My 1960 Project Starting

[Thiessen1960]

So I have a 1960 Chevy C10 short box. It was owned by my grandpa since 1962. Dad tore it down to a frame on a cab back in 1988, then I came along and put a halt to him restoring it. Here we are many years later and I have inherited the truck. So far I just got the cab off to have the front and rear supports replaced and the front floor pans. Amazingly everything else was fairly good on the cab. I plan to keep the torsion bar front, rebuild it with a kit from CPP, but swap to 1963 hubs I found at a local scrap yard. I will upgrade it to a dual master cylinder, and found a T5 to put behind the good running 235 I managed to find locally. My questions for everyone is, would you keep the original hood? It is in good shape with only two or three small dents. The box will be a short box with the spare tire carrier in it. One of my other questions is I have a good running rear end from another 60 as mine has sat for many years, or would you swap in a 65 12 bolt rear end? Turns out my dad stole it from another truck many many years ago because it is a posi with 3.73 gearing in it. I know I would have to swap the perches and the panhard bar mount. Trying to have it on the road for July this year which is when we have a show in town here. Thanks in advance. Pictures to come soon.

[markeb01]

I would keep the original hood. I always found the 1960 version most desirable, and it was integral to the overall design of the truck when it was first released. They are also very rare and hard to find now. I would also try to keep the original rear axle if possible, as I believe it is 3/4" narrower on each side, which may be helpful in fitting tires under a step side. There isn't a ton of room in the fenderwells like on a fleetside bed.

Good luck with your project. Looking forward to the pictures!

[Ronzo]

I agree with markeb01, the hood is collectable.
Plus the 2 snouts on the hood mimic the dash in the truck.

[dtkarst]

Should you change the hood, and possibly sell it id be interested

[slepysal]

keep the hood!!!

[Thiessen1960]

I am going to keep the original good, thanks for the input on that. As for wheels
I'm not too worried about it being slightly wider. I wanted to gain posi and the better gearing anyways. Wheels I have originals or a set of 15x8 rally's from the later 4x4 trucks for it. I know that parts are more available and cheaper for the newer rear end.

[oldusafmsgt]

Keep the hood ! It's what makes a 60-61 !

[Thiessen1960]

That is the plan now. I will keep the hood, now its just a matter of waiting for parts to arrive, gotta go to the border tomorrow and pick up a bunch of stuff.

[Ronzo]

Originally Posted by Thiessen1960

That is the plan now. I will keep the hood, now its just a matter of waiting for parts to arrive, gotta go to the border tomorrow and pick up a bunch of stuff.

Good call on the hood, and on the box you picked.
Street Wheelers approaches, you'll be looking good.

[Thiessen1960]

Thanks Ronzo, it has a long way to go and hopefully my finances can afford to have it ready for then. I'm still waiting to have the body work done and have someone come lift the cab back on the frame. Gotta swap out the front and rear end soon too. I go tomorrow to get my power steering kit, alternator bracket, wiring harness, and window parts as well as more cab supports. And there is still so much more that I need.

[Captainfab]

I would switch the differential to the '65 12 bolt. It is the same width as the Eaton HO32 that is under your truck now. Parts are readily available for the truck 12 bolt. Not much is available for the Eaton HO32.

[Thiessen1960]

Thanks CaptainFab. I am going to build the 12 bolt as like you said it has more parts available for it. Now to just get someone to weld the new perches and panhard bar mount to it as I am not a welder haha.

[Thiessen1960]

Here is an update of whats happening. Patching in the rear floor panel above the cab corner. Turns out my rear corners and rockers are shot, so I ordered all new ones tonight. Body guy and I will be working on the front floor pans today. Also a picture of when i painted the rear half of the frame before the cab was removed.

[Thiessen1960]

And here is a picture of the interior with the stock 3 on the tree column still in place. Also the wheels I found about two hours away from where I live which I will be picking up this coming weekend. Gotta love the classic slot aluminum mags.

[Thiessen1960]

Also here is the picture of the area we had to patch, and where we took it from the front floor pan where the sheet metal was still solid. I have all new floor pans to replace them anyways and supports.

[62 Barnfind]

Cool Truck! I would keep the hood because that's whats makes the 60 and 61 cool. I missed out with my 62. The slots are going to be a cool addition the truck. I guess you are going for a 60's hot rod theme? They should clean up fine with some sand paper and polish. Where are you getting the powering steering kit from? I'm looking for one to fit my 235.

[Thiessen1960]

I got my power steering kit from Benchmark Steering. Comes with everything and was about $350, that was pump, reservoir, mounts, pulleys, and belts. So far everything looks great. I believe the gentlemen I ordered it from was named Pat. And yes I am kind of going for a hot rod theme but sticking with original looks, just changing the wheels on the exterior basically.

[Ronzo]

So hows it coming along?

[Thiessen1960]

Painfully, turns out basically my entire floor had to be replaced except the rear floor pan, so all the parts have officially come in, waiting on my body guy to come put them in now. It is a painful waiting process.

[Ronzo]

Sorry to hear that bud, I still have all that original steel if you need to make a patch panel. I'm cutting off the roof and the back of the cab. If you don't need, I'm hanging onto it for repairs.

[Thiessen1960]

Sounds good, may not be a bad idea to have it. I have all the patches for everything now so far, just need the body guy to get out and work on it is all.

[doobiebro]

Originally Posted by Thiessen1960

I am going to keep the original good, thanks for the input on that. As for wheels
I'm not too worried about it being slightly wider. I wanted to gain posi and the better gearing anyways. Wheels I have originals or a set of 15x8 rally's from the later 4x4 trucks for it. I know that parts are more available and cheaper for the newer rear end.

Good call... Man I love them 60-61 hoods! I remember back in the days everybody I knew didnt like them hoods but fast foward to now everybody is looking for one.. Here's one of my favorite pics of my 60..

[Thiessen1960]

The look grew on me over the years. Now I absolutely love them.

[TJ's Chevy]

Late for the party but joining anyway. lol Hey gald yer keeping a 6 banger in there. Always cool to see one of them growling under the hood.

[Thiessen1960]

Yep I absolutely love the idea of the old sixer under the hood but with modern HEI and alternator and such. Makes a cool truck, anyone and everyone seems to just throw a V8 and when I was younger that is all I wanted to do. But now I want to change that. Even with the step side bed, I use to hate the spare tire carrier, but now it has definitely grown on me.