1963 C-10 in NC

[WhippinSaw]

Thanks for the nice write up on the closing panels, I plan on doing mine this winter. The rust should be no problem, like you said "I have definitely seen worse" its also a good place to start with the new welder, on the floor under the mat, keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming, I also need to do a drivers side rocker

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

Thanks for the nice write up on the closing panels, I plan on doing mine this winter. The rust should be no problem, like you said "I have definitely seen worse" its also a good place to start with the new welder, on the floor under the mat, keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming, I also need to do a drivers side rocker

No problem on the write up. Gives me something to do in between dry times. Also working on a write up on the other build for the conversion from manual vent to cable pull vents. A great upgrade that's not bad at all.

I agree on the welding. I have to admit, its been 15 years since I had to even turn a welder on, but I'll get back into it. I'd also rather start on the floor pans since they'll likely never be seen. I think I'll go with the full length inner rocker that has the cab corner floor on it. The tops of the inner rockers are good, but the bottom back sides are shot. It's all going to need to be cut out for floor pans and cab supports anyways. A lot of it will come from the 61 donar cab, but some of the lines that won't match up I'll order from Top Banana. I'd rather let someone who can use the OEM 61 cab floor parts on a 60-62 cab so their metal will line up. But I can use the outer rocker, maybe the inner and the cab corners.

[TheBlueBomber]

Let me know. I'm on orders down here so one night when I get off or sometime before I go home this weekend I can come over and help.

[1963c-10]

Anytime any night Austin. Ordered pass side rocker, driver side inner rocker and cab supports this morning. I believe the rest I can cut from the donar cab. Picked up a few spot weld cutters this weekend, so I plan to go out and start cutting welds and removing OEM panels tonight. Once I know what I can salvage, I'll order the rest.

[1963c-10]

The Bluebomber (Austin) stopped in last night and we came up with a game plan for tonight. Front end will be off and maybe crossmember dropped is the goal. I'll set the front end on the fleetside for storage purposes for now....and to keep me on track as I keep getting side tracked. Should have some pics tonight of the progress.

[TheBlueBomber]

Action shot!

[1963c-10]

Well, success last night. Austin and I had good weather, although it was 90* and we have a tropical storm over us, but the front end was removed and transferred to the fleetside. So now the real fun begins. Crossmember will come out this weekend, frame prep finished and should have 1st frame install of engine for clearance issues done.

Few surprises, some were expected. PO decided to weld the pass side fender to the rocker....out came the grinder.

Driver side lower front fender bolt head was 1/2 gone.....out came the grinder.

Had Austin on fire patrol inside the cab when grinding on the driver side due to the couple of small holes so nothing caught fire.

[1963c-10]

Couple more pics. Rest of the frame looks solid, no cracks or damage from any accidents that I can see. All the front end components are oem and retain the rivets, but the new crossmember is done and complete, so the swap should go a little faster.

Lower a piller on driver side can get added to the list.

And the fleetside with its temporary front end. Hoping that by putting the front end on the fleetside that it'll slow me down on that build some so I can get the stepside back on the road.

[1963c-10]

And a big thanks to Austin (bluebomber) again for the help!!!!

[Ta2Don]

It sure is great getting to meet fellow member's and get that second set of hands when needed...

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

It sure is great getting to meet fellow member's and get that second set of hands when needed...

Oh yeah, have met quite a few. Austin and I have been friends for a few years already and hes also one of my groomsmen in the upcoming wedding in November. We worked many long range matches up at Camp Butner, NC together when I played RSO (range safety officer), paramedic and pulled targets.

The trucks we both had and was just another thing in common. I don't work at Camp Butner much anymore, but Austin still works the range and still shoots competitively. Most of the matches there are 600, 800 and 1000 yards. And the help is much appreciated.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice to see the other 63 with a front end. lol So..I might have missed it, but what you gonna do about a front clip for the 63 stepper?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Nice to see the other 63 with a front end. lol So..I might have missed it, but what you gonna do about a front clip for the 63 stepper?

I have another one that's already been torn apart. I have a NOS grill support, oem radiator support, the aluminum 63 grill I polished out, I've rebuilt the closing panels and only have the pass side inner fender to complete.

The big block is done, minus swapping valve covers, clutch assembly done and installed on block and trans is done, just waiting to be mated to the block.

Front crossmember is already prepped and painted as are all the components. All new front suspension parts sitting in the boxes. So just prep and install now.

[WhippinSaw]

Looking Good, everything is falling into place, I agree on concentrating on the stepper, especially with the big block, new seat and all the other cool stuff u have for it.

[aggie91]

Nice to have help doing that kind of work.

You gonna get that crossmember and suspension done this weekend?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Nice to have help doing that kind of work.

You gonna get that crossmember and suspension done this weekend?

Depends on what our tropical depression does, but it's my goal. Frame prepped and trimmed and engine/trans/crossmember set in.

Rear end removal will follow next so I can get it to my builders for the posi.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

And a big thanks to Austin (bluebomber) again for the help!!!!

No problem you know I'm always down to turn some wrenches and bust some knuckles.

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Depends on what our tropical depression does, but it's my goal. Frame prepped and trimmed and engine/trans/crossmember set in.

Rear end removal will follow next so I can get it to my builders for the posi.

I was working on the truck today and out of nowhere 35 Mph gusts came in and started wreaking havoc... scared the life out of my cat.

[bj383ss]

Good progress man. Can't wait to see that BBC in there. Speaking of the A-pillar I just welded my passenger one in this morning. Wasn't too bad but it took some massaging to make the lines match up.

[1963c-10]

OK, work resumed on 7/3 and ended 7/8 on front end, but its done. Started with adding the dual mc and hydraulic clutch mc since the firewall was already prepped and them it was time to remove the crossmember and start frame prep.

All parts completed in this phase:
New dual mc
wildwood hydraulic clutch mc
Captainfab brake/hydraulic clutch kit
New shocks, tie rods, ball joints, spindles, rotors, idler arm, pitman arm
factory sway bar added
factory front hooks added
new tires/lug nuts
all new grade 8 bolts

[1963c-10]

More frame prep, rust prevention, sealer and undercoating, then installed the pre prepped crossmember

[1963c-10]

Next was coil spring and spindle install. And let me tell you....3/4 ton springs are fun to compress. I used a combination of coil spring compressor and floor jack. I would tighten with the compressor and then raise with the jack. Once spindles were in and castle nuts on, I decompressed the compressor and slowly lowered with the jack. Took awhile, but very effective. I also ran 3/8" logging chain through the spring (just incase anything went FUBAR)....but didn't get a pic. Luckily I didn't need the chain.

[aggie91]

Nice work. Looking Good!

[aggie91]

What is your trick to get the bump stops in the a-arms?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

What is your trick to get the bump stops in the a-arms?

Sharps40 was kind enough to install new ones before I got the crossmember, so I didn't have to. I'd check with him.

[Sharps40]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Sharps40 was kind enough to install new ones before I got the crossmember, so I didn't have to. I'd check with him.

grease, push, beat, pry, cuss....repeat.