S-10 frame swaps

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==Background==
 
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The Chevy LUV was the predecessor of the S10, and was first introduced to the North American market in 1972. For details on the Chevy LUV, see [http://www.luvtruck.com/history.htm this article on LUVTRuck.com].
S-10 Frame Swaps
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The Chevy LUV was the predecessor of the S10 and was first introduced to the North American market in 1972. Conventional in its engineering, the 102.4-inch wheelbase LUV was built atop a ladder frame with the suspension consisting of unequal A-arms up front and a solid rear axle on leaf springs in the back. The four 14-inch wheels were wrapped in skinny bias-ply tires and sat outboard a quartet of drum brakes. The steering was by a recirculating ball system. The only engine was an SOHC inline four displacing 1.8 liters which, breathing through a two-barrel carburetor, was rated at just 75 hp at a screaming 5,000 rpm and 88 pound-feet of peak torque at 3,000 rpm. The sole transmission was a four-speed manual.
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The first generation S10 came on board in 1982 and lasted till 1993.  The second generation continued to 2004. The most sought after frames are the 1989 and up, where you can find four wheel disc brakes, automatic transmissions, etc. The S-10 comes in three wheelbase lengths: 108"  Shortbed, 117"  Longbed, 122"  Extended Cab.
 
The first generation S10 came on board in 1982 and lasted till 1993.  The second generation continued to 2004. The most sought after frames are the 1989 and up, where you can find four wheel disc brakes, automatic transmissions, etc. The S-10 comes in three wheelbase lengths: 108"  Shortbed, 117"  Longbed, 122"  Extended Cab.
 
Where to shorten a S10 frame, picture located below showing the location where frame can be shorten to accommodate the body of your swap.
 
[[Image:Where-to-shorten-s10-frame.jpg‎]]
 
 
 
  
 
Initially, the S-10 was only offered in a regular cab configuration on either a 108.3- or 117.9-inch wheelbase. While those 108.3 inches were a full four more than the comparable LUV's, the 117.9-inch dimension was identical to the longer LUV. Meanwhile, the shortest full-size '82 Chevy truck used a 117.5-inch wheelbase and the longest (a dually crew cab) was a full 164.5 inches.
 
Initially, the S-10 was only offered in a regular cab configuration on either a 108.3- or 117.9-inch wheelbase. While those 108.3 inches were a full four more than the comparable LUV's, the 117.9-inch dimension was identical to the longer LUV. Meanwhile, the shortest full-size '82 Chevy truck used a 117.5-inch wheelbase and the longest (a dually crew cab) was a full 164.5 inches.
  
 
Examining the actual bed dimensions and overall lengths for both the S-10 and LUV, it becomes clear where the new truck's extra space lies: in the passenger area. In the standard six-foot bed configuration, the S-10 and LUV have almost identical cargo box lengths (73.1 and 73.0 inches), but the S-10 is longer overall by 3.7 inches (178.2 versus 174.5). Comparing long-bed styles, the S-10 is 2.5 inches longer overall, but its cargo box is actually an inch shorter (89.0 versus 90.1). The distance from the front bumper to the cab's rear bulkhead measures 100.2 inches on the S-10 and 95.8 on the LUV (regardless of chassis length). So what Chevrolet has done is accept the cargo capacity of its small imported LUV as sufficient for the domestic truck of this new age, [while building] in new levels of passenger comfort.
 
Examining the actual bed dimensions and overall lengths for both the S-10 and LUV, it becomes clear where the new truck's extra space lies: in the passenger area. In the standard six-foot bed configuration, the S-10 and LUV have almost identical cargo box lengths (73.1 and 73.0 inches), but the S-10 is longer overall by 3.7 inches (178.2 versus 174.5). Comparing long-bed styles, the S-10 is 2.5 inches longer overall, but its cargo box is actually an inch shorter (89.0 versus 90.1). The distance from the front bumper to the cab's rear bulkhead measures 100.2 inches on the S-10 and 95.8 on the LUV (regardless of chassis length). So what Chevrolet has done is accept the cargo capacity of its small imported LUV as sufficient for the domestic truck of this new age, [while building] in new levels of passenger comfort.
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==Where to shorten the frame==
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The picture below shows where the frame can be shortened to accommodate the body of your swap.
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[[Image:Where-to-shorten-s10-frame.jpg|frame|Where to shorten an S10 frame.‎]]
  
 
The extended cab S-10 (Chevy's first extended cab pickup) rode on a new 122.9-inch wheelbase with 14.5 inches of that being added to the cab length. Jump seats in the back could accommodate passengers for short trips, though they had to squeeze themselves in through the two doors and past the front seats to get there. The longer wheelbase also helped the S-10 ride even better than before.
 
The extended cab S-10 (Chevy's first extended cab pickup) rode on a new 122.9-inch wheelbase with 14.5 inches of that being added to the cab length. Jump seats in the back could accommodate passengers for short trips, though they had to squeeze themselves in through the two doors and past the front seats to get there. The longer wheelbase also helped the S-10 ride even better than before.

Revision as of 21:25, 23 October 2009

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