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I have a 1962 C10 that I am rebuilding. I'm not very far into the whole process but I'm a little stuck. I can't figure out what to do next. I removed the old engine and transmission because the engine doesn't work and I intend to swap it out for a V8. Until that happens I'm wondering what I should work on. I have Tom Brownell's book on restoring Chevy pickups in which he refers to rebuilding a truck and restoring a truck. He focuses mostly on restoring a truck as far as listing out the order in which you should work on it. I was thinking I should work on overhauling the suspension and the steering, but I was wondering what others would think.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I also bought Tom Brownell's book as I ventured into this hobbie. Also with a 62 C10. I know exactly where you are having been there a few years ago. Take small bites. Carefully balance your $, time, capability, garage space and long term interest. The slope is slippery and steep and once you go down, you will wind up with a 10k bill 3 years down the timeline and may have grown beyond the short term dreams.
I recommend - Repair and replace as you go. Take pride in the small improvements as you drive your truck. Some day, to preserve it, you may have all needed to restore. Many have show trucks that have so much $$ sunk in that it is uncomfortable to drive and enjoy to the fullest. Someday. Until then I can drive the truck.
With engine out - get at those brake lines. Remove and replace. Open up the drums and rebuild/replace brake components. You have to be able to stop once the go go parts are working. Hyd clutch line is also right there and is easy to replace.
Suspension - check and repair if needed. It may be OK. With engine out you should be able to get a good look at front suspension. Check steering linkages - also easy with engine out of the way. Also might be OK. Replace as needed. NAPA has most of the parts.
Fuel tank and system - Got to make sure good gas is getting to a clean carb. Tank may be gummed up if it has not been cleaned. Take care of that. New tank or cleaned/treated tank. There should be a few hard fuel lines (tank to pump, pump to carb). Clean or replace. Check fuel filters. Maybe add a $3.00 inline filter somewhere to help the mess filter in the carb.
Put engine and trans back in and drive until you have time and money for next project. Do you have the shop manual and the Assembly manual yet? You will use them if you buy them. Good info for what you are doing.
Wish I had california trucks to play with.
Call on me/us if you get to a point where you need to be talked off the ledge.
Cheers

Thanks very much for the help! I purchased the 1962 shop manual supplement thinking it was the main manual, but I have yet to purchase the 1960 shop manual. I suppose that will be the first thing I should purchase before moving forward. After that I will begin work on the brakes.

Thanks once again, I appreciate it!

Matt,
Don't do what I did unless you have all the time in the world and plenty of work space.
I bought a 1965 C10 that didn't run. I decided to dive right in and strip body panels and take things apart because I could at least accomplish something with just a few dollars. I was right. I got a lot done. I restored the rear 1/2 of the frame, rear suspension, axle and brakes. Then I did the front suspension. Next was the engine bay. I removed everything in front of the cab including the entire drive train.
Then I went after the cab. During rainy days and cold winter days I did small indoor things like the instrument cluster or small items that could be cleaned indoors.
Finally I got the cab off and worked on that.

This method worked pretty well from a logic standpoint. However, I wanted to drive the truck very badly, and that hurt me in the end. At the 4 year point, I didn't have the patience to wait for paint and body work. I put it back together in primer and started driving it. I sure did enjoy the driving part, but I now dread having to pull things apart again. I know it will be easier to take apart now since all the parts are pretty fresh and not rusted, but I should have been more patient.

For me, I should have FIRST put together a decent working drive train with SAFE BRAKES. Then drive it a while. Then maybe new wiring. Drive it some more. Then maybe restore the bed. Drive it some more. You get the idea. That would have been a MUCH BETTER plan for me and my situation. Work on it some and then enjoy the rewards. Repeat.

Case in point. I just bought a 1963 C10. Fortunately, it was fairly simple to redo the brakes and get the drive train in working order fairly quickly. I now enjoy driving it. It's not ready for a long trip, but I sure do enjoy the local short trips. Next will be seat belts. Drive it some more. I can say that this truck has given me much more immediate pleasure. I just tell people "it's a work in progress" when they ask if I'm gonna restore it.
Enjoy the journey!

I have a 63 C20 that I have been waiting two years to start. I was so set on doing a ground up restore that I wouldn't even start it. Now I decided I just want to drive it. I'm putting it together with what I have and running it. I feel good about my decision.
It came with a rebuilt motor and a tranny in it. So I'm starting with brakes and bearing to get everything rolling and stopping. I'm bringing it in the garage tomorrow.

Great plan

I also have the '62 C10. Lot's of good advice so far. Most of it is what got my '63 C10 from my youth up and running and suitable for long trips.

I keep the little things repaired and work towards the bigger, long term goals with lots of driving in between. One thing I highly recommend is that you check the rag joint in your steering. I had mine fail on the '62 last winter. They're cheap to replace, but it takes a few days to get the new kit. While your truck is down is a great time to replace it. It's just good insurance.