Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I'm psyched! Cut the frame down yesterday...

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2002.JPG
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2003.JPG

And today welded it back up. Made some reinforcement plates from the 12" sections I cut out.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2005.JPG
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2008.JPG
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2009.JPG
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Cut%2013.JPG
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...lates%2001.JPG

Took 8" off the back and 12" out of the middle. V-cut the butt joints and MIG welded front and back of the frame. Ground it down flush so that I can bolt in the L-reinforcements in with the flange on the bottom on the tension side.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I'm really proud of this boy!:whine:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Oh yeah, I forgot to give a special thanks to my Dad and Ralph for helping my with this. Both have been instrumental in my progress so far.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Posted via Mobile DeviceI wonder how many gallons to the mile she will get. LOL. Can't wait to see this one done, good luck.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I actually have the big block in my 64 right now. It's gets about 10-11 with no overdrive, 3.73 gears and 31" tires. 3.08s would probably be better but I'm going to keep the 3.73 for now and run a 33" tire size.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Today I discovered that all the rivets on the bellhousing mount crossmember were loose. So I cut those all out, cleaned off 45 years of grease and road grime, then bolted it back in place. I put my small block 350, SM420 and T221 in. Eventually the small block will come out and the big block will go it. But I need to collect the hydraulic clutch parts before I do.

I didn't have enough 1" grade-8 bolts left so I'll have to bolt the reinforcement plates into the frame next weekend.

A couple more pics:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0Case%2000.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0Case%2001.jpg

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Wow Jason, I swear you could work for GM, looking real good, I can hardly wait for you to come up and give me and Lexie a ride, see you when you come up for Turlock!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Got a few more things done on the pickup today. Seems like I've been working on this thing non-stop every weekend since early December.

Anyway, I got the reinforcement plates drilled and bolted in the way I wanted today. Worked out perfectly. I also finished putting new grade 8 bolts in all the locations where I removed fatigued rivets from the crossmembers and frame.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...lates%2001.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...lates%2002.JPG

I wanted to paint the whole frame but I just didn't have the time to strip the frame myself right now. I'm trying hard to get this truck fully assembled so that I can get it out of my grandmother's house and move it to my Mom's house where I'll be able to keep working on it for a few months... and then hopefully get it done the way I want it.

I dropped the 65 big window cab and the 62 front end onto the frame. The cab is positioned correctly but I relocated the front end off of the donor truck in one piece and it isn't quite lining up right. You can see in the photos that the front end is cocked up a little bit. In a couple of weeks I'll completely disassemble the front end and build it back up using the best (read: least rusty) of all the donor parts that I have available.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2000.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2002.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2004.JPG

Man I LOVE this grill. It is may favorite of the 60-66 grills. Sa-weet! :D

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2006.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2010.JPG

Threw a bumper on to get a feel for how it will look someday when its all together and I'm done. This light blue color is growing on me. I think I might have the truck repainted in this color with a white or cream top, grill and bumpers.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2012.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2013.JPG

Just messing around I put a couple BFG 32" tires next to it. I think a tall knobby tire like this will look good on the truck. The final plan is for 16x6.5" steelies painted black with some 265x85R16 or something close to that tire size. I want some 62 style hub caps also but people want a fortune for them. I saw a set of four go on ebay for over $100 today. Its just not in my budget right now... bigger fish to fry.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...Tires%2000.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...Tires%2001.JPG

I hope to get the bed and doors on tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Sweet truck man, I like the blue. My favorite is the sea foam green color that was popular on these trucks.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Put the doors and bed on today and took a few photos. Didn't get a chance to tweak anything so none of the body is aligned properly yet. Also I thought the front end would come down more when I put the engine and trans and transfer case in. However it still *looks* like the back end is lower than the front. Maybe it is just perfectly level and it is an optical illusion. Today I had the thought that maybe the replacement Rancho springs up front have a little lift to them. On the other hand it might just be that the rears are sagging after 45 years of hard abuse.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2000.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2002.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2005.JPG

Cut the spot welds out of the donor upper high hump and set it and the lower high hump section in place in the cab and bolted them together. The little spot weld cutter from harbor freight worked really well. I'll definitely use it again when I replace the many rusted out floor panels. I'm even thinking of doing a complete floor swap...:devil:

I am wondering if all the high humps have circular holes for the transfer case shifter like mine. I always thought it would be more of an elongated hole based on the swing of the shifter. Does anyone have any other examples/photos?

