My '63 Unibody (Integral Cab)

I’m going to install a later model plunger type electric brake light switch. The old pressure operated switch was on the old master cylinder. The new switch will be on the pedal assembly. So I made a bracket to hold the switch to the pedal bracket and another bracket that mounts to the pedal arm and actuates the switch.
It’s a PITA to have to make so many items. It eats up a lot of time.
My welder is crammed over in a dark corner, no nearby bench or vise. I need to get more parts and crap out of my garage so I can work.


Pressure switches were a constant source of trouble. You converted to a dual system didn't you ?
 
I damn near killed a guy in the early 90s.



For the most part, I won't drive a single system any more, they shouldn't even be on the road IMO I have had some moments with older air brake systems too, many of them had no backup
 
For the most part, I won't drive a single system any more, they shouldn't even be on the road IMO I have had some moments with older air brake systems too, many of them had no backup
I about drove through a Pontiac Sunfire. Blew a rear wheel cylinder and blasted him going about 45, while he was stopped. Broke his driver seat hinge and dude was in the backseat.
That’s how my core support and front sheet metal got bent.
 
Check out the difference in brake pad surface area. Both of these are D52 brake pads. The ones on the bottom are 94-96 Impala SS, semi-metallic.


I drove the truck to the liquor store just like this to get a celebratory six-pack (and to center the steering wheel.) I set the toe with a tape measure.


Words like, unbelievable, incredible, remarkable come close but cannot accurately describe the difference in the way this truck drives. The brakes are insane and I only gravity bled them. I'll put the pressure bleeder on it tomorrow or I'll get the neighbor kid to lend a foot. This truck hasn't driven this well in the 35 years that I've owned it. I'm really at a loss for words. I only got up to about 35mph. I'm going to put some sheet metal on it tomorrow and take it up on the freeway. This completely renewed my love for this truck; nothing like a straight axle, leaf front end.
I'm going to buy that trans case off of Ebay tomorrow and make plans to get the 429 ready.
 
I just noticed something odd on my truck today. The frame VIN doesn't match the VIN number on the door warranty tag.
Everything is identical except the engine code. The frame says the truck came with a 292, the door says it came with a 6 cylinder. :idunno:
 
I just noticed something odd on my truck today. The frame VIN doesn't match the VIN number on the door warranty tag.
Everything is identical except the engine code. The frame says the truck came with a 292, the door says it came with a 6 cylinder. :idunno:
Damn.
 
Can’t get anything done. Between the ongoing rain and work trying to monopolize all of my time with ridiculous meetings, OT and mandatory Saturdays...:mad:
 
I've got a nice box of goodies sitting here from Summit Racing, brake drums, shoes, updated hardware, wheel cylinders, etc.
I'd like to get the wider rear brakes installed but mother nature still isn't cooperating. Raining again tonight and tomorrow. :(
Hopefully get something done this weekend.
 
Snap-On 1/2" drive impact died last week. It's old enough that Snap-On no longer rebuilds them (20 yrs. old)
Bought an Ingersoll-Rand online today for a really nice price. Hopefully it gets here soon :)
I buy most everything on line now. I saved $120 on a new 5,000 lb electric tongue jack for the beast that's coming today. A new 13,500 BTU AC should be here next Monday for the beast that sell's for $790 locally. I bought it on line for $585. No taxes and free shipping for both. If you know exactly what you need then on line is the way to go.
 
I buy most everything on line now. I saved $120 on a new 5,000 lb electric tongue jack for the beast that's coming today. A new 13,500 BTU AC should be here next Monday for the beast that sell's for $790 locally. I bought it on line for $585. No taxes and free shipping for both. If you know exactly what you need then on line is the way to go.
Absolutely. Around here, the lack of brick and mortar stores makes it almost impossible to find certain items locally.
I buy a lot of common auto parts from Summit Racing because most of the local auto parts only carry cheap Chinese junk.
 
I bought the impact online from JB Tool Sales. I’ve never ordered from them before. I ordered last night and I just got a shipping confirmation email so that’s a really good sign.
I like anticipating mail order goodies :)
I ordered the AC yesterday morning and got the tracking number email this morning. It will be here between 9 am and noon tomorrow. Like you I've never done business with them and am surprised at how efficient they are. I got it from PPL Motorhomes. The damn thing weighs 84 lbs so I'm having a shop install it for me. I like to do my own work but that's a bit much.
 
