just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

I went and looked at a 63 shortbed this morning. It`s missing the bed but I`m not too worried about that. Anyway, I noticed that it has frame supports in the rear that go to the rear crossmemeber. One of them is broke all the way through. Can I just remove both of them and build a crossmemeber to go across the frame rails like the later trucks? And the driver door opens up to the point where the door has a dent from hitting the fender. The guy has a 66 also and that one does it too but not as bad. Is that normal for these year trucks to open like that? He will also include the 12 bolt from the 66 he has if the 9" he got from a friend will fit. That will bolt up with no issues right? The front frame horns are damaged but I`m thinking I can just find a old truck at a yard and cut them off and weld them onto the 63 frame. It has a 350/350 combo but I don`t know if I want the motor. I can get it for $350 without the motor and bed. It also has what looks like a factory metal fan shroud. I don`t ever remember seeing a truck with a shoud when my buddy had these year trucks. Are those hard to find? sorry I have so many questions, just wondering if it`s worth picking up for a project. Thanks guys.

Re: just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

$350 is not a bad price. I have a fan shroud on my '62... You don't see many of them, but they are out there. The rear end from the '66 should bolt right up. As far as the doors opening all the way, it's pretty common for the door checks to wear out and break.. it's an easy fix...

Re: just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

Thanks Joe. I don`t know too much about the 60-66 bodys. I`ve had a 57 and a few 67-72 bodys but somehow I skipped these years so i don`t know what is "normal" for these trucks.

Re: just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

I think the shroud came with v-8's and the sixes did not have them.

Re: just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

Fan shrouds were factory on V8 and six cylinder trucks. They were not metal, however, they were a hard, black plastic/fiberglass like material.

The door checks are missing, thus allowing the door to open too far. They run under $10.00, new and can be replaced in 10-15 minutes.

Re: just looked at a 63, got a bunch of questions
 

Thanks guys. I tapped on the shroud and it sounded metal but it`s probably plastic.

Tony, I`ll be hitting you up for a bunch of stuff if I pick this truck up. I think I`m going to do it though. He`s so hot to get rid of it he`s kind of implying he would deliver it for me.