1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC 348/powerglide
 

Well, since its another new truck I figured its time to start a build thread for it. Will start with the pics I received from a forum member with a line on a possible 63 short fleet with the big back window.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

So I got some contact info as to where the truck was and talked with the owner. Set up a date to go pick up the truck a month down the road.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Took a trailer, bunch of tools, 4 good tires/rims and two buddies with to help load.

Got the new rims and tires on the frame and got the frame positioned to load the cab.

Guy said it was heading to the crusher if we hadn't showed up. After 2 hours and a bed/cab back on the truck w/good tires and he wanted to buy it back. He had 4 very nice 58 chevy projects going on.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Took the late model buick power seats out and left them for the mans scrap pile. Got the cab loaded up and then rolled the frame on the trailer. Then picked up the bed and loaded it on the frame. I took all the cab bushings and bolts with me as well as the bed, so just used the factory mounting locations and bolted everything back down. We placed the front end parts in the back of the tow rig and the hood in the bed of the 63.

The front bed support wasn't in place in these pics. It will need replaced, so just bolted the bed down and rolled with it.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Spent a few hours on Sunday and gutted all the non-essential wires that have been added over the years. And the house carpet was 2nd to go. Cab repair is actually minor. Will need the intermediate floor and maybe an outer rocker and a cab corner on the driver side. Inner cab corner on the passenger side and lower inner door skins on both sides. Dash will need an obvious patch panel and about 15 holes filled in misc places. All the main harness is unmolested, they just added tons of extra crap tucked in under fuses. Put some correct handles on and got rid of the Ford handles someone installed. Tossed in an ashtray that wasn't broken....has a small ding there too. Other than that its pretty straight. All cab glass is good minus the back glass. Will need new seals all the way around.

Also pictured is the retrieval team. Colton, myself and Austin (Bluebomber).

Was the 1st time I saw a previous owner use a radiator hose for the heater ducting....that probably cost more than the new ducting would have......??????

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

This pic should go in the "gotta love some PO's because" I guess he didn't get the floor shifter correct the first time. Good thing is the cab portion is good, just needs massaged back. I will look for a replacement trans cover.

Truck was originally dark green w/fawn interior. 230 6cyl and 3 speed column shift. Pretty base model truck with the only option being the big back window. Got the cab and front end pressure washed yesterday. The last pic is the worst damage on the truck...which makes some people cringe....but this isn't bad for NC. All the structural supports are solid. Most of this damage was due to several layers of wet carpet laying in the cab. It looked like a high hump until it was all removed.

And yep.....another Baltimore truck.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

And got a little bit more work done yesterday. Just hanging some sheet metal so I can get a bolt count on what I have/need and what sheet metal I have.

The back bed panel needs replaced as does the tailgate. They are both there, but far more damage than I want to deal with. Bed sides are nice and straight. Wood floor is gone and metal has been installed, but all crossmembers are there. 2 supports will need replaced. All cab supports are solid as is the front end sheet metal. Cab pillers and roof look good, so for $500, $75 trailer rental and $80 in fuel we have a new 63 in the family herd.

Really don't have a direction on it yet. Just want to reassemble to make it a complete truck for now. At some point it will all need disassembled to take care of the frame which is solid, just covered in surface rust. Has a great patina, but eventually it'll be repainted too. Put a 67 bench seat I had in it for now. Something to sit on to finish cleaning up the interior. I have a grill support, radiator support and a grill. And quite a few extra parts still in the bed. Will need back bumper and brackets. Will also need a battery tray, back bed panel and tailgate. Rest should be covered.

Starting to look more like a truck now.......no engine & trans....but that's no issue. Probably did me a favor.

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

I'm in...:mm:

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Thanks Ta2Don. Its my first fleetside and bbw truck. I didn't realize how much of a different feel the large back glass was. My fiancee even asked if the cab was bigger. Anyways....I think it'll be a cool little truck. Just have to figure out what to do with it. Factory, maybe a little hot rod....resto-mod? I figure the truck will pick its own personality eventually.

We took tons more pics, so I'll try and fill in the gaps as they load.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Great to see another one saved from the crusher. Looks good all together.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Yeah, much better than a yard full of parts. And glad to see it not get crushed.

Heres the 505A Woodland green paint chip....the original color

Re: 1963 c-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

*cough* fiance *cough* :lol:

Heres a few more pictures I've got for the '63. What Jon forgot to mention was that the truck tried to get away from us going down the road. He saw something flapping so we pulled over to check it out... The only strap holding the truck onto the trailer was the one on the bed... Talk about a CLOSE CALL!!!




http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...psa1g1a6dt.jpg


http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...psucc8vfr1.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...psuszvj0er.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...psdgq8u6dv.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...psqrrdnz6w.jpg

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Ahhh yes....the trailer incident. While coming up on N US 1, I saw a strap a little loose. Pulled off to the shoulder and both front tire hold down were completely off. All straps were double checked by 3 people. Tires were within uhaul limits of under 30", which the 235/75R15 are only 28.5" and we were within weight limits. Anyways, got the tires retied down and added 30' of 3/8" logging chain and a binder for added piece of mind. What an adventure.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

great build .. cant wait to see what it ends up looking like...

