Newbie 62' c10 owner questions

[Bullett]

Hello, I am the proud new owner of the above truck, which I have never seen yet. I bought it off Ebay, the truck is currently in Lebanon Tenn. And will be transported this weekend to my Garage here in central Maine. I will be posting pics when I get it. The truck had a frame off resto many years ago and is what I consider a very nice driver. Chevy 350cc with a 350 auto tranny. The first couple things that I need to address is the guage cluster is not presently working and I am considering replacing with something "new Skool" and I also would like to replace the wood in the rear body. My question to you, what would you guys suggest? Looking for the most bang for the $$$. Is there anything common with the current original guage cluster that might be causing it not to work?......I am kinda fussy about my stuff and suspect I will probably end up going through the whole truck with a new paint job. Paint on it now looks to be very good but not show quality....I originally bought the truck with the intention of hauling some of my restored vintage Ski-Doo's to a few local shows but the more I get to looking at the truck, the more interested I get in it. Thanks for any suggestions or advice....Bullett

[Bullett]

Also, forgot to mention, not that it matters, but the truck is a fleet side, short bed. Also, another question, I have noticed every now and again, that a few 62's have dual headlights. Is this an aftermarket kit or did some of them come from the factory that way? Thanks.

[jchav62]

Mar-K is a good place to get a wood kit for the bed.

1960 and 1961 grilles came with dual headlights. Commonly swapped out on 60-66 trucks.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

The original gauge cluster can be repaired and will work just fine. There are a couple threads on here showing just how to do it. Probably the best one is by member theastronaut. If you are set on an aftermarket gauge cluster, the new Dakota Digital VHX is quite popular these days. Of course there is also their full digital cluster. Then another option is to go with an insert from Boese Engineering and fit it with aftermarket analog gauges.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/

http://www.boeseengineering.com/

I almost forgot about this member that rebuilds gauge clusters.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=606863

[cortcomp]

A redone gauge cluster looks amazing! While you're in there, consider adding a tach or the vacuum gauge conversion from a pontiac, and the overspeed light to parking brake light conversion!

The dash is pretty simple and flat on these, you could just make an insert and mount any gauges in the insert however you want, there's a million options. I love the look of a clean factory cluster though.

[Bullett]

Ah, good information. If it is possible, I would probably try and repair the factory guage cluster, guess I assumed once they were gone, they were gone. I actually have an extra cluster coming with the truck. I will follow the links and see if I can figure out how to repair and I like the sound of the tach addition. Thanks for that advice. I also found some nice looking s/s bed strips on ebay for a reasonable price, I might purchase them and get some wood at Lowes and do that also. Thanks...