Advanced-Design Engineering
(209) 559-9360
S10 Frame Swap
Components-TRUCK
With the recent introduction of our new frame swap kit the components are
so radically different from our earlier kits that the photos don't project an
accurate view of the kit itself or the components that the kits are comprised
of. For this reason we have removed most of the photos and expect to have
a new website up in the near future with all new photos and technical videos.
Our new kits are comprised of a bolt on lower radiator support that replaces
the bottom of the OEM core support. You will need to cut off the bottom and
bolt this piece into place. To go with this piece is a new crossmember that
bolts to the frame using factory S10 mounting points.
Next is the cab mount system that uses frame side plates that utilize factory
holes for locating. Once located against the frame all you have to do drill
some more holes using the frame side plate as a guide. Next you bolt
together the front cab mounts and running boards mounts onto the side
plates. The rear bed mount is a new crossmember design that helps square
the cab as well as locate it.
The bed crossmembers are now located using holes lasered into the frame
side plates and front bed crossmember or factory S10 mounting locations.
The rear bed mount is now a combined bed mount and rear bumper mount
designed to accept factory rear bumper brackets.
The kit as always includes a full set of instructions and all hardware
necessary to install the kit.
We will continue to update this page and the website until we are ready to
replace the site with our new one under construction. Feel free to email us
with questions.
A 4WD S10 rear axle bolted in instead of the narrower 2WD axle. A 4wd axle is five inches wider than a 2wd axle. No mod'sto the 4WD axle are required. DO NOT USE A ZR2 4wd AXLE! A ZR2 AXLE IS TOO WIDE.
This is a 2005 (Displacement on Demand) 5.3 liter engine and 4L60E trans mounted with new V8 Motor Mounts.
A couple notes to keep in mind regarding the use of an S10 frame under your AD truck.
The 2wd S10 is about five inches narrower than the AD truck. You will need to swap the (five inch wider) rear axle from a 4wd S10 into your 2wd frame to correct the rear width. This is a bolt-in and no modifications are required. Up front you will need a pair of billet wheel spacers. Not the old cheesy kind but the new billet style that bolt the spacer to the hub with one set of lug nuts and bolt the wheel to the spacer with a second set of lug nuts. These run about $80-$120 a pair.
For those who wonder if this is a good way to adapt the front, please review the June 2003 Classic Trucks article
"It's what's underneath that counts" by Brian Brennan, where GM did an S10 frame swap and used 2" billetspacers on the rear and 3" billet spacers up front with 17x11" and 16x8" wheels.
Most of our customers have been doing a 2/3 suspension drop after the installation of our kit to get the hot rod ride height and better center of gravity (CG). You can't go any lower to the frame than our kit goes without MAJOR frame modifications and a lot of sheetmetal cutting. Take a look at this customer truck for what a 2/3 suspension drop and our kit will look like.