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0Hump%2000.JPG

My dad brought over my front and rear driveshafts too. One less thing I need to hunt down.

I think I also solved my problem of not being able to afford the dog dish hub caps I was looking for. I have one pair, and I just realized that my Dad might have another pair in his collection of various truck parts that he is always adding to :) I guess I won't be able to tease him about his "bone yard" anymore!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Found a few more pictures. First is me realizing that with a hoist one man can assemble an entire truck by himself! The second one is me explaining my "one man, one truck" theory, and that last one has the old man "supervisor" in it off to the left.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20End%2000.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...Truck%2000.JPG

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2004.JPG

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

looking good...

what size of slotted mags do you have, they look nice?

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

The slotted wheels are a typical 15" x 8.5" size. I don't know the backspacing off the top of my head. I have similar ones on my 64 and don't plan to keep these on this truck. Just something to roll around on for now.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Now you have a good idea of the direction you are going in. I do the same thing, put the body together just to see it .

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

This is looking good!! Looks like you cut the frame just right as the short bed seems to sit right (rear wheel positioning) and have the right distance between the cab.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

That old man leaning against the engine hoist looks familiar:crazy:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Didn't do much to the truck today, just a little tinkering.

The spring perches and shock tabs I ordered for the donor 73 12-bolt came in but were for a 3-1/2" tube size rather than a 3". So I decided to go another direction and just swap over the differential, ring and pinion to replace the trashed one from in my original housing. Everything went smooth except getting the pinion out of (my Dad's) donor axle housing. :D After pulling the yoke i couldn't get the pinion shaft out. Felt like it the front bearing was seized in the shaft... I didn't think that the front bearing was pressed onto the pinion shaft once it was in the housing? Now I need suggestions on how to remove it.

I also threw my mismatched set of 16"s back on. These 315/75/R16 tires are too big for my taste, are too wide at least for this truck. I'm thinking more like a 255/85/R16 in a mud terrain tire.

I was also playing with the front mount brackets for the radiator support. It seems that even when the radiator support is sitting directly on the brackets with no rubber mount, it is still higher that the cab, which is on stock replacement mounts. Did the K10 trucks have taller cab mounts? That is the only way I can think to account for what is happening. From my measurements it seems that the entire cab should sit about 1/2" higher than it does. I know the 67-72 K10 trucks use taller mounts. Perhaps to 60-66 were the same but they just aren't reproduced? I'd like to know. Either way I'll just have to space up the cab.

Snapped a couple pics. Nothing much new to see. I think my next move will be to pull the body back off again and finish cleaning and painting the frame and run brake lines. I'm contemplating mounting the proportioning valve somewhere on the frame to clean up the engine compartment. I also want to pull apart the front leaf packs and replace the rear.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2000.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2001.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2002.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2003.jpg

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Yeah, I think his name is Feo. :lol:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Left work a little early today to get a few things done on the truck. Changed my mind back about the rear axle. I'm going to use the complete 73 12-bolt unit after all. This way my Dad gets his good rear axle back in one piece. :D

I started re-working the 12-bolt housing from the 73 to get it ready to go under the 66. It measures to be about 2" wider overall. Looking at the wheels an tires on the truck now I don't think at an extra inch per side will hurt. If anything it will make the front and rear track widths less different.

Pulled the axles, the diff carrier, and the pinion out. These all came out nice and easily and everything looked good. So I'm a happy camper there :)
Then I pulled the drum brakes off. Its pretty convenient how you can pull the lines then just unbolt the backing plate and everything goes with it. Bye bye old drums! I'll be swapping the CPP rear disk brake setup from my 64 C10 onto the K10. And I'll have to get some longer studs for the rear axles.

SIDEBAR: I'm not super happy with CPP or this kit. The adapter plates were not able to "bolt on" as the kit indicated without each of the plates having to be re-machined and flycut to the correct thicknesses. I had to do this at my own expense. CPP was not willing to work with me or help in anyway when I called them. If I'd have known that I would have just measured and had my machinist make them from scratch right from the start. Anyway, I'll try not to buy anything from them going forward if I can help it. Bad customer service is a big pet peeve of mine. The end.

I also cut the spring perches and shock mounts form the axle housing since the 73 frame was wider than the 66's. I'll weld the perches and tabs from DIY4X on once they arrive. I measured about 10 degrees between the pinion angle and the spring perch angle. Seemed to be the same on the 73 and the 66 axles and that matches pretty well with the output shaft angle on the transfer case in the truck right now, so I'll stick with that. I still need to clean all the grease and dirt for the housing, repaint it and reassemble the guts.

