New project 1966 K20

[72cs20]

I've been looking for an acceptable '66 K20 for a couple of years. Finally found this one in Moscow, Idaho. You fellows in the northwest may have seen this truck for sale on the Spokane Craigslist.


It was listed for a good while and I was surprised that it didn't sell during the time I was following it. So last Friday I made an epic 1850 mile road trip to bring it back to California. It is always a risk to travel that far for an old vehicle but this one turned out to be a bit of a diamond in the rough.

Originally a 283 powered truck, it now has an 327 with the original 4 speed and Rockwell T-221 transfer-case. Manual brakes and steering. The steering is very difficult. More than I think a truck with manual steering should be. But it drives down the road nice and straight and the brakes work well.

I'll post more details and pics when the lighting outside is better later this evening.

[aerotruk63]

Very nice, course more pictures will drive it home.

[Captainfab]

That does look like a nice truck. Moscow is about 90 miles south of me.

[Clyde65]

Nice! Congrats on the save!

[72cs20]

I found this old time label on the air cleaner lid. I'll have to look at the engine numbers and see if it is accurate



Engine shots. Cute little belt driven air compressor. To turn on, you put the belt on. To turn off, you take the belt off.



Cool PTO winch. Not sure of the rating. Everything needed to make the winch work is present. The PTO is on the transmission.


I like the way the factory tail and backup lights are used in the rear skirt of the flatbed. Unfortunately, the switch at the bottom of the tranny shift lever is missing. So no backup lights right now.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That does look like a nice truck. Moscow is about 90 miles south of me.

You really live in some beautiful country up there. I enjoyed the drive very much.

This truck is a great starting point for my next project - A vintage Chevy 4x4 that can haul my All Terrain pop up camper while being trail capable and highway friendly.

Here is a pic of the 13 gallon gas tank tucked up between the frame rails. It is nicely done as well.


The fill port worked into the flatbed rail -


Passenger interior shot. Yay!!!, an uncut radio opening with block off plate. A first for me for any vintage truck I've ever owned.


Drivers side. Add on emergency flasher switch at bottom left of dash. Works too.

[jdl71]

Cool PTO winch. Not sure of the rating. Everything needed to make the winch work is present. The PTO is on the transmission.
Attachment 1787000

That looks a lot like the winch I have on my '66. Does it say Braden on it?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=748133

[72cs20]

jd,

There is no ID tag or name on my winch but there is a number cast into the inside (drum side) of the gear housing - Y316T. Any idea what this could mean?

[Short 3/4]

Nice truck, wish mine had been in that good of shape when I found it. I'm thinking the steering box may be adjusted wrong, as its harder to get right than it ought to be. Had mechanic rebuild mine with parts from the local parts house. Filled it with synthetic grease and steering is very smooth and easy. My wife drives a 65 Mustang with manual steering and my truck is way easier to steer and park. If you need a good core its handy to know that 1/2 and 3/4 tons use same box, as 1/2 tons much more common.
I love that you plan to use it for what it was built for. For what its worth, I would suggest 4.10 gears and a Detroit NoSpin in the rear. Make sure all the stock running gear is in good shape and it will get you anywhere you want to go on or off road. All you have to do is learn to love travel at 60 MPH, which is really as fast as these trucks should go.( and save you many thousands of wasted dollars)
Enjoy your new truck,
Tom

[aerotruk63]

The air cleaner on the 63 283 that I just bought is similar to yours. Does yours have any stenciling on it?
My Braden winch has a handle on the passenger side of the unit so you'll be directly inline with the hook when it slips off and impailes itself into part of your body...lol

The 4 speed switch is elusive for sure. Have seen them sell NOS for $80+....

[aerotruk63]

Does the image appear?
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...91487321048002

[72cs20]

No, the image didn't show.

I'll bet there are other switches out there that will work. The SM420 is a great trans, but I like the SM465 better. On the 465, I like the reverse gear position, the shorter throw, and it has an built-in reverse light switch.

[Palf70Step]

I tried to fix the link, but evidently it is not an image file or something in the sharing on google.

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

No, the image didn't show.

I'll bet there are other switches out there that will work. The SM420 is a great trans, but I like the SM465 better. On the 465, I like the reverse gear position, the shorter throw, and it has an built-in reverse light switch.

Funny, I always thought the best thing about a 420 was the reverse position, because it is so much easier to slam between 1st and reverse when rocking out of a hole. I have to agree with you though that the 465 has a much better feel to the shifter

['63GENIII]

Man, great looking truck. Had to look it up after seeing your T221 thread. Looks like a solid start for an adventure rig!

I especially like the compressor!

Looking forward to more updates on your project!

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Does the image appear?
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...91487321048002

that filed opened for me but it's 2048x1549 so I resized to 1024x768 for repost..

please let me know if it needs to be embiggened to read on your end

[rusty76]

Cool truck. I’m late but I’ll be watching.

[72cs20]

Well, I thought I was going to take a break between the 62 C20 build and this 66 K20. But I'm in a hurry to get the 66 on the road so I started a build thread in the " projects and builds " section.

" Project 1966 K20 adventure rig " is the title. Thanks everyone!