1965 Chevy Stepside...HELP!

So, my dad just gave me an old '65 chevy.  It was his dad's and the first vehicle I learned to drive, so it has obvious sentimental value.  It's in excellent mechanical shape, but the body has some significant rust (particularly the floorboards).  The only body work I've done is just on old farm trucks and such, so I'm looking for some advice.  

I'm planning on starting with new floorpans, rocker panels, and cab corners.  I'd like to try to keep the truck drivable through most of the project.  Is it possible to fix the cab with it still on the truck, or should I plan on stripping it down?  I'm in the military, so I move frequently and keeping it mostly in one piece would be very beneficial to me!

Also, I've been looking at Mig welders...is it worth buying the Higher priced Lincoln/Hobart brands or do I just get cool points?

Anyone else have an old chevy and would like to swap ideas?  I'm all ears!!  

So, I found a cab and front fenders that are in better shape than mine, so that parts handled...anyone know where I can find a solid stepside bed?

I've seen several of these trucks lowered a lot or a little.  Anyone done it?  Thoughts?  

I lowered my 62 SNB pick up with early classic spindles and springs.  I also went with their front disc brake kit.  I did this many years ago, and I do believe I was one of the first.  If not the first people in the NW USA to buy their 62 kit.  You need to consider wheel size as you'll have an issue with front tires rubbing if you dont.  With my 62, I can adjust the front end height by adjusting the torsion bars.  So, I did that to clear my wheels.  Also, make sure you get the correct pan hard bar and depending on how low the back goes a rear shock relocation kit as well, because if you dont, your back end will not track right.  And, shocks will do little good because the angle is to much they have litle if any rebound to them.  I've lowered a 67 C10 using all the stuff from CCP, and it was fine but not close to the grade of stuff that Early Classic has.  But again, the 67 is not a high doller high HP ride like my 62 is.  CPP has one of the best deals on a master and brake booster combo kit.  The master is from a Vette, and the booster is ready to hook up.  Bench bleed the master of course.

Lowering these trucks is not hard.  You can also simpl keep your stock spindles, and buty  a set of like 2 in drop front and 4 inch drop rear springs from just about any truck supply company.  It is also an easy way to drop the truck, and cutting a coil spring is never the best idea.  God luck friend.  < Mike in Oregon >  

Hey flyboy, I also have a 65' but mine is fleetside. I live in Texas and there is a place not to far from where im at that i bought my bed, hood, and patch pannels. They have decent prices and exelent parts. I am sure they can ship you parts to where ever you live, but the plave is called Outback Auto and the number is 281-350-9072. Other than that there is LMCtruck.com and classicparts.com. I dont think Outback has a website.

Travis  
65 c20, 283 4 on the floor, all original..

Hey I have a descent short step side bed off my 64 thats already disassembled and ready for blast.  I to got a hold of a fleetside.

TCC  

Where are you located? I am looking at getting a 60 Apache and it has a flteetside, but I realy want a stepside for it..I am in MD, picking the truck up in PA.  

HI flyboystewie;;;;;  I too am working on a chevy.  it is a 55 on a 65 frame long bed.... I had to cut 13 inches out of the frame to put this short bed 55 body on it;;;  any one looking for a 283 60s engine block bored out 30 over w/ two set of heads for it...  

What part of the world are you in. I am running a 350 with a power glide, but plan to go back to a 283 and PG. I'm just east of Big D, TX.