1963 C-10 in NC

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Goal for this weekend.....get the front crossmember out of the donar 64 and degrease/paint/prep for the disk brake conversion so I can install it in the 63.

That turned out to be a nightmare on my conversion. We quickly realized the donor front end had been in a flood and the crossmember was completely packed with rocks and mud. Took an entire day to remove all the debris.

Hopefully yours will be simple. It sure is nice to slide the complete rebuilt front suspension under the truck rather that having to do all the work under the truck. My 1975 suspension looked like this when rolled under:



I'm really looking forward to when the big block goes in.

[TJ's Chevy]

Hope yer goal is easily carried out this week end!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by markeb01

That turned out to be a nightmare on my conversion. We quickly realized the donor front end had been in a flood and the crossmember was completely packed with rocks and mud. Took an entire day to remove all the debris.

Hopefully yours will be simple. It sure is nice to slide the complete rebuilt front suspension under the truck rather that having to do all the work under the truck. My 1975 suspension looked like this when rolled under:



I'm really looking forward to when the big block goes in.

Did you install the springs with the crossmember out?

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Did you install the springs with the crossmember out?

I've already communicated with 1963c-10. For everyone else's benefit - yes I rebuilt the whole crossmember out of the truck. I used an internal type coil spring compressor to manage their installation.

[1963c-10]

Yes, 15" rims. They are later model 4x4 rims that will clear the calipers and still run my factory caps/ trim rings.

They are the blue rims you've seen at the house.

Why, you want to come help pull the crossmember this weekend Austin? Can always use help.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Yes, 15" rims. They are later model 4x4 rims that will clear the calipers and still run my factory caps/ trim rings.

They are the blue rims you've seen at the house.

Why, you want to come help pull the crossmember this weekend Austin? Can always use help.

Thats right I remember you telling me. If it wasn't for the fact I'll be basking in the the sun at the beach this weekend I would've helped out.

I can help out the weekend of the '63 if it's not done by then.

[1963c-10]

Thanks Mark, the crossmember is on a bare frame, so access will be easy. Rich said it was out a year ago, so hopefully no issues with bolts coming out. I'll post pics of coarse. I'm right there with you on the big block, can't wait to see it in. Ive picked up a newer model truck so I can do what I want to on the 63. Figured the front end rebuild/ disk brakes was a good place to start. Being that I have a donar crossmember, I figured that was the route to go.

TJ....I hope it comes out this weekend also. Id like to get it in the back of the truck and take it up to a pressure washer then get it home for paint and reassembly.

Austin....I can get it out, forgot about your beach trip. Have fun and remember those of us busting knuckles and getting covered in grease while you drink cold ones by the beach. I catch you next weekend to pick up the other 63 and save the crossmember if I get rained out.

[1963c-10]

For anyone interested....my upholster has kept up with the numbers on the upholstery if anyone is needing a 63 deluxe seat cover in the future. I plan on at least one more for the short fleetside after i'm done with the stepside. Just let me know and I can get you contact info for his shop. Hes done work for me in the past and he does excellant work. With the exception of health issues and weather, its normally a 10day turn around time. I'll have pics of mine next week. 1st blue / white 1963 deluxe seat in production......4 long days and counting.

[NEWFISHER]

Soak everything with penetrating oil tonight just in case

That's going to be nice when all painted up and ready to slide in!

[1963c-10]

Thanks Newfisher...i was outside spraying as you were typing. Great minds huh? I'm looking forward to the front end rebuild. It'll be my 1st complete rebuild. I've done ball joints here and there and springs, but never a whole front end and I'm always willing to learn and try things (haven't gotten up the nerve to try the rearend posi conversion yet). I'll get some new grade 8 bolts for the reinstall.

[Sharps40]

I think between the 50 years of oil leaks and grease and the recent rebuild that 64 crossmember will come out pretty easy. I was amazed during the parting out.....I was workin alone and had the truck stripped to the frame in three days with only 2 stuck bolts that hadda be fussed with. Good Southern Iron don't get rust welded together too often.

[1963c-10]

Ive been spraying it down with penetrating oil to help with the removal. Looks like 8 bolts total. Doesn't look like it'll be too bad to clean. Will take it to the local car wash to hit with a pressure washer 1st. Then home for paint and reassembly.

[markeb01]

Good luck on your crossmember. I hope the project turns out to be easy.

[1963c-10]

I just hope it comes out as nice as yours Mark. Thanks for the encouragement!!

[1963c-10]

Well, spraying down all the bolts on the donar crossmember was well worth it. Went out to take off the spindles since I won't be using them (figured it'd make moving it around alot lighter). Castle nuts backed right off. Lower came out easy, top will need a pickle fork. Can't seem to find it since the move, so I'll get another tomorrow. Loosened up the frame bolts and they turned with relative ease....so looks like it'll drop down ok tomorrow. Ran out of light, so I'm done for the night. It'll sure be nice to get my barn up so I can put some late nights in out there turning wrenches on the 63's.


3 days until seat pick up.....but who's counting right!!

[TJ's Chevy]

Yep! Ya can't go wrong with lubing 45+ year old parts! LOL! I need to basically dunk mine in WD40 for a year! LOL! I'm gonna be removing some of these ol parts on mine this summer.

[1963c-10]

ran a wire brush over the areas i could also. got the spindles out today. wish i had more time today. the 61 frame got loaded up and sent on its way to ohio and the rest of the time was disassembling a 61 front end and shelves in the shed. got the big block out and turned it over a few times to take the weight off the springs. all the bolts are coming loose so far on the crossmember, so maybe i can get a jack under it tomorrow and drop it.

[McMurphy]

I thought about posting a pic of my front cross like Mark did...
The #1 thing that tripped me up was forgetting the upper control arms were from an 83 and I purchased 66 ball joints, which of course were not willing to fit right.
That was the hardest lesson on hybrid building for me to learn.

Good luck on yours, in the end it isnt as formidible as you would think !!

[1963c-10]

Thanks for the follow up Mark. I did get the spindles out and will drop the lower control arms tonight. Then finish unbolting the crossmember and it'll be ready to clean up. I'll have to get a loaner ball joint press from Advanced to remove the ball joints, but so far so good. No issues that I haven't been able to take care of with wd40 and a pickle fork.

[1963c-10]

Pic of where I'm at with the front crossmember

[Sharps40]

That must be a pic of your 63? Ol John Lee the 64 was a bunch greasier than that!

[1963c-10]

No, thats Ol John Lee in the pic. I did do some degreasing to make it a little more workable. Note.....lower pass side ball joint is broken. I'm replacing of coarse, but add it to the damage tally.

[Sharps40]

Got it....zoomed in and I can see the bends on both frame rails. Ya did clean it up, a bunch!

[1963c-10]

I'm going to trash the ball joints that I remove. I know they only have a few hundred miles on them, but do to the collision I don't want anyone else to take any chances with them.

The dirt wasn't in the way, just made it easier to get less of it on me. I can take the tarp off the bed soon and finish the rear frame. Then get it welded and the trailer won't be far off. The front crossmember seems to have made it through just fine. Plenty of bends in the frame though. And also noticed the pass side drum had a crack in it. The spindles look good though if you have any interest or use for them.

[Sharps40]

I agree on the joints, not worth the risk of early failure. And, No, hard as it was hit, I'd put the spindles under a flame wrench to prevent their use in the future or dump em into the recycle bin for the next trip to the scrapper....should get ya 9 cents per pound on steel here locally. Just old iron and not worth the chance they are now cracked....prolly not but no one will ever magnaflux or dye test em.