NewToMe 1963 Suburban.....questions/direction

[porschecab]

I come from many years of the vintage Porsche world where numbers matching and originality means everything. Ok;

I bought a 1962 GMC Panel with ideas to convert it to a Suburban. Rather than chase that headache, I just picked up a 1963 GMC Carryall/Suburban. The '63 has no bumpers and I'd like to take those originals off the '62 and put on the '63.

From my research, it would appear the bumpers between '62 and '63 are different? Can anyone confirm this? I might just have to remove them and check. I am seriously struggling with just buying repop bumpers versus originals and having them rechromed. My Porsche days says the original and rechromed is the way to go, but local guys are telling me, just buy a new one. Thoughts?

I am also struggling with the barn door/clam shell routes. The '63 already has the clam shell while the '62 has the barn doors. I love the looks of the barn doors and have every last part to move the barns over. Problem is, I don't want to give up the clam shell. Thoughts?

Lastly, here are some things I want to do, so if you know of any threads or have any of such, let me know.

Looking for front/rear bumpers for the 1963, I think.
Looking for an extra set of barn doors.
Looking for suggestion on suspension/ride: I'm going to make this my daily driver and open to any/all suggestions. I'd like it to be lower than stock, not sitting on the ground, but not soft. There are lots of kits, but I also see folks putting later Chevy parts on.

A lot of turkey above, I know, just super excited.

I'll sell off the '62 once I know the '63 has what it needs!

Thanks.
Dan

[LVPhotos]

The bumpers are different mounting holes because the frame was wider X frame, torsion bar on 62. 63 went to a ladder bar frame. 63 can be dropped with springs, bags, arms, spindles. PORTERBUILT, Ride Tech and others have good suspension. Brakes and lots of stuff available from vendors section here.

[TopFuel1966]

Early Classic Enterprises, Fresno CA. They have suspension, bumpers, etc and they may even have the doors you seek.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Dan

The '73-'87 truck suspension and steering will all bolt up under your '63. However if it is a lower stance you are after, it may be more cost effective to just buy the appropriate dropped spindles and springs for the '63. Personally I prefer the rubber bushed '73-'87 control arms versus the greasable steel bushings as found on the '63-'72 C10's.


There is much info to be found here in the '60-'66 FAQ section at the top of the '60-'66 forum main page.

[duallyjams]

lets see whatcha got

[porschecab]

Here:

[porschecab]

The panel is a 62 and is bone stock.