1963 GMC C30 panel truck

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

Back on the panel this week. As planned I started filling in holes in the floor pan. 17 just around the drivers seat hahaha. I also moved the drivers seat up towards the dash 3", and will do the same on the other side. Next I moved onto the 3 point seat belt install. This is what I figured on for positioning, trying to keep belt out of the way for anyone trying o get into the back seats, when they get put in. Passengers side to go next.

[62stepside longbox]

Those 3 point belts looks good, what are they from? I'm starting to think it might be a smart idea to go with shoulder belts rather than lap belts if I can find some that will work well in the truck without hacking the crap out of the inner roof panel.

[deejaaa1]

that dash turned out great!

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Those 3 point belts looks good, what are they from? I'm starting to think it might be a smart idea to go with shoulder belts rather than lap belts if I can find some that will work well in the truck without hacking the crap out of the inner roof panel.

Thanks Nik! They are out of my old 1992 Dodge, the great doner of parts for the project I'm hoping the angle I had to put on the retractor won't affect the locking function. There wasn't a lot of options to keep it out of the way for anyone getting into the back. There is an awesome step by step on the 60-66 Suburban area about three point belt install, helped a lot. They show how to install the fasteners into the regular cab b-pillar and floor. Any good condition belt out of pick and pull should be good. I spent some time cleaning my belt material with soap and water, couldn't believe the dirt that came out hahaha.

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

that dash turned out great!

Thank you Deejaa! Turned out just the way I wanted

[AJCK87]

More progress this week!

I moved the passengers seat up to match the drivers. I also spent some time filling in all the holes on the passengers side.



Then I moved on to the 3 point seat belt for the passengers side. Went in easier after figuring everything on the drivers.



After the seat belt install, I patched up the shifter and parking braking holes in the trans tunnel cover.





I finished up the day patching around the mounting point for the stock accelerator pedal, looking to smooth it out for a better seal for the trans tunnel cover.

I think my compressor calved out today, it was making some bad sounds. Serves me right, it's only a small hobby compressor. Well I might be in the market for an appropriate sized one but still in 110v and portable. I was thinking 2hp +, with a 15 to 20 gal tank. I looked at a Ingersoll and Rand in a 2hp 20gal at KMS tools and the California Air compressor online. Any suggestions?

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

I have been keeping at it! Spent some time working on the trans tunnel, finished up the rust repair there and added a few fasteners. Then I moved on to the drivers side door jam, noticed some pitting around the knee knocker. Here's a before and after.





Way slower with out my air tools, need to get the compressor going again!

[Palf70Step]

Nice work. There are days I wonder why I even have my compressor, then there are body days that I am sooooooooooo glad I invested in one.

[62stepside longbox]

Nice work Anthony!

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work. There are days I wonder why I even have my compressor, then there are body days that I am sooooooooooo glad I invested in one.

Thank you Bill. Yeah I agree, the air tools are lighter and those 3" angle grinders just fit into places the electric just don't hahaha

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Nice work Anthony!

Thanks Nik, just keeping at it like you

[AJCK87]

Good day,

Well back on the panel. Started the process of replacing the drivers inner and outer quarters. Started with the front section then I'll be working my way back. Here is what I started with, rusted through in areas along the bottom portion and wheel well.



Fabricated and installed some patch panels. The outer quarter patch panels I have are a bit short so I will have to extend them. I also have to blend the fuel door opening into the new patch.



Feels good chasing the rust out of this beast! Here's a pic of the fresh steel waiting to go on.



Until next time

[60burb4me]

what bolts did you use for the back end of the wood floor by the barn doors?

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 60burb4me

what bolts did you use for the back end of the wood floor by the barn doors?

Hey there 60burb4me, off the top of my head. I used 1/4" by 1 1/2 or 2" 310 SS carriage bolts and 3/8" by 10" 310 SS carriage bolts for the body mount bolts

[60burb4me]

yeah but the rear carriage bolts are tapered on the bottom and flat on the top

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 60burb4me

yeah but the rear carriage bolts are tapered on the bottom and flat on the top

I was going by your discription before I looked it up. they are not really carriage bolts. you said bottom and bottom would have been the threaded end, but they are tapeed under the head
ron

[padresag]

this is the bolt that you are looking for. It just may be tapered on the bottom by rust. it is tapered underside of the head you mean
perhaps ask 60-66 if he could look up the part number or what it is called. gives no dother descrition in the assy manual about it

ron

[60burb4me]

here is the bolts , no rust,

[60burb4me]

yeah that is definitely a possibility! I am trying other options and I think I have found some, but I was hoping some one already had.

[padresag]

they do make an allen headed bolt with a taper that would put it together
ron

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

Off to Scotland for 3 weeks! See you all when I get back ☺

Plan is to get back to work on the panel when I get back to Canada

See you

[62stepside longbox]

Hope you guys have a good trip!

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

I'm back from the big vacation in Scotland, had a blast touring the country side! Scotland is a beautiful country and has some pretty awesome people.

Back to work and reality, but most important of all back to working on the panel truck! Hahaha

I am focusing on the rust repairs for the quarter panels. The photos of the quarters really don't do the status of them justice! The PO had fibreglass fixed over damage then smoothed with copious amounts of bondo and then painted. All the original metal is just rotting away underneath. I began with the drivers side, hacking away the bad and in with the new. Cleaned up the inner quarter and laid down some POR 15.



Repaired the haggard speaker cut out on the drivers side.



The install of the outer quarter, had to extend the long bed panel and line up the fuel filler access. Digging it, I think it turned out awesome and pretty straight all around.



Now I'm moving onto the rear half.



Replaced the steel on the inner quarter, rebuilt the back corner and a couple patchs around the tail light.



Rebuilt the section that the rear cross member bolts to, the old one was totally rotten.



Just about got the drivers quarter wrapped up.



Thanks for tuning in!

[AJCK87]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the small pics from my last update, still searching for a better photo share site. Any ideas? Anyways, I finished up the metal work on the drivers side quarter panels. They are by no means perfect, could have used some better metal forming tools. I keep telling myself, well it's better then it was hahaha and at least it's solid!

I have a bunch of part coming, like a vintage air system 😁

I also have the patch panels for the passengers side, so that's getting tackled next. Feeling a lot better about putting this thing on the road with a solid body. Man the climate around here just eats metal

Till next time

[AJCK87]

Moving onto the passengers side quarter panel this weekend. Started cutting into the panel with the zip disc and started to smell smoke..... couldn't believe what I found.....😳 The cavity was about half full of rat nest!


Got it cleaned up now, patched a bunch of holes and the terrible speaker cut out from the PO on the passengers side. Keeping things moving!

Cheers,

[DPowers]

Progress is good!

[Palf70Step]