My 63 farm truck build thread

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Love it man! That truck is beautiful and I love the engine and the sound of the exhaust. I'd drive it.

[62 mark]

Nice truck!! and the price you got it for..AWESOME! that is a fraction of what i paid for my 62, and i have floor and rocker work to do at least.

[daverod]

Nice work Kevin. Glad to see it moving. I like the door sign I want to do somthing like that on mine.

[SCOTI]

I'm diggin' the period correct sound. The bumper/grille update works well too. Still thinking about the Round-Up?

[rendus]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I appreciate the compliments from everyone. I figured since I didn't choose twenty something inch wheels and air bag suspension that no one would notice.

Just saw the thread and it's nice to see what your doing with the truck. No offense to anyone, but usually the first thing you read on a new build thread is exactly as you describe. It's nice to see something different.

[Captainfab]

Your truck is looking and sounding good.....nice touches with the powdercoating.

Good to see you back.

[oklahomaduner]

The truck looks awesome man!!! Great little details.

[sanford66]

I'm speechless!! That thing is awsome! I love it! Joseph

[Bazooka]

Looking good man. I'd drive the hell out of it..

[Woogeroo]

The 327 looks great and it sounds great.

Thanks for the updates.

-W

[72BlckButy]

Nice work Kevin!

[Tx Firefighter]

When I first got it running, I found out that the original transmission had no working 3rd gear. That answered my question as to why they parked this truck 32 years ago. I took the trans apart and found that the third gear synchro hub was ripped out of it's collar. It took some careful work and a little machining but I was able to get it back together and working. It's still not right and you can hear more noise than I am happy with.

So, this weekend I found a good core trans at the swap meet. It's got a great old Hurst Dual-Matic shifter on it too. They quit making those shifters a loooong time ago. It's the precursor to the current Indy shifter which is a cheap, poor quality shifter. In the 60s, Hurst started to get a lot of competition from companies like Mr Gasket and Sparkomatic so they phased out the dual-matic in favor of the Indy so they could compete on price.



I stopped by the parts house and bought all new rebuild parts for the transmission. I got bearings, seals, bushings, and gaskets. I'm going to order the parts I need to rebuild the shifter also. Hurst is very good about still offering all of the wear parts for these 45 year old shifters.

So, in the next few days I'm going to rip into it and restore the trans and shifter to better than new condition. I need to order the powder for the parts too. I've also got an extra bellhousing to detail and powdercoat and install along with the trans.

[protrash64]

Your truck has turned out really cool!!! Did you powder coat the ms/cyl? It looks nice in all the pics. Good work

[Tx Firefighter]

Everything on the engine, front suspension and brakes is powdercoated. I think it's the best process going now for parts that require durable finishes. Brake fluid doesn't affect the powdercoat at all. The only downside is that you have to completely disassemble anything like the master cylinder or brake calipers to keep from killing the rubber components with the oven heat.

[my67chevytruck]

Nice work Kevin.... you have the hitch installed yet?

[Tx Firefighter]

More work today.

When I built the truck initially I used a 3 inch drop Ground Force spring set in the front. I have run the 2 inch ones a lot of times and love them but the 3 inch coils were just too short and stiff.

So, out with the 3 inch coils and in with a pair of 2 inch coils...



And you know I'm not going to actually raise the truck an inch, so, out with these...



And in with these...



So, I'm now an inch or so lower and much, much better ride quality.

If anyone wants those stock, powdercoated spindles in the first pic, they can have them for free. Just drive out to my shop and pick them out of the scrap pile. Otherwise they are going to the scrap yard to be recycled into Chinese woks or whatever scrap gets used for nowadays.

[joe231]

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

More work today.

When I built the truck initially I used a 3 inch drop Ground Force spring set in the front. I have run the 2 inch ones a lot of times and love them but the 3 inch coils were just too short and stiff.

So, out with the 3 inch coils and in with a pair of 2 inch coils... And you know I'm not going to actually raise the truck an inch, so, out with these...

And in with these...
So, I'm now an inch or so lower and much, much better ride quality.

If anyone wants those stock, powdercoated spindles in the first pic, they can have them for free. Just drive out to my shop and pick them out of the scrap pile. Otherwise they are going to the scrap yard to be recycled into Chinese woks or whatever scrap gets used for nowadays.

I wondered if it would go this route or if you were happy w/the 3" units.

[Tx Firefighter]

Scoti, you were completely right. If you cut stock springs they ride super and lower 3 inches. If you buy 3 inch coils they are awful. Since I have run so many sets of cut coils I figured buying a pair would be the same. Not even close.

[joe231]

got any pics of it on the ground?

[Tx Firefighter]

Not yet Joe. I want to take it for a vigorous drive to settle the springs and reset my alignment before I'm done with it. The toe is off right now. I have to work tomorrow but I will get it finished up Sunday.

My buddy just dropped off one of the door art stencils tonight, so that's next project.

[joe231]

right on Kevin!

[70 shorty]

Gotta say, I LOVE that truck. I"ve been looking hard at specifically 63 shortbed fleetside trucks. I'd trade my 70 in a heartbeat for one.

[likaroc13]

awesome, can't wait to see pics...where'd you get the spindles & new springs?

[chevytrucknut]

Sweet truck.Love the wheels and patina. Nice work too.