'63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

After a few weeks of trading favors and and dozen calls my '63 has left the Eureka state and found it's wheels resting here in Minnesota. A heck of a trip considering it's wheels havnt moved for the last 34 years. It's a rock solid truck with a few dents here and there and just one small patch of rust on the lower front corner of the drivers door.

My donor truck was waiting in the driveway for it's arrival. I know the 350 and the auto along with the front crossmember are going in along with the power steering (with a little help of one of the members here.)

I have a couple of questions, if I could get a little help that would be great.
> Will the column from my 71 donor fit and if so are there any tips/tricks ?
>The truck is a GMC should I attempt swapping the rear to leaf springs or go a different route ?
> I was told this truck was ordered new for Chevron oil company ( thats who I got it from) has anyone seen this paint scheme, it sure looks factory ?

Thanks in advance - G

Re: '63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

Oh man it has Cali black plates.. Can you send them to me... hahaha
It is a cool truck. I hope to take a road trip in my truck with my son soon. Nothing like a road trip in a classic.

Re: '63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

I have to figure a way to keep them on the truck, Minnesota lets you use a year matching plates but not out of state ones. Not sure how long it's going to take me to get it up and on the road again but I'm itching for that road trip already. Maybe a long trip back to it's birthplace late this summer.

Re: '63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

Welcome to the forum :D

My '66 Suburban has made the trip to Minnesota and back twice. The first time was with just 500 miles on the new engine.

As for your questions. The '71 column should work with some slight modifications. The biggest will be to adapt or change the wiring to plug into the '63 under dash harness. I would leave the trailing arms and coils. Those give a better ride, and are superior should you decide to put some serious power in your truck. I have no idea on the paint scheme, but I would be curious if it was a factory modified paint job, or a dealer paint job. I would imagine if enough trucks were ordered at the same time, the factory might have been willing to accomodate.

Re: '63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

Its nice having a vehicle you can still use a tow bar on.. I dont think I have ever trailered a mid 60's truck ... my 63 traveled 1000 miles on mine and my other one 450 miles .......

Re: '63 from California to Minnesota, the fun begins...
 

Cool another 63 has arrived