Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Hey all,
I figured that I would start a thread on my truck. I have a 1962 c20 long wheel base stepside that I bought two weeks ago. I saw it on eBay, went down to look at it, since it was not too far from where I live, and got it for $2500. Not too shabby, huh?

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

The body is really good in most places. There are a couple of small spots that I have noticed have been bondo'd. Overall a good project. It needs some attention here and there. This thread may go pretty slow, since I am budgeted $50 every two weeks to spend on it.......

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

The wood in the bed is old and worn, but solid and un-rotted. I don't plan to spend anything replacing it at the moment. This truck was bought to haul things as needed. I probably will scrape the sides down and seal it with black rustoleum.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Cool truck!!

I realize you are new here and all.....good job with the pics.....
But we need some specs on that truck man! ;)

oh and some interior shots....and some under hood shots.....and, and, and :lol:
:welcoem: aboard!!!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Working on emailing myself pics from my phone and then resizing them and uploading them. The truck is actually a Coca-Cola red, not orange-y like the pics. Pictures make everything look better. The paint is amateur and thin and orange peel.
Here are some interior pics. Decent shape. Lot of work I want to do. The gray upholstery on the doors and roof are stained/rusted. The seat's tired and a little torn. The windshield's cracked. The bottom of the doors are rusted out and there is a lot of surface rust on the floor, due to the insanely thick carpet just holding all that moisture in. I plan remove the carpet, leave bare floor, scrubbing those down and slapping some rust converter on it until I decide what to do next.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Here are some drivetrain pics. Edelbrock carb sitting on a Q-jet intake. The exhaust is horrendous. Two of the header tubes on the passenger side are crushed almost closed. I have taken pics of the block stamps and tranny. I can't read the stamps at this point to tell what kind of motor it is. The tranny is a TH350 auto.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

The steering gear box had a little more than a full quarter turn of the steering wheel in it, which is a little scary. I read that you can loosen the locknut on the top of the 3-bolt plate (on top) and tighten the sector shaft screw to take out the slop. I did that yesterday and it only took out about a third of the play. Better but not good. I found a seller on eBay that is selling a rebuilt steering box for $125+17 shipping, which is great. I will probably do that. Anybody know where I can get money selling mine as a rebuildable core?

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

The exhaust has got to go soon. crushed headers, welded together pipes, and some flexible metal tubing, all held up by some ugly green wire.

The previous owner made a rear transmission crossmember out of some 1/2 inch diamond plate, slashed some holes with an angle grinder for bolt holes. The tranmission mount is held on by one crooked bolt. Can anybody post pics of what their crossmember for this year's frame looks like (stock or fabricated)?

The transmission leaked when I got it. I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and pan gasket. This was a pain, since the pan doesn't have a drain plug. I loosened the bolts progressively toward one corner, so it would run out that way. I still got fluid all over the garage floor. Ok. So now no leak from the pan. Now I find out that it is also leaking pretty good from the trannyfluid filler tube oring. So I replace that. It is still leaking, probably from both the front AND rear seals.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

looks great so far! tranny mount is scary!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Cool truck....you have to expect some 'interesting' engineering on a $2500 truck:lol:. Looks like more of head scratcher projects. Is that a tach on the column or an alarm clock?:lol:

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Nice truck for $2500! I just bought my 62 LWB step last week for $2000 but yours most likely has a 283 V8 in it as opposed to my 236 I6. Nice find! Good luck on the build. I would send you some pics of my crossmember but i have a manual tranny - not sure if they are the same...?

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Hey i just noticed your mirrors are the same as mine but i never see any on any other trucks from our years and they arent factory as far as i know. I wonder if they are some kind of farm option installed by the dealer??? If anyone knows im sure we would like to know how to get some new ones or some info on the origin.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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.

Welcome Aboard! :lol:

Mac. :chevy:

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

very nice truck. that transmission mount/cross-member is ridiculous. i have a set of mirrors like that, there going on my truck. i like them. very nice truck. with a few small repairs/mods id drive it just like that.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

:haha:

wait.....what? ;)

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Now that's funny I don't care who you are.:lol:


Welcome aboard Ryan. Remember anything you do is progress. I'm sure you have already discovered how great this forum is. Nice looking truck.:metal:

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Looks like a decent truck to work with. I agree that tranny mount is scary looking.

Looking at this pic here, I'm seeing 5.0L that would be a 305

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...1&d=1239893160

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

NICE!!! cant wait to see it in the car show! maybe I can have the 66 runnin by then... or not.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

:eek:

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Wow, priced well and it looks to have some updates as well as po's nice crapsmenship too. Good luck it does look like you purchased a good truck.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Nice score, neat looking ride. Gotta love that tranny mount ;) Welcome to the site, you won't find a more helpful bunch of peoplle anywhere.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

........"crapsmenship''. :lol::lol:......good one!!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

My Garage at the moment.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

I wish my garage was that clean....Glad you got the monte looks schweet.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Nice rig for the money and with some minor repairs and upgrades you will have a great truck for a relatively small investment. A factory automatic transmission cross member will work or you can buy a generic automatic tranny cross member from many of the aftermarket truck parts suppliers like:

www.lmctruck.com
www.classicparts.com
www.truckandcarshop.com
www.oldchevytrucks.com
www.classicperformance.com

I see the factory auto tranny cross members on eBay from time to time. I have a factory auto tranny cross member, that has been chromed, if you are interested.

The mirrors are aftermarket and available at Walmart, K-Mart and most auto parts stores.

Nice truck and please keep us posted with your progress. Congratulations on your purchase and good luck during the process.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

:hmm:

Well said Mac.:metal:
:lol:Sorry Joe:lol:


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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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 !!!!!!!!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

63-72 trans cross member on sale for $70.00

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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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.

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...me/ryans62.jpg

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Sweet, Justin. Thanks!!

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

Thanks for the commetnn retodd

Re: Ryans62c20's build thread
 

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

Mac. :chevy: