2001 Chevy S10 Solid Axle Swap with 1-Tons on 40" Nitto Mud Grapplers | Inside Line

On this Inside Line we’re taking a deep dive into our senior Off-Road Editor Ali Mansour’s 2001 Chevy S10 crew cab. It’s been a labor of love and was executed to perfection by Low Range 4x4 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Sit back and enjoy the details and history of the super neat midsized truck.
00:00 Intro
01:13 Why I built an S10 Crew Cab
02:14 Low Range 4x4 Wilmington, North Carolina
02:58 Powertrain
04:03 On-road driving
05:13 Atlas 4spd Transfer Case
07:55 JE Reel Driveshafts
08:07 14-bolt rear axle
08:30 Ford Super Duty Dana 60 front axle
09:12 Solid axle swap front suspension
11:26 Steering
12:19 Linked and Coilover rear suspension
13:22 Sheetmetal trimming
14:41 Bumpers and sliders
16:52 Fuel cell
17:37 40x13.50R17 Nitto Mud Grapplers on 17-inch KMC Beadlocks
19:11 Wrap up
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[@bronco3513689]

Sick build, Ali. I dig it and you and Kelly keep turning out some wild rigs. Haters are just mad their S10 is still sitting on cinder blocks in their front lawn.

[@DrivingLine]

😂 Thank you!

[@lucasshea3811]

What an absolute unit !!! So sick

[@nedaCFilms]

I’ve always liked this platform. I have a ‘99 Blazer that at some point will get a 6” lift, tires and few off road accessories. A toy to trail, mud and snow play. Love what you’ve done with this one.

[@SterlingRobertson]

Installing a 6in lift on my 96 Blazer and full LS swap as well. 4wd still too.

[@connorbasile]

Awesome build! Having something like this for “fun” and the Maverick you have as a “daily” would be a sweet set up for anyone.

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you! It’s fun to park them next to each other.

[@j_mars_cars]

I’ve seen this truck on so many google searches, great to finally see it on KZbin!

[@davidbrand6204]

Killer build man.

[@4wdtennessee459]

The right chip or tune and that 4.3 will feel like a v8

[@jonmullins9691]

That thing is awesome!

[@adventuresbyknight9348]

Awesome Build!

[@DrivingLine]

Thanks dude!

[@nicholascooper1193]

Crazy that a vehicle with an OD trans a 4spd case has a (relatively) short front driveshaft. Really highlights the super-forward drivetrain position.

[@LTUSATV]

Ali that S10 looks like a life size RC toy truck, I love the trimmed wheel wells and how the front door and rear of cab are parts of the wheel wells, very well executed!

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you!

[@brainyhead1]

Very cool build!

[@DrivingLine]

Thanks Jared!

[@jasonlovell3934]

I thought I remembered that truck from the magazine days but must’ve confused it with another build. Great setup and would be interesting video to compare it to your gladiator on 40’s.

[@DrivingLine]

I documented a good portion of the build for Four Wheeler Magazine. It was never an “official” magazine project vehicle, but that’s where you probably saw it. It’s wild how similar yet radically different the Gladiator is from the S10. I can still toss the keys to the Gladiator to my wife to drive to work. The S10 she won’t touch. 🤣

[@j_mars_cars]

@@DrivingLine yes I knew I saw it in four wheeler or Petersens 4wheel and off road(rest in peace)

[@DennisRobert1]

​@@DrivingLine haha i my wife wouldn't drive anything on 40's

[@victorbrasseur7687]

I liked your Ranger build for it's simplicity and budget mindedness. The rebuild was even better. I loved watching this build even more. This thing has an awesome look to it

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you!

[@ashtonmariefranklin725]

You can easily bump up 40 more HP out of the 4.3L with an easy cam swap. Easy performance mods can make a huge difference in the drive ability . If you remove the restriction plate from throttle body butterfly, and have TB ported to a 75mm straight thru it will pickup a few ponies. And removing the mechanical fan clutch and converting to electric fans will greatly free up performance. Get an HP tuner module and dial in the EFI tune and ign adv. To really wake up the stock power plant. I has an 04 crewcab zr5 s10 also planning building it for 38" tires, I just Love the crewcab models because they are more rare than the regular and extended cab models.

