Crewcab build
 

So today is the day that I finally decided to say "screw it", and start on my crew cab build. I've had my white '63 longbed for about a year and a half, have bagged it, built up new crossmembers, and a whole one off front suspension. I had it laying out on the ground, all the way to the rockers, and just was not happy with how the rear end was working. So....I picked up another cab, took some measurements, and here it starts! Should be about 6"-12" longer then the average longbed by the time it is finished, my goal is to have it back together around Sept this year. Enough bs, on to some pictures!
The white '63
Some rot on the lower door edges, rockers, and front fender edges.
When I first got it
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/DSC00242.jpg
Shortly after
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ckspindles.jpg
After the new front end and crossmembers
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/Photo002.jpg
This was my breaking point, I was just not happy with the sacrifices made to save the rear factory trailing arms, and it was time for a new rear clip-I just wanted more room back there!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/Photo011.jpg
So before getting drivelines, a new 4 link, etc, I decided to look for crewcab pictures. Some very generous people on here posted alot of "factory" crewcab conversions, but #1, people want too much money for these trucks, and #2, I can't take the exposed rear door hinges. So I'm building my own, the way I see that they should be built, with a door to door internal hinge.
As I picked up the parts truck last week
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/newtruck.jpg
As of today
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...bteardown1.jpg
Later on....
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...bteardown4.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...bteardown3.jpg
And the front half of the frame, laid out as always!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...bteardown2.jpg
I'll keep posting as I progress through this build, and next time, I'll bring my real camera to the shop, not my crappy phone.

Re: Crewcab build
 

This should be Cool!! I have done some crew cabs out of the 67-72 and have one scheduled for a new customer in a few months but I was toying with taking my wifes 63 and doing this as well. Are you going to stand up the B pillar on the front and rear door's like the pass side of a 67-72 burb?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Crewcab build
 

I'm going to tie into the existing slanted door filler located behind the front door. The slant of the front of the rear door will only be 1/2" or so different from top to bottom in matching the angle of the filler portion behind the front door. Shouldn't be too hard to make everthing disappear, I already lookad at the hinges and have the hidden hinges all figured out. The leading edge of the swings in slightly as it is opened, and will barely clear the latching mechanism of the front door. Sweet crewcab by the way, I already read the whole thread!

Re: Crewcab build
 

So you are going to leave the front door stock with the forward tilt? Then the rear door will be tilted tward the rear? This will give a "Y" shapped filler piece and I don't know how well that will flow.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Crewcab build
 

I was thinking about this too, but a vertical door pillar between two slanted ones would just not flow too well either. If you look at a '63 cab, the rear of the door is slanted already, and there is a filler piece behind it that almost matches the angle of the front of the door before it curves around to the rear of the cab. This is one of the only parts that I have had a hard time envisioning flowing well, but I'm open to suggestions!

Re: Crewcab build
 

I just re-read your last post, on the front of the pre 64 door, they slant forward, on the 64+ the slant back. I had another thread a while ago asking for pictures, and I see what you are talking about. The V-shaped piller is ugggly!

Re: Crewcab build
 

I just about cry everytime I see that yellow one being called a p..pp..ppp...parts truck, sorry can't hardly get the words out. Seriously, gonna be a nice build. Jerry

Re: Crewcab build
 

Me too, but it wont be too cut up too bad. It's going to be the front cab, as mine has some rust issues of the front roof area. I feell kind of bad cutting it up, but I promise the end result will be worth it!:metal:

Re: Crewcab build
 

That is really cool.. The parts truck looks to be in better shape then mine was when I got it

Re: Crewcab build
 

hey guys just gonna tho my .o2 into this, if the angle at the window itself, front and back, is fairly close why not trim the door to match and make it a suicide rear door. easier for hidden hinges maybe

Re: Crewcab build
 

That parts truck looks nicer than my not part truck.

Re: Crewcab build
 

good luck and my the force be with you...... the force is strong with this one:lol::lol: if you need any sheet metal let me know( or a bed )

Re: Crewcab build
 

Thanks Dino! Lucky for me, my shop buddy is a union sheet metal worker.......got to love the benefits of having good friends(who can TIG weld incredibly, and have a sheetmetal shop at their disposal!) I already talked to him about this, and all I have to do for him is HVAC service for life when he buys a house.

