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My '63 Restomod Build
Where to begin? Well, the saying third time's a charm. I've had 2 other 63s prior to this one. The first one was a short bed, big back window, custom deluxe cab with many options. Swapped a 350/700 in it and came as close as needing a drive shaft and wiring to make it a driver before life happened. Wife and I needed to move out of state and sold that one for way too cheap. :lol:
Few years went by, we had kids and you know how that goes. Couple years later we found a project 1963, super cheap. Cheap enough that we brought it home and tore it down the next day just to find out it had a bent frame. Parted that out, made some cash while holding on to a few good parts. Few more years went by. It's now been at least 12 years since the first truck. Looking back, I yearned for that same configuration. Short bed, big back window, deluxe cab. Man, you know the saying.. don't know what you got until it's gone. :lol: I was searching the web one day just to see what was out there. Really wasn't even thinking about buying yet since I was about to leave on orders. I wanted something that was a driver so we could actually enjoy it while doing things to it here and there. Then I found what we've came to call Ol' Blue. I know, very original right? It's not a short bed big back window, but it will get there. Anyway, everyone likes pictures so here they are. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/IBeVcj.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/uQOn6b.jpg Got it plated and took my oldest to the car wash https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/2AGcbK.jpg |
Re: My 1963 Build
Alright, the pictures are insanely large for some reason. Before I continue posting, I need to figure that out. Stand by for the rest.
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Our relationship with Ol' Blue didn't start so hot. 283 is reliable and starts on command, but the 4 speed wouldn't shift correctly. One day it stopped shifting all together and I took the top cover off to take a peak. This is what we saw.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/i3D1IY.jpg Not sure if you can tell, but the plastic shift interlock plate broke. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/MBhicK.jpg Upon further tear down, I concluded it was beyond my ability and took it to a transmission shop. Worst part about this, it happened the day before I left on orders. :devil: |
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While I was gone, the truck got fixed and it was back on the road, this time from what I understand the shift interlock plate was replaced with a metal piece and it should last a long time. Haven't had a problem since.
Here she is back on the road. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/A5XRxS.jpg Shortly later we got orders to move to Washington state. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/taiJUu.jpg Wife and I each drove a moving truck and towed our vehicles from Colorado. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...921/NO2OGa.jpg |
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Cleaned her up one day and took it to a car show in town.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/e5898M.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/a8nn2v.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/btb2uH.jpg This is the last picture before winter https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/QWGuqH.jpg Since winter came around, she was parked in the garage and it was time for some winter upgrades https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/50vTKd.jpg |
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Parts and tools began arriving
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/mdl865.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/UVYHGH.jpg |
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Long term goal is to have it on air suspension, convert it to a short bed, and big back window.
For now, we're going to replace the worn out drums for disc brakes, lower the truck 4.5/7 with drop spindles and 2" lowering springs up front, 5" springs and 2" drop blocks in the rear, new shocks with relocated brackets, ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, adding a sway bar, and then addressing the engine bay. |
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And so it began.. 10Mar20 marked day 1
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/uU4IiX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/c8psEi.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/GVykFv.jpg Well, that escalated quickly :eek: |
Re: My 1963 Build
Didn't take long before the first bolt decided to give me trouble :lol: :banghead:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/g319m9.jpg That guy right there. The bolt head sheared off from underneath and all that was left was the threaded part through the trailing arm. :devil::devil::devil: |
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I tried penetrating oil, torch, welded a nut to the thread on top to turn that with a wrench, chisel, air hammer.... not even going to admit how many days were spent getting it out.. lost many battles but I did win the war. It finally came out :lol:
..... with the air hammer. alot of it. lol |
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Speaking of welding, this finally gave me the last push I needed to bite the bullet and invest in a quality welder so I can pickup where I left off back in high school. 13+ years ago when I took metal shop class, I got pretty good at welding in various forms but foolishly didn't pursue it, even as a hobby..
Glad I bought this Miller, it's been fun so far and I know it will be invaluable for many future projects https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/9cfj3F.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/1BHZVh.jpg |
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Welcome!
Just a note, that background looks very very very familiar. Anyways, nice ride there sir. Not sure of your knowledge of this site or your mechanical skills, but if you have questions, make sure and ask here, lots and lots of great help!! |
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And then about two weeks ago, not sure why I waited so long, I finally got myself into a Silverado :metal:
Absolutely love it!! :chevy: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...923/z0uRq7.jpg |
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Very nice looking truck.
