Wrecked 91 Syclone! Please help.

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mackmazda

Guest
Hello Evrybody..first let me tell you that i am the owner of a 1 month old syclone with 49k original miles (Paid 15,200) on it then my nephiew took the truck for a joy ride last week and smashed it into two trees.. !@#$%^&*!!

Anyway i only had liability insurance ..and .... well you know the rest.
The car was hit in the drivers side front on an angle on not in front.
The drivers side wheel cracked, pushed fender in, bend the door and bent the cab, windshield, dash, hood, ABS unit, crunched..yes was hit hard. But still runs.Bed is fine. The big concern is the front suspension. I took the brunt of the hit.

I will put it up on stands this weekend, go over the damage and mesure the frame points, I also have access to a Caroliner frame machine.

I really would like to fix it so i dont have to swap bed, drivtrain harness etc into an s10 or sanoma..but it if the frame does not line up it will lead to feuture driveline problems so the "clone" may be my only option. here are some questions for the gurus.

My questions are..
If the frame is beyond repair, what chassis is best to use for replacement?
(1) 82-93 S10 2WD?
(2) 82-93 Sanoma ?
(3) 4WD or 2WD ?
(4) I know the CAB, fenders, hood, are all interchangable..but is there anything else that i should look for?

Thanks all...i will keep everybody in on the progress.
Oh i forgot to mention that i purchased this car in CALI and had it shipped to the east coast...My neph is lucky that i am a christian man..
 
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Boosted

New member
:eek: Damn that sucks.
Some of the pros will clarify what I might miss.
to my understanding, 4wd chassis is the basis. I have read about swaps off all the good stuff over to 4wd chassis. The basic sheetmetal is interchangeable with s-10 or sonoma. I would get signed up to receive LMC trucks catalog, as it sounds like it will be invaluable in this repair.
Cladding is going to be harder to find. Get to know the board well. There is usually used pieces around, or there is a supplier that offers a complete setup in fiberglass. Someone help me out here.
IMO i would see if the cab is not salvageable. They Vin is of major concern as identifier. If you end up with s10 cab and vin could hurt resale value down the road. To some its important, to some its not.
I search and ask for pics of wrecked applications, and use them as motivation to save this rare and valuable truck.
 
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piercedjd

New member
grab the oldest stock paint 4x4 you can buy, leave the cladding off, leave the body and paint stock, and swap everything underneath it and enjoy your sleeper status. :D
 
M

mackmazda

Guest
So..if i have to swap the frame then i have to use a
Short bed 4x4 82-92 ? ???????
Just want to be clear about this!

I know that i will loose the Syclone vins if i use a s10 cab but the sy cab is not fixable and i plan too keep the truck.

I am concerned with the frame and unibody (shhetmetal) for now.
I will worry about the cladding later or as i go along.
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Do you have pics of cab. That will be helpful.

You may be amazed what a good bodyman can do to a cab. I know my ty was what looked like junk, until a good friend told me how to fix it. 4hrs later was in great shape again.

Your frame listed is correct 4x4 standard cab.

Guess the nephew isn't on your good nephew list anymore?
 
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Crazy J

New member
mackmazda said:
So..if i have to swap the frame then i have to use a
Short bed 4x4 82-92 ? ???????
Click to expand...
try to get an '88-'93, starting in '88 they changed things a little for the 4.3. an older truck will work fine (everything mounts the same) but a newer one will make things a little easier.
 
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Brack

New member
Save your cab if at all possible. A good frame man can make a few pulls and usually have the cab back to pretty good shape and then of course replace what ever sheet metal is needed. The frame may also be repaired if needed--just make sure you get someone that will do a neat job.
 
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Brack

New member
Save your cab if at all possible. A good frame man can make a few pulls and usually have the cab back to pretty good shape and then of course replace what ever sheet metal is needed. The frame may also be repaired if needed--just make sure you get someone that will do a neat job.
 
