What to build 63 GMC or 66 Chevy

[cooperhw]

Kinda dumb question for you guys with lots more knowledge on these year trucks but here goes.

I am trying to decide which truck to build. I bought a wrecked 66 chevy longbed, practically no rust just bent frame, front fender, etc. and while looking for a frame to put under it came across a 63 GMC shortbed with a little more rust, no bed, but also a good buildable truck.
Am I to understand that the 66 would have more legroom? I really dig the look of the wraparound windshield on the 63 and these really cool original side mirrors (small square units).
Anyhow, I am a muscle car guy and pretty knowledgeable about those, but these years trucks I am a Newbie for sure.
Hope to start learning.

[65 C20]

This type of question comes up quite abit.
It all boils down to what you want.

[duallyjams]

Depends on your skill level to repair the cab rust.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Depends on your skill level to repair the cab rust.

I will get some pics ASAP, or next time I go up to the cabin. The cab rust (what little is there) doesn't bother me at all.

Kinda leaning towards the 66, just wanted to have you guys that know these trucks (strong and weak points) weight in. The 66 dash is perfect and the 63 has had a larger radio cut into it at some point in it's life.

[PGSigns]

I say fix the 66. But it is what I drive everyday so I am biased.
Jimmy

[Old Truck Man]

The GMC frame should have leaf springs on the rear. So install the 66 cab on the GMC frame. Get the front suspension & rear end from a 72 up. You will have five hole wheels . disk brakes on front and a greater selection of rear gear ratios and wheels. Both trucks you have likely have 410 gears or possibly 390,s. They will be winding the engine pretty tight at highway speeds. Both cabs have the same leg room its just the 63 & earlier have the knee knocker wrap around windshield.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Old Truck Man

The GMC frame should have leaf springs on the rear. So install the 66 cab on the GMC frame. Get the front suspension & rear end from a 72 up. You will have five hole wheels . disk brakes on front and a greater selection of rear gear ratios and wheels. Both trucks you have likely have 410 gears or possibly 390,s. They will be winding the engine pretty tight at highway speeds. Both cabs have the same leg room its just the 63 & earlier have the knee knocker wrap around windshield.

Thank you very much. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I know chevy muscle cars. These year trucks, not soo much. Ok, not at all.
I appreciate any and all information.
I kinda thought the wrap around windshield might be more expensive too? Possibly saleable after all the dust settles? Don't want to even think about that yet, just trying to start the build plan.
Thanks again.

[newbe351]

The GMC will have different (and hard to come by) axles and rear brake drums are hard to come by as well (unless you switch out the rearend as well as stated above)..

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by newbe351

The GMC will have different (and hard to come by) axles and rear brake drums are hard to come by as well (unless you switch out the rearend as well as stated above)..

Excellent. This is EXACTLY the type of info I am looking for. You see, you know this, maybe all of you know this, I didn't.

Just trying to "get up to speed" on this a little during the planning. I think I will swap out the front and rear stuff. Heck I got two whole trucks sitting complete in case I needed parts for my 81 4X4.

I appreciate it.

[Old Truck Man]

Yes the GMC rears the axle is held in by a pressed on wheel bearing. The chev axles are held by a C retainer. The wrap around windsheld should be a easy sell the same from 1960 thru 63. If you swap to the later disk brake front you need a proportioning valve and a dual master cyl.

[cooperhw]

Thanks.

All the info is flowing. My wheels are a churning. I am already building it in my mind.

Still trying to figure out how to break the news to my wife that I now own 10 vehicles. Last month it was only 8. I know. I should just Man up. Lay down the law. Yeah right. Hoping the time will be right, soon,

She has 1 car, but that doesn't count.

[ol_skool_chevy]

I personally would do the 66 cab...but that's ONLY based on the fact that more replacement parts are available for the 66 Chevy over the GMC as for the frame I have no insight on that I have never had one...all I know is it's leaf springs not trailing arms.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

I personally would do the 66 cab...but that's ONLY based on the fact that more replacement parts are available for the 66 Chevy over the GMC as for the frame I have no insight on that I have never had one...all I know is it's leaf springs not trailing arms.

Thanks. That's the direction I think I will be going. I am assuming swapping the rearend in that 63 GMC frame will be easier with leafs too. Glad I got titles to both.

