New '63 owner and a few questions

[Sledgebone]

Hi everyone, my name is Robert and I am from Michigan. I have been a fan of this style of truck for years and just picked one up locally to replace an '88 C1500 that was past the point of fixing.

I wanted a driving project that I could work on slowly and preferred the 60-63 style with the wrap around windshield. I wasn't into driving a ways to pick one up or have one hauled to me so I was keeping my search fairly local. This one came up and I looked it over, drove it and made a deal. I paid a little more than I felt I should but the owner didn't want to move much and after some very serious health conditions in the last year, some things just don't matter as much as they used to.

The body is very straight with very little issues. The floor pans need to be replaced and there is a little rot above the driver's side windshield on the inside. I am assuming the brow will have to be replaced as well. It's got a 230 3/speed which I was told was original. It runs great, goes straight and stops.

I have just a few questions.
- What is the middle dash knob for on the left of the steering column? There is a switch but wires are absent.
- My old truck is going to get hauled away by the scrap yard soon. Is there anything out of that truck that I should salvage? I plan on doing disc brake swap but would like to do 5 lug. I believe I could use some parts of that if I wanted to stay 6 lug. I also plan on rewiring the '63. Is it worth it to pull the box and harness out or buy a simple kit?
- Where were the original drain holes in the drip edge? Mine seem to have been filled.

Pictures in the next post.

[Sledgebone]

[63ChevC10]

Hey Robert,

Great looking truck. And here's my advice on what you paid for it...if you like it then it was worth it.
The switch you are talking about is for the wipers. I don't have any good advice to pass regarding your other questions, but you are in the right place because someone will definitely be able to tell you.
I just drove mine yesterday and it always puts a smile on my face. Enjoy your new toy!

Jerry

[Mathew21]

Welcome fellow Michigander. Nice Truck. What part of the state are you in?

[Sledgebone]

Jerry, that makes sense. There is a toggle switch wired for the wipers under the dash. Never crossed my mind. Hence why I want to rewire the truck. Everything that didn't work at one point got hacked in to work.

Mathew, I'm from Bay City area.

[cooperhw]

Welcome. Nice looking truck.

[aerotruk63]

Hi, Welcome.

If you'd like to search for original info, click on one of my links below.

[Dans1960SWB]

Nice looking truck..

[Joe Pass]

Cool Project....

[65sub]

Welcome. Nice truck. When you rewire your truck I suggest using an American Autowire harness. They are made to fit the truck and easy to install

[spacedebris]

Nice truck.

For wiring, I'm a firm believer that this is one area not to cheap out on or try and piece together. There are many different wiring kits available.

example: http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/6387ct


Even if you have to save up for it, a kit is the way to go.

[T.W.Dustin]

Nice looking truck! I think the 88 pickup is 1 year too late to get the crossmember from unless it is a Suburban. Getting a 63 vs. a 60-62 will make your front crossmember swap a little easier. There are some great "how-to" posts here in the FAQ so take advantage of that knowledge. Have fun!!!

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome aboard! Nice truck.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Robert

That looks and sounds like a decent '63

I bought another '63 this summer and also paid more than I wanted to. But the truck is something that is unique, in good condition and too good to pass up.

All the info you need to work on and upgrade your '63 can be found in the '60-'6 FAQ index found at the top of the '60-'66 main page. Of course we are all here to help as well.

[Sledgebone]

Thanks everyone. I never mentioned the final goal for the truck. I would like to keep it close to stock ride height because I will be using it frequently to haul things. I would like to do the disc brake conversion and get 5 lug out back as well. I've got an Explorer 8.8 that I converted to chevy 5 lug for another project that I might throw in there depending on the width. Down the road, maybe a 292. I'd like to stay with a straight 6.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Sledgebone

Thanks everyone. I never mentioned the final goal for the truck. I would like to keep it close to stock ride height because I will be using it frequently to haul things. I would like to do the disc brake conversion and get 5 lug out back as well. I've got an Explorer 8.8 that I converted to chevy 5 lug for another project that I might throw in there depending on the width. Down the road, maybe a 292. I'd like to stay with a straight 6.

Sounds like some good plans. Swapping to a 292 will be pretty simple. You'll just have to relocate the passenger side motor mount. But the rest will bolt up.

[Mackie]

Welcome fellow `63 owner. Nice buy and I too felt afterwards that I paid just a little too much. Especially as it ended up needing a lot of mechanical repair and upgrade. I was taken in by the tarted-up paint job and I'm old enough to know better. Still, I was looking for a knee knocker short wide and 5 yrs. later the bit too much I paid doesn't mean anything.

Also like you, I sold off my tired `92 K1500 that depreciated massively in the 9 yrs. or so I had it. I don't see that happening with the `63.

Cool choice on the 292. A T5 behind it would be sweet.