66 c20 build
 

Ok so I just bought a 1966 c20 that I'd like to kind of rat rod out and make a daily driver out of the truck is in pretty amazing condition for what I payed its got the factory numbers matching 292 with 4 on the floor with only 28k original miles but anyways I want to lower this truck put some white walls on and paint it a flat colour with shop logo on the door but the issue I think I'm gunna run into is wheel clearance when lowering it with these huge 8 lug tires just wanna se if you guys could have some input keep in mind I would like to keep this as low budget as possible

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Welcome, Check out this recent post by rickywideglide. He used lowering springs to drop his C20. I plan on lowering my C20 using drop spindles in the front and lowering springs in the rear.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624845

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ya I think he changed wheels I still have those big 17s stock wheels I'm having a hard time finding new steel rims for those darn 8x6.5 s

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Watson! Where is Sherlock Holmes!?! LOL! :lol: Look forward to seeing some pictures of the truck! :metal: I have a 64 C-20 and I put taller tires on it and it actually makes it look lower..if that makes any sense...lol :chevy:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Like I've never heard that one before! Haha but the taller wheels for a lowered look doesn't make sense to me and I just tried to add pics but I'm on a ipad and I don't think I can

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Well..my 64 is the stock stance and I just put taller tires on it...the filling of the fender wells makes it look a little lower. :chevy:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Oh I see I really wish I could figure out how to put up pics the wheels on mine are huge

Re: 66 c20 build
 

I'll post some pictures of my 64 in awhile....front clip is off so it will be hard to get the idea..but the bed is on so you'll be able to see how the tires fill the rear at least! LOL! I have 31/10.50/16.5's on it. :chevy:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Wait a minute...here's an OK one..Could probably get away with a 2 inch drop on mine...

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ya man that looks great I'm having a hard time finding steel rims like that u remember where you got yours?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Got then from a friend..who had them on his truck..so I haven't the slightest idea. lol Those might be ford rims..but they are 16.5 inch...if you can find 16's off of any later model 70's or early 80's chevy you'll be happier..the 16.5 is very expensive when it comes to finding tires...I'm sure if you locate a junk yard 70's C-20 it'll have 16's...are yours split rims?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

As already mentioned above by T.J. try to find some 16" wheels off a newer truck. I'm pretty sure I'm right on these: 8 lug GM wheels up to 2011. Ford Wheels up to 1999 . I know Doge until at least 2006 are the same bolt pattern.

Here's my C20 with mid 1990's Chevy 16" wheels.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...3-03122840.jpg

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ok awesome I'm gunna be heading down to pick n pull right when it stops snowing and warms up a bit here

Re: 66 c20 build
 

If Mathew21 lowered his truck an inch it would probably be fine...I don't say for sure cause I've never lowered a truck. :chevy:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

I'd like to lower mine as much as possible without bagging and notching the frame

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Look fcutd 2500 van steel wheels, you need 16" fit the drums. Before 2008 when the lug pattern change, I made 2" blocks for back and a spring shop make me new u bolts long we, there 3/4, by 3.5"x10". Then cut 1.5 out the front springs, and cut pig tail off the rear to let them rest on the ailing arms plus being a 3/4 ton it had the helper spring in the rear, ride like a lowered little bounce. Pm me if you have ?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1397690192 ok I figured out how to put up pics here's how the truck sits right now

Re: 66 c20 build
 

I'd do a 2 inch in the rear and one inch on the front.

Re: 66 c20 build
 

I know some people are against it but where do you stand on cutting coils?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

I've never done it, but people who have seem to be pleased...heating the coils might be easier, or just buying a new set of drop coils.

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ive heard your never supposed to heat coils it ruins the steel

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Yeah; heating the spring anneals it, and it's no longer a spring at that point. Cutting coil springs in the front is fine within reason IMO (I did it a little to even out a replacement), but in the back I think it's kinda questionable.

Why not add just 3,000LBS of gravel to the back with stock springs? :lol:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Why would cutting the rear be questionable? Do you have another suggestion ?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

The rear springs are formed at both ends to attach to the frame/trailing arms; you'll see what I mean if you look at them. You could use lowering blocks, or pre-made lowering springs to lower the rear.

Nice truck, BTW. I'd consider keeping it kind of original myself; not many around that still even have the hubcaps on them!

Re: 66 c20 build
 

before my friend hooked me up with these springs, my plan was to lower rear with 97 to 06 jeep tj springs ,and cut 1 1/2 coil up front,that was gathered from info on here.right now the truck has 5 inch drop springs in rear(belltech)and i think 3 inch springs in frontAttachment 1242966
first pic is stock
Attachment 1242967

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Thanks a lot that's the reason I bought it its un touched and the 292 only has 28k original miles on it and I want to keep it in there rather than throwing a small block in like everybody else

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Just read the whole thread--neat! The inline sixes are great engines.

One thing about jeep springs is that you cant haul anything; IIRC guys that had them said 400lbs in the bed was too much for them!

BTW; I don't think I'm alone in thinking that for the rat-rod/patina thing the original paint on your truck looks much better than most of the fake "patina" paint jobs guys are going through so much trouble to do now!

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Oh don't get me started on the fake patina it looks so bad ill look into the jeep springs right now

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Also, you might look into C-10 lowering springs. Might find some for a deal used that someone is changing for something else. Most of the guys that had jeep springs didn't really like them, IIRC. Also, the handling will probably be pretty poor, since they are so "soft".

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ok do you know if they would have to be 60-66 or would later years work?

Re: 66 c20 build
 

the springs i used were c 10 springs years 63-72, the cheapest i saw them listed were brothers trucks

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ok right on you guys have been very helpfull ill be sure to through some pics up when I get going on this pig:metal:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

If your truck currently has 17.5" wheels on it, you should have no trouble selling those.

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Ya they are 17.5 and people have been telling me to sell them but I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to parts especially if I plan on building more 60-66 s

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Hey Watson...Sherlock was telling me your gonna pump up the 292 a bit? Maybe like this? :lol::lol::lol:;):chevy:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1397747980 ya that looks great this is what mine looks like right now the oil pressure release valve is stuck so it blew oil out of the filter seal I'm planning on getting a Clifford intake some headers and a nice valve cover should look good

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Clifford intake is $320 and the short tube headers are $340...A good looking valve cover would be the offenhouser...runs about $189 from summet I believe. All are worth the money. I have a clifford intake and headers and 600 cfm edelbrock with a 60k distributor and it runs great...dual exhaust...Flowmaster 40 series mufflers...sounds really good after 3000 rpm! :metal: Here's a vid to give you an idea. :chevy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkYh2IzgxKo

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Oh your chevy man I was just watching your videos last night haha ya man it sounds good

Re: 66 c20 build
 

LOL! Yeah..I was surprised at how many memeber's vids I had actually been watching before I joined....But yeah..I'm with a certain group of guys..Fullthrottle440, MrHevyShevy, Chevahaulic, and 63Impala2door..so I thought Chevy Man would be a more fitting user name. :lol:

Re: 66 c20 build
 

Nice I've been watching 63impala2door for a while now and just recently started watching chevahaulics vids that's cool I was planning on doin videos on my build too