spend one thin dime on this project, I'd think long and hard about how many fellows there might be out there who would be interested in a '49 Dodge with a frame and engine swap. Be real with yourself. You could easily change your status to Broke in Miami if you're not careful.
.

Just to be clear, I'm not totally "Anti Frame Swap", and we've seen some examples where doing a body drop onto a modern frame turned out amazing - johnboy's bus being a prime example, where he had the old school bus body grafted onto a shortened Chevy dually chassis and it turned out great! In this case though, the lead post sets the stage, in my mind -

Originally Posted by PoorInMiami

This will be my first attempt at building my own car, I've done body work on cars with my dad since I was 14 and I've taken a year technical course in mechanics and would like to brush up on what I've learned. Here are some pics of the car, Hope I get some input soon, would be nice to hear what people with more experience have to say. I'm trying to keep the build under $3,000

Now I'm making some assumptions, but it seems to me that maybe you don't have a large shop filled with power tools, big compressor for air tools, welder(s), floor jack, big jack stands, maybe even a lift to help get that body off of the frame, an S10 frame rolled into place beneath, and then positioned to figure out how to marry the two together. Sure, there are other ways to do it, but a frame swap on a fat fendered (HEAVY) old Dodge isn't going to be a walk in the park, and trying to do it in a driveway or small garage would be a killer, in my mind.

I'm not trying to rain on your project approach, but before you jump into a project like this you need to have it fully planned and budgeted. Going into a frame swap build with a budget of $3000 (including "about $1750 for the car & frame....) is simply not realistic, IMO, and it seems more like you're setting yourself up to spend your $3000 and end up stalled, advertising on Craigslist for someone to come haul it away for dimes on dollars.

It's a neat old car, and you can have a lot of fun building it into something better than it is today, but plan your work, then work your plan. Best of luck, whichever way you go.

I think starting at 1750.00 and having budget of 3000.00 wouldn't get the parts on there already, into a daily driving condition. Like Roger said doing a frame swap requires space and tools, as well as money. Rebuilding the flatty, keeping the transmision, buying new tires, fixing the brakes, windshield wipers, wiring, lighting, new battery and charging system, this all adds up quite fast. Believe me I bought a 48 ford f1 truck project for 2500.00 and am 10k into it with a lot left to do to make it street legal. It's amazing how much redo work there is on these inherited projects. I think finding a runner of some sort with a 350 and tranny already in it is doable in this economy that can yield a project that you might enjoy more as a first time project. I wish I would have started with a runner and then gone from there. Just my 2 cents worth, 8 years later from the start of my project. Steve
I should also add Miami/Florida loves to eat cars, I use to live in the Keys and had cars develop cancer in 6 months. A fiberglass body works better in these corrosive environments.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

I'd like to toss in a dozen "likes" to Joe for post #6.

SBC swap manual....
JTR Chevrolet S-10 Truck V-8 Conversion

Parts for S-10 V8 swap....
Stealth Conversions S10 V8 & V6 Parts

Here's a photo of the car showing the grille assembly....
1949 Dodge Wayfarer Performance - HowStuffWorks
Subscribe to Hemmings Motor News and check Parts for Sale to find parts for the Dodge....

Note to Poor in Miami: Don't buy anything until you figure out how you're going to sell it.
Before I would spend one thin dime on this project, I'd think long and hard about how many fellows there might be out there who would be interested in a '49 Dodge with a frame and engine swap. Be real with yourself. You could easily change your status to Broke in Miami if you're not careful.
.

I'm most likely to keep the car, that's why I'm not very worried about the frame swap. Although to be honest I'm also thinking about just doing any frame repairs and keeping the original engine and tranny, they are both in the car and seem to be running. I still have a lot to consider so any input is very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by rspears

Just to be clear, I'm not totally "Anti Frame Swap", and we've seen some examples where doing a body drop onto a modern frame turned out amazing - johnboy's bus being a prime example, where he had the old school bus body grafted onto a shortened Chevy dually chassis and it turned out great! In this case though, the lead post sets the stage, in my mind -

Now I'm making some assumptions, but it seems to me that maybe you don't have a large shop filled with power tools, big compressor for air tools, welder(s), floor jack, big jack stands, maybe even a lift to help get that body off of the frame, an S10 frame rolled into place beneath, and then positioned to figure out how to marry the two together. Sure, there are other ways to do it, but a frame swap on a fat fendered (HEAVY) old Dodge isn't going to be a walk in the park, and trying to do it in a driveway or small garage would be a killer, in my mind.

I'm not trying to rain on your project approach, but before you jump into a project like this you need to have it fully planned and budgeted. Going into a frame swap build with a budget of $3000 (including "about $1750 for the car & frame....) is simply not realistic, IMO, and it seems more like you're setting yourself up to spend your $3000 and end up stalled, advertising on Craigslist for someone to come haul it away for dimes on dollars.

It's a neat old car, and you can have a lot of fun building it into something better than it is today, but plan your work, then work your plan. Best of luck, whichever way you go.

I have access to my dads body shop. We have a lift and room to work and compressors and tools but we mainly do body work on cars, Never done an engine swap. I took a year long course at a technical school for mechanics but that was over 5 years ago and I never did anything with it. What worries me most about a frame swap is that I've read that dropping a V8 in a s10 frame (1999-00) needs a lot of converting.

Everyone has some great input and I look forward to hearing more from you guys, The reason behind the build is kind of complicated. I've traveled all over the US in my old car (99 Nissan maxima) and i had to sell it in Ohio to make it to California (long story) all in all here I am car-less. I can buy a beater toyota/honda for under $3,000 save gas, money and have an economical car and be done with it. But after the terrible year that I've had Losing my GF to cancer, losing my work in California, losing my maxima, losing my mind in Miami lol I think I deserve something nice, and a car like this a dodge "wayfarer" : a traveler especially on foot Idk it's just calling to me. I would rather put my blood swear and tears into what might be my final undoing than settle for some generic civic (not to offend and of the civic guys). I know that with my budget, time, hard work and late nights I can turn this into a road worthy car that I'm proud to drive. I DO NOT expect this to be easy AT ALL! What I am hoping though is that with my knowledge and the help of what I assume is many years of combined experience from many builders and enthusiast, that I can get this done. I'll be updating everyone step by step with plenty of pictures. I have a lot of ideas and we all know some ideas work and some don't. Ideally all I want is for it to be road worthy. In my dreams I would love this car to have a modern frame that can handle a nice small block V8 and automatic transmission and in time I can add in all the goodies. $3000 dollars is my budget to get it road worth but realistically i plan on spending a lot more in time to really make this ride my own comfortable baby.

Originally Posted by PoorInMiami

What worries me most about a frame swap is that I've read that dropping a V8 in a s10 frame (1999-00) needs a lot of converting.

It'll only cost you 30 bucks to learn how to do it with a Gen 3
V8 TPI & TPI Engine Swap, JTR V8 conversion manual

Or 35 bucks with a Gen I
JTR Chevrolet S-10 Truck V-8 Conversion

.

Well, Somethings aren't meant to be. Turns out the title to the car was no good so I wont be able to purchase this car. I was looking forward to some grueling work on this behemoth but alas it wasn't meant. I guess it's back to the hunt I'll keep everyone posted should I find anything interesting.

These are in your neck of the woods and probably in your price range,
https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/5162081149.html
https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/5131114109.html