S-10 Frame Swap?

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Wageslave

Royal Smart Person
Jan 25, 2017
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After doing a little research and eyeballing the donor S-10 sitting on my trailer, I was noticing how similiar the frames are between the two vehicles. I remember reading that when the S-10 was first developed, the frame was based off of a G-Body. Between that and the fact that a standard cab - long bed has a wheelbase that is less than an inch (117.9 vs 117) longer than an El Camino, I am wondering if a frame swap might be possible?
 

88ss408

Master Mechanic
Feb 25, 2007
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baie st anne n.b
I never had a s10 or El camino. Fo I have no first hand experience. But your right.they are very similar. They may interchange?
A couple of messuments will confirm.
 
Nov 4, 2012
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With enough time and money, anything can be done.

However it certainly wouldn't be a direct swap. I believe the biggest issue would be the frame behind the rear axle. In the G-Bodies, the frame drops back down after the rear axle, where in the S10 it kicks up. The frames are very similar, but I doubt the swap would be worth doing, as the S10 frame offers no real advantages over the G Body frame. I don't know enough about S10s to offer anything more than a casual observer's opinion, but I know there are some S10 guys on here who could probably give you a better answer.
 

bob64

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2017
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Niagara Falls, Canada
I can't see it being worth the time. You'll have to box the the back half in, drop the the frame section after the hump, it's a narrower frame so you'll have to adapt the body mounts, Infront of the rear axle the frame angle raises quicker so back floor would have to be reworked, the tires are set in farther than a g-body, and last but not least it's a leaf spring which the 4 link of a g-body out performs. But as already mention anything is possible!

I'm sure there are things l'm missing!
 

MC96

Master Mechanic
Dec 7, 2015
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The fronts are about the same with the S10 being narrower.

But...... why?
 

lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
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Canton Mi
Little better look - As joe said, not a direct swap

lou's pic's 011.jpg

IMG_5082.JPG

lou's pic's 014.jpg

IMG_5081.JPG
 
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TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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Socialist NY
Go for it!!!!
 

Wageslave

Royal Smart Person
Jan 25, 2017
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I am one of the lucky ones that have a rot free frame on my EC. I was just hoping to possibly help those of us with the behind the rear wheel frame rot.
 
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