Crewcab build

[PrerunnerRob]

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

Shortly after

After the new front end and crossmembers

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!

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

As of today

Later on....


And the front half of the frame, laid out as always!

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.

[Rokcrln]

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.

[PrerunnerRob]

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!

[Rokcrln]

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.

[PrerunnerRob]

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!

[PrerunnerRob]

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!

[ClassicAutoResto]

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

[Slmd92DIME]

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

[pugs]

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

[badriand]

That parts truck looks nicer than my not part truck.

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

[Dinos63]

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

[PrerunnerRob]

Originally Posted by Dinos63

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

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.

[PrerunnerRob]

Originally Posted by pugs

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

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!

[63sbssbbw]

Originally Posted by pugs

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

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

[pugs]

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

[Hart_Rod]

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

[poorboy]

That one on ebay is nice. Here's a couple of the pics.

[royo]

Originally Posted by poorboy

That one on ebay is nice. Here's a couple of the pics.

whats wrong with doing it the way they where made. besides the hinges. this one looks good!! it looks like it has 1 pcs window in back door too.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by royo

whats wrong with doing it the way they where made. besides the hinges. this one looks good!! it looks like it has 1 pcs window in back door too.

Nothing, but this one is a 64-66 not a 63 like what he is working with. The doors are completly different! Even know this truck looks good it would look great if the pie section between the doors was smaller and paralell.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[kenny_strong]

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

[Stepside65]

Beautiful except those ugly door hinges.

[jonzcustomshop]

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.

[PrerunnerRob]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

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.

Damn, I thought I had this all figured out too!

I do like #2, what did you change on it?

[jonzcustomshop]

I think pic # 2 would look the best

[ClassicAutoResto]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I think pic # 2 would look the best