Thread: frames

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any body know what s10 frame i need for a 52 3600 body
is it a x cab or a long bed? thanks for any help

A lot of people use late 80's frames. I would say something like an 89 S10 frame. I would buy the whole truck and use whatever parts you can if it were me. You will need to do some work on the frame to make it fit because it wont just bolt right onto the cab or nothing. Someone else may be able to help you more since I have never actually done this personally, but I was going to do this to a 53 Chevy truck I was trying to buy so looked into it a lot.

Try to figure out the wheelbase on the 3600.

Wheelbase on the S-10 (83-mid 90s) is:

Shortbed-108"
Longbed-117"
X-cab-122"

S-10 frame width:

31" wide from the front bumper to just under the firewall.
40" wide from just under the firewall to the rear bumper.

Here's the neat part...There is a place on the frame where you can adjust the length of the wheelbase. If the 3600 wheelbase is not within a couple of inches of the S-10, then get the longer wheelbase. Look for the flared out spots on each side of the frame. Grind off the weld, cut the frame the amount of excess inches, stick the frame back into the flare and weld it.

Also, the S-10 comes with power steering, power brakes, Independent front suspension, and front disc brakes. You can get dropped front spindles cheap, and use blocks to drop the rear end.

If you need a stronger/wider rear end, use a 8.8 Ford Explorer. It's a bolt in.

SBC and a TH350 trans is almost a bolt in, you need new engine mounts. You'll have to elongate the mounting holes for the transmission

I'm in the process of puting a 52 Ford F1 pick-up body on a '84 S-10 frame. Last week I got the proper mounts and put a 327 SBC in the frame. I gotta get another TH350 transmission with a 9" tail shaft. That should allow me to just hook up the driveshaft without making one.

Sorry I couldn't give you more info, that's all I got so far.

ok this is what i found out it needs to be a x cab for the wheel base to be corect but all i got is a standered but thats cool got a free roller with a 5spd all i have to cut and ad a section in at the end of the cab or just cut it at the bends inthe front frame and make new rails like a stock floor body drop and lay the fenders out with air ride and need to get a Xcab drive shaft and carrier bearing set up sound like its going to be fun will start working on it in like 4 weeks when i get back from vac .
thanks for the help

well i got the roof cut 4" need to radius the conners and finish the welding and put the doors bak together and put the floor pans in then time to put it on the new frame and see how it looks about where it will be setting height wise most of the time can't tell right now setting on the 20" 10 ply tires its on right now
and the big stock frame

Hey,
What type of problems should I be aware of before diving into this type of swap? Any comments or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. 1956 Ford F100 Pickup Truck. Wheelbase 109.
engine 230 inline six. Thanks Guys.

Phillfam99,

The wheelbase on an S-10 shortbed is 108", that should do ya. Don't remove the power steering box on the S-10, use it. A small block Ford engine will fit into the frame with different mounts. You will have to cut and snip at the inner fender panels, and you'll have to remount the radiator. Do yourself a favor...get that fuel tank out from behind your seat and get a tank to go under the bed. You'll have more cab room, and it's safer.

Ive got a S10 frame for sale if anyone is interested