Ryans62c20's build thread

[ryans62c20]

LilRed66,
If i read you right, you have a chromed crossmember you would be willing to sell? Are you sure this will work on a '62 frame? I have been unable to find one online for a '62. From what I have read, the '62 frame is different from the '63 frame, because there are torsion bars, and the length is different somehow. So all the crossmembers I have seen for sell specify '63-'72.

However you could help would be greatly appreciated.
'62 crossmember dimensions, pics

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Is that a tach on the column or an alarm clock?

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Please take note, Ryan - trying to satiate joe231’s photo fetish is like trying to fill a hole in the ocean. Don’t encourage him - he’ll just hump your leg, like you neighbor’s dog.Mac.

Well said Mac.
Sorry Joe


Ryan,
Nice Rig
If the checkplate was painted no one would have said a thing

[ryans62c20]

It is indeed an ugly tachometer. It's voltage is off, too. It tells me 5000rpm when it is more like 2500. There is no 6-12volt read switch.

[towrecker]

put a couple washers on the trans mount to hold it down for now ...thats what happens when rednecks do drive train swaps ...i just wander if that plate was a quick fix or someone thought it was a good fix ...either way hook that tail down before you crack the case that would suck !!! and paint it to make david happy !!! just pickin at ya !!!!!!!!

[chucks1967]

Originally Posted by ryans62c20

It is indeed an ugly tachometer. It's voltage is off, too. It tells me 5000rpm when it is more like 2500. There is no 6-12volt read switch.

Do what now... 6-12 volt switch? usually if there is a switch it will be a selector switch to change from 4-6-8 cylinders, the voltage is somewhat moot as the tach gets its signal from the ignition coil. All the voltage does is supply current for the back light if it has one and the current power the movement. What we need to do is make sure the signal wire is connected to the correct side of the ignition coil.

[chucks1967]

Oh by the way the switch may be behind the plastics. Some require you to change dip switches and they are sometimes hidden.

[4dranch]

63-72 trans cross member on sale for $70.00

http://www.gmcpauls.com/SALE_SPECIALS.htm

[same_me]

Hey Ryan. Truck looks good. Can't wait to see it in person. Get with Charlie I want us to try and park together at the show on the square. I got to call him Friday.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

63-72 trans cross member on sale for $70.00

David, that's an outstanding value. May have to buy another truck so I can buy one!

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

David, that's an outstanding value. May have to buy another truck so I can buy one!

Didn't know for sure, but it sounded reasonable to me..

[retodd7711]

I don't think pics of my '62 trans mount will help since it's a 4 speed behind a v-6
Truck looks good, just keep making progress and it'll get there!

[same_me]

Hey Ryan. I found this picture of your truck on the internet today. It's from the show on the square.

[ryans62c20]

Sweet, Justin. Thanks!!

[ryans62c20]

Thanks for the commetnn retodd

[MacAttack]

Man, that is one great looking truck. Bet folks come up to you wanting to talk about it all the time.

Mac.

[atomic60]

As bad as that trans crossmember looks, remember that there is always worse. With out to many special tools you should be able to whip something up for little to no cash outlay. I would even consider cutting some falt stock to make a large Washer type thingy that would clamp it down squarelyish. hehe. Fight the redneck engineering with more redneck engineering and you might get something that works. In a perfect worl you could have a ton of cash and buy a new one but at 100 bucks a month I would try to be as resourceful as I could.

Just my .02

Eric

[ryans62c20]

I haven't started working on the tranny xmember yet.
I bought a rebuilt manual steering box from " steeringstore " on eBay for $125 plus $13 for shipping. I thought this was pretty good since other places I found them on the net were about $220 plus shipping.
I spent 2.5 hours replacing it on Friday. The box is held on to the frame with one short bolt and two long bolts (see pic of inner side of frame). I had a hard time getting the pitman arm off of the outputshaft, even with a puller. Then I had a hard time getting the input shaft loose. I had to use a ball joint puller (wedge shaped fork) to break loose the attachment. You can't just tug on it or you will damage or break the rag joint on the end of your steering rod.
With the new box, you have to ensure that the gear is centered. I did this by slipping the input shaft into the end of the steering rod below the rag joint, then lightly bolting the box on the frame. Then I turned the steering wheel to the stops both ends, then tried to turn it back half that much. Unbolt the box and slip off the input (without rotating the input shaft). Make sure the steering wheel is centered or level. Then try to put the box back on without turning the input shaft. I had to do this like three times to get it centered along with the steering wheel. When you put the steering box on for the final time, you have to slip the input and output shafts into their attachments before you bolt it to the frame. Otherwise you won't be able to get the ends on. The output shaft has four key slots on the gearing that meet up with four keys in the pitman arm hole. Then tighten everything up.

[ryans62c20]

Oh. And by the way, Start the whole thing off by making sure your wheels are pointed straight ahead.......

[ruffrida2005]

Nice looking truck, if you can use a 64 tranny crossmember. If it will work, I took mine off. when I replaced my whole front suspension. I'll see if my dad can take a pic since it's at their house. but it's just a peice that goes from one side to the other that's kinda like c channel, with the tab for the tranny to bolt. I didn't have any problem with it at all, and my trucks pushing 400HP. It has the attachments for the parking break on it still. I'll get pics, if you want it I'll take 20 + sh.

[ryans62c20]

Thanks for the offer ruffrida2005. That's a great offer!
Can you please post pics of your crossmember on here or email them to rjkee52403@yahoo.com along with the dimensions? I think the frames may not be the same. Please tell me the distance on your crossmember between the inside rail edge to inside rail edge.
I beleive that the frame rails for 63+ goes like this:
| . . . |
| . . . |
| . . . | This is 33.5" apart
whereas my frames do this near the tranny:
| . . . |
|\ . . /|
| |. .| |
| |. .| | I need to measure this..
The inner set of rails begin to slant toward the middle about 9 inches fore of the rear tranny mount. This means that the rails are angled, not parallel, at the rear mount line.

[ryans62c20]

My 62 C-20 along with chucks1967 1966 c-10

[chucks1967]

joygasim! I cant wait till I get the 66 bet on that truck... dang it! stupid bathroom projects.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by ryans62c20

My 62 C-20 along with chucks1967 1966 c-10

Another 60-66 Screensaver photo!

[ruffrida2005]

Ryan after looking at the underside of your truck, the crossmeber that I have wont work on yours, It's the stock 63-66 mount I have, but the top braket was tanken off. sorry I couldn't help you out on it! If you want to get rid of your whole torsionbar set up and go with the 63-66 set up, I have the whole crossmember from my 64 out, since I changed mine to the SD crossmember. Let me know I'll be coming out your way in the end of August!

[joe231]

Originally Posted by ruffrida2005

Ryan after looking at the underside of your truck, the crossmeber that I have wont work on yours, It's the stock 63-66 mount I have, but the top braket was tanken off. sorry I couldn't help you out on it! If you want to get rid of your whole torsionbar set up and go with the 63-66 set up, I have the whole crossmember from my 64 out, since I changed mine to the SD crossmember. Let me know I'll be coming out your way in the end of August!

I might be interested in the trans crossmember...I'll pm ya