The Hornet. 96 S-10 2wd to 4wd

I have had Josh's transmission service in Monroe (I think that is where they were) build a couple 700r4s for me. He was real reasonable and both went behind high horsepower muscle cars (450+ hp, one a big block chevelle). He was even less than what you were quoted, has a year warranty and we haven't had an issue with any of them. Just FYI.

Project is coming along nicely!
 
Nice work so far!

Not sure what you want to run for a trans but I have a 700r4 in my garage. Was adapted to a 500+ hp 351W in a Bronco project I bought a while back. Trans is supposed to be fully built. Truck was never run and I bought it without the motor. PM me if you're interested.
 
Nice work so far!

Not sure what you want to run for a trans but I have a 700r4 in my garage. Was adapted to a 500+ hp 351W in a Bronco project I bought a while back. Trans is supposed to be fully built. Truck was never run and I bought it without the motor. PM me if you're interested.

The truck already has a 4L60E in it and that's what I bought an adapter and shaft to fit. It's virtually the same transmission with the exception of requiring a computer signal to shift. It'll hold the same HP ratings as the 700R4.
 
I have had Josh's transmission service in Monroe (I think that is where they were) build a couple 700r4s for me. He was real reasonable and both went behind high horsepower muscle cars (450+ hp, one a big block chevelle). He was even less than what you were quoted, has a year warranty and we haven't had an issue with any of them. Just FYI.

Project is coming along nicely!

I'll look them up and get a quote. I'm sure they'll be closer to the same price by the time I tell them how I won't it built. Corvette servo's, V8 clutch packs... starts to add into the price. There ain't a small block in front of it now, but there might be one day. Might as well build it right the first time.
 
4L60E Rear.JPG

Can't believe it's been 6 months since I updated this, but here goes, I'll try to get caught up. Had the transmission rebuilt by Shelby Transmission Specialists. They've built a few for my family in the hotrod category so a 4X4 V6 shouldn't be a challenge. V8 clutch packs, corvette servo's and the 400M billet output shaft.
 
Atlas Floor Pan.JPG

Cut a giant hole in the floor. There goes my bucket seats! I picked up a pretty nice bench seat that doesn't require those inside posts.
 
Atlas Installed Undercarriage.JPG

After at least 7 times up and down with a Harbor Freight trans jack, I finally got her installed. I'm choosing the flattest clock position which keeps everything tucked in safe between the frame rails, but causes me tons of problems later when it comes time for a front drive shaft. You'll see.
 
Atlas Installed with Crossmember.JPG

This is the first crossmember I built using the original crossmember pieces. Ugly, but will hold it all in place until I can build another.
 
Crossmember Old VS New.JPG

Out with the old and in with the new. Using all Grade 8 bolts and 2 Energy Suspension end link bushings in place of the original Transmission mount.
 
Crossmember New Installed.JPG
 
Crossmember New Bushings.JPG
 
Scott Rod Fab door panels.JPG

Couldn't stand the fancy door panels with power everything. One window wouldn't go down and the other wouldn't go up. Half a day at the local U-pull It and I brought home everything to convert to old school cranks. Picked up these snazzy aluminum door panels from Scott Rod Fab. Definitely gonna be easier to keep clean. I just hope they last a long time because I don't ever wanna drill out those rivets to fix anything.
 
Rock Rail Legs.JPG

Finally got back around to installing the rock rails I built.
 
Rock Rail Legs Welded.JPG

My welding is slowly improving, but only when I'm in the perfect position. The weld to the frame is definitely not this pretty. Neither is the weld tying the body to the slider.
 
Rock Rail Welded to Body.JPG

Welded front to back, in small 2 inch increments, so I didn't warp anything. Finally had to come off of autoset on my Millermatic. The chart on the door gave me a much cleaner weld without popping holes in the sheet metal.
 
Rock Rail Finished Product.JPG

Because my OCD is beyond help, I ran a bead of silicone across the entire weld to "smooth" it up. Painted the whole thing gloss black.
 
Driveshafts.JPG

Shiny new driveshafts were built by Carolina Driveline
 
Rear Driveshaft Mocked Up 1.JPG
 
Rear Driveshaft Mocked Up 2.JPG
 
For a chevy this thing is nice. Digging the bed.
I'll take that as a compliment. Trying to stay off my soapbox, but at least it ain't a Jeep! Jeep's are awesome, but a dime a dozen.
 
Front Driveshaft Like A Glove.JPG

Here's the view through the floor board down the front driveshaft. I couldn't believe the fit. I actually thought GOD himself looked down and said "I'll allow it".
 
Front Driveshaft PROBLEM.JPG

Then I got out and looked underneath. PROBLEM!! My front shaft is at its maximum angle sitting at ride height. I have to admit that the boys at Carolina Driveline warned me about this and I told them to build it anyway. I absolutely refuse to clock my case down. The app on my phone measures that thing at 38 degrees. Long story short, I wanted to do a hi pinion front diff anyway. Now I get to. After hauling the truck down to Carolina Driveline for some extra special measuring, they're pretty sure that a hi pinion diff combined with swapping to a pinion yoke on the case will afford me enough travel with my leaf springs. Worst case scenario, I'll have to limit the droop on the passenger side.
 
Hi Pinion Diff.JPG

So here's all the pieces and parts I got from Trail Gear. Hi Pinion housing, solid pinion spacer, and master install kit. They didn't offer my gear ratio.
 
Back
Top