1963 C-10 in NC

[1963c-10]

Few more

[1963c-10]

Last of tow hook install and starting tie rods and main drag link. I did the pitman and idler arms before sway bar install.

[1963c-10]

And there we have the completed front end. All new components, grade 8 bolts and a lot of prep and finish time.

[1963c-10]

Last two pics for the day are of the driver side white wall installed. The 73 4x4 gm rims cleared the calipers just fine. Will get it down off the jacks tonight and get the lug nuts torqued down so I can get the caps on.

I can tell you for experience.....installing a new front end with all new painted parts alone is a challenge, but can be done.

Now time for phase 2.....engine & trans

[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.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Sharps40

Got yer text and photos while at the beach. Lookin high and tight!

Thanks Rich. A lot of blood, sweat, tears and $. And a few beers afterwards!!!

[aggie91]

That front looks great! Really like the contrast between the flat undercoating on the frame and the gloss black and blue on the suspension parts.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

That front looks great! Really like the contrast between the flat undercoating on the frame and the gloss black and blue on the suspension parts.

Thanks a bunch for the kind words. Was what I was going for, wasn't sure how it'd come out, but I'm thrilled with the results. I used gloss chasis paint on the crossmember, my undercoating in the can on the frame after prep, and the silver on the drag link and spindles is caliper paint. Went with a matte black on the calipers which you can't see once the rims are on. I taped off the backs of all the front suspension where the zerks go and all the threads. I'm glad I didn't go with my initial plan of a blue sway bar....I think it'd been too much. Just got lucky that Monroe sent blue shocks as they were advertised in black and the moog sway bar bushings were advertised in red, but luckily the blues match and make a nice touch on the front end.

Calling for rain the next 5 days....so engine/trans may have to hold off until the storms pass.

I also installed all new grade 8 hardware anywhere I could get a new bolt/nut on.

The crossmember install was probably the hardest part doing it solo....followed by the sway bar. I used wood clamps to hold the top of the sway bar to the frame which allowed me to get the a-arms measured up. Once bolted to the a-arms, the rest went fairly easy....just drilling holes.

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good bud! Looking forward to seeing that engine sit perrty in that bay.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Looks good bud! Looking forward to seeing that engine sit perrty in that bay.

Thanks TJ....me too!!

[Ta2Don]

Very Nice!!!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Very Nice!!!

Thanks Don.

[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.

[Eric15chevys]

That looks great. I am going to have to stop by. I am selling my car this week then I am going to get my 62. I will drop the motor mounts off with you.

[markeb01]

Man I like how that front chassis looks. Nicely detailed for sure!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Eric15chevys

That looks great. I am going to have to stop by. I am selling my car this week then I am going to get my 62. I will drop the motor mounts off with you.

I'm home most nights Eric. Just call 1st to make sure I'm at the house, but your welcome anytime.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Man I like how that front chassis looks. Nicely detailed for sure!

Thanks Mark for the kind words. I'm slowly learning patience as assembly on a freshly painted front end isn't easy. I'm normally like a bull in a china shop and I had to slow myself down for this phase of the build. Lots of tape, padding and cardboard were used. Did have some minor touch up, that's why all the cans are in the background of the pics. Tried to touch up as I went.

[WhippinSaw]

=1963c-10; I'll get a lot of progress done now, so stay tuned.

You delivered on that promise That detailed big block will look right at home, nice work.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

You delivered on that promise That detailed big block will look right at home, nice work.

Haha....I had hoped to live up to that statement this weekend. Got a lot done, would always like more done, but I'll settle with what I got accomplished without dropping standards. Weather rolling in for the next few days, so engine may have to hold out a few days. But I'll keep the thread posted on progress!!

[bj383ss]

Looks great man. I'm not sure if you mentioned it did you use stock front springs or are the lowered?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Looks great man. I'm not sure if you mentioned it did you use stock front springs or are the lowered?

Thanks BJ. The springs are stock height big block springs for the 63-72 model 1/2 tons. I think they are really a 3/4 ton spring by the look of it, but supposed to be a little stiffer to help with the additional weight of the big block.

[1963c-10]

Pimpston65......heres the pics you requested. I tried to get some good pics of the mounting locations also for the bolts. Let me know if you need more.

[1963c-10]

Few of the driver side set on the ground and the factory cap on. Will get pass side done tonight.....just had entirely too much going on last night.

I can't wait to see this color on the truck.

Too bad my 1st set of trim rings were too loose on these rims.....I really liked the blue line between the white wall and the rim, but I went to a 2" trim ring and they are super tight....these will not come off easily. I think they still look good.

[markeb01]

I like the looks of the earlier design rings as well. I years gone by I had good luck tightening the trim rings by bending the prongs on the back to a more severe angle. But it may or may not do any good with disc brake wheels if the prongs land in the safety bead groove. Either way it's a nice look.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I like the looks of the earlier design rings as well. I years gone by I had good luck tightening the trim rings by bending the prongs on the back to a more severe angle. But it may or may not do any good with disc brake wheels if the prongs land in the safety bead groove. Either way it's a nice look.

When I first put the thinner rings (1 1/2") on these rims, they were loose enough to rattle. I tried messing with the prongs on the back and still were too loose for comfort. So I ordered the 2" rings and they were fun to get on....very tight fit. I know these will not come off. I put the 1 1/2" rings back on the original rims that I had on the stepside and put them on the fleetside. I liked the color separation the rings gave me, but they are just not worth the safety issue of one coming off going down the road. I do order stainless steel rings as the chrome one eventually start to crack and fade.

Both sets of rings were sold for 60-87 chevy 15" rims, but there are obviously some variants. I didn't try the 2" rings on the 3 nubs rims, but I imagine they would have fit on those as well....just maybe tighter than the 4 nub rims.