New 1964 Project

[64chevmn]

I just picked up this truck from California; 1964 step-side with a 500 hp small block and a turbo 400. Goes like hell; but without power steering or power brakes and the original suspension it is a SCARY ride. I've restored several cars, but this is my first pickup.

I have a bit of body work to tackle to fix a few small rust issues, but my goal is to get it as low as possible with out using air bags. I've read a lot of posts over the past few weeks and it appears if I use the 2 1/2 drop spindles and shorter coil springs in the front along with c-notching the frame in the rear with shorter coils I should be able to get the truck to sit over the tires fairly well. I plan on doing front power disc brakes and power steering at the same time as I start the lowering process. Any other pointers before I dive into the project?

Thanks in advance!

[hopped up]

Welcome! And nice truck! 500hp on the original drum brakes and suspension must be really scary!you have the right Idea about dropping it,and you can find anything you need here

[19666Trucker]

sleeper that truck is, hang and go

[Ta2Don]

and Welcome aboard!!!
Lots of great people and a wealth of info!!! If you can't find something, just ask...
Somebody out here has been there and done it...

Nice Sleeper!!!

[poorboy]

Awesome start for a project! Welcome to the board!

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice truck!

[blazer-k5]

Nice truck. Do you get any wheel hop? Or does it just burn them suckers off?

[64chevmn]

Thanks for all of the quick replies; I obviously found the right forum! The suspension definitely needs some TLC, for some reason the previous owner did not have any front shocks?

As for wheel hop; none at all. Stock 12 bolt with 3.73 gears and very worn tires with the standard coil spring.

It looks like everyone has their preference, but what vendor has the best quality/fitment for rocker panels and partial floor pans?

[Ta2Don]

Most will agree about Top Banana having quality and low cost...

[1963c-10]

welcome and great looking short stepper

[MadRatt]

Building a 64 stepper myself. Looks like a good start. Welcome to the board!

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

I have also had good luck with the parts from Top Banana. They are Tri Plus/Key Parts brand.

[Bomp]

Welcome to the forum.
Are you staying with stock height wheels when you slam it to the ground?

[A.T. RockDriller]

That's a real nice truck.
They're more fun than ya might think.
Show us the rest of it. Even the bad stuff. We've had our share of challenges around here.

[64chevmn]

I'm started to tear down the truck and get a look at what it all needs. Before I remove the cab, I need to replace the inner and outer rockers along with the cab corners on both sides. I have the passenger side about half way done, but it is a slow process to get all of the reproduction panels to fit correctly. I have the outer rocker panel just screwed in place to check the door gaps before I go any further. Once all of the rust repairs are completed, I will start on the suspension components including adding power steering and power brakes. Here are a few pictures of where I'm at today........

[NEWFISHER]

Moving along! Nice progress

[blazer-k5]

Nice...Im going to have to do some of that myself.

[A.T. RockDriller]

Very nice.
Here's a couple B-4's & afters of mine to give you a little encouragement..
My rockers were in good shape, but I had a lot of work to do on the inside.

[64chevmn]

Patience is the name of the game when doing anything on these vehicles. I've learned to walk away when things are not going well and come back to it the next day with a clear head.

I'm having some difficulties trying to get the bottom door gap even along the outer rocker panel. The rear portion of the rocker towards the back of the truck needs to go down about another 3/16 of an inch to get a nice uniform gap along the bottom edge of the door. The problem is; the outer rocker is resting on the floor pan/inner rocker and and I can not adjust the outer rocker down any further to achive the uniform gap I'm looking for. I'm going to take the two bolts out from the rear door support where it attaches to the inner rocker/floor pan and see if I can push the support bracket down 1/4 inch or so to give me the adjustment room I need to lower the rear part of the rocker panel. I have a feeling a block of wood and a large hammer will come into play!