Darkside 53-56 suspension question
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From: Middle Gawga
Darkside 53-56 suspension question
I have the opportunity to get a 53-56 frame win a 94 S-10 front installed. I have a long bed 56 and instead of cutting the frame I'm looking for another frame. I have read of earlier 48-52 trucks using the S-10 but not 53-56. Should I avoid this offer?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
My daily driver is a 49 Chebby on an S10 full chassis and it performs great. It sounds like you are talking of the S10 clip on the original F100 chassis which should be comparable to the Volare or some other GM clip. I would be concerned about track width under a fat fendered F100 and the quality of the installation of the clip. It is not rack & pinion steering but is adequate and gives you front disc brakes. Is it installed on a long bed frame or are you shortening your truck or lengthening this frame to fit your longbed?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I'd be interested in why the owner isn't using the frame himself. Could it be that the S-10 installation was not done properly? I would look it over very well and find out if it was owner done or done by a shop. I'd also be leery of the front track width. The S-10 was a very narrow suspension design and might require running wider rims on the front to bring the tires out to the fender edge than on the rear...not a great look! What GM rear would you want to use under the frame to match the 5 x 4.75 front pattern? Unless you can buy this frame for next to nothing and be prepared to correct any installation errors I'd pass...
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Kansas City, Mo
S-10
For a picture look at bonusbuilt.com. Select page #4. An author named Lakota is listed on one of the threads. Click on his name to open his site. It includes a S-10 frame under a pickup. It looks like the front wheels set to far inboard. chuck
Cargo Master
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
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From: Middle Gawga
Looking for a SWB frame to replace my LWB frame.
The individual started a restoration project tearing down two slant cab trucks. The project stalled a few years back and now he is selling all the parts- doors, hoods, fenders etc. He had a shop install the S-10 clip it looks like good work however, according to the owner he never installed the front sheet metal. This is believable as he has parts in three different locations on his property. Using a tape I figured about 55 inch on the S-10 width. He's asking $400 the amount the shop charged to weld it in??? He has a stock SWB frame I could probably get for free or next to nothing. This would fix my LWB/SWB problem but I would still be back to scratch on lowering, steering & brake upgrade etc.
The individual started a restoration project tearing down two slant cab trucks. The project stalled a few years back and now he is selling all the parts- doors, hoods, fenders etc. He had a shop install the S-10 clip it looks like good work however, according to the owner he never installed the front sheet metal. This is believable as he has parts in three different locations on his property. Using a tape I figured about 55 inch on the S-10 width. He's asking $400 the amount the shop charged to weld it in??? He has a stock SWB frame I could probably get for free or next to nothing. This would fix my LWB/SWB problem but I would still be back to scratch on lowering, steering & brake upgrade etc.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
Personally, unless you are in love with the S10 setup I would get the SWB frame from him and then go Mustang II, Jag, or Corvette IFS. Bigger brakes, rack & pinion steering, and they look cool!
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From: Middle Gawga
Yeap, I'm waiting to here back from the seller as I told him I would pass on the S-10 subframe and concentrate on the original frame. Goal number one is to give the truck a SWB. I like LWB 69-70ish trucks but not 56's. If it works out I will have a LWB frame in case someone needs one.