New Project: '62 Chevy truck and pic request

Here is my new project (no, the old one isn't finished). I had a '66 awhile ago and always regretted selling it. This one is a longbed which i didn't like much until i saw some of the long 'n low trucks on this forum.

This one is very original with a 283 w/ three speed on the column. Modification list for this include new front fenders (rust), front disc brake kit, maybe wheel/tire change, electronic ignition, and i want to work on the stance so it is flat front to back. I like Borndead327's '62.

Any 60-66 chevy truck pics out there? I did a search but didn't uncover much.

 

if you want disc brakes the 73-87 truck front engine cradle and all is pretty much a bolt in.

 

thanks dude

 

mines a 63

 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php

 

Don't have any recent pics of my '63 SWB, but it's been the recipient of major mods the last 3 months. 230 I-6 swapped out for a late model 350, PS, AC, and so on. Will post the pics when I get 'er done.

 

keep in mind the 60-62 frame and suspension is significantly different from the 63-66. Later parts generally don't bolt up to the 62 trucks.

 

My brother has a 62 Truck, HIs is short bed with step side. please post where you get the fenders. He is also looking for the spare tire rear fender.

 

That should be easy to swap since most stepsiders want to get rid of the spare.

Mines a 64 Shortwide, in a million pieces.

 

let me know if you want to get rid of those wheels...

keith

 

I love those trucks!
I have a couple myself.
here's the whopin H.A.M.B. thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108866

What the hell are you doing in China?

Dan

 

Thanks for the thread, one day i'll get the search words right so i find something.

China?

I'm working my Chinese ass off, and dreaming of old trucks, surfing and retirement....not necessarily in that order. The HAMB is keeping me from losing it over here...

 

Good point. What's the preferred method from dropping a 60-62??

 

I dont know how to post a link, but there is a 1947 to1998 chevy and gmc website with tons of info. I spend some time there myself.I'm building a 71 short wide.

 

i have a 64 chevy short fleet, not orgininal but has the parts that are for it from 64-66. I swapped cabs/small window, when i first bought it, it had a 67-72 stepside bed on it. put a 55 nd-66 stepside bed on it but then found a good deal on a short fleet bed, use to have a gmc hood on it but traded a guy for his 62-66 chevy hood, replaced 283 with a later 350,alot of mickey mouse wiring,got a delux horn rim from 64 chevy truck,and lowered it with drop coils with 3" drop in front and 6' drop in rear. My dad and I did alot of other things like replacing suspension parts and other things too. It is are first ride to work on. I got it when i was 19 and that was my first vehicle and i still own it and its my daily driver.

 

Oh and by the way i think longbeds are just as cool as the shorties

 

...here's mine...again.....(love to show it off)...

 

Sir - I just LOVE your truck. I hope my '64 will come out that nice some day. Man I need to get to work on it!!!

 

Brief update to this post:

I was back in the states recently and finally got the '62 out on the road. Forget about swapping out the frontend. All i can say is TORSION BARS RULE! This is the best handling 60s truck i've driven. No shimy and shake, no wobbly knees, no tracking problems just low and tight all around (lowered via torsion bars as described above), a pleasure to drive. I really recommend keeping the torsion front if you have a 60-62. I read that Chevy discontinued the torsion frontend after '62, due to high production costs.

unrelated topic: any recommendation for small block chevy engine rebuilder in California Central Coast area? From Paso down to Ventura?

thanks

 

I agree with your views on the Torsion bar front end...I've got a '62 Suburban, and the front end rides great. It does need to be rebuilt though. I found some of the expensive ball joints on ebay for about $85 a pair. That seller keeps popping up with them every now and then. He's in Florida.

I lowered the front by cranking down the torsion bars, and lowered the back by installing a set of new coils from Eaton. We found out that stock pick-up rear springs will drop a Suburban 2 inches in the rear. That probably won't apply to you, but they appreciated the info!

As of right now, there aren't any front sway bars available, and if you've got the hydraulic clutch there are only a couple companies that have a power brake conversion. I got mine from CCP and kept the drum/drum set-up with self-adjust mechanisms added to the drums. Just got it back on the road last night, so I've got a lot of sorting to do, but I feel the dual reservoir, power and self adjusters in the drums (rather than the manual adjust that NEVER gets done) should be fine. The quality of the parts from CCP was excellent. The instructions they sent sucked donkey balls, and ALL you get with the kit is the master, booster, clutch master, brackets and linkage rods. No lines, no fittings (at the very least you need to plug a port on the distribution block and run a line to connect the front brakes). The instructions were one page with a line drawing on it that said "These holes are in the firewall." and "These holes need to be drilled in the firewall." Absolutely nothing else, including drilling a new hole in the brake pedal arm to fix the pedal ratio required with power brakes. For nearly $500, I guess I expected a little more.

But like I said, the parts that I DID get with the kit are the main pieces, and they're excellent.

My truck found me, I didn't find it...if I had to do it over again, I'd look for a '63--wrap around windshield, with the later front suspension. But since that didn't happen, and I've got most of the really expensive stuff bought, I'll stick with the torsion bars. And like you said--the torsion bars ride GREAT, and since I put over 20,000 miles on it in the first year I had it, and plan on keeping the truck forever, that comfortable ride is worth the hassle at the beginning.

-Brad

 

thekid54,

 

Looks like I may be getting a 62 shortbed myself, this thread has some valuable info, thanks guys.

 

i just scored a new project myself!!