Just bought/got home a 1962 C10 step

[jku72]

I just got back to Maine from Wyoming, where I bought a 1962 c10 short step.
Drove it all the way. Got it off ebay, for six hundred. had a 327(maybe?), 4 speed. maybe wrong engine, but overall it's in good shape. When I picked it up, I was surprised to find that it had a 3.38 rear axle from a '61 apache in it.
It's clearly an old farm truck, and is rough around the edges, but managed to make it with only the addition of 2 new tires(31 10.5 15's), a new HEI distributor, and gas.
The hairiest, and most disappointing part of the trip was that the hood opened up at 75mph, and damaged an otherwise straight rust free hood.
Also, the panhard rod snapped in two, which was spliced with some rebar and cable clamps.
This truck got 19.2 mpg for a trip average. I'll try to post a picture if I can figure it out.

[Sick5]

not a bad price

[Clyde65]

wow! how far was the trip? 19mpg, I bet alot of folks would like that out of their NEW trucks!

[tantrumpipeline]

that's cool, these years are really growing on me, wish my diesel go that mileage hahaha new junk

[jku72]

Got the truck in Wyoming, drove to maine via Sault St. marie(through Canada)
I expected 55 miles an hour and 12 miles per gallon.
It has an unusual 1 barrel carburator, the 31 inch tires I put on, and a fairly rare original GM 3.38 ring and pinion. I had 1 tank of gas that calculated out at 22.3 mpg, but the trip average was 19.2.
I was impressed. I expected junk, and instead have a decent truck.

[Clyde65]

Wow! Sweet, and a sweet truck. Did you go elsewhere for the truck because of the salt and rust up there?

[JRBECK64]

Thats amazing. I get nervous driving my 2004 Silverado Cross country and you jump in a 48 year old truck and off you go. HERE'S to CHEVROLET!!!!!!
JRBECK64

[markeb01]

What a great truck, at a bargain price with an adventure thrown in. Cool story, except for the hood coming open. With the panhard bar failure it's fortunate nothing else went wrong. So what are your plans?

[aerotruk63]

63 grille and in 63 they changed to amber turn signals. The crest is 62 though. The first number in your VIN is it a 2 or 3? Do you have torsion springs in the front?

[lakeroadster]

Sweet deal on a neat old truck. Congratulations and kudos to you for driving it home. Quite impressive!

[gulffishin]

75 MPH?! My truck screams at 60MPH!

[jku72]

The truck is a 62 with a 63 grill. It has a '69 327, and a 61 3.38 rear gearset. Typical truck of this vintage, I believe.
I got it there because of the rust/restorability issues with New England trucks, but also because I bought it on a whim. I was going to vacation "out west", and decided I would buy an old car or truck to drive home, set a budget of $1K, and started looking.
I was looking at vehicles i thought might make it home under own power. Part of it was adventure, since I have a truck and trailer. But I wanted to drive home, not tow.
I was very surprised by the 3.38 rear end. And the mileage. But not the hood failure. Okay, I was surprised at the moment, but had prepared myself mentally that some failure or another could happen, and that I needed to be calm and alert if it did. I brought tools and spare parts to fix any minor issues, including a new timing chain and tools to fix it. Also spare fuel pump, alternator, distributor(which I used right away) belt, hoses, etc. I took a chance, but had prepared for contingencies.
I was rewarded by a great adventure, and a great truck.

[losthope]

very very cool story! nice truck!

[likaroc13]

nice...that is a great story & a great bargain on the truck...good luck with it!

[ChiefRocka]

You got yourself a good deal there ... as well as the story !!

Time for a build thread !!

[enick72]

good story, you're just outside of Skowhegan right? I grew up in Maine (Jackson) and am moving back as soon as our house sells. I bought 2 trucks so I would have projects for when I move, can't buy anything old there

[jku72]

Close to Skowhegan, yes.
I'm tempted to limit restoration to minor things, and functionality. I like the farm truck look.
It will need some things, like a lot of weatherstripping, and switches and knobs replaced, but I'm not doing a total build, at this time. Two small spots on the floor pan need a patches, and the one of the rockers is rusted from dirt buildup, so I will fix that. New bed boards, front tires, etc.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Luca wants to cruise Route 66 in the 65. I wonder what kind of milage I will get with the 454, 700R4 with 3.08"s.....

Sounds like you had fun. I would love to do something like that.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Thumbs Up!

[strokerPop]

Great story to go with a great truck. This is my idea of a vacation!!!!

Did you fly out to pick it up? How did you bring your tools?

I ask because I remember I did the same thing with my 66 Mustang Fastback in 2000, I purchased it in Texas, and drove it back to SoCal. I took tools with me, and carried them on, stored them overhead.......often wondered how I could do that today? Especially, after 911.

My left rear wheel cylinder leaked and locked up in Amarillo, Texas at about 60 mph. Scared the he!! out of me! Loosen both up in the rear and made it home.

I want ot do this again.........

[raycow]

Any chance you could post a pic of that 1 barrel carb? I am expecting a 2 barrel, but after seeing what a PO can do to these trucks, I have learned not to be surprised at anything.

Ray

[jku72]

here's a few updates since I've gotten time to really investigate what I have.
It really has a 1963 283, not a 327. I found the block date codes, and casting numbers to verify.
It has a rochester 2 barrel carb, it just looked like a single barrel.
It is a 1962, with many part swaps.
The old CB still works.

[awbrown]

So did you fly out there ?? I just drove 450 miles one way for a 63 in illinois and tow barred it back in Feb. ... you never know what to expect ... I too grew up in Maine ,have been in Michigan since 97 ,but also hope to return some day soon...

[jocko]

Imagine what your gas mileage would've been without the hood open!

[62ShortStep]

Looks great. Love those very rare 62's.