My first goal for February is to get the frame completely finished, cleaned and painted. That means putting an additional crossmember up front to mount the sway bar from the 73. And also getting a hitch for the back. So I'm going to have to pull the body and all the suspension back off of the frame, then finish prepping it. I'm planning to spray it with satin black VHT epoxy paint. It seems to have held up well on that parts I've use it on so far.

My second goal for Feb is to rebuild and clean up the leaf springs. I need to assess all the bushings for wear, replace what is necessary, rebuild and paint the leafs, and add some thin UHMW strips as sliders.

Then in March I'll work on the getting the drivetrain all back in place and start running the brake lines. They're all going to be custom run in stainless.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I also picked up some new casters for the hoist, with larger wheels. I hate it when the little ones get stuck in the concrete expansion joints all the time. I put four casters on, but the hoist still like to go in any old direction it likes. :mad: So I think I'm going to try putting fixed wheels on the front, picking end and leave just two caster on the back and see how that works.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Been busy for the past month or so. Not really much progress. Just a new pair of shoes to roll around on for now.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2001.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20K10%2002.jpg

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

looking good!! i like the steelies... the mags dont look bad though, nice project keep it up!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I agree. I like the steelies better but only three are matching, and one of those has a big gash in the back side. The fourth is a different type of center. And these 16" factory steelies are hard to find... I called stockton wheel but they want $175 each :eek: to build similar rims

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

:jdp: thats redonkulous! i didnt know that they were different and one was messed up.... yeah good call on the mags then lol

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I always take the pictures with the two good ones on the same side. Don't feel bad, its a Jedi mind trick. ;)

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

haha its funny you should mention jedi... i actually am a fan of starwars lol.... but yeah i know what you mean... i always take pictures of my 67's driverside because its straighter and looks better lol

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Its been a while since I've gotten much done on the ol' K10. Been busy with the usual work, gf, house, dog, etc, etc. And I've been working on my other project a bit:

1981 Honda CB750F is getting retrofit with more modern CBR suspension, some frame mods, etc.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...oject%2000.jpg

But I digress...
Back to the pickup. Now that I have most of the bits and pieces I need for this pickup I pulled it all apart again. Pulled the body off. The motor trans and transfer case all came out. The axles and suspension came off. Then I really started stripping the frame.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...Frame%2000.jpg

I was cutting and chiseling rivets off all afternoon. I've gotten pretty good at it. First I take an angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel and i make three slices vertically in the top of the rivet head. Then I take a 4lb sledge and a cold chisel and pop the four slivers right off. Most of the time the remaining rivet stub can be pushed out with a little persuasion from the sledge and a big punch.

I'll pull the remaining three crossmembers off of the frame rails. Then I'll be stripping everything down of all surface rust and grease and painting it with a black epoxy paint.
I'll tell you what, this frame is pretty heavy. It took me by surprise when I went to flip it over by myself and nearly dropped the thing. I'll have to recruit my dad to help me next time. :)
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...Frame%2001.jpg

The frame is in good shape. but I'm glad I cut off the spring hangers and body mounts because I found that these unseen areas were getting rusty. Now I' can clean all that up, seal it up and put it all back together!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Thanks to my loving and caring uncle, the C/10 King, I've now got a full set (including the spare!) of 16" steelies for my pickup. They're painted brown (not rusty) and in beautiful shape. These stock wheels are only 5.5" wide, so I'm debating whether to go with a 235/85R16 tire or a slightly wider 255/85R16 tire. I think the 235/85 in a mud terrain tire will be similar to a 7.5x16 but have better on-road manners being a radial rather than bias-ply. Time will tell.

Here they are in front of my 64. The 6.00x16s are nearly as tall as my 31x10.5R15 tires.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...h%20Wheels.jpg

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I guess I can put those slot mags with the 33's on my truck huh!:ito:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Don't get overly excited. The 33"s won't fit under your 2wd, trust me.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I meant mt 4x4!:sumo:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

I really like where this is going, especially the work you are doing on the frame. Ideally, this is exactly what I would like to do. Now, how will you re-attach all the pieces back together, bolts or weld? Really looking forward to seeing the frame all together and painted. Keep up the great work.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Thanks for the support quadzero. I'm in the process of painting the frame pieces right now. I've patched an welded up a few holes and voids on the front of the frame rails where I presume plow was attached then later cut off with a torch.

