1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC

[1963c-10]

Well, since its another new truck I figured its time to start a build thread for it. Will start with the pics I received from a forum member with a line on a possible 63 short fleet with the big back window.

[1963c-10]

So I got some contact info as to where the truck was and talked with the owner. Set up a date to go pick up the truck a month down the road.

[1963c-10]

Took a trailer, bunch of tools, 4 good tires/rims and two buddies with to help load.

Got the new rims and tires on the frame and got the frame positioned to load the cab.

Guy said it was heading to the crusher if we hadn't showed up. After 2 hours and a bed/cab back on the truck w/good tires and he wanted to buy it back. He had 4 very nice 58 chevy projects going on.

[1963c-10]

Took the late model buick power seats out and left them for the mans scrap pile. Got the cab loaded up and then rolled the frame on the trailer. Then picked up the bed and loaded it on the frame. I took all the cab bushings and bolts with me as well as the bed, so just used the factory mounting locations and bolted everything back down. We placed the front end parts in the back of the tow rig and the hood in the bed of the 63.

The front bed support wasn't in place in these pics. It will need replaced, so just bolted the bed down and rolled with it.

[1963c-10]

Spent a few hours on Sunday and gutted all the non-essential wires that have been added over the years. And the house carpet was 2nd to go. Cab repair is actually minor. Will need the intermediate floor and maybe an outer rocker and a cab corner on the driver side. Inner cab corner on the passenger side and lower inner door skins on both sides. Dash will need an obvious patch panel and about 15 holes filled in misc places. All the main harness is unmolested, they just added tons of extra crap tucked in under fuses. Put some correct handles on and got rid of the Ford handles someone installed. Tossed in an ashtray that wasn't broken....has a small ding there too. Other than that its pretty straight. All cab glass is good minus the back glass. Will need new seals all the way around.

Also pictured is the retrieval team. Colton, myself and Austin (Bluebomber).

Was the 1st time I saw a previous owner use a radiator hose for the heater ducting....that probably cost more than the new ducting would have......??????

[1963c-10]

This pic should go in the "gotta love some PO's because" I guess he didn't get the floor shifter correct the first time. Good thing is the cab portion is good, just needs massaged back. I will look for a replacement trans cover.

Truck was originally dark green w/fawn interior. 230 6cyl and 3 speed column shift. Pretty base model truck with the only option being the big back window. Got the cab and front end pressure washed yesterday. The last pic is the worst damage on the truck...which makes some people cringe....but this isn't bad for NC. All the structural supports are solid. Most of this damage was due to several layers of wet carpet laying in the cab. It looked like a high hump until it was all removed.

And yep.....another Baltimore truck.

[1963c-10]

And got a little bit more work done yesterday. Just hanging some sheet metal so I can get a bolt count on what I have/need and what sheet metal I have.

The back bed panel needs replaced as does the tailgate. They are both there, but far more damage than I want to deal with. Bed sides are nice and straight. Wood floor is gone and metal has been installed, but all crossmembers are there. 2 supports will need replaced. All cab supports are solid as is the front end sheet metal. Cab pillers and roof look good, so for $500, $75 trailer rental and $80 in fuel we have a new 63 in the family herd.

Really don't have a direction on it yet. Just want to reassemble to make it a complete truck for now. At some point it will all need disassembled to take care of the frame which is solid, just covered in surface rust. Has a great patina, but eventually it'll be repainted too. Put a 67 bench seat I had in it for now. Something to sit on to finish cleaning up the interior. I have a grill support, radiator support and a grill. And quite a few extra parts still in the bed. Will need back bumper and brackets. Will also need a battery tray, back bed panel and tailgate. Rest should be covered.

Starting to look more like a truck now.......no engine & trans....but that's no issue. Probably did me a favor.

[Ta2Don]

I'm in...

[1963c-10]

Thanks Ta2Don. Its my first fleetside and bbw truck. I didn't realize how much of a different feel the large back glass was. My fiancee even asked if the cab was bigger. Anyways....I think it'll be a cool little truck. Just have to figure out what to do with it. Factory, maybe a little hot rod....resto-mod? I figure the truck will pick its own personality eventually.

