Project street/race s10

Today I got some courage to work on 1 of the 2 dents in the bed corner. The crease is almost gone now. Tools were, small dolly, block of wood and a hammer oh and a propane torch.
This is not by any means a show truck build of any kind I just want a clean looking s10 to thrash on the track. If I continue to work with the metal I should be able to minimize the amount of filler.


More to come, I have never been one to take photos of work in progress but I am learning.

I bought a pair of doors from a clean Jimmy and the guy tossed in both fenders and of course this s10 has one aftermarket fender on the passenger side and a bent fender on the driver's side so that worked out great

Just got back from the bone yard with my new 8.8 Explorer rear end. This 8.8 was purchased for my 2002 s10 until I saw it had 4.10 gears in it so it is now going into the flower pot and the 8.5 will go into 2002 since it has 3.42s WIN WIN situation.
Freshly pulled 8.8


Degreeser and pressure wash, works like a champ.

17x8 C5 front wheels getting ready to get widened to 17x11

Today started off as another trip to the boneyard in search of spare parts for both trucks. After a little hunting I came across a clean little Oldsmobile Bravada that still had the bumper cover and driving lights intact. I think it will look sweet on this truck once it gets a small modification to allow the s10 grille to fit🤫
Now I have to get new lights, the old ones are not worth polishing out.

Well, I 110% forgot my issue with this truck. Prior to me the front had taken a hit and the replacement core support is an aftermarket POS and the holes for the pinch tabs are way off I need to pick up another core support from my local boneyard.

8.8 4.10 gears all painted and ready to be installed. I do have new stainless brake lines on the way

8.8 is in and now I have to order a few parts from Thorbros.com since the 8.8 is much different from the 8.5.

A little mock up after swapping rear ends, the core support is aftermarket and fits terrible so it comes back out when the replacement arrives.
Starting to like the Bravada bumper.

Yesterday was a poop show!
I finished the install of my newly acquired 8.8 I get ready to bolt up the spacers just to see they do not fit WTF!!!! The spacers I ordered were 1.25" 4.50 to 4.75 what I actually got was 4.75 to 4.50 GRRRRREATTTTT!!!!!!
Off to FB market place I go looking for some Mustang wheels 5 minutes later I find a complete set of basic 16" Mustang wheels. Cheaper to buy wheels then to wait for new spacers or better yet my guy that redrills my axles... Atleast the flower pot can move around.

Front with 1.25" spacers Chevy to Ford



Rear spacing with a Mustang 16x7.5 wheel and a stock length Explorer 8.8 don't mind the overspray I have a braided hose kit to instal

Just over 3" of room to allow 10.5-11" rim measurement is from the bulge of the tire to the leafspring.


I have been asked on numerous occasions, Why do I use Corvette wheels and why do I use so many salvaged/used parts?
The answer is quite easy, just take a look at how many projects are NOT completed, aborted and or sold off for a fraction of what they actually have invested.
There are plenty parts out there that the guy wasting money has purchased just to find out that awesome part does not work with or fit with other parts in the build. Corvette wheels are a dime a dozen and generally look pretty good on s10s.
Explorer rear axle can be had inexpensively and generally come with LSD, 3.73 or 4.10 gears compared to getting an axle then adding your choice of gears, LSD/Locker etc.
Brake upgrade, Blazer spindles and calipers are a direct bolt on or you can use some other factory brake set up with slight modification on the cheap compared to the alternative. Building a sport truck, drag truck, hot rod etc. Does not have to be a financial drain. The biggest expense on an s10 swap is your choice in Drivetrain, harness conversion and headers. I LOVE to drive my vehicles so all of them get built with the thought of cruising possibly a road trip even.
Make a reasonable budget build your truck then if you want other stuff then go for it. Many have caviar dreams with a Jack in the Box wallet.

Went to visit the old street truck, everything that I have scheduled to do has been done and now it's time to have the Thorbros 4 link welded into position. Then for the front: Viking coilovers, tall ball joints and all new steering componets.


Time for some bars and welding to be done along with a C notch.
28" Hoosier on a 15x10 will sit back here for track days.