1961 Crew Max

[hemifalcon]

Very nice to have the amenities to build up something like this...

It would have been cool to re-use the early hood rather than hack it up and find a tasteful way to make a subtle cowl shape with another "pontoon" shape down the center.. I really like the earlier hood/grill designs..

[Branman1971]

This is the coolest! I will be a lurker!

[Palf70Step]

[CHIZZLER]

I was able to pull some plastic pieces off the top of the motor. Also got boost tubes and air box out of the way for now. The engine harness was a little tricky to get out in one piece. CHIZZLER

[Chapstr's65]

Man you guys have some big &@!!$ to tackle jobs like these. I am nervous about the minor job I have to do with my truck, no way I could do one like this, even though I would love a crew cab

[Advanced Design]

Nice work getting the harness out Chizzler.

Going to be so cool....and you have a really good looking shop too!

[CHIZZLER]

Got a bunch of metal from top banana tuesday. Both front cab mounts are separated from the backside of the rockers making the cab drop on both corners. Trying to get it to where we can brace the inside and start cutting rockers and floor out. The last picture is the cab raised up of the frame as before it was resting on it. Don't have another cab to measure the gap.Chizzler

[Ratpin]

I'd like to check this thing out sometime, maybe lend a hand if needed.

[CHIZZLER]

Originally Posted by Ratpin

I'd like to check this thing out sometime, maybe lend a hand if needed.

That sounds good. Send a pm with some info.

[jonzcustomshop]

wow! lots of repair panels! almost 2 of everything!

I have a question about yours, in this pic where I put the arrow:
does the door pillar just end right there? is the gap between it and the rocker finished? this part is completely gone on mine on both sides
just wondering if that is how the coach builders left this piece.

[CHIZZLER]

Hope this helps. it just ends.

[jonzcustomshop]

perfect, that does help, as mine just ends as of now... I am still amazed at how low tech some parts of these crews are.

[CHIZZLER]

Yup. I think mine might just be in a little bit better condition than yours but not by much. Im excited to start fixing the metal. I will need to make sure im up on my tetanus shot. keep up the good work jon.

[Lokin4AReason]

time and patience but either way, your making some progress =0)

keep up the good work ....

[CHIZZLER]

Can anyone help me with the difference from a 61 frame to a 63 and newer. I've read that the back cab mounts line up but mixed comments about the front. The new floor pans are for a 61 so does that mean i will need to cut the perches off the old frame or just open the holes up. I don't have a new frame yet. My old frame is a 3/4 ton. Thanks

[jonzcustomshop]

here are some pics: a 60-62 frame, and a 63-66 frame*, and then a 61 cab sitting over a 63 frame with the bolt showing where the 61 mount hole comes through compared to the 63.

** in the last pic you can see a 65 cab on a 65 frame and the hole in the foreground on the brace is where it is still punched out for the 60-62 frame

what frame are you going to use?


* pic is a 68 frame, visually the same as a 63-66 except for the front bumper mounts

[CHIZZLER]

Thanks. I have not purchased a new frame but looking at a 63-66. The new front floor cab support i got has a second hole inward. I would assume that is where the cab will now bolt. It looks like it lands right on top of the front to back c-channel floor support.

[CHIZZLER]

Your last pic details it exactly. Thank you.

[Captainfab]

Mounting a '60-'62 cab onto a '63-'66 frame is as simple as drilling a new hole for the front cab mount bolt farther inward. The cab mount on the cab is already contoured to fit.

[CHIZZLER]

Well today i found a donor truck for the crew cab. Overall sheet metal is in great shape. 1961 4wd on a newer frame. Big block with a turbo 400. Bed and front sheet metal are very usable. Drivers door is awesome. Also got a second passenger door. Grill is in amazing condition. Tear down went pretty good. Chizzler

[jonzcustomshop]

are you going to use that 4wd frame and keep it as a 4wd long fleet?

the frame stretch for that would be 30 inches-that is how much the cab is stretched-

[CHIZZLER]

I think the frame is from a 73 on. Im going 2wd so still looking for a frame. Hey jon i found this chalk number on the firewall over the olive drab paint. Does yours have anything like this? Also i think we have the exact same truck from the same builder.

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by CHIZZLER

I think the frame is from a 73 on. Im going 2wd so still looking for a frame. Hey jon i found this chalk number on the firewall over the olive drab paint. Does yours have anything like this? Also i think we have the exact same truck from the same builder.

yeah I am pretty sure they are from the same batch , mine has #178 in that spot, and then: "341 green" on the upper cowl.

[joeydirt]

cool build, I have been tossing around a similar idea seeing as I have a c20 and a beat up duramax. If for some reason you decide to go with putting the old body on the new frame check out this build http://www.2brotherscustomtrucks.com...ild_week1.html.

[CHIZZLER]

Made some progress. Had to let go of one of my future projects to fund this one. Floor pieces are held in place like a jenga game right now. Touch it and it will fall apart.