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Thanks, me too....just have to figure out which direction to go 1st. Then wait patiently while the other 63 gets painted & new motor/trans. Should be able to start this year.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Good to see you are putting another on the road and not rusting away. I never had a big window fleet size and would love to have one. For some reason they seem to be hard to find here in Texas. I think it's going to look cool in the woodland green when finished. If that is your plan. I haven't seen many in that color redone. Good luck and great find!

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Haven't decided on the color yet, but its the original color of this truck. Figure I have time to figure that all out. It actually has a really straight body with very little rust repair other than all the obvious surface rust. Only appears to be painted twice. Back bed panel and tailgate will have to re replaced along with one bed support, but cab is good minus cab corners (1 side) and the immediate floor. Out rockers and inner still look good as do the cab supports. I'm sure like most of them I'll find more as I go.

At least its safe from the crusher, and if I were to change directions from a fleetside it shouldn't be hard to find a new home, but its really growing on the family, so it'll be around for awhile.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Nice save !! :metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Thanks McMurphy.....just doing my part to save the planet!!! haha

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Haha right. That would look really good on bags or on some all terrain tires could go up or down with that truck ;)

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Would make a cool little 4x4 also Austin.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Great you saved this one, look like a complete truck after it was reassembled, and 63 is my favorite year the bbw gives you a 360 view, when I take the dog with me for a cruise it's funny to see his head spinning around.:bo2:

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Made my head spin the 1st time I sat in it. So use to the small back glass

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Only parts that didn't come with the truck was the radiator support, core support, grill and back bumper. I had some better front fenders/inner fenders so I put them on. They still need lower patches. Other than that pretty complete. Some minor bed parts needed, most I have located and need a tailgate and rear bed panel. Did come with 3 extra panels that sit in front of the windshield and an extra driver side fender.

I'll see what I can do with the steel grill on my other 63 since I have an aluminum grill for that truck. Steel grills pop up fairly often though. Main cab harness and front to back bed harness are there, the rest are gone, but no biggie.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Finally got a chance to check in…Glad you didn't lose it on the road...:metal:
Gotta say I am a bit envious… I'm looking for a BBW Fleet and found one not too far away, just gotta get the guy to come off the price a bit...:waah:

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Yeah, you and me both. Thankfully I brought logging chain and binders...and lessoned learned to not use uhaul straps. I told the manager they need to replace both ratchets. I could go out there and pull the straps free by hand.

Hopefully you can work out a deal on the one near you too!!

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

This looks like its going to be a Great build! Sweet score!

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Thanks. Will be next in line....gotta finish the other 63 1st. But I'm sure I'll find myself turning wrenches on both at the same time.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Nice! Must be cool to look out your window and see 2 '63 short beds!

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Oh yeah...love walking out in the morning and seeing them both there!!

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

I have a '63 short bed but the cab is twisted in the driver side door. If I could fix it I would. I would like to have a knee knocker but I would also have to have a lot better doors.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Would a cab swap fix your issues....maybe just swap Vin tags? How bad is the cab twisted? Any pics

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

no pics right now. The door jamb is pushed up and in at the front bottom and twisted inward. I have a rough '63 GMC cab I could probably get some parts off of but it is beyond my skills to cut all this out and put it back in where it will work. The drivers door was toast and has been scrapped. The passenger door is fixable. I have extra sheet metal also. No title but I think I might be able to get it. I need to run the numbers because the po wrecked it prior to tranfering and lost the title during the wreck.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Yeah, I'd get the title process done before any work/time on it. I'm waiting on NC now and could take 2-6 weeks from what DMV tells me. You'd be surprised with a little practice what you could get done with a welder. Tons of help, threads and literature on this forum to get you through it. Or maybe even enlist some help from a local forum member. I know I've dealt with probably over a hundred on parts and quite a few in person. All have been great people and a few have come here to assist me also. Bluebomber came down from Cary last week...over an hours drive to ride another 2 hrs into SC to go pick up the newest 63...great member and friend for quite a few years. And he got drug to the circus when I took my 5yr old niece the night before we left.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Anybody ever seen one of these tags before? I found it on the driver side upper cross shaft. Its an aluminum tag and says CHEVROLET. I'll try and clean it up on the back side and see if theres anything else stamped on it. I've just never seen one before. My guess is maybe an assembly line tag that's normally removed? But purely just a guess. Any help is appreciated

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Talked with a forum member who worked the assembly lines....he says its a quality control tag placed on by the assembly line. Says they are just normally removed or fall off at some point.

I know a tag is minor, but kinda cool that its still there 51 years later.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Maybe minor, but very cool...:metal:

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

I'll take it off when we get to the point of restoration and it'll go with the trucks documentation. I'll get some better pics when I take the front end back off in a few weeks and try and clean it up some.

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

Boy am I jealous! LOL! Nice truck! Looks like a good one to put your 230 in if I may give the suggestion...or heck...maybe a cummins swap..:metal::chevy:

Re: 1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC
 

The 230 will be going when when it comes out of the stepside. I just plan to replace gaskets/freeze plugs, paint and install. Its been running reliable since I've had it in 2009, so I don't see any reason to play with it now. I know the motors getting a little tired, but it'll make it a few more miles yet.