63 stepside SWB project

[Dustin07]

hey anthony, is your rear bag setup a kit or homemade? I'm getting ready to bag my brothers 61 and I like your setup. I like that panhard too, very clean looking.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Hoffman65burb

Glad to hear you made it back!

X2....and thanks for your service.

I'm looking forward to seeing some progress on your truck as I'm sure you are too.

[1963chevyshort]

Dustin,

The rear is a kit from airride. You just have do alot of drilling our ribets but bests that it can be done in about two to three days. The reason for this is all the ribets you have to drill out is what takes time. But the kit is clean and looks great.

Captain,

Thanks for the thumbs up it was a hard duty but glad to be done with it. Especially for the navy. I had sea legs not i have sand legs too lol. Again thanks for your support

[1963chevyshort]

Well guys as it gets closer and got to make some decisions. Do you think the cab is work spending money on than getting another 63 cab? Any thoughts from the pics i have put on my thread.

[Frizzle Fry]

At this stage a cab swap would be so easy I think I'd be looking for one if I were you. You have quite a few hours of rust repair there. The rot in the brow being the biggest problem. Sorry to say what you probably didn't want to hear. But, anything can be fixed if you don't find one at the right price.

[Dustin07]

I bet you can find a nice enough cab for $500-1,000 and you may be able to sell your cab for $200-500 if you really work borth angles.

if it worked out that way, it would be worth it to get a new cab, IMO.

but if you are in no hurry, you could fix it over time.

[1963chevyshort]

Thanks guys for your opinion. i will start looking for another cab so if any of you see a 63 cab for sale let me know.

[Rogue 64]

Mine was the same way.
Think about it, like this. (I had to)
If there is rust way up there, it is rusting from the inside out, everywhere.
It would suck to put all that into that project, just to have rust peek out in a year or so.
Plenty of good cabs here in Texas, build what you want. (Big & Small window, Knee knocker etc)
Keep up the good progress.

[1963chevyshort]

Thanks Rogue64. I am going to start looking and see what i can get.

[66chevy PROSTREET]

imo, i would get a different cab, they all rust in these places, but yours is kinda bad...

[1963chevyshort]

Well seems everyone is making sense why dump a load of money on a paint job when rust will come back pretty bad. Also a better cab means less work for the body man and less money (hopefully). Also is there a big difference between a 60-63 cab? I guess what would be everyone's opinion if the had a choice in cabs from a 60-63 or a 64-66 which would u pick.

[66chevy PROSTREET]

your truck, your choice!

[1963chevyshort]

I got just have some mixed opinions

[Rogue 64]

I prefer the knee knocker cab for the older look.
I also like the small window for the same reason.
Windshields are 4 times as much as 64-66, but double hump dashes and door panels look 4 times better.

I build traditional rods, no belly floppers for me.

I am doing a resto-custom on my grandfathers '64, so no knee-knocker. I am putting a '63 dash and door panels in the '64.
Lots of other little details, Ill get into as the project progresses.
It was real hard for me to realize I had to change cabs.
It was like I was changing it too much. I have to put my touch on it, but in the end it still has to be grandaddy's Old Blue.

Figure out what you want ideally.
If cash is short get the best 60-66 cab you can.
Floorpans and rockers don't bother me, but any more and I'd pass.

Good Luck, and enjoy the build. You have a clean slate, so build your dream truck.

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome home! I know how it feels to be home from overseas. I didn't sleep for 54 hours cause I was afraid I was going to miss the plane.. Glad your home safe.

IMO I prefer 64-66. But like rogue64 said the 60-63 dash is more appealing.

Good luck on finding a good cab.

[1963chevyshort]

Thanks Alan. Yeah it was two days of traveling and i was glad for it to be over. Yeah so far i have been looking and trying to get something going before i get back to houston. Rogue appeciate the feedback so i will be hunting lol

[Frizzle Fry]

60-63 cabs are the same and will swap. I'd stick with that if it's what you started with, but if you like the 64-66 more there's no reason not to change. Personally I like 60-63 stepsides with a small window and 64-66 fleetsides with a big window. Those two have a totally different look, both good

[1963chevyshort]

Well was able to find a nice 61 cab with no rust so waiting on some detail on how to get it to houston. I will keep everyone update and post pics later.

[4dranch]

congrats.....

[1963chevyshort]

This is a nice 63.

[scotts62]

Ya looks good nice stance to it.

[Dustin07]

yeah that flat black makes me happy inside.

[1963chevyshort]

Resurrection. LOL

Well everyone I am back. I just got my new cab and getting ready to replace it this weekend. I got the cab from North Dakota and it looks really nice. Going to see about getting it soda blasted and dp 90. It is a high hump cab so will be good for drive shaft clearance. The other cab is going up for sale for 300. Also have a 3/4 ton chassis if anyone is interested. That is what this other cab came off of. It is in great condition i was very suprised. If interested let me know.

More pics coming up this weekend.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

60-63 cabs are the same and will swap. I'd stick with that if it's what you started with, but if you like the 64-66 more there's no reason not to change. Personally I like 60-63 stepsides with a small window and 64-66 fleetsides with a big window. Those two have a totally different look, both good

Hey Mike,
'63 is when they changed frames, '63-'66 frames are alike, a 63 cab is not a "bolt-on" to a '60-'62 X-frame or vice versa.....

[1963chevyshort]

How about a 61 body to a 63 frame?