Crewsin in my 63 GMC Crew Cab

[cetacean6]

I guess I should start a build thread for my 1963 GMC Crew Cab. Here's the truck arriving from Alaska:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1208474...7632489045611/

[cetacean6]

The truck arrived in Washington State a couple of days ago. I just got these pictures about an hour ago.
it's got a 351E, which means this motor was put in sometime after 1966....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1208474...7632489045595/

[cetacean6]

Exterior Bed

Exterior Front

Interior Cab

Undercarriage

[creep]

The door logos say California, it has Alaska plates and now it's in Hawaii. Is it in the witness relocation program or something?

Very cool!

[c.brown]

i think you will be alright theres alot of parts out there and you got a rare truck hope things get better for you

[awbrown]

the real important pics are the the middle door pillar .. normally you have to replace the rockers and fendersand cab mounts ,you can buy all that ,but you dont want to have to major work on the door pillars ....

[hemifalcon]

anything is "restorable".. just depends on how much time and money you are willing to put into it.. Take a look around on the site and you'll see far worse trucks than this.. farrrr worse.. Enjoy the trip and the challenge this old Crew presents to you--it'll be worth it if this is truly your passion/interest..

[cetacean6]

Thanks! I've asked for pictures of the pillars. If they are trashed I may have to think about letting this one go.
Here are my biggest concerns. it doesn't look like the doors are closed all the way on the bottom. The drivers side bottom backdoor hinge has dented both the front and back doors. If I have to get new doors in the back, I'm going to have to cut down regular doors and somehow install them. Apparently the windows have been leaking inside the cab for the last decade or so, and that has rusted the floor out.
Also, if you look at the picture of the rotted wood where you can see the tire through the bed, it looks like I'm going to have to get a whole new bed. The pine needles have rotted the sides of the bed out, the bed supports are trashed, and the area closest to the camera is nothing but rust and holes. I'm sure the frame underneath looks the same. So now I'm going to have to find a bed, cut it as short as this one, and then weld the front back on.
To me (and I'm definately not someone who works on body parts) it looks like everything from front to back needs to be replaced. Maybe the hood can be saved, I'll have to see.
Sorry, I'm just really frustrated right now. I've got $7,000 in this truck already, and I'm a little stressed out about the rust issue. Maybe (hopefully) I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I'm definately open to advise on where to go from here. The only thing I can think to do is buy a donor truck and go from there.

[McMurphy]

I wish I could remember the names of the threads I am thinking of right now, but I can assure you of this... there are guys on this site that have done amazing recovery work and had less to work with than you do there!

One fellow here has a cab that is more new metal and weld than anything else.
It only boils down to how determined you are, and how patient you are willing to be. Otherwise, as already stated, there are numerous outlets for pieces and parts out there for you.

Looks like this rig has the rust in all the usual suspect places. There on Oahu though you are going to not want to piddle around and you will certainly want to get that rust attacked as quickly as possible. The salty air of the island will eat this bad boy up in just a few short years.

I would prioritize in that manner.... body and frame before all else.

Good luck, good thing you are not letting this rare specimen fade away from existance!

Keep us posted, trust me, we feel your pain !! LOL

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome aboard. The main thing to consider is the budget for the truck and your plans for it. Price the stuff that you need to repair it and the upgrades that you want the end result to be. Make a good plan and stick to it. Changes to the plan will be an extra cost. I wish you well in your journey!!

[cetacean6]

I think I was just at that point when I truly realized the huge mountain of work in front of me. I know that in the end this truck will be worth saving. Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed it!
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[cetacean6]

I bought a donor truck on craigslist for $300 yesterday. It's a 1962 1-ton dually. It looks like it's got the original radio and a brake assist unit. I'm hoping I can use the body panels, glass, doors, radiator/support, cab floor, and maybe even the frame.

[McMurphy]

wow that dually looks like a good resto candidate too !!

[jonzcustomshop]

great shots so far, I would use this new cab, just be on the look out for a cheap lwb for frame (maybe) a good box.
what they did to your crew at the coach build plant, was add a section to the center of the cab, and cut down a long fleet box.

I think what I would do is use the roof , rear doors, and center pillars from your crew, and then graft that onto this cab you just got.

use the original crew box as a pattern on where and how to cut down your new box.

figure out the direction of your build first, full resto 4X4? 1 ton 2wd flat bed? 1/2 ton 2wd ?
that will help in your choice for donar trucks.

remember these were custom built from a single cab truck, and you have all the parts you need to custom build it again, (onto another cab) yourself.

[cetacean6]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

figure out the direction of your build first, full resto 4X4? 1 ton 2wd flat bed? 1/2 ton 2wd ?
that will help in your choice for donar trucks.

I definately want to go full restoration 4X4 with some added safety features like the assited brakes and power steering. I haven't done my homework on the dually and don't know the wheelbase length on it, or even if I'd be able to make it into a 4x4. If it's too short and/or won't work as an easy swap I won't be using it.
You've given me something to think about. I was going to take everything off the dually one at a time and do a swap, but if it's in significantly better shape, a full frontal transplant may be a better solution. If I did that, I think the only thing I'd have left to worry about would be the floor in the rear of the cab. I'm not sure if regular patch panels will fit there.
Although I'm sad I have to chop up a great looking 1-ton dually, this may be the best $300 I've spent on a restoration!

[jonzcustomshop]

here is how the floor looks, should be real easy to fabricate the rear pans if they are shot

[1963c-10]

Thanks for sharing the pics. We get alot of outside shots of the crew cabs, but not many of the insides. I have been interested in seeing how the roofs were done on the inside. Alot of work there, but as hard as they are to find, it'll pay off in the long run. Dont give up on it.

[cetacean6]

I got a bunch more photos uploaded yesterday. For now I'll just link to my album. I think there's about 100 of them. Later I'll take my favorites and post them here.

[jonzcustomshop]

great photos, really like all the interior shots.

from those shots, the frame looks fine, a good sand blasting and cleaning and you will be set for the restoration.

looking at all that, use your new cab, graft the crew stuff to it. find a new box to cut down, make sure you use a long box and cut that, (shorts are a little different), and you should be ready to go!

[cetacean6]

Thanks, Jon. Where should I send payment for consultation services?

[C@rnut001]

I know that you are seeing a lot of work on your truck, but I just wish I could find one like yours in as good of shape....It will really be worth fixing up, and I really love your truck! Good luck with your build....

[62 Barnfind]

It looked like mine when I brought it home. It was setting in a barn since 1980. I washed and cleaned it for two weeks straight jut to get all the s**t off. It looks like a solid truck with a nice engine. Are you going to keep the original engine? Good luck with your build!

[cetacean6]

I haven't tried to turn the engine yet, but if it works I'll definately keep it. I heard there's a good place in Oregon to get it redone.
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[Shooters_7]

Just make sure you "coat" everything to protect it from the salt. Doesn't look too bad and I'm sure it'll be awesome build.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I have been looking for a crew cab FOR-EV-ER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take the time and do the sheet metal work right...

Sit on the thing for a while if you need to...
Take the time to get a pile of build parts if not all the parts you need.

Arizona has ton's of rust free sheet metal and I am sure someone out here could help you scrounge up what you need....

I would give up every one of my trucks today for a crewcab... that dude is cryin to be restored...

In my opinion, your the luckiest guy on this site...