My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

About a month ago 64chevycrewcab got ahold of me and mentioned that a friend of his had found a 61 crew cab in my area, and that he had bought it.
After some pics and a few emails , he let me know that he would consider selling it.
I jumped at this chance; I have been lightly(?) searching for a crew for a few years now, it always seems like they end up being too far away ($$$ in gas) , or super expensive on ebay, or because of ebay.
there have been 5 of them -ironically all 61's- close enough to get over the last 6 years, and they were always just a little bit out of reach.
I don't know how many times I told myself that I should start saving up money, so that when one shows up I could get it.
luckily with this one the price was right, and I was able to get the funding together to get it.

So yesterday I drove 8 hours round trip (plus an hour loading and b.s.ing)
and arrived home with something I have been dreaming about for the last 22 years.

without further ado here are a few of the pics:

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

..so its a lot rougher than it looks!:lol:
It started out as an ARMY 61 apache 20 2wd crew cab with a 148 inch wheelbase and a short step box.

I am thinking of referring to its heritage with the personalized plate "XRMYCRU"
of course first there is rust repair to do.. the plate can come later.

It looks like it was olive drab for a few years, and then got sold to the Montana State Hospital. There it was given a thick coat of brush painted yellow, and what took me a while to figure out on the doors, the logo "Montana State Hospital Warm Springs" - that is our 1 state mental health hospital-
After that it looks like it went to private hands and was driven until the rockers were rusted and bent off, and then unceremoniously dumped in a pile and robbed of its short step box, rear axle, and just about every other useable part that would work on a conventional truck.
This is also where it was let turn into a home for countless mice, who really took their toll on the roof rails and front windshield pillars.
here are some not so glorious shots of some of the rust I get to deal with:

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Congrats Jon :thumbs:

Which coach builder made this one?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

No pictures from todays expedition (camera battery), but I got in and pulled the seats, seat belts, floor mats, and 1/2 the headliner ( I should probably be on hantivirus alert), and started to take stake on how to go about the project.
the pluses are that I have been quietly collecting some early cabs and doors to try and build my own crew... this just makes it a lot easier.
after looking today, I will be able to save all the coach built parts of the truck, and will have to replace the cowl/windshield area due to the rodent damage, and the rear panel, outer/inner, due to rodent damage as well.
I am 99% sure that I am going to use this stretched 61 frame, but I am 50/50 on whether to keep it as a 3/4 ton, or change to a 1/2 ton... I have a modern 3/4 limited slip, and 2wd front suspension, but I also have a 66 6 lug posi, or a 87 limited slip-5 lug and matching 5 lug front suspension... still thinking on that.
I have a new rebuilt 350, and a cool 5 speed trans that came out of my 61 GMC 4000.
I have a nice short step box that can go right on it, and a 60 hood and a 60 big truck grille that I will cut down to fit.

here are some pics of the coach built frame stretch

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

lots more pics to come!
here are some of the pics they emailed me:

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

I have gotten rusty, and will have to do some research, it is not stageway, automotive industries, or orrville, so I am thinking it is a crown.
I'll post it up when I figure it out.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Nice! As a fan of the crew cab models, I'm looking forward to seeing this one get back on the road.

I can't see the windshield too well, but it looks like it's in good shape! Or are the cracks just camera-shy?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Well deserved Jon.
Were the rear door hinges from a Suburban?
At this point would you consider a Panoramic View conversion?

I'll vote 3/4 ton suspension for the trailering potential later on as well as the prospect of dually conversion, complete with modified medium duty fenders and running boards.

The State Mental Hospital heritage is just an added bonus!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

x2

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Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

I can't wait to watch the progression on this. I vote 3/4 ton for the practicality, even if you don't have plans for having it as a utility truck it's always nice having the extra capability.I'm glad you're keeping it a stepper,I'm partial to those myself

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Ok if you find any in MT that are available count me in. Nice save!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

I know a lot of guys convert their crews to big back window.. I am partial to the small back window, but I won't decide for sure until I sit in it and look through the mirror...

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

would it have killed them to own a cat??? not like they would have had to feed him...:lol:

the rodent damage is pretty severe... looks like all the stuffing that is missing from the back seat is jammed up in the roof and headliner...

the headliner and side panels are some sort of press board?/cardboard?

they are completely destroyed by the mice, but I will keep them for patterns.
maybe try and find a similar material and replace the headliner, or maybe do it in metal...
for sure I will do the side panels in metal.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

random shots:

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

more shots:

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left side:

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right door pillar rust, the rear headliner nest...

