'63 Model B
 

Hi all,

Here's a few pics of my shop truck. Have owned it a few years and work on it between customer projects. I'm finding out that these things are like hens's teeth and because I can't find many examples of them I ought to do my part and put the one I own out for others to see.

Mike

Re: '63 Model B
 

That is really cool! I'm digging the stance and those rear fenders. Ive never seen one either
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Re: '63 Model B
 

They're just funny looking enough that they're kinda cool looking.
I shortened the wheelbase 54" and lowered the cab 10". It originally had a 305 V6 which was replaced with a 283 at some point. I've got a 400 sm blk and beefed up T400 installed and I've been building rear fenders, running boards and a wraparound front bumper for it. Plans are to do built in toolboxes and a flatbed that continues the shape of the lower part of the doors and rockers.

Re: '63 Model B
 

That thing is awesome bro!
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I am a die-maker/designer, and I want to know how you made those running boards!
NICE WORK!

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Thanks guys,
The running board impressions were done using my 5 ton arbor press. I converted it to foot operation and do lots of different shaping operations with it. It was ideal for solving the running board issue.
I wanted full length running boards but also wanted to keep the cool looking pattern that the stock, short ones had so I made a die set and connected the halves with 1/8" x 2" cold roll. Flexible but strong enough to stay in register.

Re: '63 Model B
 

badass,...

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Holy Mackeral Batman !

I am in love

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awesome!

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Speechless....

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was it your intent to make the front bumper look like a GIANT 63-4 impala bumper?

it looks that way to me..

Re: '63 Model B
 

Ha! It does look Impala-like. Things like the bumper drive me nuts at the planning stage. I did 30+ revisions to the design before I even started and sectioned 2" out of it after finishing it. And the ends still are up in the air. I was just trying to mirror the shapes you see on the hood and make the whole thing a little more like a passenger car and less like a commercial truck. At least it's good that it resembles a GM and not something from Chrysler.
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Re: '63 Model B
 

that is way cool dude !!

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holy cow!!! I love it!! great skills kat

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Man that is nice, love the extra wide rear fenders, so low too, awesome, can't wait to see what you do with it.

Re: '63 Model B
 

Welcome to the forum :D

Very cool truck and some great fab work and metal forming. :thumbs:

Did the sheet want to potato chip on you when you did the embossing on the running boards? Did you use 18-20 gauge?

Re: '63 Model B
 

That could be the coolest first post ever!! Nice job man!! What motor are you going to run in it??

Re: '63 Model B
 

Wow, thanks for the kind words everyone. Just trying to make it how I want it without screwing it up too much.
The running boards are 19 ga. AK steel, as are the fenders. You may not see it in the pic of the unfinished one but there was distortion between the individual stamps. I just cut a piece of 3/16" steel to fit tightly between the raised portions and hammered and chased it all flat working both sides of the surface.
The engine is a 400 small block that my brother put together for me. A Cummins with a Banks package would be a dream but I looked in every corner of the shop and I didn't have one.
-Mike
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Re: '63 Model B
 

Killer..subscribed

Re: '63 Model B
 

My Next door neighbor has one of those with a dump bed on it...sadly letting it rot away. It is his second home and he is hardly ever there.

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Dare to be different & preseving a little history at the same time. Have seen a few of these in Northern Ontario. There's one in a yard in Dryden that he won't part out. you do nice work and the concept is looking great.

Re: '63 Model B
 

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That look great, love the running boards.

What are your plans for the bed? Are you going to set it up to pull a trailer?

Can't wait to see more...:metal:

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are you going to leave the gas tank where it is

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That thing is awesome.....I keep looking for one to do but can't ever find one to build. You are off to a great start,looks awesome,very creative way to do the running boards....Dig the build....I will be back