Upside down, back to front, long low 63 fleet

[SkinnyG]

Angling it back will change the anti-dive built into the suspension geometry (that's why the upper arms are angled back. This will likely increase the effect). I'm not sure how this will affect handling under braking, but I do hope you fill us in when it's on the road.

[63inoz]

Trouble is Ive never driven it so I wont really know if theres been a change.
With all the changes planned I wouldnt be able to pinpoint credit but hopefully its a big improvement overall.
A few pics now of the finished crossmember. From the fill in pieces beside the spring towers you can get an idea of the angle of the mounting.

I also noticed the pigtail pocket in the lower a arm was the lowest point at my ride height. So I cut out the bottom of the spring pocket, removed a bit of the pocket and then re-attached the bottom piece at about 180 degrees rotation. That gets the pigtail bulge out of ground clearance issues.

[forestb]

Every time I see someone do this it makes me wish I new how to weld

[63inoz]

So we trial fit the crossmember at 1" forward, all good. Fit a wheelboard under it to move the chassis around easily to help in getting the cab off.

Then the cab is off and then the rear end is dropped out.

The plan has changed. Long and low was the plan. New plan, Not so long but more low. Chassis is getting marked up for the chop.

Amazed how dogs can find space amongst the chaos just so they can be involved.

[clemdaddy]

Just found your thread and I also love the 63s.
The double hump dash and the knee knocker shield plus that one-off and most beautiful grill, what's not to like. Looking forward to what you do next and how you do it. Very good work...

[88Stanger]

Great write up! I am working on a "66 and I am looking at done something similar. looks great!

[63inoz]

Thanks for stopping by guys and positive vibes. Most of what I am doing has been covered before. I might do a few things a bit different. Biggest issue is lack of local parts. So I will make stuff that could be bought if time and expense werent an issue.

These pics are a bit out of sequence just because the bed was cut up and removed before lifting the cab off,
Its getting the old 12 out of the middle, 8 off the back.
So I cut the sides 8 1.4" forward of the tail light panel seam, then unbolted the side from the front panel. So the whole bed is into 4 manageable pieces.
Put all 4 pieces aside for the moment. Its going to need to be built in place once the cab is back on. Planning a kick up in the rear frame so its going to need the floor height raised a similar amount. Future fun and games.

[clemdaddy]

This is just a thought I've had for a while now. Since you're down under, in the world of right hand drive. have you thought of a right hand conversion. The 63 double hump dash would simplify it somewhat. Most of the suspension would cross over and I believe that a Holden truck steering box would work.
Anyway, just a thought. Looking great, keep after it.

[63inoz]

My 71 camaro is RHD. It was converted "professionally" back in the early 80s when it was imported here. Ever seen a chevy aircon turned upside down and mounted to the other side of the car? The firewall had bits of gal sheet rivetted over holes.
Dont mention the wiring!!!!!!!!
So I put about 6 months into tidying up the junk and re-doing a whole lot of things. Had to get a new drag link custom made, you dont want to see what was on there.
At least the dashboard was done in a custom molding that was apparently commonly available back in the day so that side of it is ok.

Anyhow this truck doesnt need to be converted, it comes under "classic" rules here so we just drive em around as is. I dont have enough life left to spend any more of it down the rhd rabbit hole.

BTW the double hump dash had me thinking about it for quite some time, but its really the tip of the iceberg.

[63inoz]

So the chassis has been braced, chopped in half and kicked up 4" in the rear.
While its in 2 pieces its fairly easy to move around so its off to the blasters.

[SkinnyG]

Does this all need to be engineered to drive on the street? Or can you just be all "hush-hush"?

[raggedjim]

Lots of nice work on this!

Good luck, Rg

[63inoz]

Thanks for looking guys.
Its kind of funny that Ive never found a discussion about engineering on these boards and I feel like Ive been through all the heavy modded build threads.
It will have to get a roadworthy certificate from a licensed tester.
I know a few guys who do this, they say they dont do favours on this, its not worth it, they take the responsibility seriously.
If they spot something that appears to be modified beyond regulations they will refer me to an engineer for certification.
Airbags are pretty obvious, z chassis, engine replacement with 30%+hp improvement, camaro front subframe grafted into original chassis.
They all say that they dont know these trucks, not common at all around here, so they are unlikely to pick up on any mods if they are done right, blend in to the surroundings etc.
Australian regs are pretty stringent, maybe less for commercial vehicles than passenger cars.
How will you go in Canada?

