Which year to build?

[Tpo]

Hello,
I had a 63 c10 longwide in high school, man i loved that truck. I would like to find a 60-63 for a mild custom/driver/whatever project. Ultimately it will have a built smallblock and possibly a newer transmission. I would also lower it. Are the 60-62 really a hassle compared to the 63? Obviously if i find a rust free truck of any year its going to the front of the line. But what are the pros and cons of 60-62 vs 63, practically speaking?
Thank you
John

[The Rocknrod]

65/66. The 64's panhard frame mount isnt as good for the long bar.

[mongocanfly]

Welcome....
Not real familiar wit 61-66....but rust free would be what I'd look for....drivetrain parts can be upgraded...
I like the 65 66 styling better though...

[62chevy302]

I wouldnt be scared of buying a 60-62. The aftermarket is catching up quick on parts for those frames. You can crank down the torsion bars and add disc brake spindles or you can swap out the entire front crossmember like many people have done and lose the torsion bars. The shock location on the rear is an optimal setup over the 63-66 too.I love the knee knocker cabs over the 4 5 6 trucks.

[LostMy65]

The main difference between 62 & 63 is the x-frame. 60-62 is x-frame. 63-66 is ladder frame.
63 is the odd ball in that it went to the ladder frame, but still had the wrap-around windshield. I wouldn't say any of the 60-66 trucks are better than the other. My 65 is on a 62 frame. For me, if I was shopping, my deciding factor would be the condition of the cab.

[Tpo]

Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys

[LostMy65]

Browse the build threads to get an idea on what guys do when working with the 60-62 x-frame trucks.
63 would give you the knee-knocker cab, but the 63-66 frame.

[lilpoindexter]

'63 is the only year worth getting.

[Captainfab]

For me a '63 is the best hands down. But these days if you can find a decent '60-'62 I would go with that. If you don't like the torsion bars, you can swap the entire front suspension for a '73-'87 and have disc brakes.

[Mack B]

Originally Posted by Tpo

Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys

I think you can achieve your 4" drop with spindles, adjusting the torsion bars easy enough. My concern would be exhaust/ header clearance afterward. You can't tuck the exhaust between the frame rails like on the 63 and up frames.
You run out of room pretty quick at the transmission mount area on the early frames due to the x. Ive seen some threads here where guys have made some crossmembers to make it happen. I can't comment on how easy it was. Good luck on your search! 63 is my favorite...not just because I have one either

Not that you brought this part up, but another difference worth noting. Strangely enough I like the 60-61 hood but think it pairs better with the 64-66 flat windshield better than the wrap around windows of the correct model....But I'm weird.

[verdell]

Originally Posted by Tpo

Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys

I ran small blocks in both my '61 and '60 along with 2 1/2" drop spindles, torsion bars cranked down a bit, power discs and Hedman 69260 headers and I never had an issue. I did, however, have to fab up a trans cross member for the TH-350 trans and when I switched to the 700r4, I redid the cross member. It can certainly be done. It's all about your preference. I personally like the wrap around windshield, X-frame and torsion bars. I guess it just grew on me..

[Tpo]

Thanks for the replies men. Verdell, that is good to know because that sounds about what I want. Sharp truck!
Mack B, the more pics of the 60-61 hoods I see, the more they grow on me. I think the 62 grilles look best out of the 60-66. I don't have a pic of my old 63, and it was 30 yrs ago, but I think it had a 64-66 grill. It's all good.

[Isaiah92260]

1960-1962 are all a little different, and 1963 is the first to have the frame improvement and other things.

1963 is a lot easier to work with despite the grille which you can’t get aftermarket

I have a 63 which I loves even thought it was all banged up.

But I’m really loving my 1961, it’s very different and I am enjoying to work on it. I know it’s a bit of a pain to really drop 60-62 trucks without modifications but I don’t mind, I’m gonna lower the torsion bars as much as I can and drop the rear end with the same intent.

Personally I really love the chase for hard to find parts and the scarcity of a vehicle. When I get classic cars, I think of it’s value and the nostalgia and styling of the truck. That’s why I went with 1961 because of the hood, knee knocked windshield which I prefer, and the charcoal and silver interior. I more biased to say 1960-1961

[franken]

The early ones had a torsion bar suspension that's a bit odd. I'd opt for a later model that doesn't use that system.

[made2drag]

63 if you like the wrap around windshield, 64-66 if you don't.

63 had the unique grille, front coil suspension and the wrap around windshield.

64-66 fleetside chevys are my favorite.... with polished aluminum parts, sail panels and a big window

[OldGyrene]

63 is my favorite. But I love the early hoods, sooooo.......