63 unibody fords

I am thinking about buying a 63 unibody pick up. It needs a tailgate, can I use a tailgate from a regular 65 ford?? It also has some rust right behind the cab is that pretty easy to fix??
Will a 65 grill bolt in pretty easily??
How will it ride with the straight axle??

Will the 223 6 bolt to a FMX with a SBF bolt pattern?
Thanks for any help YA'll
LATER

 

Tailgates are unique to the Unibody's. Grilles can be interchanged between 61-66

Not 100% on the trans, but I THINK it will work

 

Thanks for the reply don

 

Why don't the tailgates fit?? sorry for the dumb question but is it just mounting or is the tailgate of the normal truck too tall or something

 

Are you talking a 223 6 cyl. If so that has a different block pattern than the SBF.

 

yeah I was talking about the 6
I appreciate it man

 

mounting / latching, plus a whole different shape/ bodylines that wouldn t match

 

The tailgate is a different width, different hinges, different latches

 

And yes the rust behind the cab is very common on unibodys, I have a 62.

 

like ass, especially if you "gasser" it. that's definitely form over function.

 

I ran a dropped axle in mine with a Toyota 4X4 steering box. With a 460 over the front end it actually drove and rode very well. No as good as an IFS but damn respectable. I've also put Dakota and Vette front ends other these with good results.

 

The tailgate is similar to a Holy Grail search. Is VERY difficult to find one that does not have rust at pivot points on lower edges of the gate itself. They are re-popping these at around 500- I believe. Also look very close at Rad support, many are rusted behind headlights, leaf catch in that area. Last place (I will comment on) is the step area inside the cab. Rust in this area is typical. Do a net search for Slick 60's, Unibody, a/o 61 Ford.. A couple of message boards out there for owners.. though may be biased opinions there of course...

 

J, how's it going? Did you ever sell yours?

 

Hi Mark, how's things "out west"??? No, still have the truck Brother-in-law working on a deal with it hopefully..

 

Almost all the unibody trucks I see are long beds. My dad has a 62 long bed.

 

lots of good info on these trucks on the ford truck forum,check it out.