1990 GMC S15 Restoration

[99bonnieSE]

ok. first off, the truck is a 1990 GMC S15 Hi Sierra (4.3L auto V6 4X4)



so, the bank told him basically he can only get a loan for $15K. so instead of buying a new vehicle, we're gonna fix up the ol s10. he found another BLAC CHEVY S10, practically in immaculate condition for $1400. both trucks are longbeds, but this S10 is a 2wd stick. so the plan is, to take off all the body parts from the black S10 and mount them onto our 4X4 S15.

Question is, Are we gonna run into any issues with a s10 to s15 swap? (NOT SWITCHING CABS)

and, maybe if anybody has some cool color schemes? so far i'm thinking metallic black with gray stripes down the center. should look like this: http://images02.olx.com/ui/1/21/17/8201417_1.jpg

[**UPDATE* scroll down to see the true restoration pics. We've went a different direction.

[SSEi95]

I like the look of Pewter with black strips. There is a Sierra that I see in my neighborhood from time to time that looks sweet with that color scheme.

[clm2112]

Question is, Are we gonna run into any issues with a s10 to s15 swap? (NOT SWITCHING CABS)

None that I can think of. I know people regularly use parts from the GMC S15 and Chevy S10 in repairs without any regard to which is which. Only differences that come to mind are cosmetic...different front grille design with the same size and mounting points, tailgate, and interior trim in the cab. I've seen many of these running around with a GMC badged fender on one side and a chevy fender on the other.

[99bonnieSE]

yeah, like i said, what were gonna do is just do an entire body swap, minus the cab. i asked him the same thing about the body tags, and of course, dad says "We'll make it work."

as far as the grille, i think if we can get away with just the two front fenders and maybe the headlights depending on if theyre better or not, we should be set. he wants to do a couple mods to it also, like chrome diamond-plate rear bumper, and maybe a new chrome front bumoer, with the fog lights built-in. all the after-market BODY parts will probably be comming from LMC-truck. he wants a set of those carbon fiber tail lights, too.


IF he decides in a roll-pan, can we still find some kind of a small draw-tite hitch to use? or are we gonna have to stay to a regular bumper?

[00Beast]

I know they make hitches that hide behind license plates, just not sure if they make them for an S10/15.

[99bonnieSE]

I know they make hitches that hide behind license plates, just not sure if they make them for an S10/15.

alright, but could we use a draw-tite with a rollpan? or just stick with a regular bumper

[00Beast]

I have no idea. You're going to have to look it up yourself.

[GMC Guy]

When i had my S15 i ended up with 3 parts trucks both chev and GMC ....no problems at all

have fun with it...i sure miss mine

[99bonnieSE]

alright cool, it'll be awihle before we finally swap bodies. when he gets home for the foruth, we'll be going to buy the other S10. maybe ill look up a S10 forum???? lol

[crash93ssei]

http://www.s10forum.com -- I am on there, tons of knowledge, but like many other forums with many people talking crap
http://www.s10extremist.org -- I am on there as well, not much going on there, and the rules are stupid ridiculous
http://www.s10v8.com -- I don't think I am a member ( can't remember though ) but a good site for v8 swap info
http://www.blazerforum.com -- I am on there. While not exactly catering to the trucks, the information still goes the same way.

I am a big fan of S-10s and have had quite a few

'85 S10 Blazer 4x4
'85 S10 Blazer 4x4
'91 S10 Blazer 4x4 ( v8 swap )
'02 S10 Zr2 truck

Currently own
'94 S10 Blazer - v8 swap with blown 305 ( going to rebuild my spare 350 and drop it in ) 33" tires
'92 S15 Jimmy - blown 4.3, picked it up as a project. Not sure yet what the plan is for it.

Here is my '94



Playing in my back yard in the '94




Pics of my '92 Jimmy are here ---> viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9017&hilit=jimmy


As you can see, I am somewhat of an S10 fan as well Let me know if you need any help with it. Bay City is only about 30 minutes from me and I will be spending some time out there this summer anyways on my dads boat

[BlackHawk99]

I'm a member of that first forum Ryan posted. Fortunately, I don't have to spend much time there since our 02 Sonoma is an EXCELLENT little truck and gives us very few issues. They do talk a lot of crap there, though. And, don't expect much technical info (we're too spoiled here).

Looks like an awesome swap you have coming up. I can't imagine having anything other than an S10/Sonoma. It's definitely under powered, but exactly what makes it unique. The little truck that could, if you will!

