63 Chevy C20 my first truck!

[thefalconer_88]

Hey guys, I'm new here so I thought I'd post a picture of my truck and start a little progress thread. Its my first truck ever (El Caminos don't count!) But here it is.




[URL=http://s43.photobucket.com/user/thefalconer88/media/IMG_20150526_233117_zpsn6yokqqs.jpg.html][/URL

[1963c-10]

Welcome and always glad to see a new 63 added to the forum. Great looking truck. Any plans for it?

[TJ's Chevy]

Awesome truck!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

digging the 8-lug speedway wheels

[Ronnie the Wrench]

Very nice. Looks very rust free.

[thefalconer_88]

Thanks everyone! Its a California truck. But it does have a few holes on top of the rocker that i just discovered while trying to remove the door weatherstrip. Damn the luck. The truck is super solid. A few tiny holes inside the bed, all very minor stuff. I was going to put door seals and vent window seals in today, but I have to deal with this rust first!

I got the truck with these wheels and tires. I like them, but sadly they will not be used. I found a 12 bolt from a 71 with 5 lug axles. So a front end swap will also be on the agenda eventually.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Looks amazing!

[thefalconer_88]

Here is a truck my dad inherited from relatives... It was shot when he got it 10+ years ago. It's since had a tree grow up through it! Just thought I'd share the picture.

Here is his 65.

[thefalconer_88]

[thefalconer_88]

I got the air cleaner base off that rotted out truck, the 63 had some 80's air cleaner... I couldn't find the top, but I did find an old hub cap still on one of the wheels. A little grinding and drilling and it fit perfectly!

[thefalconer_88]

I really need to crop those pictures... haha

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by thefalconer_88

Its my first truck ever (El Caminos don't count!)

Originally Posted by thefalconer_88

I got the truck with these wheels and tires. I like them, but sadly they will not be used. I found a 12 bolt from a 71 with 5 lug axles. So a front end swap will also be on the agenda eventually.

Wait, I thought you said El Caminos don't count?

Nice truck.

[thefalconer_88]

Hahaha. I finally got that one!
I would love to stay with the 8 lug axles and big eaton rear, but I'd like her to cruise a little better! So might as well go the 5 lug route...

[thefalconer_88]

I've officially started "building" the blue turd. (I need a good name for this truck... old blue is going to cut it)

Plans are to leave the "patina" but clean up everything else. The truck will be converted to five lug rear and drop spindles with disc brakes up front. My goal is to keep it driveable until winter sets in, then take everything of the frame and restore all the running gear. I'd also like to paint the bottom of the cab, inner fender, firewall, and engine. I'm also planning on flipping the rear bumper and raising it a little higher. A hidden hitch will also find its way in there.

[thefalconer_88]

Well, first thing is first I guess. Started with some weather stripping a shile back and discovered some rust under my sill plate! My California truck isn't acting very Californian. Anyway, that was last week so I ordered two rockers. I'm not using the whole thing so I scavenged the bottom half to make an inner patch. Its all ready to start welding in, but that will be for tomorrow.

[thefalconer_88]

[thefalconer_88]

And boom, its gone!

[thefalconer_88]

It's been a while since I've been on here... Still lurking, but nothing significant to post. Just kept the truck running with only the necessary repairs until now. WINTER! I had a ton of fun with this beater over the summer, the most fun I've ever had in a vehicle! Here is a few pics



My wife by the truck. I was up on scaffolding siding my garage...



My wife and son waiting to get out of our local weekly cruise in.



I couldn't not take a picture!

Anyway, now time for some work...

[thefalconer_88]

Here is how she sits now.



Sad looking!

My plan for the winter is to take everything apart, sand blast and paint my frame,suspension, engine, and engine compartment. I'm swapping to 3.08 rear end out of a 71 c10, early chevy c20 to c10 spindles, and 4 wheel manual disc setup. Not doing anything to the body besides fixing a few pinholes, maybe not even that.

First thing I had to do was make some rear cab mounts to replace the crappy vulcanized rubber mess.



An old wood chisel works well for getting the rubber off.



I chiseled the old cage nut off the top side and fitted the rear bushing with a piece of 3/16 steel that I drilled a hole in big enough for the inner sleeve.



Then I made a template out of cardboard for the gussets.

[thefalconer_88]

Viola! I tacked the gussets in place until I can remove the whole cab and fit a nice little plate to the backside. Then I will fully weld everything before sandblasting. By the way, I should mention I did all of this with the box still in place, and a jack adjusting the level of my cab. I just went off the body lines, good enough for me.

[TJ's Chevy]

Like the new cab mount idea. Glad you had fun with yours over the summer.

[thefalconer_88]

Pulled the engine and cab today. I'm going to sandblast the frame Tomorrow

[thefalconer_88]

[TJ's Chevy]

Boy you work fast. lol

[thefalconer_88]

Sandblasted the cab floor, interior and firewall. Just got done as the darkness set in.