[@DrivingLine]

That’s good info! Thank you. I looked briefly into engine mods a few years ago, but it sounds like I should revisit what’s available. Another 40 horsepower would be nice to have.

[@ashtonmariefranklin725]

@@DrivingLine yeah I forget the cam part number, But it's a comp cam. Contact them and tell them you has computer controlled EFI. Balance shaft, hydraulic roller. The cam they should recommend will increase low end and midrange power right where u want it. And works with stock efi tune. But tuning with hp tuners will enhance the overall performance and fuel economy. I also have JBA headers, magnaflow Y-pipe and a custom cat-back with a blackwidow venom series muffler. Sounds mellow not raspy and definitely impressive performance gains. I'm looking at doing 14bolt rear also with a D60 High pinion from a early to mid 90's F350 5.13 gears for 38" tires. Slowly getting everything collected for my crewcab s10 build.

[@joshlipford1987]

Low range is a group of cool guys

[@joshslackslack8115]

Cool s10 truck I'm from Four oaks NC I'm in the process of building a 91 S10 regular cad long bed 4x4

[@DrivingLine]

Nice! Small world.

[@davemurray8421]

What a great build! Knowing what I know now, your build makes me wish I'd saved my Dad's S15 Jimmy. If I ever find it, I'll be contacting you lol. Love your builds. Keep the content coming!

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you.

[@GGavel]

Very nice build. I remember this coming out in 4Wheeler when I was in the middle of my build. I have an '04 S10 Crew that has been built very similar. I also have a late model 14B rear (5.13s and ARB) but went with an early Ford King Pin D60 "Sno Fighter" (5.13 and ARB). I needed to use the Sno Fighter because I am running leaves front and rear and needed the additional pumpkin offset of the Sno Fighter for the narrower front leaf mounts. I went with an L79 6.0L out of a '14 Isuzu NPR (same engine in the 2500/3500). That mates to a 4L60E and also an Atlas 4 speed (2.72:1 crawler and 2:1 case). I have a PSC box and pump with a 1.75" dia x 8" stroke ram for steering. I moved the rear axle back 6" by maintaining the front spring mount but using FS Chevy 63" leaves. Since these were 12" longer than the stock S10, it effectively moved the rear axle back by 6". To accommodate the axle move, I cut the rear wheel well in half, moved it back 12" and welded in 12" of sheet metal to fill that gap. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I still have a nice usable box and the best departure angle I can get with leaves. I also am running 40s (Milestar Patagonia MTs) and can attest to the front sheet metal clearance challenges. I'd love to chat with you about yours.

[@DrivingLine]

That sound awesome! Shoot me a message on Instagram if you have an account. Mine is @ali_mansour_editor

[@theunknown3081]

I absolutely love the build. I am currently building a 92 single cab standard bed with a similar setup. Still debating on leaf springs or coils tho. The price difference is the hard part to factor in.

[@DrivingLine]

Thanks. I have a friend with a S-10 similar to mine on leaf springs. It works well.

[@Dylan-ff4vs]

Nice truck! Pretty sure I've seen you in Uwharrie or maybe on the beach near Freeman Park. Now I want another s10

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you!

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

Thanks for the video, really cool S10, I really like your second rendition of the Ranger, looking at doing one just like that on 37's with a Cummins R2.8, is there a build story on the Ranger somewhere?

[@DrivingLine]

Yes. I documented the build for 4-Wheel and Off-road magazine. Just Google “Ranger Rehash Motor Trend) and all of the articles should come up. Here’s part one www.motortrend.com/how-to/131-1203-ford-ranger-rehash-part-1/amp/

[@akilla4reala669]

Would you ever consider selling this truck to a fellow North Carolinian? I promise, it will be put to good use. Certainly would do the V/8 swap. Very cool truck! 👌

[@DrivingLine]

I haven’t really considered selling it. I’ve had a few people throw me offers, but I’m not sure I’m ready to part with it.

