41-46 s10 swap pictures

joedoh · Jul 7, 2022

05snopro440 said:
If you're providing these kits to customers, I hope they don't have running board to frame clearance problems. Looks like your running boards meet the fender farther forward than they should. Maybe because you're using bigger truck fenders with the bigger wheel opening? Or when you shortened the wheelbase, were the running boards left regular length? The running board should also be tucked under the rocker and isn't, so I'm wondering how it would all line up. I haven't known anyone that has done a 41-46 on an S-10 without some type of work there to fix the clearance issue, so its curious that yours just fits. I hope it works out well if you've figured something new out.

they wont have problems. I appreciate your feedback and very real concerns. this is the third of these truck I have done, and the first had a big cut for the running board clearance, the second just a small cut. I became aware of the ez chassis swap for S10 ($1975 + $250 shipping) which does no cutting of the frame. so I set out to do the same. you may not have seen one, but I have, with the right cab height the frame is untouched. this isnt something new, but it is a whole lot cheaper. nick has different 1/2 ton boards and fenders in better shape, so if we need to raise the mount its easily done but the apron is in the correct position with respect to the cab, the cab is level, the bed is level, so I am calling it done. the running boards are in the correct position fore/aft and outboard from the frame, I think you might just be seeing what poor shape they are in, the drivers side has a big hump in it and actually crushed the rockers a bit, i think someone lifted it with a forkllift by the running board at some point. the passenger board was crumpled up too, really everything was in poor shape. the picture you chose for alignment is before the bed was on and the running board still loose, it has 2" of in/out alignment.

the "further forward" is the wheelarch opened up when I cut 2" off the bottom. it will get new fenders but the bolt holes line up, and there is a lip on the bottom of the fender for the running board to sit against.

here are some pics to show the clearances, the running boards fit perfectly with no interference to the frame. you can see the wheelbase is perfect (115") and the only overlap is where the 1/2 ton running board is longer at the tip where the 1 ton wheel arch widened when it was shortened at the rear bottom.

05snopro440 · Jul 7, 2022

Gotcha, yeah it's much easier to see in those photos. That's good you found a way to do it without cutting the frame. Mine isn't cut either.

Hope it works out for him. I don't think after all these years many of these trucks have straight sheet metal, so we have to work with what we have for sure.

joedoh · Jul 7, 2022

05snopro440 said:
Gotcha, yeah it's much easier to see in those photos. That's good you found a way to do it without cutting the frame. Mine isn't cut either.

Hope it works out for him. I don't think after all these years many of these trucks have straight sheet metal, so we have to work with what we have for sure.

thanks. i sure dont like working on these 41-46 but they are my favorite truck when done. the first one I did popped up on marketplace recently and it was hard to resist it, loved everything about that one, the patina, the seats, the wheels etc. but i never did mind about swaybacks from wayback. only forward.

and no need for hope although I appreciate it. the kit is adjustable about 2" every direction and even more when its bolted on, but I always choose to weld. that will help with how poor the condition of the sheetmetal usually is and the infinite variability of the production in the prewar factory.