The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Putting a 63 and 65 together

So I know a guy about an hour away from me who has a 63 shortbed with no bed engine or tranny that he'll give to me just to get it off his property. Now I have a 65 longbed and I'd like to strip the 63 and 65 down and salvage what I can from them. Afterwards I'll put it all back together with the best of both trucks, but I have a question.

What sort of problems will I run into trying to put the 65 cab onto the 63 frame or any body panels, engine components (292), or smaller accessories onto a 63 cab/chassis?

I'm 19 and I'll get the truck when the snow finishes melting (about a week or five depending) and until the snow falls again in October or November to piece it all back together since I have to work out of my backyard.

You really wont have any problems with the cab. The beds are really the only thing different. If anything the bolts would be placed differently. I have a 63 chevy longbed and have seen others that are exactly alike except for beds and customization of course. Really nice if you get it for free! I would love to run into that kind of deal!

63 and 65 cabs and doors are different and wont intermix. 63 grill is a 1 year only. With having both frames, swapping bodies and frame parts would be easy,
Scott

Well, I should be getting the truck this weekend if the weather keeps up and doesn't snow again. I'll probably start ripping trucks apart and post up some pictures of what I have to deal with then. Thanks for the knowledge.

4X2 or 4X4?

4X2 with no current plans to change over to 4wd. I thought the C meant 2wd whereas the K models were all 4wd.

I didn't see in your post where you mentioned a "C" or "K".

May I suggest having a plan, before ripping two trucks apart... Oftentimes, a well-conceived plan will save the project and help keep the build on-course. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Like Tony said, have a plan. When you get those trucks side by side go over both, figure out what you want to use ahead of time before you just tear them apart. Once you get an idea of what to use and not use then try and stick to that plan as much as possible. Good luck!

I have a 61 on a 65 chassis. I ran into problems mounting the cab. The mounting brackets for the front had to be moved as the 61 had the torsion bar X frame set up, and the 65 had a coil over spring set up. No big deal. just a heads up. Like everyone else said.....just have a plan. I'd also recommend getting a factory assembly manual so you can see exactly how all the bits fit together. specs for the different model variations can be found here so you can make precise mods.

Everything should bolt up fine.
If you're going to run the 292 you'll need the pass. side motor mount perch(292 only).
Also,if the 63 was a V8 truck you may have to move the radiator mounting brackets to the lower holes.
T

So I just got the second truck in today. I mean uhhh frame... http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h379/koneemen1992/photobucket-37643-1336878642861.jpg

I've got a lot of work to do and no nice asphalt surface to work off. Here goes.

Here's the second truck for giggles. Keep in mind that I really want a shortbed rather than a longbed. http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h379/koneemen1992/IMAG0056.jpg

First off, that is not a '63. It's a '60 - '62. No coil springs in the front on 60-62 trucks.

You can use the early frame under your '65 but it take some time and fabrication skills. Measure the width of your 65 vs. your parts truck.

Your '65 look like a good truck. Why not run it until you save up for the short bed stuff?

Are you in Anchorage?

Yeah, I'm in Anchorage.

I have a little hatchback that I commute back and forth to work in to save gas so I don't need to drive my 65 anyways. It has a few problems that need to be fixed before I'd feel safe driving it and I'm not big on the longbed mostly because I won't be using it as a work truck. I'd rather have a truck with a shorter wheelbase and they look better on the old trucks IMO.

The frame I got from a friend doesn't have springs in the front though. It has torsion bars which I'm trying to replace. Is it possible to just drop the torsion bars out along with the crossmember and replace the old front A arms with new ones and coil springs?