Is the S-10 in the Other Builds section? Just curious because I want to know more about the project.
I don’t have a build log for it. I’ve been poorly documenting the build on
Instagram.
It’s a 2000 S-10 Extreme extended cab with a 4.3l v6. It will have a warbird theme, based on a p-40:
When I originally got it, the plan was to do a quick and dirty air bag job and install an obnoxiously loud stereo. As we started prepping it, we found so many little issues that we ended up doing a full rebuild. The motor had an oil leak, probably for years. It was caked to the frame and underside of everything. To exacerbate the issue, the previous owner lived on a powdery dirt road so the oil was almost like concrete in some places.
I started looking for the oil leak and finally decided it’d be easier to just pull the motor and rebuild it. When I took it to the machine shop to get hot dipped, the old guy there said he’d never seen one caked up so bad…
I monster notched the rear frame, installed bags on all 4 corners, rebuild the engine, fixed a rusty cab corner, welded the tailgate on, and notched out the bed.
On the To-do side, I need to finish fitting the new wheel tubs and weld them in, fab a tunnel for the rear axle, finish mounting the air system in the bed. Once the last of the fab work is done, I’ll be able to repaint it and reassemble. I know I’ll have some more fab work when I reassemble the front end as I had to remove the original fender wells to make room for the tires.
I’m sure there are better ways to do some of the stuff I did, but I consider this to be my “learner project”. I’ve never done this type of fab work before. It’s been a good experience.