The neighborhood pusher! 1963 c10

[63chevy208]

So I picked up a 63 c10 today for $1200 bucks. Needs lots of work, but it will be a fun restore. I picked this up and drove it home, with my 04 chevy and boy was that interesting. The tires on this thing are very wide, so the dolly was a little on the small side. Well, somewhere on the freeway the truck shifted down into the wheel valley that the tires should sit on. Since these tires were so wide they were sitting on the outside edges. Then at some point going up a little hill, the tie downs on the dolly holding the tire popped off. At this point, I was about 2 miles from home. I got the straps back on, with the help of another strap to help pull the front left closer onto the trailer again. So I show up in my neighborhood, on my court. I go to put it in reverse to back up a little and I heard this loud POP. The front right tire, the one that the strap came off Jumped out of where it was and onto the loading ramp portion of the dolly. Well at this time, It's starting to storm outside. Luckily a neighbor was outside and he started to help. I had to run and get another neighbor to help when I came back a third guy came outside. Luckily I was able to get it off the dolly and up onto the driveway.

I use to own a 1960 GMC and sold it when I was about 19. One of the stupidest things I've done. So this is my Re-do.

It's gonna need a lot of work. Slowly but surely, it will come along.

[63chevy208]

So whats a good first step? is it taking the body off to get to the frame. Take the suspension off and then clean the frame up and get the frame painted?

[flashed]

Looks nice .

[Palf70Step]

Looks like a great start. Looking forward to seeing her be brought back to the street.

[Bomp]

Nice straight looking truck, other than the drivers side fender.
Love that grille.

Before you tear into tearing things apart, what are your plans?
I tore into mine before I knew what I wanted to do...... the list kept growing and growing.

Im in no matter which way you build it.
Sub'd

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

That looks like a fairly nice '63 to build. That aluminum grill and chrome bumper look to be in real nice shape. That is a huge plus.

[Paul Y]

Looks like a very nice truck as others have said.

Me? I would get it running and driving first, then make a list of what it needs to work what ever you decide to do ie screen seats etc.

But most of all, as others have said, make a plan. Set a budget. Understand your skill sets and what you can do yourself and have the tools and space to do, or are willing to learn. Set a completion date - it will change! But, probably the best piece of advice I was never given... Don't change your mind half way through the build!

Once set on a pathway stick to it or it will never get completed or will take 20 years +

There speaks the voice of experience...

Either way let us know what your intentions are and keep you thread up to date.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

P.

[63chevy208]

Thanks everyone. Yeah the grill and front is in almost perfect condition. I'm surprised how clean the chrome is. Besides that fender, it's pretty straight. Just minor body work like the gas filler on the cab was filled with bondo. Getting a fender is cheap.

It's funny that you said to get it running first paul. That was my idea today. Get a gas tank installed, seats installed, brakes checked. Gauges in.

Id like to get all the bushings and everything replaced with the body mounts. The wood on the bed, suspension, front brake conversion. I think the motor is a small block 283. If like to swap it out, but maybe I'll keep it all original.

I'm the third owner of the truck. The guy I bought it from put bondo in the bed holes on the four corners. Welded the body molding holes.

[flashed]

If it has a 283 in it those are very dependable motors .I had a 65 many years back with a 283 and 3 speed on the column and that truck never let me down .

[63chevy208]

Yeah its a 3 on a tree. I'm trying to find the serial #. Where would I find the sn for the motor and vin

[flashed]

I dont remember where you would find it on those trucks as it's been too many years back .Some of these guys that own one now will probably jump in ans help you out .

[63chevy208]

So supposedly it's stamped on the front cylinder area on the passenger side but I can't find it. I'm pretty sure it's a 2 barrel carb so that would make it a 283. If it's the original motor.

[1981_c10]

Nice project! Truck does look super straight and fairly rust free??

Looking forward to following this project.

[63chevy208]

Well looking a little deeper I know the oil pump is missing. I'm going to post a picture of the engine bay so you can tell me what is missing.

[63chevy208]

https://flic.kr/s/aHskzQGk1c

I added some more photos of the body and the engine bay.

So I'm wondering what in the bay may be missing. Like heater core,coolant res are things I know of.

[63chevy208]

OK I figured out the fuel pump is ,issuing on the motor. The guy who had it before was going to relocate the gas tank. So would that mean he would plug up the fuel pump opening on the block and use an external fuel pump?

[aerotruk63]

Nice truck, welcome to the forum.
Pressed on backing plates, truly a 63.
The heater block off plates would indicate that the truck could have been equipped with the Economy Type Heater that mounted under the dash inside of the cab.
The white painted insert of the door panel would option the Custom Appearance Option Z61 and Custom Chrome Z62 would explain the front bumper and Aluminum Anodized Grille.



I'm going to say on your trim plate located on the drivers side kick panel PAINT #516 or 544 two tone. Red, Cardinal



You'll find that every 63 grille you find will be missing one or both headlight bezels.

[63chevy208]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Nice truck, welcome to the forum.
Pressed on backing plates, truly a 63.
The heater block off plates would indicate that the truck could have been equipped with the Economy Type Heater that mounted under the dash inside of the cab.
The white painted insert of the door panel would option the Custom Appearance Option Z61 and Custom Chrome Z62 would explain the front bumper and Aluminum Anodized Grille.



I'm going to say on your trim plate located on the drivers side kick panel PAINT #516 or 544 two tone. Red, Cardinal



You'll find that every 63 grille you find will be missing one or both headlight bezels.

What pressed on backing plates are you talking about? Yeah I'm thinking it had a heater at one time but it's long gone. The truck came from California not really cold there

[TJ's Chevy]

I'd keep the 283. Good motors.

[63chevy208]

So there are no stickers on the kick panel. Where can I find the vin so I can see what options it came with?

[aerotruk63]

Your stainless VIN plate should be on the windshield pillar on the drivers side. Once you open the door it should be staring you in the face.
The GVW, Trim & Paint codes should be riveted to the kick panel on the drivers side.

The backing plates are where all your rear brake system attaches. The truck 12 Bolt started in 1963. They have a series of splines on the ends of the differential tubes. The backing plates are pressed on to the ends of these tubes. In 1965 they welded a flange on the end of the tubes to bolt the backing plates on, a much better system.

There are little things that are different and unique to a 63.

[63chevy208]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Your stainless VIN plate should be on the windshield pillar on the drivers side. Once you open the door it should be staring you in the face.
The GVW, Trim & Paint codes should be riveted to the kick panel on the drivers side.

The backing plates are where all your rear brake system attaches. The truck 12 Bolt started in 1963. They have a series of splines on the ends of the differential tubes. The backing plates are pressed on to the ends of these tubes. In 1965 they welded a flange on the end of the tubes to bolt the backing plates on, a much better system.

There are little things that are different and unique to a 63.

OK ill have to look again. Would it be under the sound dampning fabric.

[aerotruk63]

As you can see this is where you'll find your VIN. The little rectangular stainless piece on the windshield pillar.



The GVW, trim and paint codes are on the riveted plate on the kick panel just under the dash.

[63chevy208]

Oh boy in thinking they took them off. I didn't see anything that obvious. I'll look tomorrow just to make sure.

Thank you for the pictures

[63chevy208]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

As you can see this is where you'll find your VIN. The little rectangular stainless piece on the windshield pillar.



The GVW, trim and paint codes are on the riveted plate on the kick panel just under the dash.

Ok I found the plates. The vin was painted over. The color/trim was under some insulation. So color is 514 and trim was z62. So was that common or uncommon back then?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/allude/26679698420]