How does one build a semi-tube frame S10 pickup?
 

Hey, you wanted Off Topic, right? Well, here it is. I have a bud who owns a 1987 S10 pickup. It is a total rusted out POS. Problem is he LOVES the effing thing and refuses to part with it. Also refuses to spend any money on it. But it is getting so rusted that it is becoming structurally unsound.

Anyway, he recently decided to buy a welding rig. And so I saw an opportunity. I think I can convince him to use his new welder to reinforce the truck with a semi-tube frame and maybe roll cage provided I donate the tubes (which is no problem). This might at least make the thing structurally sound and safe if not aesthetically pleasing. But since I am a 100% Porsche driver, I have no freaking idea how one does this to a pickup truck. I think the POS has a ladder frame with coil overs up front and leaf springs in back. God only knows how the body is (or was) attached to the frame.

So can anyone recommend where to attach the steel tubing bits to make this crap pile hold together and keep my buddy from having some horrendous crash when this thing disintegrates on the highway?

Hard to give advice with out seeing the layout of the frame.

Okay, I did some googling and found a site that has chassis info for '73 - '87 Chevy trucks. Here is the link...

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html

And here are a few pics from the site...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1122047412.gif

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1122047423.gif

Like I said, I live in a unibody world. So this stuff seems utterly alien to me. Lots of Porsche folks stiffen their chassis using semi-tube frame structures. But this ladder frame thing is Model T technology. I assume the goal would be to connect the suspension points and tie them in to a full roll cage. Then somehow link it all to the engine and tranny mounts and the body mounts? Damn, this thing makes no sense to me.

The S-10 is not a C/K family vehicle, those are fullsize.

Ah, here is a clue...here is a guy doing something similar with an S10...I still don't totally understand but at least it is a start...

http://hotrodders.com/projects/008/02.html

Seems he built a cage for the passenger compartment and then tied it to the rear end somewhere near the tranny mounts...but no connection to the front suspension...actually, he has no tubes forward of the front firewall...no connections betwen the fron shock towers...no connections to the rear suspension that I can detect...crap, it looks like a good start but I still don't fully understand...

If it's rusted out around the cab to frame attachment points you're all done. If the frame is starting to erode you're done. You need to identify where it's rusting and either patch it if it's small or toss the whole thing and get a different truck. There's no way to reinforce it to overcome structural rust. A cage isn't going to make it any safer.

If it's that wasted it's smarter to toss it and buy another - an 87 S-10 is CHEAP. The money you spend on one that isn't rusted out will seem like a pittiance compared to the hours you'll have invested cutting, patching, rewelding - and spending money on supplies, frustration, etc. etc. and you'll have spare parts from both too.

rjp

edit: that article describes how to section and narrow the rearend of the truck for drag slicks. The reinforcement is also there for rollover protecton. There's no bracing to the front since it's not necessary.

Yeah, I know. Were it up to me, the thing would already be crushed and recycled into beer cans. But he won't let go. So I just want to try to help him make it safer. As far as I can tell, the "frame" thingy is not rusted. Only the body panels. And yes, at least one of the body mounts is toast. So he might need to somehow fab and weld some sheet metal in there.

Truly, I'd never try to restore a POS S10 pickup. I keep telling him to buy a 911. But automobile ownership is rarely a rational thing.

I can see a SB 400 stuffed in there. Maybe the pan is OK? it'll all unbolt.

rjp

damn, my 96 S10 is in kickbutt shape, and i bet it is worth less than 5k. dont waste the tubing or time.

I'm actually looking for a 90+ extended cab to slam a SBC into as a tow rig / driver.