Ha. So my theory about later model backing plates and drums is just that; a theory.
Freaking axle offset is about an 1/8”-1/4”, invisible without a tape measure. I even trimmed an 1/8” off of one of the new, sweet backing plates :mad:
Oh well, on to plan B. It’s just a time setback.
 
Ha. So my theory about later model backing plates and drums is just that; a theory.
Freaking axle offset is about an 1/8”-1/4”, invisible without a tape measure. I even trimmed an 1/8” off of one of the new, sweet backing plates :mad:
Oh well, on to plan B. It’s just a time setback.
Damn.
 
So I got a line on an old race guy with a pile of Ford rear ends. I need to call him tomorrow and see if he’s got a drum to drum rear end. My buddy said I can use his truck to pick it up.
 
Axle bearing offset. That's my problem. Bearing offset on the 63 axle is 2", 68-72 offset is different. I'm trying to track down the offset info on the later axles. I'll need one backing plate too because I "trimmed" one of my "new" ones. :mad:
 
It's been interesting reading your progress, my dad loves to fix up old cars so it's bringing back some good memories.
 
It's been interesting reading your progress, my dad loves to fix up old cars so it's bringing back some good memories.
Thanks. :)
It’s therapeutic for me and I love the old steel. I have an hour and a half drive one-way tomorrow to get these parts but I really don’t mind. The subtle changes from year to year are a constant learning process. I glad the information is available online. Some of the parts are getting scarce and that drives up the cost of some of these upgrades. I’d much rather find OEM stuff for certain applications. This experience allows me to see which parts are becoming scarce and thus more valuable.
 
200 mile round trip to get the axles and backing plates today. The kid wanted me to take the whole rear end, drum to drum. I don't need it. He didn't want me to part it out but when I showed him $200 he was suddenly OK with it. He needs the money for a Crown Vic suspension swap on his truck.
Mock up went just as planned this time. Tomorrow I will clean up the newly acquired axles and press on some new bearings.


Both axles are 28 spline, 30" from wheel mount surface to spline tip. Here's the difference in the bearing offset...1963 is about 1-7/8"

1968-1972 bearing offset is about 2-3/16"



...and my new gun arrived today :)
 
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Don't know why my pics are upside down. The same pic links on the truck website are displayed correctly.
I got a lot done today but didn't take any pics. I took back the Timken axle bearings because the box said they are made in China. They never used to be. I went to a guy that my dad used to use for bearings. His dad and my dad were friends but his dad has also passed away. They are a wholesale bearing manufacturer that deal in quality bearings from Japan, Germany, Sweden (SKF,) etc...Nobody makes quality bearings in the USA anymore. We've sold out to greed. I got some quality Japanese axle bearings; $125 for two bearings. I could've bought Chinese for $30 a piece at O'Reilly's. Not.
I went to the only real privately owned parts house in my area to get the bearings pressed. The guy in the machine shop section of the store got fired. I know the owner so he let me in the back to use the equipment. While I was there Julius Steuer brought in some, I believe B-body, Mopar lower control arms to have the bushings pressed out for one of his restorations. If you've seen the super high-quality Mopar restos on Barrett Jackson then you've seen the work of Julius Steuer. When I finished my axle bearings I pressed out the bushings for Julius. One of the outer bushing sleeves in one of the lower control arms stayed in the control arm as the bushing separated during the press process. Initially, I told them there was nothing I could do about it because there was a lack of hand tools there with the exit of the machinist. I came home and put in one of my axles and got the drum and tire mounted. I kinda felt bad about leaving Simon hanging at the parts house so I went back up to get the control arm and bring it to my house where I have tools. On a Mopar lower control arm there is no way to access the backside edge of the installed outer bushing sleeve, you need a three finger inside puller. My puller wouldn't reach so I improvised and mig welded a washer to the outer edge of the bushing sleeve. I went back up to the parts house and used a king pin to press out the bushing sleeve. :D
Long day but I got some of my stuff done while helping out a local business dude. The parts house has a blast cabinet, brake lathe, hot tank...The owner said I'm welcome to any of it if I need it.
 
I just checked the truck websites and my pics are now upside down there, too. They weren't yesterday.
Time to bail away from Photobucket. There's no way to contact anyone from their website.
 
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