We took tons more pics, so I'll try and fill in the gaps as they load.

[firemanjimtfd]

Great to see another one saved from the crusher. Looks good all together.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by firemanjimtfd

Great to see another one saved from the crusher. Looks good all together.

Yeah, much better than a yard full of parts. And glad to see it not get crushed.

Heres the 505A Woodland green paint chip....the original color

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

My girlfriend even asked if the cab was bigger.

*cough* fiance *cough*

Heres a few more pictures I've got for the '63. What Jon forgot to mention was that the truck tried to get away from us going down the road. He saw something flapping so we pulled over to check it out... The only strap holding the truck onto the trailer was the one on the bed... Talk about a CLOSE CALL!!!

[1963c-10]

Ahhh yes....the trailer incident. While coming up on N US 1, I saw a strap a little loose. Pulled off to the shoulder and both front tire hold down were completely off. All straps were double checked by 3 people. Tires were within uhaul limits of under 30", which the 235/75R15 are only 28.5" and we were within weight limits. Anyways, got the tires retied down and added 30' of 3/8" logging chain and a binder for added piece of mind. What an adventure.

[azdude1964]

great build .. cant wait to see what it ends up looking like...

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by azdude1964

great build .. cant wait to see what it ends up looking like...

Thanks, me too....just have to figure out which direction to go 1st. Then wait patiently while the other 63 gets painted & new motor/trans. Should be able to start this year.

[62 Barnfind]

Good to see you are putting another on the road and not rusting away. I never had a big window fleet size and would love to have one. For some reason they seem to be hard to find here in Texas. I think it's going to look cool in the woodland green when finished. If that is your plan. I haven't seen many in that color redone. Good luck and great find!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Good to see you are putting another on the road and not rusting away. I never had a big window fleet size and would love to have one. For some reason they seem to be hard to find here in Texas. I think it's going to look cool in the woodland green when finished. If that is your plan. I haven't seen many in that color redone. Good luck and great find!

Haven't decided on the color yet, but its the original color of this truck. Figure I have time to figure that all out. It actually has a really straight body with very little rust repair other than all the obvious surface rust. Only appears to be painted twice. Back bed panel and tailgate will have to re replaced along with one bed support, but cab is good minus cab corners (1 side) and the immediate floor. Out rockers and inner still look good as do the cab supports. I'm sure like most of them I'll find more as I go.

At least its safe from the crusher, and if I were to change directions from a fleetside it shouldn't be hard to find a new home, but its really growing on the family, so it'll be around for awhile.

[McMurphy]

Nice save !!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Nice save !!

Thanks McMurphy.....just doing my part to save the planet!!! haha

[TheBlueBomber]

Haha right. That would look really good on bags or on some all terrain tires could go up or down with that truck

[1963c-10]

Would make a cool little 4x4 also Austin.

[WhippinSaw]

Great you saved this one, look like a complete truck after it was reassembled, and 63 is my favorite year the bbw gives you a 360 view, when I take the dog with me for a cruise it's funny to see his head spinning around.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

Great you saved this one, look like a complete truck after it was reassembled, and 63 is my favorite year the bbw gives you a 360 view, when I take the dog with me for a cruise it's funny to see his head spinning around.

Made my head spin the 1st time I sat in it. So use to the small back glass

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

Great you saved this one, look like a complete truck after it was reassembled, and 63 is my favorite year the bbw gives you a 360 view, when I take the dog with me for a cruise it's funny to see his head spinning around.

Only parts that didn't come with the truck was the radiator support, core support, grill and back bumper. I had some better front fenders/inner fenders so I put them on. They still need lower patches. Other than that pretty complete. Some minor bed parts needed, most I have located and need a tailgate and rear bed panel. Did come with 3 extra panels that sit in front of the windshield and an extra driver side fender.

I'll see what I can do with the steel grill on my other 63 since I have an aluminum grill for that truck. Steel grills pop up fairly often though. Main cab harness and front to back bed harness are there, the rest are gone, but no biggie.

[Ta2Don]

Finally got a chance to check in…Glad you didn't lose it on the road...
Gotta say I am a bit envious… I'm looking for a BBW Fleet and found one not too far away, just gotta get the guy to come off the price a bit...