Project Mini-Rigger: Learning Stage

[Napolehahn]

As I have mentioned on the forum before, I don't have much automotive knowledge. In fact, my only experience so far is with basic mainenance. The main purpose of this thread is to request your help in finding sources to help me learn more about some of the work I want to do to my truck. What I will be needing the most help finding info on is repairing, building and rebuilding engines, suspensions, rear ends and braking systems. I am open to suggestions of books, magazines, websites or anything else that you think may help me on my quest for knowledge. (I already plan on buying the V-8 swap manual)

Keep in mind that at this point I am just trying to build a basic knowledge base to help with future mods to the truck. Luckily I learn best by just jumping into a project and figuring it out as I go, but I plan on doing enough major projects that I wan't to make sure I don't make any big mistakes that will cause costly problems.

When the time comes I will start a new thread about the planning stages of my build. For now the generic plan is as follows:

V-8 Swap
2" Body Lift
5" BDS Suspension Lift
Extend frame to accomodate Long Bed

[icemancomethe]

Here is a good site gor general info on how to do things.http://www.elabs7.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=auzw,4ryq,6on,7i5q,3szq,c9me,fiq6

[davo1028]

I'm not sure how much in-depth info on building engines, etc. is on howstuffworks (http://www.howstuffworks.com/) but they have some good articles on the basics of engines, transmissions, and suspensions.

[Rinkrat456]

When the time comes I will start a new thread about the planning stages of my build. For now the generic plan is as follows:

V-8 Swap
2" Body Lift
5" BDS Suspension Lift
Extend frame to accomodate Long Bed

Well, unfortunately I see some squiggly thinking in your list of things to do. Unfortunately for us S-truckers, our suspensions can handle either a V8 swap, OR a 7" lift with 33-35" tires, not both. If you want to keep your independent front suspension, either the V8 idea needs to go, or the lift idea needs to go. Only way to obtain both is to get a weak ass V8, or lift it with really small tires. Putting it lightly, 31's and even a weak 5.0L V8 would be maxing out the strength of stock IFS. If it were a ZR2, perhaps 33's would live a little longer with a V8, but not a 4 door, 4wd S10. I'm guessing a solid front axle conversion and 12" of lift on 35's is a little much JUST to run a V8. If not, I'm all up for helping with the planning efforts of a SAS.

Sorry if this throws a wrench into your game plan.

Only good manual I've read lately is the S10 V8 Swap manual found on this site for around $30 bucks. With LSx motors on the rise to dominance, I'll never toss a Gen I small block into an S-truck anymore, so the information is obsolete for anything I'd do, however, the concepts are still true and will help you wrap your mind around what you're getting into as far as a V8 S10 swap.

[Napolehahn]

I'm not sure how much in-depth info on building engines, etc. is on howstuffworks (http://www.howstuffworks.com/) but they have some good articles on the basics of engines, transmissions, and suspensions.

Its a good site for very basic info, unfortunately they really don't get into much detail.

[Napolehahn]

Unfortunately for us S-truckers, our suspensions can handle either a V8 swap, OR a 7" lift with 33-35" tires, not both. If you want to keep your independent front suspension, either the V8 idea needs to go, or the lift idea needs to go.

I was afraid that might be an issue, but I figure out what direction I want to go once I get to the actually planning stage. Since I plan on buying another s-truck to use as my daily while I work on mini-rigger I could always do the V-8 on it.

Only good manual I've read lately is the S10 V8 Swap manual found on this site for around $30 bucks. With LSx motors on the rise to dominance, I'll never toss a Gen I small block into an S-truck anymore, so the information is obsolete for anything I'd do, however, the concepts are still true and will help you wrap your mind around what you're getting into as far as a V8 S10 swap.

I plan on buying the manual, but for now I am looking for more generic info on just building the systems in question that could be used on any vehicle. For example; I would like to learn enough about working on engines to allow me to do a mild engine build before I even buy the powerplant for a swap.