I am new at this. Is there a good video out there that you guys would recomend to get. My son and I are going to try to rebuild a 1963 Ford step side that I drove back in high school. I know most of you got started some how.

 

Welcome, by coming here you have started. Is this the same truck? it running now?

 

you should look through the user galleries here to get an idea of what you want the finished truck to look like. in the galleries you will find everything from untouched originals to perfectly restored trucks to wild customs and everything inbetween. look at the stances, wheels, tires, and paint. as for the mechanicals, get yourself a set of shop repair manuals. i hope it is a 6' stepside because it's impossible to find parts for the 8' beds.

 

When I parked it 15 yrs. ago it was running great. Had just rebuild a 352 that came out of the 66 that i totaled that was my dads. I got this truck and started redoing it then. Started going to a tech school and needed something else to drive. My dad gave some guy to start to restore the truck and he just tore the truck apart and ripped us off. My brother and dad went to get the truck and put a camper top over it and it has been sitting since. I have pulled the front end off the truck and removed the radiator and the antifreeze was still full in the engine and the oil was still full. I tried to rotate the fan but it would not turn. Like I said I have never done this before and would like to get the truck in shape and back in running condition for my son to drive within 3 yrs. He is 13 now and he saw the truck and wanted to get it going. The body is not in that bad of shape with very little? dents but it does have rust mostly on the bottom of the fenders and on the front of the hood and the bottom of the bed is gone. The back fenders are not in that bad of shape either.
When I bought the truck from this guy you could see on the side of the truck door that it use to be a army truck. I have never seen one like this meaning that the truck had been sprayed on the underneath with what was like rhino lining. I think this preserved under the truck pretty good.

Like I said this will be a 2-3 year project and not sure how to get started. I dont know if I want to all the way or just get the body and motor in shape for a new driver (my son).

So you guys recommend getting a video that I see on some of the web sites or what?

 

I really don't know how a generic video is going to be tremendously useful. I guess if you have zero experience doing car restoration it can be helpful, but...
There are quite a few 'slick' owners down your way. Maybe if you post your exact location here and over at Slick 60s you can find some experienced owners to come by and give you some coaching. I've found this group of truck owners to be always willing to help a newbie.

 

1. First comes the mechanical work.

2. Next comes body work and paint.

3. Interior comes last.

Helpful hints...when you take things apart...take your time and videotape/photograph the procedures. You'll thank yourself when it comes time to re-assemble.

 

Thanks guys! I live in Anderson S.C. Any help would be appreciated. That is a great idea to take photo's when I am removing parts.

 

I've done a bunch of work over the years - from scabbing in cab supports to get a few more miles out of a dead 66 to total frame-off restoration.

What I recommend first is an honest assessment of your truck. Take off the "I love this truck" goggles (sort of like "beer goggles at closing time at the local tap! ) and really look at what you are up against.

Do it in systems...

What will it take to make the engine run?What will it take to make the drive-train move?What will it take to repair body damage?What will it take to get the interior ready for use?With this basic check list, you'll at least have the basics in front of you. Then, take a clip board and a light, magnet, pick, etc., and go over the truck - checking out all above.

Make three columns on your paper -- First is actual condition -- second is what it would take to get it running -- third is what you might like if possible. The idea behind the 3 columns is that you take an honest assessment of the truck. First you figure out what it will take to make it move and drive, then you figure out where to spend extra money so that it is special.

Then, armed with your information, start tracking down costs. Find out what it will take to make the motor run... Find out what it will take to get patch panels welded in if there is cab rust. Check out prices on paint jobs (you can go between $600 and $6,000 easy there!). Figure out the mechanicals.

THEN...

Start deciding which parts of the work you can do yourself. Don't worry that you don't currently know how to do something -- just figure that you'll have to learn some stuff -- but not everything. Here is where it gets to be fun! Can you pull the motor, strip it down, send out the parts to a machine shop, and then re-assemble it so it runs -- or let the shop do the assembly? Take stock of your situation, and figure that out. If you have to buy some tools, or find some training (the Internet has almost everything a person could do to a vehicle listed out in steps - making it possible to learn how to rebuild an entire vehicle if you want to learn!). Is it cheaper to purchase tools and learn how, or cheaper to get someone to do the work? Many times, you can buy the tools, do the work, break even, and have the tools for the next job...

That's about how it works...

Oh, and if you are going to start working on the truck -- get a CASE of PB BLASTER and start soaking every nut, bolt, screw, etc., NOW.

 

^^^^Excellent advice!^^^^