Code 504 - S10 kit reviews??
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 413
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From: Yakima, WA
Code 504 - S10 kit reviews??
Now I have read numerous threads on frame switches, but just curious after finding this company. I am not a fabricator. The furthest thing from it. But has anyone purchased one of these kits? the gentleman I talked to sounded extremely knowledgable, and at this point I am literally looking at all options. I may leave my 48 F1 dead stock, or go crazy with all new undercarriage if my engine is no bueno. Just searching out every available option. Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Here's their 48-52 kit. 1948-1952 Ford Short Box Bolt-On S-10 Chassis Conversion Kit - Code 504, LLC
Note that frame mods are still needed to get the wheelbase correct. The track (width) on an S-10 isn't a particularly good match to our trucks' bodies. Look closely at the front tire on their pictures, even with wide tires it's 3" or so inside the fender. No details on how the S-10's firewall-mounted pedals are adapted to the new body.
Interesting that they provide mounts for either a SBF or SBC. It's a pretty big deal to put a SBC in an S-10, hard to see how it would be any easier with one of our bodies on it. A 4.3 V6 was stock on the later ones and fits OK.
I own an S-10. It's a great little truck. Not great enough that I'd pick it as a donor.
Note that frame mods are still needed to get the wheelbase correct. The track (width) on an S-10 isn't a particularly good match to our trucks' bodies. Look closely at the front tire on their pictures, even with wide tires it's 3" or so inside the fender. No details on how the S-10's firewall-mounted pedals are adapted to the new body.
Interesting that they provide mounts for either a SBF or SBC. It's a pretty big deal to put a SBC in an S-10, hard to see how it would be any easier with one of our bodies on it. A 4.3 V6 was stock on the later ones and fits OK.
I own an S-10. It's a great little truck. Not great enough that I'd pick it as a donor.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Certainly the S-10 doesn't have enough engineering to make it worth the effort, when a Jag front end and an 8.8 rear onto the stock frame is such an easy swap in comparison with much better engineering.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
I can't think of a reason to do it unless perhaps you were set on using the entire drivetrain from a donor S10. Other than that potential advantage, it just seems like an attempt to force a frame of compromised dimensions to somewhat fit an F-1. Heavy emphasis on "somewhat fit". That front trackwidth looks like a terrible match to me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 29
From: in a barn
S10 track is too narrow for an F1, better option would be a dakota chassis which also has the advantage of rack and pinion steering. Wheel spacers can help with the track. However I can see how you would save a lot of money going this way if this is a true bolt on deal and you wanted to upgrade your chassis. Paying for chassis parts and shop labor for the work to upgrade the F1 frame would quickly cost much more than that kit, and shortening an S10 chassis is super easy, there is a factory splice point to work from.
If you were local I would be interested in buying your original frame for another project waiting in the corner
If you were local I would be interested in buying your original frame for another project waiting in the corner
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Yeah if i wasn't 2000 miles away I'd place a bid on that frame too. He probably doesn't appreciate what he has yet but that will come. Nothing at all wrong with launching these threads and exploring your options Pez. But go slow with the big moves and a frame swap is exactly that. Do a little bodywork while you meditate on the big plan. That will keep you busy while we all have a couple birthdays. Your truck is going to be sweet if you put in the time and make good decisions.
There are project trucks that are so screwed up that heavy rodding is the only rational option. Yours is not one of those.
Your truck is going to be sweet if you put in the time and make good decisions.There are project trucks that are so screwed up that heavy rodding is the only rational option. Yours is not one of those.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Yakima, WA
thanks for all the tips. at this point I am really leaning in 3 directions.
leave completely stock, just redo everything that I think would make it better. just update
leave the flathead 6, original transmission, but add a jag xj ifs and explorer 8.8 rearend
lastly change to a 350, auto transmission, jag xj ifs, exporer 8.8 rearend. This one is all dependent on the engine and the transmission. I really want it to have an automatic for my daughter, but it doesn't seem to be an option with the original flathead.
leave completely stock, just redo everything that I think would make it better. just update
leave the flathead 6, original transmission, but add a jag xj ifs and explorer 8.8 rearend
lastly change to a 350, auto transmission, jag xj ifs, exporer 8.8 rearend. This one is all dependent on the engine and the transmission. I really want it to have an automatic for my daughter, but it doesn't seem to be an option with the original flathead.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 29
From: in a barn
Nothing is that simple, make one change and it demands another.
What you decide to do will depend on budget if you cannot do the work yourself. Check out my truck #2 build in my signature, it is close to what you want to do, original paint with updates. It really is not easily done if you do not have the tools or fabrication experience, even using bolt on stuff will lead to custom work needing to be done.
Think about what you really want and come up with a plan, you may be better off buying a completed truck.
What you decide to do will depend on budget if you cannot do the work yourself. Check out my truck #2 build in my signature, it is close to what you want to do, original paint with updates. It really is not easily done if you do not have the tools or fabrication experience, even using bolt on stuff will lead to custom work needing to be done.
Think about what you really want and come up with a plan, you may be better off buying a completed truck.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
So- Has Anyone used this?
Reviving this old thread. Has anyone used this kit? I have a 52 F-1 and I'd like to get it to drive like a modern truck with a nice stiff boxed frame, modern steering and springs, and a close to stock ride height. I've looked at TCI, Fatman, and No Limit and they are all about $12-15K. This is about $7K. No it doesn't have rack and pinion steering and has leaf springs on the back, but a 90s S-10 drives way better than a 52 F-1.
Please don't tell me to "stick with Henry's design" or build the stock frame. I don't have the welding skills to do that and paying someone else to modify and box the stock frame adds up in cost fast.
There is a company in Utah that builds rolling frame conversions using the 504 kit turn key. Anyone out there use this setup? I wish there was a company out there that modified the Explorer frame. Those suckers are a dime a dozen these days and are already setup for a V8 and are the right length.
Thanks,
Dave
Please don't tell me to "stick with Henry's design" or build the stock frame. I don't have the welding skills to do that and paying someone else to modify and box the stock frame adds up in cost fast.
There is a company in Utah that builds rolling frame conversions using the 504 kit turn key. Anyone out there use this setup? I wish there was a company out there that modified the Explorer frame. Those suckers are a dime a dozen these days and are already setup for a V8 and are the right length.
Thanks,
Dave
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 129
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
If you had been attentive you would have seen in my signature line that I used a MII (works best, also did a Dakota sub-frame on other make)
The wheel location with the S10 is stupid and looks like crap, ... it is too narrow,
My truck with Mustang II:
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,192
Likes: 4,805
From: Burbank, WA
A guy I know bought a body mount kit for a 56 Chevy pickup to put on a S10 chassis like that. It fits a lot like that, and is now behind his house looking a lot like that. He spent as much on the kit as most guys would spend on an MII kit thinking it was the easy way out, and this is what he got for his trouble. It turned a pretty nice truck into a pile of crap, pretty much like that.
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