'63 GMC Project
 

My friends and I got my '63 GMC project started this weekend. Plans include a full ***************** air ride setup ( P-51 raised crossmember kit and a rear Superlift kit ), cleaning up the frame and engine bay a little and hopefully some 22" wheels. No body work just yet except maybe patching the floorboards. I want to run the patina look for a liitle while.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02903.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02904.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02905.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02908.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02909.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02910.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02912.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02913.jpg

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Good looking truck. Are you keeping the 3/4 ton suspension and v6?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

The V6 stays but the suspension is getting replaced with an air ride setup. It uses a raised front crossmember, tubular A-arms,'73-'87 spindles and brakes and rack and pinion steering. The rear is getting a triangulated 4 link and an axle swap.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Great looking build, can't wait to see the new suspension upgrades added. :D

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Nice progress, keep us updated.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Wow, Plaid valves covers, neat!
I may have some left-over '62 1/2 ton hard parts, if you need some. No sheetmetal, tho.
Cayoterun

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

A slammed truck with that motor is killer....and the old paint. Cool build man.

Oh snap.....And your local to me. I will have to keep an eye out for it at the cruise-in's.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Got some more done this weekend.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04465.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04466.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04470.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04468.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04469.jpg

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Looking good creep I put on Bazookas thread how the shock mounts mount.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Nice work and keep us posted...more photos, more photos.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Slowly making progress. Finally got the SSBC kit test fit and started test fitting the rear kit. Also nabbed a rear end to put under it.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02938.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02937.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02923.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02939.jpg

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

woah sick truck!!!

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

NICE!

I have a question about those mirrors: is that style still available? I have the mounting holes in my cab and would love to get a hold of a set of those.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Looking good man. Now hurry up.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

The mirrors are just stock replacement mirror heads bolted into the upper mounts of the big truck mirrors that were on the truck when I got it.

This is a pic of the truck when I got it with the big ugly mirrors.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC02853.jpg

Here's a close-up of my mirrors now.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91...p/DSC04281.jpg

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

:lol:
Thanks, I'm trying. How's yours comming along?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Looking awesome man. I thought of going with air ride for suspension but since I live on a dirt road figured it wouldn't be the best. Get some more pics of that thing up! And what carb is that?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Thanks Twiggy!

Done right, an air ride setup could handle a dirt road pretty well. Unless the truck sits really low and the road is really bad.

The carb is a Holley 500. You can see some pics of the swap here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=354432&page=2

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

No problem man. With the beating that my 4x4 '94 Blazer already gets, I think I'm just going to have to hold off on that one. Plus at this point I'm having to pull money out of my rear just to finish everything. So either way, suspension will be a few years away. Luckily I don't mind how it sits now anyways though.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

I got my wishbone links in yesterday, but I got to get some gas for the welder and I've got to do my fuel cell mounts then. Motor and trans will come back out and I'll run the brake and fuel lines then.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

What's the lenght of your lower links from bolt hole to bolt hole?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

They're adjustable and nothing is really in place yet so I don't know.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Thanks for the info!

I'll be keeping my eye open at Pick a Part, now that I know what to look for :) Hope you don't mind me imitating that mounting detail.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Man that is looking sick!

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Not at all.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Thanks Cort!

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Well, unfortunately, after trying all weekend to get the V6 back in and still have clearance to lay frame we came to the conclusion that it isn't going to fit. So now I guess I have to find a new motor and tranny. I really wanted to keep the 6 but it's just too big. I'm so bummed right now.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

NO! That really sucks man. What kind of engine do you think you'll go with?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

I'll probably end up getting a plain old crate 350. Since I have to get a different motor I might as well get one I don't have to clean :lol:

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Too bad you couldn’t keep the V6, but they are monsters in size and weight. I was amazed how much more clearance there was when I switched to a 350. It’s pretty obvious when you compare where the valve cover fits the notch in the firewall.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6899/93458529.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5605/94661517.jpg

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Boo! But I still wouldn't mind having a nice, well-built 350 or 327 sitting around for mine. Maybe once we get the shop put up and I have somewhere to put it.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

does the 305 use the same mounts as the small blocks? I know you got the SD mount but I'm just wondering.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Sweet build, i love it!!! Joseph

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Actually I didn't get mounts with my x-member kit. When I ordered it I told them I wanted to use the 305 V6 so they sent me parts to make my own mounts.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Feel free to send me some parts off of that motor though. I can always use them because it'll be in there for awhile. ;)

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Yeah i knew that Creep. You gonna get Jason to bend you up some new ones. It wouldn't be that hard to make some yourself either if you had the stuff.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Yeah I ordered a new set of mounts from SD. We used the other parts to make mounts for the V6.

Twiggy, give me a couple of weeks grievance period then I might have a few things from the 305 I could part with.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

Yeah I think I'd need the grievance time too. Was there anything that could have been done in any way to make it fit? Was it only when aired out or just general clearance with the firewall and other components?

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

To get it to lay out the motor would have to move up 4" which would put the clutch fork into the firewall and the top of the carb through the hood. It may be technically possible but it would be way too much work and it wouldn't be pretty at all.

Re: '63 GMC Project
 

that's what I'm wanting to know