The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-06-2019, 10:03 PM   #1
Tpo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 71
Which year to build?

Hello,
I had a 63 c10 longwide in high school, man i loved that truck. I would like to find a 60-63 for a mild custom/driver/whatever project. Ultimately it will have a built smallblock and possibly a newer transmission. I would also lower it. Are the 60-62 really a hassle compared to the 63? Obviously if i find a rust free truck of any year its going to the front of the line. But what are the pros and cons of 60-62 vs 63, practically speaking?
Thank you
John
Tpo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 10:11 PM   #2
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: Which year to build?

65/66. The 64's panhard frame mount isnt as good for the long bar.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 10:27 PM   #3
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,557
Re: Which year to build?

Welcome....
Not real familiar wit 61-66....but rust free would be what I'd look for....drivetrain parts can be upgraded...
I like the 65 66 styling better though...
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 10:32 PM   #4
62chevy302
hillbilly
 
62chevy302's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: hampton,tn
Posts: 459
Re: Which year to build?

I wouldnt be scared of buying a 60-62. The aftermarket is catching up quick on parts for those frames. You can crank down the torsion bars and add disc brake spindles or you can swap out the entire front crossmember like many people have done and lose the torsion bars. The shock location on the rear is an optimal setup over the 63-66 too.I love the knee knocker cabs over the 4 5 6 trucks.
__________________
-1962 C-10
62chevy302 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 11:06 PM   #5
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: Which year to build?

The main difference between 62 & 63 is the x-frame. 60-62 is x-frame. 63-66 is ladder frame.
63 is the odd ball in that it went to the ladder frame, but still had the wrap-around windshield. I wouldn't say any of the 60-66 trucks are better than the other. My 65 is on a 62 frame. For me, if I was shopping, my deciding factor would be the condition of the cab.
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 11:12 PM   #6
Tpo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 71
Re: Which year to build?

Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys
Tpo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2019, 11:24 PM   #7
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: Which year to build?

Browse the build threads to get an idea on what guys do when working with the 60-62 x-frame trucks.
63 would give you the knee-knocker cab, but the 63-66 frame.
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2019, 12:45 AM   #8
lilpoindexter
Registered User
 
lilpoindexter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: los angeles
Posts: 1,129
Re: Which year to build?

'63 is the only year worth getting.
Attached Images
 
lilpoindexter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2019, 01:02 AM   #9
Captainfab
60-66 Nut

 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
Re: Which year to build?

For me a '63 is the best hands down. But these days if you can find a decent '60-'62 I would go with that. If you don't like the torsion bars, you can swap the entire front suspension for a '73-'87 and have disc brakes.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE
Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE
Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE
Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE
Captainfab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2019, 01:29 AM   #10
Mack B
Registered User
 
Mack B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: L.ower A.labama
Posts: 518
Re: Which year to build?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tpo View Post
Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys
I think you can achieve your 4" drop with spindles, adjusting the torsion bars easy enough. My concern would be exhaust/ header clearance afterward. You can't tuck the exhaust between the frame rails like on the 63 and up frames.
You run out of room pretty quick at the transmission mount area on the early frames due to the x. Ive seen some threads here where guys have made some crossmembers to make it happen. I can't comment on how easy it was. Good luck on your search! 63 is my favorite...not just because I have one either

Not that you brought this part up, but another difference worth noting. Strangely enough I like the 60-61 hood but think it pairs better with the 64-66 flat windshield better than the wrap around windows of the correct model....But I'm weird.
Mack B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2019, 05:36 PM   #11
verdell
Registered User
 
verdell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 433
Re: Which year to build?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tpo View Post
Thanks guys. I'm partial to the 60-63, maybe I'm sentimental about hitting my damn knee so many times, or the art-deco look of those cabs. I do think the 64-66 look more agressive and have good aesthetics though.
62chev, I guess maybe I should have worded my question, at what point does the torsion front end start holding me back? If I'm running a small black with headers, and drop spindles (aiming for maybe 4" total drop in front probably) will I need to mess with the front crossmember? And is installing a 700r4 simply a matter of moving my trans crossmember back?
Thanks guys
I ran small blocks in both my '61 and '60 along with 2 1/2" drop spindles, torsion bars cranked down a bit, power discs and Hedman 69260 headers and I never had an issue. I did, however, have to fab up a trans cross member for the TH-350 trans and when I switched to the 700r4, I redid the cross member. It can certainly be done. It's all about your preference. I personally like the wrap around windshield, X-frame and torsion bars. I guess it just grew on me..
Attached Images
 
verdell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2019, 10:45 PM   #12
Tpo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 71
Re: Which year to build?

Thanks for the replies men. Verdell, that is good to know because that sounds about what I want. Sharp truck!
Mack B, the more pics of the 60-61 hoods I see, the more they grow on me. I think the 62 grilles look best out of the 60-66. I don't have a pic of my old 63, and it was 30 yrs ago, but I think it had a 64-66 grill. It's all good.
Tpo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2019, 09:13 PM   #13
Isaiah92260
Registered User
 
Isaiah92260's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Whittier, CA
Posts: 851
Re: Which year to build?

1960-1962 are all a little different, and 1963 is the first to have the frame improvement and other things.

1963 is a lot easier to work with despite the grille which you can’t get aftermarket

I have a 63 which I loves even thought it was all banged up.

But I’m really loving my 1961, it’s very different and I am enjoying to work on it. I know it’s a bit of a pain to really drop 60-62 trucks without modifications but I don’t mind, I’m gonna lower the torsion bars as much as I can and drop the rear end with the same intent.

Personally I really love the chase for hard to find parts and the scarcity of a vehicle. When I get classic cars, I think of it’s value and the nostalgia and styling of the truck. That’s why I went with 1961 because of the hood, knee knocked windshield which I prefer, and the charcoal and silver interior. I more biased to say 1960-1961
Attached Images
 
Isaiah92260 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2019, 02:28 AM   #14
franken
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,052
Re: Which year to build?

The early ones had a torsion bar suspension that's a bit odd. I'd opt for a later model that doesn't use that system.
franken is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2019, 05:28 PM   #15
made2drag
Registered User
 
made2drag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: alabama
Posts: 2,079
Re: Which year to build?

63 if you like the wrap around windshield, 64-66 if you don't.

63 had the unique grille, front coil suspension and the wrap around windshield.

64-66 fleetside chevys are my favorite.... with polished aluminum parts, sail panels and a big window
made2drag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 08:44 AM   #16
OldGyrene
Registered User
 
OldGyrene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 43
Re: Which year to build?

63 is my favorite. But I love the early hoods, sooooo.......
Attached Images
 
__________________
Jake
Old fart in Western NE
OldGyrene is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com