1963 C-10 shortbed fleetside patina truck

[TheBlueBomber]

Hey ya'll, coming over here from the 73-87 and 88-98 section. I've owned a '79+ chevrolet since I was 16 (5 years ago) and I've always wanted something older. A couple of years ago I rode around in Jon's (1963c-10) stepper and I fell in love with the metal dash and wrap around windshield. I knew then the '79 wasn't going to satisfy my need for a classic vehicle.

Just a little history on me and my builds, when I was 16 I bought a 1979 k5 blazer. Not really knowing what I was getting into, I started taking things apart not knowing how to put things back together or where to go for information. I drove the truck around for a few months and then it sat most of its life until I got back from training (i am a 92R parachute rigger in the Army reserves) and bought my 1996 Z71 (TheBlueBomber). Once I had something reliable it was time to get rid of the rust bucket so I sold it to a friend of mine who parted it out and scrapped it.


The blue truck is my first toy. I got it in April 2012. I've put it in the mud only twice and I've taken it up and down the beach numerous times. I got this truck a couple of months into my relationship with my beautiful girlfriend and we've made a lot of memories throughout our relationship with it. The airborne sticker on the back glass was the first thing she got me for the truck. I never wanted to run any stickers on the truck but that day I decided it would be the one and only sticker ever put on the back glass.






The day after I got rid of the k5 I had a hole in my stomach and I was desperately looking for another '79. I wanted a long bed k10. After numerous deals fell through I started losing hope until one craigslist ad with no picture. It was a shortbed but I figured I would check it out anyways. I texted him and he sent me some pictures. As soon as I saw the intact dashboard I was sold. $1000 and 2.5 hours later and it was mine. Of course hard driving killed the transmission and now I'm doing an LS swap for the truck that is almost finished (if I can stop buying stuff)

[TheBlueBomber]

Now onto the 63! Jon sent me the link to a craigslist ad for this truck on wednesday and I was definitely interested. $800 for a daily driver shortbed fleetside. I told Jon I would call today (sunday) and he strongly suggested that I called that night. Boy am I glad haha!

Here was the truck when I picked it up yesterday



Back at Jon's house

[TheBlueBomber]

Truck was converted to a Saginaw trans.





Has an uber comfortable '65 deluxe seat.



One dirty 230

Got all the delete plates

[1963c-10]

it'll sit level once it has 4 tires on it that are the same size. some more history....i grew up a few blocks from this truck and have known the owner and truck for 20 years. austin is the 3rd owner and its a pretty solid truck. needs missing trim, seat recovered, a really good cleaning and some minor maintenance and he'll have a solid driver. we'll put a wood floor in it and we have the patch panel for the inner bed panel that needs replaced.

did you decide if you want to go back to column shift?

[Bigru]

Nice find and congrats!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

it'll sit level once it has 4 tires on it that are the same size. some more history....i grew up a few blocks from this truck and have known the owner and truck for 20 years. austin is the 3rd owner and its a pretty solid truck. needs missing trim, seat recovered, a really good cleaning and some minor maintenance and he'll have a solid driver. we'll put a wood floor in it and we have the patch panel for the inner bed panel that needs replaced.

did you decide if you want to go back to column shift?

Yeah I've pretty much decided to go that route. Either way the trans is going to come out and I'd like to have that middle section freed up.

Originally Posted by Bigru

Nice find and congrats!

Thanks!

[bj383ss]

I love all three of your trucks. My grandpa had a 79 3/4 ton Bonanza with a 454. Loved that truck. Hope to find one someday.

Love the LS swap that is awesome.

I have my FIL's 95' and love driving it.

Your 63' will be a great project look forward to your build.

Bret

[rusty76]

Boy o' Boy. I just can't wait. I dig it so much........I can't wait to see more. What other plans do you have for it? It's going to be killer.

[TJ's Chevy]

Ol 63 C-10 with a 230 and 3 speed! Couldn't get better! lol! Nice truck!

[1963c-10]

We filled a garbage can up last night with all the cab trash. Went through the parts stash and found four good 3 bump rims that can get new tires. Been fortunate enough to have a lot of 63 and 230 parts laying around to help Austin out.