Re: Crewcab build
 

Thought about this, but I'm not satisfied with how the suicide hinges fit into the doors. I'll post some hideous paint or photoshop pics of what I'm going to do if I can. If I cut the door to match, it's time for new glass, and the doors wouldn't be symetrical. I'm waaaay picky about fit and finish(I used to install interior commercial doors for 5 years), and all the gaps have to work out right, otherwise I won't be happy. Sometimes I wish I was ok with being a hack!:lol:

Re: Crewcab build
 

Like pugs said,and you could do the pillarless thing with upper and lower latches,then you would keep the flow you need .
Like the ps you did (I commented on that one).
Gonna be COOL either way you go.
T

Re: Crewcab build
 

if you dont like aftermarket hinges what a pr off a new truck maybe something like that would fit better plus get a wider range of swing on the door

Re: Crewcab build
 

Crewcabs rock! Here's a couple pictures of my 67 and link to a 66 Crewcab that was for sale a while ago.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...197241713&rd=1

Re: Crewcab build
 

That one on ebay is nice. Here's a couple of the pics.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...53/66crew2.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...y53/66crew.jpg

Re: Crewcab build
 

i would love to have that truck. Wife keeps sayin we need a bigger truck but i dont think thats whats shes talking about lol

Re: Crewcab build
 

:lol::lol::lol: i have that same network. i am stoke about this project

Re: Crewcab build
 

there is a boneyard close to me that had a factory 3dr crewcab, i believe it was for the reailroad yrs ago, not sure if its still there. wasnt there in a yr or so

Re: Crewcab build
 

ok maybe not factory but coachbult i belive it was a 64

Re: Crewcab build
 

That black truck is nice!! Just need to get rid of the door hinges.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Crewcab build
 

:agree: Beautiful except those ugly door hinges.

Re: Crewcab build
 

Exactly, I can't take the door hinges either

Re: Crewcab build
 

new idea get my big window cab add it to you double cab,and have a crew cab extended or a sleeper:lol:chew on that a minute:lol:

Re: Crewcab build
 

No you dont !!!:lol::lol:

I think you should keep the angles of the door pillars flowing the same direction as well.....I think it would look better, as compared to that black truck.....

So when can I come by and snap some pics ??

Later

Re: Crewcab build
 

Anytime man! I'll hoping to actually get there tomorrow around 330-400ish, and ill be there until 6. You can grabe the wheels then too if you want.

Your right, I actually don't feel bad about cutting it up at all, just because I know how it's going to turn out. I was getting the itch to cut the firewall off earlier, but I have to brace the cab completely first.

I already have the doors figured out, I hope, it's going to look clean! No filler between the doors edges, the trailing edge of the front door will meet with the leading edge of the rear door. The angle of the rear of the cab(the metal flat piece after the door) is only 1/2" different top to bottom then the angle of the front of the door, so I will have a nice smooth transition between the doors:metal:

Re: Crewcab build
 

:metal:

Re: Crewcab build
 

So since work sucks and I had to stay late, I didn't get as much accomplised as I wanted to. Bought some inner bracing material, tacked it all in place, and started cutting....
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...er/cabcut4.jpg
I decided to cut slow and see how the double wall construction looks
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...er/cabcut3.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...er/cabcut2.jpg
Anyone need a window section?
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...er/cabcut1.jpg
More to come!

Re: Crewcab build
 

Do you plan on doing a "big window conversion" for the truck? or keeping it small?

Crew-cabs are cool... always wanted to do one. I have plans for a 64-66, been collecting parts for it. No time now... guess I will have to live vicariously through your build!:lol:

Curious to see how your transition comes out between the front and rear doors.

Re: Crewcab build
 

I'd like to say I chose the 60-63 because the doors will be easier to do, but I just happened to have a '63 already. I was thinking about the big window conversion, I really need to look at a big window cab to see the internal differances of the cab corners.
I would be happy if it came out like this, minus the external hinges and dents!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/crewcab3.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/crewcab4.jpg

Re: Crewcab build
 

What if you straightened-up the B-pillar on the front door... to match the front edge of the rear door? They just always looked odd to me with that big piece of sheet-metal between the doors.

Re: Crewcab build
 

Hmmm, I have heard this from several other people too. My only concern with that is it looking funny by not matching the angle of all 4 doors edges together. I was looking at cabs from alot of various trucks, and this is how they seemed to do it back in the day. I'm still debating on this one...

Re: Crewcab build
 

Wish I had some photoshop skills!:lol:

It's hard to say... I am sure you'll get it where it looks "right".

Re: Crewcab build
 

or.... lay the b-pillar back on BOTH doors, one-piece glass?

Re: Crewcab build
 

That would rule!:metal:

Re: Crewcab build
 

well I had some fun with your pics...
I lowered all 3
I tried both different door angles, I chopped one, and the rear doors don't have vent windows in any of the pics.

Re: Crewcab build
 

I think pic # 2 would look the best

Re: Crewcab build
 

:agree::c2: