Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

If it had been a longbed, I probably would have passed. But I couldn't pass up a short bed and a bbw fleetside. He said it was headed to the local steel mill, so I feel good that even if I don't build it, someone will and its been saved.

Now I just need a 63 burb to finish off the herd.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Your gonna have to build a bigger barn.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

It's already planned for 3 stalls.....I knew I would eventually add to the collection. I have the 2 car carport also.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Put me on the list as a possible builder...:bann:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Will do Don. I'll give you 1st dibs if I decide to go a different route and not build it. But at least it'll be saved and not crushed.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

OK, so finally caught the upholstery shop open. We had 8" of snow last week, so he was closed up. We haven't had that kind of snow in these parts in near 10 years.

Good news is my seat will be ready to pick up next Monday. So stay tuned for pics.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Glad to hear the seat will be home soon...:metal:
Warmed up here this weekend, and made a bit of progress...

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

My progress has been slow. Although my new out buildings held up just fine w/8" snow weight. Ive been working on the pass side seat rail. Almost done polishing those. Broke off 2 bolts in the floorboard removing the seat tracks from my 63, so I'll need to drill those out to remount the bench in.

If I can get the time to complete the last valve cover I'd be pretty caught up. Fixing to put the stepside down for a few weeks. Almost ready for the engine /trans swap. I'd like to have the posi installed and the rear end rebuilt 1st, so hopefully it won't be long if the weather holds. 8" snow last week and 70* on Thursday....go figure.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

It got a little hectic in Raleigh.....

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

HOLY CRAP!^^^^^^^
Nice to hear yer getting stuff done! Here in Oregon we've been getting doused with rain! Time for a mudfest in my back field! :metal::lol::chevy:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Yeah I saw that on the news Austin. My buddy lives in Raleigh and works for Time Warner Cable....said it took him 4 hours to get home. Most of those people shouldn't have been on the road anyways. Theres no way that many people had to be out.....most of them were probably just rubber-necking at the snow at got caught up in it.
Everything is lined up for Mar 1 pick up of the newest 63 to join the herd.


We've been getting our share or rain too T.J.


And 6 days until seat pick up....longest wait ever!!

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Sounds like here…Last Sunday High reached a blistering 30 F… :lol: and the High yesterday was 66 F… Stay warm and I am looking forward to seeing that seat!!!:metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Thanks Don, me too. Its been a long time in the makings and scrounging up money and parts. Looks like we'll be in the 30's here in the morning and 70's in the afternoon for at least a week, so may get a little truck work done this weekend.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Pics from the snow here last week

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Boy you sure got some snow! LOL! Least yer truck is mostly dry!

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Chilly '63!!! :metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Yeah, the truck got snow just from it coming down sideways. The hood ornament and bumper guards are great for holding snow. I went out and started it up to let it run for 15 min since the seats out of it and it hasn't been driven in a few weeks. Fired right up...

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Goal for this weekend.....get the front crossmember out of the donar 64 and degrease/paint/prep for the disk brake conversion so I can install it in the 63.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

What size disks are you going to run? And you plan on keeping the 15" rims right?

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Yes, 15" rims. They are later model 4x4 rims that will clear the calipers and still run my factory caps/ trim rings.

They are the blue rims you've seen at the house.

Why, you want to come help pull the crossmember this weekend Austin? Can always use help.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

That turned out to be a nightmare on my conversion. We quickly realized the donor front end had been in a flood and the crossmember was completely packed with rocks and mud. Took an entire day to remove all the debris.

Hopefully yours will be simple. It sure is nice to slide the complete rebuilt front suspension under the truck rather that having to do all the work under the truck. My 1975 suspension looked like this when rolled under:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/46/d7tz.jpg

I'm really looking forward to when the big block goes in.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Hope yer goal is easily carried out this week end! :chevy:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Thats right I remember you telling me. If it wasn't for the fact I'll be basking in the the sun at the beach this weekend I would've helped out. :mm:

I can help out the weekend of the '63 if it's not done by then.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Thanks Mark, the crossmember is on a bare frame, so access will be easy. Rich said it was out a year ago, so hopefully no issues with bolts coming out. I'll post pics of coarse. I'm right there with you on the big block, can't wait to see it in. Ive picked up a newer model truck so I can do what I want to on the 63. Figured the front end rebuild/ disk brakes was a good place to start. Being that I have a donar crossmember, I figured that was the route to go.

