My 63 Project
 

Ok.. so I have been lurking on this forum for some time... so I figured I would start posting pictures of my project...

Re: My 63 Project
 

So these first two pictures show her the way I found her.

63 Long wide bed with a straight 6, 292 and a "granny low" four speed tranny...

NO RUST!!!! It appears that she spent her entire life in the high desert of California and Nevada. I was shocked at how rust free she is...

Re: My 63 Project
 

So we got her in the garaga... Sideways... Since putting the truck in the "normal" way would not leave me any room to work... Set of car dollies from HF... and away we go...

Re: My 63 Project
 

So just some starting pictures... just to show what she looked like.. .and the first steps...

Re: My 63 Project
 

Ugly ass mirrors are GONE!!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

Where is the Rust???

Re: My 63 Project
 

Couple of interior shots...

Re: My 63 Project
 

Heart of the beast... Still have this motor if anyone is interested... and the tranny...

Re: My 63 Project
 

Originally the plan was to "scuff" the paint and then work on the body... but I soon found out that the PO had painted this truck not once... but twice... with a BRUSH!!!!

5 layers of paint and primer was a problem... so we started taking all of the paint off... and slowly but surely it came off...

Re: My 63 Project
 

So after several months with grinders, wire brushes and sanders.... No more paint!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

I found a guy here in town that had a Muncie four speed and a 327 with camel hump heads for sale. So I picked hem up.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Came with the shifter and all of the linkages. By the markings, it is an M21. But if you do some research, it could have M22 internals and you can't tell from the outside markings. As I understand it. Either way, M21 or M22, it's going to be awesome.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Too bad that the motor is just wore out. 60 over, plus a ten ten crank. Plus 2 thousands ridge.

But it will be a good core.

I ordered the new motor two days ago. 383 stroker.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Found these on EBay. Good price.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Little bit do sandpaper. Some elbow grease and polishing compound.

Looks pretty dang good I think.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Series of before and afters. First the drivers side door.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Paint off.

Re: My 63 Project
 

After some minor pulling.

Re: My 63 Project
 

The only bonds that I found was on the right front fender.

This is a before picture. It looked like someone rubbed up against something.

Re: My 63 Project
 

This is the after shot. Some hammer and dolly work and some gentle pulling. I think it is looking much better. The "push in" was just about a foot back.

Re: My 63 Project
 

So now we know the true identity of this Truck. Based on the color and the stripe, I would say US Army.

The PO welded the box to the frame. The wood was long gone, and they had taken all of the bolts out and simply welded the bed cross rails to the frame.

Re: My 63 Project
 

It only took 1 and a half cutting wheels to get all of the cross rails loose!!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

And a cutting torch...

Re: My 63 Project
 

You're off to a great start. I'm building a 66 with an M21. Can't wait to start bangin gears!

Re: My 63 Project
 

More pictures

Re: My 63 Project
 

great work so far!! i cant believe how rust free that thing is!

Re: My 63 Project
 

Front of the box.

Re: My 63 Project
 

First time in the sunlight in several month.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Bath time.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Getting a good high pressure wash.

Re: My 63 Project
 

We pulled the straight six before we washed it.

Re: My 63 Project
 

More engine pulling.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And the tranny.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Front end rebuild was next.

Re: My 63 Project
 

I purchased a four wheel disk brake conversion kit along with new 2 inch drop spindles for the front. Came with four new rotors, calipers, front spindles, master cylinder, brake booster and proportioning valve. All the brackets and brake lines except for the brake lines for the frame. Complete package, $1100...

Re: My 63 Project
 

So all of this has to come off. And since I am here, it's much easier to clean the cross member if you Take it off.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Just as well take all of the paint off of the fire wall and inner fenders, since it's so easy to do it now. Wire brush on a grinder and off it comes.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And that is pretty much where I am today.

I purchased a new wiring harness early on, so that will go in after I get the motor in.

I plan to continue to clean up the frame and the engine compartment. Rebuild the front end, get a steering column (what years can I use if I want power steering)???? Also, I am going with 2" drop spindles and I want to cut at least one coil from the existing springs. How much drop do you guys think that will give me? I am thinking about 4 inches. I also want to drop the back about 4 inches and I really DO NOT want to notch the frame. I think I can go 4 inches with a single driveline. Your thoughts?

Also, KBS Cleaning is offering a really nice paint system for doing the frame. I am going to use that for the engine compartment, frame and maybe the inside. It can be brushed on and when it drys, the brush strokes are gone.

Drop the motor, bell housing and tranny in so I can get the specifics for the driveline. I am going from a two piece to a single since the front drive line would be about 18 inches long with this longer transmission.

I already have an issue with the rear end. The "dust shields" that are on my axle are solid. Meaning that they don't come off and leave the flange for mounting the new disk brake bracket. At least I don't think they come off, I haven't started tearing into them yet. Front end first. Thoughts??

Re: My 63 Project
 

My thoughts...You are off too a great start...Truck is looking good! The 327 will be a nice V8.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Yeah. The 327 is just plain wore out. 383 stroker, full roller motor, on the way, should be here in about two weeks or so.