51 AD 5 window

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Old Iron

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2011
Messages
15,238
Location
Willard Mo.
OK, I've been commissioned to do a chassis swap and get a 51 Chevy AD 5 window to the driving stage for a customer.
First off, the chassis is an 89 S10 short bed so, I'll have to get out the ole frame stretcher to match the wheel base.
Second, the frame horns have to be cut off. This looks like if they are cut right at the front of the the steering box the bottom of the grille will clear. So far am I on the right train of thought [S
Third, the radiator support bottom has to be cut off and a straight piece of channel put in it's place.
First pic is of the truck on the original frame, in the shop and I'm pulling the cab.

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These two are the cab in position over the S10 frame
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These next two are where I'm going to cut the core support, inner fenders and the frame horns
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The reason for the questions are, I've done a 52 Ford, there's more nose room on them and only had to cut the bottom of the core support. The Chevy AD's nose is shorter and I don't want to perform trial and error surgery :p :D
Thanks ahead of time :cool:
 

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Thanks for the leads.
I knew flipper and several more had done these swaps.
I was mainly concerned about the clearance on the lower part of the grille [S
I went to the site and read the procedure. It was what I was getting ready to do and confirmed the cut lines are correct :cool: [;)
See y'all tomorrow with more pics :D
 
Thanks for the leads.
I knew flipper and several more had done these swaps.
I was mainly concerned about the clearance on the lower part of the grille [S
I went to the site and read the procedure. It was what I was getting ready to do and confirmed the cut lines are correct :cool: [;)
See y'all tomorrow with more pics :D

Yep, it is crowded behind the grill. I welded tabs on the outsides of the core support to mount it to the frame. For the radiator, I kicked the bottom of the radiator forward and made a simple mount that comes off of the factory core support. There should be pics in my flatbed build thread (when I switched to the aluminum radiator?).

If I was doing mine today, I would mount the body higher on the frame and then lower the suspension more. That would give you more room for a radiator.
 
ok [S I must of just had the plain models .

It is the body style designation, not a model.

Advance Design is the designation that was given to the 47-55 series one body style

Task Force is the designation that was given to the 55 series two - 59 body style

C/K is the designation that ran from 60-99
60-66 was Gen 1
67-72 was Gen 2
73-87 was Gen 3
87-98 was Gen 4

Silverado is the designation given to 99 to current trucks
(not to be confused with the silverado trim package on the C/K trucks)
 
Yes OldIron You're on the right track. However, I don't recommend putting straight channel on the bottom of the rad support. That will severely limit your rad size. If you mount your new rad on the front side of the rad support you'll have plenty of room, and can run a big rad. My dad has a full sized aluminum (I think it's a Be Cool) AD replacement rad in his S-10 swapped 52 with a 454, and there is lots of room. Mount the body nice and low also, is my recommendation.
 
Thanks for all the responses.
Different approaches to accomplish something makes it a whole lot easier.
Back to the shop.
 
Went back to the shop and proceeded to cut on it.
First pic is the frames wheelbase is now 116" long
I sectioned the middle instead of doing what 62chevyll done on his because, of using the shocks that are already on the frame.

Well the pic is blurry :(
I'll be fish plating the inside of the frame for rigidity.
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This is the notching on the radiator support and inner fenders. It looks like there's a large gap between the frame and inner fenders but there isn't.
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Center line was marked on the fenders before the old chassis was removed.
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I'm not sure if I'm gonna work on it tomorrow. I think I'll start putting the suspension back under my 33 [ddd
 

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Gosh a 15 inch wheel looks so small to me now. At times the my 20's seem a little big (depends on the light)...I think 17's or 18's would be about perfect.

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IMG_0304 by Flipper_1938, on Flickr
 
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Saturday morning I went out to the shop, made body mount brackets, mounted the body to the frame and rolled it outside so I could work on the 33 Pontiac for a day or two.
I'll post some pics of the under side, after I get it back on the lift, so y'all can see what it looks like.

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Looks good. You sure have plenty of determination to tackle two projects at once, i cant even find time to work on one. Well done [cl

-Chris
 
This is the bed cross member with a mounting plate n with welded in nuts :D

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Cross members welded in at 3" higher than stock
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Back of bed with tailgate repaired
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Side view of bed. It looks too far forward but, is the angle of the pic I took :)
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I will be installing the grille and running boards along with fitting the steering column tomorrow.
 

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