I am building my first rig from the ground up. I ran an 89 XJ and just recently retired it. So on with the new build.

Parts:
95 S10 extended cab.
93 TBI 350
TH350
NP203/NP205 w/ord doubler
FOA 14x2.5" coilovers,
2.5x4" bumpstops
3 link front
undecided rear
2.5ton rockwells.
42" tsl
recentered H1's

I picked up a 95 S10 from a friend that was planning to build it into a drag racer. 2 years later, he parted with it. no time, started his own business.
It came with Hedman Headers. I ended up scrapping the S10 frame bought a fullsize frame for $50. 1st pic is how it sat in storage. I bought the motor from a friend, came with the wiring harness, computer, new radiator. I stripped down the harness w/help from Binder planet and this site. I fired it up for a sec, so I know it runs. I am waiting on more parts to show up. Oddly enough all the link points match up pretty close to the cherokee's unibody. So the axle fit right under the front of the S10. It is sitting at ride height in the last picture. 5" up travel, 9" down.

Very nice, looks like you put your body mount through your slider support like I did. What year frame are you using? Mine is a 71 k5 frame under my 97 Sonoma body

Im Building an 89 . With 1 Tons though.. ANd 42 Sx2's
Looks Good ... Join the S10 Guys lol ...

I am not for sure what year the frame is, It still had leaf springs, but the newer rounder blazer body on it. Yeah, I noticed a lot of S10 build ups. I figured might as well post mine. lol. I like the smaller body of the S10. I am a newb to the Chevy world.

subscribed!

I am kind of on the fence on which way to go for the rear axle. I can either run the 52" leaf springs, or go with a 4 link. Either way my wheelbase is going to be around 128" I was shooting for 120" but as low as it is, the tires get into the body. I can build a 4 link, and just mess with different springs or keep leafs for simplicity and stability. ??

What are your plans for the bed? Going truggy or dovetail? Stock?

IMO if funds allow, link the rear as well.
If not chances are in the future youre gonna tear it back down and do it any way.

BTW is that the grim reaper on the cab?:smokin:

I sold the bed off of it, it was in really good shape, I am looking for bed sides to make skins out of. It will be a truggy of sorts, it is getting an exo cage. A buddy drew the grim reaper goofing off with the airbrush gun, when it was at my friends shop.

Looks like 4 link will the way to go. Now to start measuring and running the numbers. I will have to find some springs to use

I like the grim reaper on the cab, looks like he did a good job. Looks like it will be an awesome build best of luck.:smokin:

I have been working on the truck pretty regularly once my 4 link parts showed up. I started building the exo friday, This is my first time ever using a tube bender, using an older pro tools. I have some more bracing to do, run a few tubes to the frame, I could use some opinions on what to do with the front, i like the lines I have started, but need to tie it into the frame with out going overboard. I also need some support on the side behind the door. I am using stock cherokee coils in the rear, and I think I will have to go with something different. I am thinking about some lifted TJ springs, need to find out the spring rate, they might be to soft.

I would move that panhard way up on the axle and try to get it flatter.

I am putting a center limit strap on front and rear, to limit the entire axle from dropping to far. I also looked at moving the track bar up, but I was worried about not making it strong enough.

looks like you've got alot done. nice work:grinpimp:

I am putting a center limit strap on front and rear, to limit the entire axle from dropping to far. I also looked at moving the track bar up, but I was worried about not making it strong enough.

Kinda looks like the angle it is now it will hit the pumpkin chunk before the air bump depress fully. I would try to get the panhard flat and should help clear that too. Lookin pretty sweet for sure!

why not come off the top loader to the passenger side..... would it be too short like that? ive run other trucks like that with success.
looks good not a fan off s-10s but that thing is bad ass

The track bar actually fits behind the pinion brake, it clears, I cycled the suspension numerous times, I might put a bend in it, just to be safe, but it fits with no issues. I tried going with a longer trackbar this time than the shorter one I had previous, that attached to the top of the third member.

I see. From the angle of the first pic it looked like it was resting on the third. Still will have less axle side-to-side movement if it is flat at static height but sometimes packaging prevents that.

subscribed! Nice job so far bro keep it up.

Wow! Nice job man. Keep up the good work. :beer:

Bringing back up my thread. I have made some changes, and been wheeling it. I got tired of the limited rear up travel, A friend of mine and I cut the chevy frame off behind the cab. capped the frame, and a friend of mine and I tubed up the rear using 2" tubing. After some issues with another coilover manufacture, I went with Fox 2x16 coilovers.

I am horrible at taking pictures of the rig, I had to change the front windshield out after some slight damage. Have to watch out for those low lying tree roots.. I went with a percy's speedglass windshield, it will make it for 1 more season before I can't see out of it.

Next up on the list of mods, is rear steer. I am currently trying to figure out what axle shafts that I want to run. Not having the best of luck finding u joint style, and when i do, they usually seem to be running around 500 for a pair. 16 spline OEM alloys are not really that much more and I don't have to worry about breaking them. I got a smoking deal on a steering axle. For the rear steer controls, I am torn between joystick, and PSC rear steer valve.

A side shot of the rig, with my nephews.