Our new 66 C20 flatbed

[amadioranch]

Howdy guys!


This is our new 66 C20 we picked up yesterday. Drove it home and was really pretty pleased despite the 4 speed granny gear transmission.

Plans for it include new paint, a 2-3" lift, and disk brakes up front. Been reading a ton here about the disk conversion and have come to the conclusion that its more than I have time for and might have to see if I can find a shop in the Phoenix area that can do it for me. If anyone knows people in my area that do this sort of work please speak up!

Also on the lift....am I reading it right that I can flop the rear spring on top of the axle and have longer springs made for the front? Does that sound about right?

Im new to chevys. Spent alot of time working on VW's growing up. Currently run a small farm and work on tractors so I do have some mechanical experience. Just not a ton with chevys.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome and nice truck. Like the spotlight.

[amadioranch]

I love that spotlight too. It even works! Its really a pretty darn solid truck. We farm peaches and other fruit and plan to send this truck out to events (farmers markets and such). Likely hire some local teenagers to do it, thats the reason we want to upgrade to front disks. I can judge and avoid cars but im worried that teenagers will end up hitting someone.

[72cs20]

This truck had been for sale for quite sometime. I've had my eye on this truck for quite awhile and went back and forth about whether or not to make the trip to Az. to buy it. I think you scored a good one. Good for you and good luck with it!

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site

[flashed]

Welcome ,nice truck ,just need to see more pics of it .

[wjjeeper]

Originally Posted by amadioranch

Howdy guys!


This is our new 66 C20 we picked up yesterday. Drove it home and was really pretty pleased despite the 4 speed granny gear transmission.

Plans for it include new paint, a 2-3" lift, and disk brakes up front. Been reading a ton here about the disk conversion and have come to the conclusion that its more than I have time for and might have to see if I can find a shop in the Phoenix area that can do it for me. If anyone knows people in my area that do this sort of work please speak up!

Also on the lift....am I reading it right that I can flop the rear spring on top of the axle and have longer springs made for the front? Does that sound about right?

Im new to chevys. Spent alot of time working on VW's growing up. Currently run a small farm and work on tractors so I do have some mechanical experience. Just not a ton with chevys.

Nice truck.

Great resource for you in Phoenix is Seth at 602-799-5463, He can set you up with the brakes and help you with the lift.

[jayoldschool]

You're going to find this a lot easier (and cheaper) to work on than VWs (if you've been working on VWs from the past 20 years)...

Spoken as someone that took care of a 2001 and a 2000 for over ten years.

[Mathew21]

Welcome, Nice truck!

[divideoverflow]

Congrats on the truck! Good to see more flatbeds around here :-)

[amadioranch]

Thanks for the welcomes and tips! Here is a picture of her back end.

[Turtleman]

the front end is a easy swap to do.. I did mine in about 5/6 hours just come by some time and I can show you or help you do it at the shop here;
Get the parts you need:


then take to old stuff off;


Put the new stuff on:



Simple right?

[amadioranch]

Turtleman,

Isnt yours a C10? From what I read here the C20 swap is a little more complicated. Its not a complete bolt up.

But yes it desperately needs front disks. Darn thing just dont stop much with those drums.

[Turtleman]

Yes,, thats true some of the change over items dont swap as easy as the C10.. It will depend on how you go about the change over

[amadioranch]

Yes but thats the rub, I have a split tractor in the garage and a load of other stuff that needs my attention. I dont have the brain power to even start knowing how im going to go about my changeover. lol Thats why im looking at paying someone to get er dun. Id love to have a clear schedule and do it myself, just trying to be practical.

[Turtleman]

Dont I know how that is.. my 5/6 hrs of work took a week to get done because of all the other stuff that goes on here.. I think you know how that is.. drop by sometime or give me a call.. I know a few that might be able to help you out.. you always welcome to buy the parts you need on my accounts (save you a few bucks)..

OH! ... I forgot...

Welcome to the forums... there's a large number of talented and experienced people here.. (I am Not one of them), dig around in some of the build topics or other parts of these forums, Many here have some skills..

[TrshTrk]

Rad truck!

[Palf70Step]

Love the look of your truck. Welcome to the board.

[amadioranch]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome! I will keep you guys updated on the progress of the truck. Found a good mechanic that knows these trucks top to bottom. Next week it goes in for a front end swap out with a 70's 3/4 ton front end with disk brakes and power steering. As soon as I can afford it im going to add AC too.

Later on down the road when I recover from this expenditure ill work on a 5 speed tranny and paint.

[TJ's Chevy]

I might has missed it, but have you considered just converting to power brakes? My 64 GMC has factory power brakes and drums on all 4 and it stops pretty well. When I have 10K in tow it takes a little more effort, but for everyday driving it's not to bad.

[amadioranch]

I did consider just upgrading to powered drums but in the end decided to just go all the way to disks. This is going to be a working truck and ive got to be able to put the teenagers I hire into it and send them across town. It just makes me sleep better at night knowing that it has a full modern braking system.