[duallyjams]

No Limit sells a rear frame kit to make lwb into a swb so you could have 2 trucks, 2 are better then 1.
http://www.nolimitengineering.com/pr...=0&sort=normal

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Thanks. That's the direction I think I will be going. I am assuming swapping the rearend in that 63 GMC frame will be easier with leafs too. Glad I got titles to both.

If you scrap the totaled 66 frame, pull everything worth salvaging - like the trailing arm suspension, and all the e-brake components.

[jonzcustomshop]

I will also mention, that I think there is more parts available for a 66 chevy, than the 63 gmc, so the 66 will be an easier build, however both have a lot of support and interchange in the aftermarket, so it mainly boils down to what cab and dash you like best...

the mirrors will work on either truck-

[Captainfab]

Before you go switching cabs and frames, be sure you know what is required in your state or county for vehicles that have body's and frames with different VIN's. Personally I would leave the body's on their original frames and just upgrade the suspension, running gear and drivetrain to suit your needs. I agree with, which one to build depends on which cab and dash you like better.

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Before you go switching cabs and frames, be sure you know what is required in your state or county for vehicles that have body's and frames with different VIN's. Personally I would leave the body's on their original frames and just upgrade the suspension, running gear and drivetrain to suit your needs. I agree with, which one to build depends on which cab and dash you like better.

There wouldn't be a problem with the Vin if he swapped the chev cab on the GMC frame. Because GMC frames are not stamped with serial numbers.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Old Truck Man

There wouldn't be a problem with the Vin if he swapped the chev cab on the GMC frame. Because GMC frames are not stamped with serial numbers.

See fellas. This is the type of knowledge that some of you have, and I don't so this is exactly what I was looking to get out of this thread.

I personally don't think I would have a problem with swapping the cab/frame here in AZ as I have clear title to both trucks. We'll see.

Thanks again to all who have chimed in.

Wayne

[Captainfab]

The issue could arise if you were to sell the truck to someone in another state and they need to have a VIN inspection before the new owner can transfer the title.

Originally Posted by cooperhw

See fellas. This is the type of knowledge that some of you have, and I don't so this is exactly what I was looking to get out of this thread.

I personally don't think I would have a problem with swapping the cab/frame here in AZ as I have clear title to both trucks. We'll see.

Thanks again to all who have chimed in.

Wayne

[61_FL_Apache]

Im partial to the knee-knockers, so I vote for the '63.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Im partial to the knee-knockers, so I vote for the '63.

Would you be so kind as to elaborate? I think they have "very cool" windshields & aren't the dashes different. I have one (63 GMC) on my trailer at my buddies house and the 66 Chevy is about 200 miles away at my cabin. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have the two cabs next to each other so I can see the difference myself. Until then I am just wanting to get input as to why different folks feel differently about the two style cabs. In case you guys can't tell I am "chomping at the bit" to tear into this project. Oh yeah, one other thing. My 66 Chevy truck has the original 283 and 4 speed manual trans still in it. I assume it was running (pretty fast if not good) when it was wrecked. Huh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Still leaning towards the LS/auto though.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Would you be so kind as to elaborate? I think they have "very cool" windshields & aren't the dashes different. I have one (63 GMC) on my trailer at my buddies house and the 66 Chevy is about 200 miles away at my cabin. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have the two cabs next to each other so I can see the difference myself. Until then I am just wanting to get input as to why different folks feel differently about the two style cabs. In case you guys can't tell I am "chomping at the bit" to tear into this project. Oh yeah, one other thing. My 66 Chevy truck has the original 283 and 4 speed manual trans still in it. I assume it was running (pretty fast if not good) when it was wrecked. Huh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Still leaning towards the LS/auto though.

The term refers to the part of the windshield frame that protrudes into the door opening.. When you get out of the truck, you may "knock" your knee on the way out. Its never happened to me, but that's why its called it.

I like it because its a 50's style leftover in a little more modern truck, and the dash is cooler for the same reason.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

The term refers to the part of the windshield frame that protrudes into the door opening.. When you get out of the truck, you may "knock" your knee on the way out. Its never happened to me, but that's why its called it.

I like it because its a 50's style leftover in a little more modern truck, and the dash is cooler for the same reason.

Thanks for the info. I kinda thought it might be something like that, but was not sure. Def. a newb. here. Now talk Chevelles and I can keep up, but this era truck is an eye opening event. Have always "wanted to do one of these", just never got around to it. Round-2-it now. He He

[encasedmetal]

as I'm currently restoring a 63' GMC, you should know where my vote lies