Once I'm done painting I'll be bolting everything back together with 3/8" grade 8 bolts. These fasteners will provide a stronger clamping force than the original rivets.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Nice truck bud.....bet the frame is gonna look awesome!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Now that I've been making some progress with the frame, I've started looking toward the next area of my pickup: Springs and Axles. I was planning to rebuild the springs and hangers I have form the 66, paint add plastic sliders, etc. and then bolt in the 1/2 ton Dana 44 and 12 Bolt that I pulled from a 73 Blazer.

Then I got to thinking about how the springs use older style solid metal bushings, and the rear uses a factory 5.5" block, and that the big block plus big tires might stress the 1/2 ton axles... So I started perusing the socal craigslists for 14B FF and Dana 60 axles when I found a guy desperate to get rid of a 73 K20 longbed. It came with a Detroit Diesel 6.5 Turbo. Long story short he kept the motor and I took the rest of the truck for a few hundred bucks. Loaded the best on a tow dolly and dragged her home... (my Dad's going to think I've gone :crazy:)

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...20K20%2001.jpg

But I'm pretty happy because now I have:

3/4 ton axles

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...%20FF%2002.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...0Dana%2044.jpg

I know its not a Dana 60 but beggars can't be choosers, and its a start. I'm also going to put the hangers from the 73 on my 66 frame to upgrade to newer style rubber bushings and more aftermarket support for springs.

16" rims with new tires

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...20Lockouts.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...16%20Tires.jpg

a hydroboost setup (at least good for cores if its leaking)

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...Hydroboost.jpg

a sm465-np205 setup

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...ansmission.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...20%20NP205.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...%20Pulleys.jpg

Unfortunately the PO cut a access hole on the left of the bellhousing for the starter on the 6.2L Diesel that used to be in there. :(

And there are a few minor useful things like tow hooks, steering gearbox, weird old German first aid kit, etc.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...ow%20Hooks.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...%20Gearbox.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...20Kit%2001.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...20Kit%2002.jpg

I'm planning to sell off/scrap the body in the next few weeks. The cab and the hood are pretty rusty, but the fenders, doors and bed are in decent shape. Plus I'll have my 1/2 ton Dana 44 and 12 Bolt to sell also. So I should be able to make my money back no problem.

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

That looks like a 465 tranny and NP 205 combo. The lockout hubs look good on your new Dana 44...that corporate 14 is also a nice upgrade. Are you going to move all the brackets from the donor to your 66 frame? I will be watching. Keep up the good work!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Jason, I think these pic's were from 4 years ago? The night before we drove down to the "Brothers Show"........ :lol: ***Memories of the Blazer you should have kept!!!!! Make sure you and your dad "don't bet on the races!!!" :rolleyes:

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Arrrgggghhhhhhh!!! The one that got away!

Now I'm sad. :(

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Another picture of the one that got away....

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/197...9/S1033392.JPG

Alas, onto bigger and better things!

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 

Spent most of the Independence Day celebrating by working on two, great American made pickups!

I got both frame rails painted. So now its on to the cross-members and brackets. They should go pretty quickly. I need to pick up some more paint.

I did layout the new holes for the power steering gearbox, and welded up the three for the old box. I also noticed that the three stock gearbox holes are mirrored on the right side frame rail. Weird, as I don't think I've ever seen a right hand drive pickup... I had already painted the right rail so I didn't bother welding up those holes. Its kind of bugging me now though so I might have to weld them up and touch up the paint. :)

I made a template for the new gearbox and matched the new steering centerline with the old one. Then I slide the template along the centerline until I was at the one spot where I could keep all bolts in the frame. The placement will be fine with the stock 4x4 gearbox and I'm hoping there won't be any issues using a 2wd gearbox later when I go to crossover steering. I didn't have any 2wd gearboxes lying around to check with.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...20Template.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...me%20Marks.jpg

In between spraying coats of paint I started tearing useless junk off the donor 73 K20 pickup so that I can get the body off soon.I removed a lot of crazy wiring from the diesel swap, the dual battery upgrade, etc. Apparently this previous owner didn't share my penchant for clean design. I need to get the body off asap so that I can get at the 73 frame, remove the leaf spring hangers, and get them laid out on the 66 frame. I really want to get the 66 chassis rolling around again by the end of the month!