As is always the case, the owners vehicles are always the slowest to progress
through construction. My last update on my wife's truck was nearly a year ago!!
Since then the S10 frame has been changed twice. "Truck, Truck" as we fondly refer
to my wife's truck, is now on a 1991 GMC S15 pickup frame. I've learned a lot about
S10's in the last few years. Detailed here will be some of the best interchange installs
that you can do to the early S10 frames.
through construction. My last update on my wife's truck was nearly a year ago!!
Since then the S10 frame has been changed twice. "Truck, Truck" as we fondly refer
to my wife's truck, is now on a 1991 GMC S15 pickup frame. I've learned a lot about
S10's in the last few years. Detailed here will be some of the best interchange installs
that you can do to the early S10 frames.
| "Truck, Truck" |
2-25-2007
1) Modified Blazer Big Brake Swap (Front)
The 98+ Blazer big brake swap is a great
addition if you are going to be towing trailers.
Slightly larger diameter, thicker rotors. Dual
piston calipers. Sealed bearing hubs. The
crappy part is that the 98+ 2WD Blazer hubs are
very expensive! In the range of $150-$400
each!!
To solve this I had my machinist machine the
bore diameter of a set of 98+ Blazer -- 2" drop --
Belltech spindles to fit early square-body S10
4WD hubs. The bore diameters are
approximately 3.50" for the 2WD and 3.62" for
the 4WD hubs. The early hubs also don't come
with ABS making them the least expensive
hubs available. I got new ones off Ebay for
$104 pr delivered.
Photos to the right show the install done with
2.5" billet spacers installed. The photo below
shows a stock 4WD spindle and bore. This is
the bore diameter I had matched on the Belltech
spindles. Machining cost $150 pair.
NOTE: CUT OFF AXLE SHAFTS MAY NEED TO
INSTALLED IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN
BEARING PRE-LOAD.
The 98+ Blazer big brake swap is a great
addition if you are going to be towing trailers.
Slightly larger diameter, thicker rotors. Dual
piston calipers. Sealed bearing hubs. The
crappy part is that the 98+ 2WD Blazer hubs are
very expensive! In the range of $150-$400
each!!
To solve this I had my machinist machine the
bore diameter of a set of 98+ Blazer -- 2" drop --
Belltech spindles to fit early square-body S10
4WD hubs. The bore diameters are
approximately 3.50" for the 2WD and 3.62" for
the 4WD hubs. The early hubs also don't come
with ABS making them the least expensive
hubs available. I got new ones off Ebay for
$104 pr delivered.
Photos to the right show the install done with
2.5" billet spacers installed. The photo below
shows a stock 4WD spindle and bore. This is
the bore diameter I had matched on the Belltech
spindles. Machining cost $150 pair.
NOTE: CUT OFF AXLE SHAFTS MAY NEED TO
INSTALLED IF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN
BEARING PRE-LOAD.
2) ZQ8 Sway Bar Upgrade (Front & Rear)
First off you do NOT have search all over the planet for a wrecked ZQ8 equipped truck.
Check out the S10 Interchange page for more info.
The front ZQ8 swaybar is 33mm or 1.3" diameter. It looks like a log compared to stock!
The rear ZQ8 swaybar is 23mm or .91" diameter. Almost an inch compared to none!
You will feel an incredible difference in handling after installing these. Please do not
forward your traffic tickets to me. I ain't paying 'em!
First off you do NOT have search all over the planet for a wrecked ZQ8 equipped truck.
Check out the S10 Interchange page for more info.
The front ZQ8 swaybar is 33mm or 1.3" diameter. It looks like a log compared to stock!
The rear ZQ8 swaybar is 23mm or .91" diameter. Almost an inch compared to none!
You will feel an incredible difference in handling after installing these. Please do not
forward your traffic tickets to me. I ain't paying 'em!
| Stock spindle, rotor, caliper from 1991 S10 pickup. |
Installed and rolling.
Stock front swaybar on bottom. ZQ8 swaybar installed on top.
3) Late Model Muffler Mounting Bracket
Better mounting design for the muffler. Less vibration more flexibility. I'll be
modifying this one for a dual-in/dual-out Flowmaster.
Better mounting design for the muffler. Less vibration more flexibility. I'll be
modifying this one for a dual-in/dual-out Flowmaster.
Rear swaybar assembly during installation.
4) Late Model Drivers Side E-Brake Cable Routing
You can use the late model drivers side mounted e-brake cable mounting to
adapt to the stock AD foot brake pedal on your cab. The passenger side cable
runs across the axle and then comes together with the drivers side cable and
then runs along the drivers side frame rail. Photos are under construction
shots as I may run the cables inside the frame rail instead of outside.
You can use the late model drivers side mounted e-brake cable mounting to
adapt to the stock AD foot brake pedal on your cab. The passenger side cable
runs across the axle and then comes together with the drivers side cable and
then runs along the drivers side frame rail. Photos are under construction
shots as I may run the cables inside the frame rail instead of outside.
Copyright © 2004-2008 Advanced-Design Engineering
Customer Rides
Annika Hertz
-Owner's wife-
54 GMC truck
Sonora, CA, USA
-Owner's wife-
54 GMC truck
Sonora, CA, USA
Also of note is the new cab that needs very little work. Mainly just a new
firewall since the previous owner had installed TWO brake booster setups on
the firewall! The cowl side antenna has to go as well as welding up the hole in
the back of the cab for the old CB antenna. Fortunately there were no velour
upholstery, wood panelling or dingle balls to rip out!!
firewall since the previous owner had installed TWO brake booster setups on
the firewall! The cowl side antenna has to go as well as welding up the hole in
the back of the cab for the old CB antenna. Fortunately there were no velour
upholstery, wood panelling or dingle balls to rip out!!