[@akilla4reala669]

@@DrivingLine can’t blame you, it’s pretty badass. I’ve gotten rid of a lot of vehicles I wished I still had. Might see you at Uwharrie one day. Stay safe ✌️

[@luvnher87]

This makes me want to do my 4wd 4dr S10🔥 this or overland it

[@chrislarsen1033]

You had me at Grandma had one… please say hi toKelly next time you see him.

[@DrivingLine]

Will do!

[@TheyKaulMeDanny]

I just bought a 2001 S-10 in white. Aftermarket rims, tires, and I believe suspension. Could use a bit of a lift cause the wheels are too big for the wheel well. I’m experiencing an issue with the vacuum actuator according to forums though. The car makes a roaring sound occasionally when decelerating or switching to 4wd. Have you experienced this at all??

[@DrivingLine]

Definitely sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Those vacuum hoses get brittle over time and just need to be replaced. You can get hose from your local auto parts store. It’s a little labor intensive, but not a hard job.

[@TheyKaulMeDanny]

@@DrivingLine I brought it to my family mechanic and told him what I thought it was. Hopefully he can take care of that for me. Thank you!

[@mblake0420]

They make super chargers for that....used to anyway

[@DrivingLine]

At one point, I strongly consider going with a turbo upgrade. However, I think I would struggle with keeping it cool.

[@dakotareyburn9524]

How does steering work? Doesn’t a tj have a rearward facing pitman arm?

[@DrivingLine]

Steering is a forward swing box made from PSC Motorsports. It's basically a TJ box with a reverse gear so it can be forward swing.

[@jamieround2072]

price for the stock crew cab zr2 / zr5 S-10 RIG......YEA WE ALL KNOW THE SMALL WINDOW OF TIME THESE WERE ALL MADE IN....... SO HOW MUCH DID ALL THE WORK COST YA & DID THE SHOPS U MENTIONED IN HERE ALL DO THE WORK'S...... DID U DO ANY TO SAVE MONEY OR TIME OR NO...... WHAT DID ALL THAT COST PART'S WISE & FABBING TIME & SETTING IT ALL UP GOING ON WHAT ROUGHLY 2 GREAT YRS., ON IT SO FAR & STILL ROLLING & CRAWLING AS WELL........... & OHHH YEA & HOW LONG IN TIME TOOOOOOOOOOO..........???????

[@VaanillaGorilla]

What year suburban master brake cylinder? In low range, I'm having issues with driving through my brake pedal on my s10.

[@DrivingLine]

A late-'80s Suburban. The part number from Duralast is #NM1873

[@VaanillaGorilla]

Cool. I shall get one in order. Man, I remember seeing the beginning of this build in an issue of Patterson's off-road mag years ago. Good work!

[@DrivingLine]

Thank you!

[@grandinfinite5921]

I have his brother.

[@marcoss4563]

could you please share the model of the steering box ?

[@DrivingLine]

It’s from PSC Motorsports. They made a custom box for me. It’s essentially a gear box for a Jeep Wrangler TJ with a reverse gear so I can run a forward swing pitman arm.

[@marcoss4563]

@@DrivingLine thank you !

[@thomass9095]

Sounds like u didn't even really use the lj lift kit

[@DrivingLine]

I just used the parts I ordered. At the time I got the kit (almost five years ago) you could order just the arms and weld-on axle mounts.

[@merrittmcdowell8675]

Sounds like about 50k in work and parts lol

[@brycelovell6984]

So you had someone else build it for you…

[@DrivingLine]

I worked along side Low Range for every step of this build. (Who do you think was filming it all?) However, they absolutely deserve the credit for putting in a tremendous amount the work. I didn't build this truck with Low Range because I'm not capable. I built it with them to showcase what they are capable of. At the time this was built, I was documenting it for Four Wheeler magazine. It benefits more people to showcase a shop that can handle this sort of project versus me just showing what I can do. I've been building trucks for over 20 years. But, I have no issue teaming up with great shops to build unique projects.

[@ConTheDon187]

This is not a poor mans swap hahahaha

[@beaumont9072]

America 🇺🇸 💪🏼🤙🏼🔧🔩

[@Dirty-D]

The ranger is cooler.

[@DrivingLine]

I still like the Ranger, but regular cabs don’t cut it these days.