[SkinnyG]

Where I am in Canada, there are no mandatory inspections. A cop could order a Vehicle Inspection (VI), and assuming someone is willing to inspect it, it would undergo a safety inspection and (probably) a structural integrity inspection. The standards here are nothing like the standards you need to pass.

My Lotus 7 replica (clubbie to you?) had to pass safety and structural in order to get a serial number. Having a serial number first is gold.

My tube-frame rwd-conversion V8 Pontiac Firefly (MKI Suzuki Swift to you) was merely "Hi, I'd like to put plates on my '87 Firefly please" and it was on the road.

[forestb]

I am always shocked about how lenient California is about classic cars. Especially compared to other countries

[63inoz]

Is California typical of the rest of the US?
I see some threads on here and there and think, you gotta be kidding you can get that on the road.
It would not happen here due to the conservative nature of the engineers.
We dont have that many people, we cant afford to lose any.
So I'm hoping for a Firefly style inspection at this point.
I'm very confident of the safety, just dont want to have to deal with the bull**** of proving it.
Most of what Ive done has been done a gazillion times before so the testing has been done.

[ElReeso]

You guys would have fun over here in Germany... not!
Can´t get anything legal...

[63inoz]

No fun in Germany?
Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, autobahns, bratwurst, beer, schnitzel, more beer, German Shepherds?
Its not all bad.

[ElReeso]

Well thats the good part of it.. but for US classics or any vehicle mods ist the hell.
Need paperwork for every single part I add to a vehicle (german testing paperwork). Even for a LED Bulb or something like that..
No US Based Company provides that paperwork.
If you start modding a Frame you won´t get a Registration, period!

All my chevy´s are technically illegal because I added US mods. Even if a german inspection engineer would approve it, the Police could impound the car to check if the engineer did his Job the right way...

[63inoz]

So I made a little jig and used it to make up some engine pipes from standard bends.
Once I had these on, the rest of the system was pretty straightforward.
Its all 2.5" aluminised steel and its pretty straight, with no crossover pipe, not enough ground clearance for that.
It goes up over the rear axle but I cant finish the tailpipes till I get the bed back on and up to level it up to the cab.

[made2drag]

Nice work! Just the kind of build i love to follow!

[63inoz]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Busy time of year for us, havent had much time to post lately.
Bush fires are nuts.
Lots of people losing everything.
We're not really affected being in the centre of Melbourne.
Fires are not in the big cities, but the smoke in the air here is toxic.
February is traditionally peak fire season, so fingers crossed on that.

So next the engine is out and getting some attention.
Block has been cleaned up and honed.
Original flat top pistons miced up ok.
New rings, bearings, cam, lifter, timing gear, oil pump.
Heads have been cleaned up and crack and leak tested and seats cut.
Original 4 barrel manifold blasted and painted, new hei dissy.

Also tore down the trans.
New everythng inside and a transgo shift kit.
New converter with a bit higher stall to hopefully deal with the bigger cam.
Not its first rodeo so also a lot of helicoils too.

Engine is sitting back in now, hopefully forever.
Mounts are in original position on chassis rails and redrilled position on the crossmember thats been relocated forward.

[Captainfab]

Looks nice

[63inoz]

Thanks captain, we meet again.
Actually some of these next shots are right up your alley.
The old rusted out mounts on the radiator surround panel.
I see that you are making these now.
Yours look much nicer than mine and if it didnt cost a bomb to post them here I'd be onto it.
They should be as popular as rockers or cab corners or fender bottoms.
Anyway a few hours with the grinder and hammer and vice and welder and we're all good.
I was pretty lucky the centre section is pretty good, just the mount areas needed attention.
Then its off to the blasters.
Mocked up the radiator as well and measured up for hoses.
Also fitted a mini starter which fits nicely in with the tight exhaust.

[0ldSoul]

Good looking truck!