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mackmazda

Guest
frame

frame

"A good frame man can make a few pulls and usually have the cab back to pretty good shape and then of course replace what ever sheet metal is needed"

..Yes..that is true but since a sy is a4x4 there are more frame points as i see in the caroliner data sheeps that are of concern as apose to a 2wd.
Therefor if the frame is left even a hairline off from the OEM mesurments, that will cause issues down the road with Ujoints, tire alighnment, axles bearings, and even tcase...

I worked on a kansasjack frame machine and caroliner for 8 years and have first hand experince with chassis. ..GM has made streess points and crumple zones in most frames from 74 and up..They will kink in the most obscure areas purposely for crash hit absorbtion thus making it very dificult to pull and straiten.

Ever notice that the crash derby guys like to use cars that did not have the manatory crumple zone, usually cars pre 74 or 73..i think..
 
Syborg Twin Turbo

Syborg Twin Turbo

Syborg Twin Turbo
Couple of points:

1. You need to cut out the shifter assmembly off the floor and install it in your new cab.

2. You will need the trans crossmember from your syclone it's different then a stock 4 x 4 crossmember (a little shorter)

3. If you want an actuall syclone chassis i know where there is one, i just need to ask him if he want's to sell it.

4. You can have a State Official witness you removing the vin plate and have them re-install the vin plate on the new cab.

5. Make sure you remove the RPO sticker out of the glove box (2nd chassis body ID)

6. Cut the section of the frame (i think drivers side rear frame rail) where the vin is stampped into it. (3rd chassis body ID)

7. Copy the marking on your firewall onto your new cab (4th chassis body ID)

8. Since your truck is such low mileage it most likely has all of the original equipment on the chassis. If you can't find all of the ID numbers on the trans, transfer case and engine they shoot me a private e-mail and i will give them to you so you can retag or rebadge your truck.

9. Brand New OEM Cladding ( Ihave these parts )
- front fender arch - $250.00 plus shipping
- Syclone Door Cladding - $250.00 plus shipping (almost all gone)
- Front of Bed - $175.00 plus shipping
- Eyebrow - $100.00 plus shipping
- Back of Bed - $200.00 plus shipping

10. Fiberglass Cladding
- All pieces are avialable except the Eyebrow

11. Front Steel Bumber Support
- Might be able to get you one

12. Rear Steel Bumber Support
- Have to find one use

I think that's it
 
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93ty475

Donating Member
mackmazda said:
So..if i have to swap the frame then i have to use a
Short bed 4x4 82-92 ? ???????
Just want to be clear about this!
Click to expand...

i swapped my wrecked typhoon frame with a 1984 model frame IIRC...it was in perfect shape and cost me 200.00 at a yard local to me...the front swaybar was definitely a different setup from the 1993...the mounting holes were in a completely different location...also the brackets that hold the front bumper support were different...the ones that are at the end of the front of the frame...i think the syty ones might be welded on whereas the one on the older frame were bolt on...also there's a frame crossmember located about midway down the frame that must be removed and replaced if you use an older frame...as someone already mentioned, try to get a newer frame if possible...i'm not sure if all these differences apply to sy's however...but i am sure that there is alot of work involved in a frame swap, but don't let it discourage you...also you can catch alot of little stuff while its all apart...
 
S

Sy769

Donating Member
Try to save the truck. As Marty said you can swap the cab if neccesary and keep the syty vin. After all the cab is only sheetmetal like the front cap, bed etc.


Good luck and you can do it cheaper than you think by buying another S series with a bad or no drivetrain but good sheetmetal
 
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mackmazda

Guest
Yes..i will try to save the truck (OEM)..but i have not even removed one screw yet...

But as i see it in the driveway everyday i get really MAD!!!!!
But only god knows why i did not get to use it any longer..it was his will...chances are i could have ended up dead in it.

But just out of curiosity.. Is there someone on this board that would be interested in the truck if i do not want to fix it?
Let me reiterate the condition..

50k original miles..ran and drove mint.
I paid 15k about 3 months ago?

I have been really thinking about it??? But please before my ISP dumps my email address for the overflow of emails this is just a qustion?

????????
 
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