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Prepping the drop spindles for paint. I used VHT Caliper paint to resist corrosion and chemicals such as brake fluid/cleaner.
Neat trick I found watching youtube, if you tap the edges with a hammer, it masks a hole perfectly. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...923/2CDll5.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...924/UethRg.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/J42mSm.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...922/xRBDbY.jpg The caliper paint stated it needed a baking process for curing to give it that protective state. Fortunately, Walmart had an extra large countertop oven. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/0pOjCA.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...923/nQ6tmN.jpg |
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Then I got busy cleaning up the front end, didn't take many pictures of the grinding and cleaning but here is one of my wife helping out on the passenger side while I was taking care of the driver side! :metal: I'm a lucky man!!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...922/fhQajF.jpg Speaking of :lol: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/4V7DZV.jpg |
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Starting to put things together
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...922/h7Ml9t.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...924/gZuFzU.jpg |
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Here are some of the latest updates
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/FOLvtc.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/jbbUvY.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...922/OvXxnL.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/C0yzeV.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...922/YnT8sJ.jpg http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...923/16YVWF.jpg |
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Finally got the front end buttoned up and took it to the alignment shop to get her straightened out - pun intended ;)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/vSAfh3.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/PQHh90.jpg But first, car wash :chevy: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/hP8S9C.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/RWM6cN.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/93ItDm.jpg |
Re: My 1963 Build
Looks Good! Very clean work. Your doing a lot of good upgrades to your rig to make driving it nicer. Nice truck to start with also
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So while working on the rear, I noticed the PO had botched up the tail light wiring harness. Yesterday after finally putting wires back together, my tail lights stay on even after the truck is turned off.
Turn signals flash on the correct sides but the tail lights don't get brighter when I brake and they stay on. :crazy: I've read countless threads where people state check your grounds, so I'll do that.. but I don't think it could be a ground since they actually work, just not correctly? I think the wires might be connected wrong. To make matters worse, it doesn't appear to be the original wiring harness because the 3 wires running back are not yellow green and brown. They're purple white and black. Fun. Anyway, any guidance would be appreciated but that's what I'm going to take a look at today. |
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Alright, after analyzing the scope of how bad the rear harness was.. and not wanting an electrical hazard while cruising with the family.... we decided to order 2 new harnesses and a set of grounding straps. The first harness is the one that runs from the front of the firewall down to the inside of the frame and to the rear, as well as the harness which then connects to the tail lights and license plate light.
The previous owner cut and spliced back together the current harness countless times.. sometimes with butt connectors, other times with bare wiring wrapped around each other and covered with electrical tape :crazy: Waiting on parts.. |
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Pulled it out of the garage to tighten the bolts that secure the bed to the frame and couldn't resist taking it out for a short cruise around base
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/7x20vi.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/GddCyk.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/GUObtG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/X2Cdqn.jpg Also, just noticed I need to clean those white walls.. they're filthy! haha |
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Nice work!
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Is that really over 11" lower in the back?
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The rear has 5" CPP springs, 2" drop blocks, relocated shock brackets, CPP shocks, CPP adjustable panhard bar, and it's c-notched. Front has CPP 2.5" modular drop spindles, 2" CPP springs, CPP shocks, new upper and lower ball joints, new inner and outer tie rod ends, new idler arm, 70s lower control arm u-bolts for added strength, and CPP disc brakes. |
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Cool.
I have 5" CPP springs for mine, and 2" blocks (as well as 3", if that's not enough). 11" would be sweet! |
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It seems as though the control arms are what's hindering the frame from sitting on the ground. How far off the ground is the frame? Do you think it would be on the ground if you had aftermarket tubular control arms paired with your 2" pancaked crossmember? Or is an aftermarket front crossmember required? |
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If I had the earlier style (63-72) control arms, it -probably- would sit on the ground.
If I went to tubular control arms, I can make it sit on the ground. I have decided, that at this point, having the crossmember physically sitting on the ground is not that big a deal for me to warrant acquiring another set of control arms of whatever type. Because I am not willing to raise the bed floor more than 4", the frame rails themselves (and rocker panels) will -never- sit on the ground, so the extra effort/money is not worth it. I can spend that elsewhere. As it is, it should be a reasonable level of "cool enough." |
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double post
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Re: My '63 Restomod Build
Renamed you thread for ya. Nice truck!
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