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

more random shots:

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

rear sill plates: pretty crudely done.. shouldn't be too hard to replicate these!
the "special" rear seat bracket- this should bolt to any 60-66 seat pretty easy, seat was a full size seat too, I know some crews have a cut down/shortened rear seat.
the rear floor mat-there was a smaller piece that continued under the front seat as well...

looks to be a standard piece of rubber- if any of you recognize this pattern and know of a vendor for it let me know.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Dang mice!!. Looks like you have your work cut out for you, but it will be worth it in the end, not too many crew cabs out there. I have never seen on other than pics on this forum.
Congrats on the crew cab, great story line to go with it. My vote is for 3/4 ton, but I am partial to that.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

whoa!! congrats!!!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

looks like this will keep you going for awhile Jon. congrats on getting it
ron

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Is that not a standard vinyl mat for foyers into businesses or industry? I'll swear I've purchased a similar runner at Home Depot, but not as wide as you require.

allmats.com
americanfloormats.com
industrialrubberresource.com

Thanks for posting all the pictures. Nice of you to share the details.
Why red under the headliner?
The outer roof panel is in 3 pieces or 2?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

That will keep you busy for a while!!

Nice addition!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Nice!! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

thanks for the links I will check them out.

the red is a red oxide primer that the coach builders put on , a couple different pics I have of other c/c's show the same primer

the outer roof panel is 3 pieces : the front and back shaped "C" channels keep the roof shape. the 2 side pieces form a square, the og roof is folded at a 90 degree angle over the "C" channel front and back, some fabricated side pieces run from the rain gutter to the brace , and are folded over as well, then a square piece with the edges folded around it at a 90 degree angle is inserted, and all the inside edges are welded up. I do not know if the piece is welded on the top too, or if the seam is just filled in with lead. the way it has bubbled up around the seam I feel that it is probably not welded on the outside.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

today I did a little more cleaning , and more investigating, I was able to get the left rear door panel off, and checked out how it and the door were built.
the inside door handle was frozen to the mechanism , and I ended up cutting the handle apart with a cut off wheel, because I did not want to pry against the door panel.
the coach builders used a lot of lead on the doors and jambs.

the coach builder cut the cab in 1/2 at 29 inches from the front of the rocker, or 12 inches measured from the back.

they bent and fabricated a sheet metal piece for the floor, the inner rockers were a separate piece. by holding up one of my rocker patch panels I could see how they were probably able to use just 2 extra rockers in their build, cutting them in 1/2 and then using the back on the front, and the front on the back. this is the piece that is completely gone on the passenger side, and dented into oblivion on the drivers side...

the center pillar is made from an extra rear door pillar, then an extra front roof pillar at the top, and thick piece of plate steel on the bottom, the whole thing is slathered in lead.

I got to measuring on my 2 cabs with good floors. and it looks like I have all the stuff to start cutting and pasting...
still thinking on the best method for the roof: duplicate what they did? use this roof skin and fix it?... I'll keep you posted....

** notice in the pic, all the leading and welding being done... they did not weld up the 2 factory holes for the vin tag on the replacement pillar they used to create the rear jamb... I am seeing lots of this kind of stuff... maybe because this was just for an army contract, it was just rushed together with not much attention to detail. * also notice the rough unfinished file marks in the lead on this door..

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

All CC should be dually's, well in my little world.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Sorry to see you have so much work to do Jon :(

But if anyone can get it done you can.

Thanks for all the detailed pics on how these were made....quite interesting. I think there wasn't much attention to detail on the CC's because most of them were genuine work trucks. As long as they functioned and looked presentable, that was good enough.

Do you have any parts Suburbans or Panels in your area that you could scavenge some replacement parts from?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

A Suburban/ Panel truck roof has a different curve to it at the front but has seperate ribs to support. I wonder if the roof wing section of a regular cab mates to the raised section and curve of a burb roof?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

You are a brave man.

However, I can see the attraction of the truck, despite its condition.

This will take a while, but I am sure it will all be good in the end.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Congrats on the find!

I know the crews were kinda sloppily put together, at least that is my take on them, I have seen a few and when dad got his, it wasnt done " cosmetically to please anyone".

I know yours will be a nice job!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

I miss it already lol, glad your going to get it back on the road.

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nice find ...this will be a hell of a job.

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the 'burb roof is just completely different, it is much taller, I did take a look at the 'burb headliner supports to see if I could use them, but I think they have a taller arch.
the 'burb roof even has a different shape next to the rain gutter, looks similar to the truck, but different.

I do have several roofs that I can part out, I did more studying of the roof today, to see what I want to use, and what gets replaced.

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

:lol: hopefully sooner than later, I am getting on this cab repair soon, and after that the rest should be cake!

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

this photo I have of a crew that was for sale in calif. a few years ago, is probably exactly what mine looked like before the state of Montana yellow that was brushed on over the green..
this is a 61 short step 6 cylinder 3/4 ton, even the door mirror bracket is the same.

if I look real close at my driver door I can see the faint raised edges of the "us army " logo, and also the "IG", and a 8, or a 3.

A friend of mine mentioned that when the army was done with these, they went into a pool, and states could get first dibs, so my truck could have been from anywhere before Montana got it... however I assume it was probably a western base.....

any of you military guys know what the "IG 8373" stood for? was it just a #, or does it tell the base too?

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

Re: My 1961 crew cab- XRMYCRU
 

My guess is that it was more than likely assigned to an Inspector General crew. The number was probably their unit number. I believe that is how ours were in the Air Force in the 70s, so I would think the Army was similar.