I think it'll be a great driver once we finish cleaning it up and replace a few missing/broken parts. Engine runs like a sewing machine, but the old Model B needs a rebuild.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Boy o' Boy. I just can't wait. I dig it so much........I can't wait to see more. What other plans do you have for it? It's going to be killer.

Mainly drive it. Not much planned right now because I don't want to lose focus on the k10. I think it'll be a really fun driver. Thanks for the kind words.

Originally Posted by bj383ss

I love all three of your trucks. My grandpa had a 79 3/4 ton Bonanza with a 454. Loved that truck. Hope to find one someday.

Love the LS swap that is awesome.

I have my FIL's 95' and love driving it.

Your 63' will be a great project look forward to your build.

Bret

Thanks man. Got any pics from that bonanza? I was looking for one before I got the k10. Someone got the only one locally I've ever seen for sale before I could go check it out.

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Ol 63 C-10 with a 230 and 3 speed! Couldn't get better! lol! Nice truck!

Oh yeah! I'll be going back to the column shift too.



Later today I'll be cleaning the truck up some more... oil change, axle fluid, etc. I'll be picking up some CLR and see if I can't bring some paint back.

[bj383ss]

I do have some pics of the Bonanza but I will have to scan them in. It had a lot of options. 454/TH400 3.73 Posi. Saddle tanks with Electric switch over. The full trim on the sides. All chrome up front with bumper guards. It was white with Blue interior. I'll try to get them scanned. I have only seen like two other Bonanzas and they were 1/2 tons.

Bret

[TheBlueBomber]

Got about 30min of work on the truck today so not much to report. I did get the bed side and a little part of the door done. Have to go real light in some areas to prevent removing the paint.

Before

After


Did this corner of the tailgate for about 30 seconds.


After this I left with Jon to go to one of his friends house for parts. Ended up grabbing some stuff for this truck and the k10

[rusty76]

I like the wheels on your truck man. Those hubcaps and wheels are my favorite. Good job on the bedside and door.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

I like the wheels on your truck man. Those hubcaps and wheels are my favorite. Good job on the bedside and door.

Thanks got the rest of the truck done today minus inside of bed and interior. There's going to be a lot of work going into this the next couple of days.

Some before and after pictures of the CLR

[TheBlueBomber]

I'm going to miss the heavy patina. Had it not been for the mismatched fenders I wouldn't have touched it.

Here is my seat.


And my cushion



Very comfortable. I call it "custom deluxe"

[hopped up]

800 bucks for a shortbed ! Wow that's a deal! Nice trucks man

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by hopped up

800 bucks for a shortbed ! Wow that's a deal! Nice trucks man

Thanks! It's growing on me more and more everyday. Driving it about 50 ft across the yard makes me excited to get road worthy!

[1963c-10]

We were out there until 9pm last night getting work done. We got a good door mirror arm and head on, which was fun. Had to drill out the screw heads and run the shanks through from the inside. No thread damage and mirror arm/head on. Told Austin to get used to drills and grinders on these old trucks.

Brake parts will be in at Napa today.

Found an aluminum 63 grill and some sail panels for it also. And I think I have enough deluxe caps to make Austin a set.

[TJ's Chevy]

Gotta say its a good looking truck though! Good shape to...minus a tad bit a rot.

[bj383ss]

Austin here is the 79' Bonanaza

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Austin here is the 79' Bonanaza

I love the hubcaps on the boat trailer! I've always wanted a long bed. Maybe one day...

[FrankyV8]

Nice score man, don't wash of too much of those lovely patina

[rusty76]

Great thing about patina it'll come back, slowly. Lol.

[TheBlueBomber]

Got my lights working... sorta. Replaced the rear taillight harness and Jon taught me how to rebuild the head light switch. The lights come on but the tail lights have to be jiggled. The turn signal components are noticeably broken so I will be buying Jon's old column. He's picking up a factory 4 speed column for his truck.

The rain kind of put a damper on any other work being done. I've got a bunch of parts and fluids to put on the truck. Just need a nice night to do it. Unfortunately this storm will be here for the next few days.