The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 1963 K20 nearly non-existent?

I'm just curious why it seems like 1963 K20's seem almost non existent? The reason I ask is because as a child my dad had one and I remember it to be one tough and capable 4x4 with awesome clearance, 17" split rims, and the rearside of the underside of the cab had these weird hooks that somehow helped with suspension travel. It almost looked like military grade. I guess they must've not made many because I can't say I've so much as seen such a truck anywhere!

Maybe partly because Ford and Dodge offered standard full size 4x4's?

I think the fifties GM's and sixties Ford's with the Spicer 23 and 24 transfer case were far more highway friendly vehicles than are the '60's General Motors with the Rockwell T221.

Could you explain what you mean by "Standard Full Size"?

...Regular Production Model 4x4 trucks. As opposed to Power Wagon or aftermarket upfits like NAPCO or Marmon Herrington.

I see.. thanks.

Interesting!--Thanks!

Also, most of those trucks were worked and worked HARD. They didnt last. Very few 4x4s were made. I have a 63 GMC K1500 and have not ever seen another in person.

I hear ya. My dad got the truck as a repo from the bank and then he worked it hard for like 20 years. I remember the drivetrain was so worn down it always made like a rattling noise from the transfer case I think. I ended up with it and put a different cab and bed on it then sold it because I had found a project Impala at the time. It would've been nice to keep and restore it but those drivetrain parts were non existent and if you're going to end up putting newer stuff in it what's the point. My cousin ended up getting it from the buyer I sold it to years later and he used it then ended up parting out the rusted body and he still has the frame and some parts but I don't see ever finding original drivetrain parts for it.

Thanks for the info! I'll keep my cousin in informed.

I guess you can say these trucks are embedded into my blood. As a child my dad also had a 1960 or 1961 1 Ton Flat bed. I kind of wish I would've got it off him. I think he gave it away. The cab was rusted pretty bad but in those days mig welders were not really heard of as well as all the patch panel support now a days. He had the 63 k20. and he also had a 66 GMC Long bed I think. I barely remember that thing cuz I was so young. I know my 65 C10 has a different cab but working on and driving my truck sure brings me back to my childhood not to mention my great uncle bought this truck new at the local dealer.

I have 2 63 4wd trucks one is a K20 the other is a K10, and my dad has a K10 as well. The are around, but are often in really poor shape, as were mine. I opted to change out the cabs on both due to the extensive rot in them, and had to completely rebuild the suspension on my K20 due to the lack of maintenance it received during its previous life.