Nik's 62 build

[62stepside longbox]

I bought a 62 stepside longbox project so that by the time I have my drivers licence it's finished. It has a numbers matching 261 with a 4spd, still runs like new and everything works. The interior is pretty good but the body is rusty. Front and rear fenders are rusted to hell and filled with bondo, floors are ok, some dents in the upper cab corners and the cab supports are gone. My plans are to keep the 261 (so I can afford to drive it), lower it (not to much), get the body nice and eventually paint it the original colour (turquoise). I'm unsure what wheel/tires I'm going to go with, something not to flashy any suggestions?

[62 Barnfind]

Looks like you have a good project. I'm glad to see younger people buying cool trucks to fix up for their first ride. I the original turquoise is the right color for the truck and may I suggest some smoothie wheels. The are around $60 for 15x8 in primer so you can paint any color. Good luck and keep the pics coming on your progress!

[TJ's Chevy]

In for the build and glad your keeping the 6 banger man! They're a darn good engine. Have 3 myself and none have let me down yet. Personally I like the look it has with the tires right now...mud tires in the rear and road tires up front is my favorite.

[62stepside longbox]

Picked up some parts, got a front driver fender with some rust but much better than mine and usable for $20 from a scrap yard with a bunch of sheet metal (the guy was stoned). From a different guy I got a pair of rear fenders (decent shape), a front passenger fender (fixable), a tailgate (some dings) and A front bumper that I might shorten and use on the back. All for $200 (great deal)

[TJ's Chevy]

Always nice to score parts for cheap.

[62stepside longbox]

Did some rust repair today on the $20 fender. Cut out the rust, made patch panels, welded them in and grinded.

[Cape Codder]

Good to see you digging right in. I would bolt the fenders on to test fit the patches before doing any body work. I like two tone paint on these trucks and would think about a white roof. It was popular in the days before everyone had A/C. It keeps the cab cooler in summer. Also painted wheels mean soap and water cleanup,no polishing.

[62step]

Good find on the parts! Keep it up

[62stepside longbox]

Hey cape codder, I just found out a couple of days ago that it originally was a two tone truck. My end plan is original turquoise with a white roof, bumpers and grill

[62stepside longbox]

Got all of my fenders off

[62stepside longbox]

School starts today so that means I won't be able to get as much done on the truck. But I'll still have weekends and after school.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

School starts today so that means I won't be able to get as much done on the truck. But I'll still have weekends and after school.

Yep, I started school today to. lol And with work after school I really ONLY have time work on my truck during weekends. Unless I want to stay up until midnight. lol

[Cape Codder]

Drill out the old spot welds remove the old. Drill holes in the new parts flange and plug weld them in. I sometimes just grind through the welds on the part being discarded with a die grinder with a 1/4 thick cutout wheel.

[62stepside longbox]

I got one support out but they are so rusted that I can't see the spot welds so I just had to grind and chizel it out. Any picture or diagram that shows whee the spot welds are?

[Cape Codder]

I don't think they are in the exact same place truck to truck

[RANDY COX]

I'm glad to see another young person taking interest in these old trucks, I wished my son was interested in the older stuff like me he will be 19 on the 18th of this month, anywho I would suggest going on youtube and watch some video's on how to there's some good ones out there. And also look at the build forums on here usually there's lot of pictures cause we all like picture's....I will be watching your progress..

[step65]

Nice project looking forward to seeing your progress. Although it was 30 odd years ago I did the same and bought my first car at 15. It was a 1963 Falcon had a straight six. It had a bad synchro in the 3 speed tranny. I bought the car for 50 bucks which was a awesome deal. After I rebuilt the tranny drove it all through high school fixing it up along the way.

[62stepside longbox]

Wire wheeled 1/4" thick of bondo off of my pass front fender to find the worst body work I've seen. I knew it was bad but not this bad. Instead of cutting the bad part out and patching it, the guy put the patch panel over the fender skin and brazed it on and sloped as much bondo as possible on. I bought a corner patch but the new panel only go's up so far so I will have to cut out part of my old fender and use it on the new(to me) fender with the new patch. When done, i think I'll call it the Franken-fender

[62stepside longbox]

Started cleaning my engine up and pulled my intake and exhaust manifolds off to clean and paint and toke apart the carb and cleaned it up, made sure to fix the leak (neadle valve was stuck). Can anyone please tell me how i can know if it's a 261 carb and not a 235. And any info on how all of the oiling systems and vacuum lines work would be greatly appreciated ( I am new to working on sixes)
Thanks.
Nik

[62stepside longbox]

Mocked up the Franken-fender today

[62stepside longbox]

My truck sitting with my dad's satellite on a beautiful day

[TJ's Chevy]

I don't see a picture.

[62stepside longbox]

Here

[Palf70Step]

Nice going on your truck. You are making good progress with it.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice going on your truck. You are making good progress with it.

Thanks bill, it can be hard to find time between school and work.
Nik