(and, yesterday I found a new dent at the top of the passenger bed rail on ours...happened on accident when my wife picked up a refrigerator )

[99bonnieSE]

Let me know if you need any help with it. Bay City is only about 30 minutes from me and I will be spending some time out there this summer anyways on my dads boat

The two trucks will actually be in gladwin, having the bodys swapped.



he's having a buddy of his do the body swap, which i dont know why we cant, besides no garage >.< but besides the body, we'll more than likely be doing the rest of it. he hasnt really gave me an idea of EVERYTHING we're doing to it, but i know of the body for sure, and down the road probably a dual exhaust with a Y pipe from the cat back, MAYBE a lift, new bumpers, and i'm trying to get him to swap in a set of bucket seats. he wants all new brakes on it, all new brake lines, fuel lines, and all that good stuff. Luckily, i'm thinking it'll be my first vehicle, which i have no problem with :-D (sorry, no bonnevile :-( )


He's a trucker, and out on the road for about a month at a time, so that contributes to us not doing it.

He also says that he plans on driving the 2WD stick for the rest of summer, because of mileage. he WANTS THIS DONE by november. i mean come on, i'm only 15, and i think i can get it done in one time he's out on the road Lol.

[99bonnieSE]

ANOTHER little tidbit for anyone interested out there, he says whatever we DON'T use, is being scrapped. i know the truck we're buying has a 5 speed manual in it, and i think a 2.8 v6? sound right? i told him to pull that thing out because i could probably post that on C-List and it'll be gone. so, when we finish the swap, i'll let you all know what we have left, and i'm sure i'll be posting on C-List. NO BODY PARTS. as they are rusted right to hell.

[99bonnieSE]

Wow, i let this thread bury waay to far. The truck's come a long way. Plus, there's a couple people that were interested in this restoration.

We went a COMPLETE different direction with the truck, he had decided to buy all new doors/fenders/inner fenders/cab corners etc... and a used box that was rust-free. spent a total of just under $900 in all of the body parts.

Here's the truck before :






Taking the carpeting out before it went to the shop:




And that's really all of the before pictures i have.

[99bonnieSE]

Ok... lets get to the point here.
We dropped the truck off in maybe the beginning to middle of march... and these are the pics as of 4-8-10








We knew a guy that had a blazer out at the back of his property, with a blown motor. (actually it was his wifes) He was just going to take the tranny out of the truck, and scrap the rest of it. Well, this truck had some BEAUTIFUL chrome bumpers and mirrors on it, that dad got for $100. (also got headlight bezels,& a grill.) the bezels and grill turned out not to be in very good condition, but better than what we had.







And don't worry, i've already got him convinced for cleared corners and markers.


So, about a month later, when he got hime (he's a truck driver) We took a ride over to the painters, to change the shocks while the bed was still removed. And this is what we saw:
THESE PICS ARE BEFORE WATERSANDING AND BUFFING!

(its only dust guys. )




even painted the firewall. (they told us it was raddle-canned, lol. but looks awesome.

door insides painted




ahhhhh





and the REEEAAALL pics (only the box..)




... the horrid shocks we replaced...:





As of now, i only have two cell-phone quality teasers. they were sent to my dad by the guys at the shop:




the overall cost of everything (removing old parts, installing cab corners/rockers and patching a floorpan, prepping new parts, prime,paint, ALL of their materials, and labor) came out to be $2600 and a 30 pack. pops gave him a 30 to install the bumpers, we were gonna do it, but decided not to, because if WE scratch it, we would be P!$$ED, and have no way to fix it. Which if they do it, they would be P!$$ED, and they have the things to repair it.

I'll be wirewheeling the underbody, NOT using rustoleum undercoating, I plan on using Chassis Saver, And cleaning up the engine bay with all sorts of purty things. also probably install a killer system after we have some more money saved up. No woofers, just an all out rockford fosgate system with a 4 channel CRUNCH amp. As far as the interior goes, we may be staying with the blue, we might switch to a black/grey. Later on, he wants some kind of stripe down the side also, to break up the solid black. And another lil' mod i'll be doing, of course, is some LED work. I would like to do some LED's on the interior, and fab up a switchboard for them.


By no means is this going to be a show truck, she ain't gonna be no driveway queen either. It'll see it's fair share of mud, no doubt. Although, i'm sure it would be show-worthy.

[99bonnieSE]

One more eye candy shot.

[wake]

that thing is CRYING for rims

[crash93ssei]

Very nice! Actually though those stock rims would be nice if they were freshly painted like the rest of the body

[99bonnieSE]

We've already talked about the rims, lol.When we get it back, and I get it in my garage, I'm going to be cleaning up those rims, along with under the hood and to include the underbody. We're gonna do a small bod lift, (Hockey Pucks) to put a little bit bigger tire under there. NO suspension lifts. (as of yet..... )

[wake]

i cant wait to see it finished