Here's my '64 Step Side

[Dads64]

Now that I have introduced myself here are couple pics my 1964 Step Side. This pickup is the last thing my father ever bought and after he passed my grandfather sent it home with me. This is my first shot at this but I am hell bent on saving it. Here are a couple pics.

What it looked like when I brought it to ND from Oregon.


What it looks like right now.


It has rust in the floors but these spots above the windshield and doors is what has me worried.




Thanks for looking,
Jay

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Yes those roof repairs can either be tedious or expensive depending on who does the work. Good luck with the truck, it's looks to be in overall great shape. And I always enjoy a truck with family history.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Jay

That's very cool that you have your fathers truck. Did he buy it new?

I agree with Mark. That upper rust can be fixed, but it is not easy. IMO that would be easiest/best repaired with replacement parts. Do you have a MIG welder?

[Dads64]

No, he didn't buy it new. He bought later in life just to get back and forth to work after falling on hard times. It kind of saved him for a bit so I need to save it LOL.

I have a small gasless wire feed welder and am WAY out of practice!

Jay

[chevytrucknut61]

Man, you are lucky! I wish I had my dads truck,he passed 35 years ago.Treasure that truck!!!! Good Luck!

[Dads64]

Yeah, I look forward to getting it done up but it will be a long project with a ton of work. There is just no way I can let it leave the family.

Jay

[k1rodeoboater]

you can use your flux core welder...but if there is a conversion kit to turn it into a true MIG then I'd get that. Flux core is some nasty stuff on sheet metal.

And I agree all that damage can be repaired. It kinda depends what you want to do with the truck. If you want to chop top it and hot rod it, well you can get a roof from another donor truck and graft it on. Heck, you could do that anyways even if you don't chop the top. What I'd do first though, if the outer roof skin is good, remove it and see how bad the damage is to the inner skin. Remember to brace your door openings though. Getting a donor roof/cab anyways wouldn't be a bad idea because you can cut your patches from it and not have to mess with making a piece to fit (fewer tools needed.)

[Dads64]

When you say nasty stuff do you just mean more cleanup?

I don't plan to chop it but am keeping my eyes open for another cab (not many in North Dakota) for either panels or the entire thing if needed. I am going to set the cab on a pallet here in the next few days and build the chassis then engine, trans and rear decissions. When that is done the body work will get done.

I am going for just above a rat rod with Flat Blue and Black and next to no Chrome. Sitting on a 4/6 drop and 4 wheel discs.

Jay

[k1rodeoboater]

nasty in the sense that it's hard to control on sheet metal (i.e. burn throughs) and will also have a lot of splatter.

You should probably just look for a whole nother truck to use as a donor. That way you can pull off what you need, sell the rest, and scrap what you can't sell/reuse. You will probably break even or come out ahead.

[Dads64]

Yep, that is what I am trying to do is find another truck. Had my eyes one a while back but it slipped away before I could get to it, Air Force first ya know LOL!

Jay

[k1rodeoboater]

so would that be blue balls or the blue weenie....I know I get perpetually screwed by the big green/day-glow white stuipd ACU colored weenie (Army)

[Dads64]

LOL, we could go blue balls as it does often keep from the things I'd rather be doing.

Jay

[gofastnut]

I understand keeping the truck in the family. It's really cool seeing the interest you have in making it new again. Keep up the good work!

[Dads64]

O I'll try, IMO this is the best body style of these trucks and I just got lucky to get one.

Jay

[62 Longbed]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon !!!! I was born in Langdon , ND and later lived in Minot , ND until 1990 ... Seems like a small word ... Congrats on the truck !!

[Dads64]

For sure a small world! I was born and raised in Myrtle Creek Oregon, I have spent almost all of my Air Force career here at Minot ND though.

Jay

[1963c-10]

Other option is a donar cab. How bad is the rest of the cab...rockers, cab corners, cab supports?