I have a 50 gmc with a 7 ft bed and i was wondering if an s10 extended cab frame would be easier to put the cab and bed on then an regular cab s 10 frame because i want to try and make it look as factory as i can or is there and easier way to change make 8 lug axles to 5 lug.
Check this out...http://www.ad-engineering.com/. The s 10 frames have rivets in the center that can be driled out so that the frame can be lengthened or shortened to fit. I don't know if it will slip that much, but start with the longest s 10 you can find.
I'm doing the s-10 swap on my truck 50 chevy short bed. I'm using a ext cab short bed s-10. The wheel base is 122 inches. I needed my truck to be 118 so the wheels would match the fender. I'm extending my bed by 4 inches so i don't have to cut my frame. I hope this helps.
Don't extend the bed, drill out the rivets, slide it to the right length, and re weld, it was designed that way from the factory so they could use the frames in different trucks. You don't have to cut anything......
We have done several AD's on S10 frames and so far none have been riveted. It is easy however to cut the weld where the rear "C" channel frame fits into the front box frame. The best case for you if you choose this route would be to get one too long and trim so it has the same amount into the front boxed section as the factory had when the rear wheels are where you want them. Here is a photo of an S10 frame with the AD-Engineering mount stands in place. Note where the frame splice is the factory does not use a square fish plate and neither should you as this sets up a stress area where the flexible "C" channel rear meets the rigid front boxed frame.