TJ....I hope it comes out this weekend also. Id like to get it in the back of the truck and take it up to a pressure washer then get it home for paint and reassembly.

Austin....I can get it out, forgot about your beach trip. Have fun and remember those of us busting knuckles and getting covered in grease while you drink cold ones by the beach. I catch you next weekend to pick up the other 63 and save the crossmember if I get rained out.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

For anyone interested....my upholster has kept up with the numbers on the upholstery if anyone is needing a 63 deluxe seat cover in the future. I plan on at least one more for the short fleetside after i'm done with the stepside. Just let me know and I can get you contact info for his shop. Hes done work for me in the past and he does excellant work. With the exception of health issues and weather, its normally a 10day turn around time. I'll have pics of mine next week. 1st blue / white 1963 deluxe seat in production......4 long days and counting.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Soak everything with penetrating oil tonight just in case :(

That's going to be nice when all painted up and ready to slide in!

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Thanks Newfisher...i was outside spraying as you were typing. Great minds huh? I'm looking forward to the front end rebuild. It'll be my 1st complete rebuild. I've done ball joints here and there and springs, but never a whole front end and I'm always willing to learn and try things (haven't gotten up the nerve to try the rearend posi conversion yet). I'll get some new grade 8 bolts for the reinstall.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

I think between the 50 years of oil leaks and grease and the recent rebuild that 64 crossmember will come out pretty easy. I was amazed during the parting out.....I was workin alone and had the truck stripped to the frame in three days with only 2 stuck bolts that hadda be fussed with. Good Southern Iron don't get rust welded together too often.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Ive been spraying it down with penetrating oil to help with the removal. Looks like 8 bolts total. Doesn't look like it'll be too bad to clean. Will take it to the local car wash to hit with a pressure washer 1st. Then home for paint and reassembly.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Good luck on your crossmember. I hope the project turns out to be easy.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

I just hope it comes out as nice as yours Mark. Thanks for the encouragement!!

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Did you install the springs with the crossmember out?

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Well, spraying down all the bolts on the donar crossmember was well worth it. Went out to take off the spindles since I won't be using them (figured it'd make moving it around alot lighter). Castle nuts backed right off. Lower came out easy, top will need a pickle fork. Can't seem to find it since the move, so I'll get another tomorrow. Loosened up the frame bolts and they turned with relative ease....so looks like it'll drop down ok tomorrow. Ran out of light, so I'm done for the night. It'll sure be nice to get my barn up so I can put some late nights in out there turning wrenches on the 63's.


3 days until seat pick up.....but who's counting right!!:metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Yep! Ya can't go wrong with lubing 45+ year old parts! LOL! I need to basically dunk mine in WD40 for a year! LOL! I'm gonna be removing some of these ol parts on mine this summer. :chevy:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

ran a wire brush over the areas i could also. got the spindles out today. wish i had more time today. the 61 frame got loaded up and sent on its way to ohio and the rest of the time was disassembling a 61 front end and shelves in the shed. got the big block out and turned it over a few times to take the weight off the springs. all the bolts are coming loose so far on the crossmember, so maybe i can get a jack under it tomorrow and drop it.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

I thought about posting a pic of my front cross like Mark did...
The #1 thing that tripped me up was forgetting the upper control arms were from an 83 and I purchased 66 ball joints, which of course were not willing to fit right.
That was the hardest lesson on hybrid building for me to learn.

Good luck on yours, in the end it isnt as formidible as you would think !! :metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

I've already communicated with 1963c-10. For everyone else's benefit - yes I rebuilt the whole crossmember out of the truck. I used an internal type coil spring compressor to manage their installation.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Thanks for the follow up Mark. I did get the spindles out and will drop the lower control arms tonight. Then finish unbolting the crossmember and it'll be ready to clean up. I'll have to get a loaner ball joint press from Advanced to remove the ball joints, but so far so good. No issues that I haven't been able to take care of with wd40 and a pickle fork.

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

Pic of where I'm at with the front crossmember

Re: 1963 C-10 in NC
 

That must be a pic of your 63? Ol John Lee the 64 was a bunch greasier than that!