63 chevy pickup

Well im looking into getting a 1963ish chevy stepside. I was wondering if there are any problem spots that these trucks are known for i.e. popular rust spots, suspention longevity, any thing you would have to look for to notice that could cause problems down the road. Thanks

 

THey rust out in the rockers, back of the front fenders, rear cab corners, kick panels...and that's just in AZ, they're much worse in the salt belt, where you'll see holes in the hood, no inner fenders left, etc.

60-62 have torsion bar suspension that is hard to swap different later model trannys into and parts are a little hard to find. 63-up are more normal underneath, usually have coils all around, ride nice for an old truck (after you put on new shocks).

 

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Well im looking into getting a 1963ish chevy stepside. I was wondering if there are any problem spots that these trucks are known for i.e. popular rust spots,

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Only the body parts made of steel. Once they are replaced with cardboard and bondo they are impervious to salted road water....

Check the cab corners and the cowl area down near the lower door hinges.
If the roof around the drip rails are rusted thru, pass.
Too much work to bother on a commoon body like that.

 

Fenders behind the front wheels, around the drip rails, wood in the bed dont last long typically.

If the electrical system has not been redone, get on it ASAP. They have a tendency to go castrophically. Don't ask me how I know.

 

The cab mounts are a real waek spot, the only one I've seen in a long time that the cab mounts weren't rusted away is the '65 I got from Rockey.
The other spot that is common it where the inner fenders up by the core support and the floorboards/toeboard next to the kick panels.

 

even if the electrical system has been redone, you'll probably need to redo it again...ask me how I know.

 

Probably a good call. I love my truck, but the smoke coming from the horn button made me a bit worried.

 

Thanks for all the pointers. i will take these into acount tomarro when i go to look the truck over. Thanks

 

Trailing arm's are another area to search for rust, esp if the vehicle is Iowa homegrown.

 

Front corners of the inner fender panels also. Very common, though you can find those rust free here in the southwest.

You will never, ever, EVER find a rust-free and straight fender or door, those all rust out down low. Every last one.

If it helps you, I have some stuff left over from my '63. PM me and I can give you a rundown of what's here.

 

thanx guys we'll keep that all in mind looking it over tomorow. last time we saw it for sale it was sitting out side of the body shop in primer........looked preety straight then.

thanx again
tim

 

Yea but look how bitchen they look done.

 

Daayyeemmm!

Thats exactically what I want mine to look like, just sky blue.

More pic please.

 

One ElRusto used to have...

 

My dad's, though it's a '65.

 

My every day driver,1961 with 111,000 miles-MIKE

 

I wouldn't dump a ton of money into it unless it's got the big back window, though. It'll be hard to get your $ back out later if it's a small back window. Plus you won't like that blind spot.

As far as I'm concerned, a '63 fleetside (especially a short bed) with a big back window and the wrap-around windshield, plus its grille that looks nicer than the rest, just makes for the best-looking of all the '60-6's.

I still have some stuff left after I sold my '63. PM me if you need parts.

 

I cant stand those ugly 60-66 Chevy/GMC's

 

Looks cool all shaved and smoothed in the back.

Hmmmmmmm?

 

small back windows are the way to go...look better, more privacy, less sunburn, easier to find glass (on models with curved glass) etc.

No, I'm not trying to start an argument, just pointing out that it's all a matter of opinion.