Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Backpayne** · 08-04-2022, 06:46 PM

This has been a fun experience so far and made much easier with the large Chief air chisel (Harbor Freight) for removing rivets. The suspension, transmission, and transfer case all come from a '78 K10. I have about $500 worth of new steering/suspension parts (tie rod ends, bushings, etc) coming in. Still have to swap the rear suspension, but it should be much easier.

My '66 is a long step bed, but I'm going to remove 11" to make it a mid-length bed.

I currently have 35x12.50x15s for it, and it will be powered by a 292.

Super excited to get to drive it!

**57taskforce** · 08-04-2022, 08:13 PM

Awesome work! Post up some more pictures as make more progress!

**mongocanfly** · 08-05-2022, 12:22 AM

nice!!!!

**special-K** · 08-08-2022, 07:45 AM

I like your approach. Are you swapping the 4wd cross members from the '78?

**TJ's Chevy** · 03-19-2025, 11:08 AM

Any new progress on this build? I'm wanting to convert my 64 GMC to a 4x4 and have a 78 K20 complete frame. Suspension swapping seems to be the go to so wondering how you found center for the front axle? Judging by the picture I'm thinking I could mount the front suspension exactly like you did as both our 4x4 parts are from a 78.

**Backpayne** · 03-19-2025, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Any new progress on this build? I'm wanting to convert my 64 GMC to a 4x4 and have a 78 K20 complete frame. Suspension swapping seems to be the go to so wondering how you found center for the front axle? Judging by the picture I'm thinking I could mount the front suspension exactly like you did as both our 4x4 parts are from a 78.

It has been a slow process, especially with me being a doofus and buying a '64 to build at the same time. It was a LOT of measuring with the old suspension on to figure where the new suspension is going. I took the entire truck down to metal and it's now sprayed with 2K primer. I'm working on the 292 and turbo now.

**TJ's Chevy** · Yesterday, 10:40 AM

That's gonna look great! Love me some 292, I haven't turbo'd mine but someday I wanna build a turbo 292 haha

Yeah I've considered just swapping my 64's body onto my 78's frame but that also comes with a considerable amount of work. Most people have told me that swapping the front suspension is actually easier.

**57taskforce** · Yesterday, 05:20 PM

Don’t do the frame swap. I regret going that route on my 57. It’s easier and more clean to add the axle and drivetrain parts.

**Backpayne** · Yesterday, 07:16 PM

If you do swap frames, be aware that some states require a title for the frame and title for the cab since the VINs will be different.

08-04-2022, 06:46 PM	#1
Backpayne Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Seligman, MO Posts: 663	Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 This has been a fun experience so far and made much easier with the large Chief air chisel (Harbor Freight) for removing rivets. The suspension, transmission, and transfer case all come from a '78 K10. I have about $500 worth of new steering/suspension parts (tie rod ends, bushings, etc) coming in. Still have to swap the rear suspension, but it should be much easier. My '66 is a long step bed, but I'm going to remove 11" to make it a mid-length bed. I currently have 35x12.50x15s for it, and it will be powered by a 292. Super excited to get to drive it! Attached Images

08-04-2022, 08:13 PM	#2
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,593	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 Awesome work! Post up some more pictures as make more progress! __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

08-05-2022, 12:22 AM	#3
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,696	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 nice!!!! __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

08-08-2022, 07:45 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 I like your approach. Are you swapping the 4wd cross members from the '78? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-19-2025, 11:08 AM	#5
TJ's Chevy Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,402	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 Any new progress on this build? I'm wanting to convert my 64 GMC to a 4x4 and have a 78 K20 complete frame. Suspension swapping seems to be the go to so wondering how you found center for the front axle? Judging by the picture I'm thinking I could mount the front suspension exactly like you did as both our 4x4 parts are from a 78. __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

Yesterday, 10:40 AM	#7
TJ's Chevy Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,402	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 That's gonna look great! Love me some 292, I haven't turbo'd mine but someday I wanna build a turbo 292 haha Yeah I've considered just swapping my 64's body onto my 78's frame but that also comes with a considerable amount of work. Most people have told me that swapping the front suspension is actually easier. __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

Yesterday, 05:20 PM	#8
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,593	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 Don’t do the frame swap. I regret going that route on my 57. It’s easier and more clean to add the axle and drivetrain parts. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

Yesterday, 07:16 PM	#9
Backpayne Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Seligman, MO Posts: 663	Re: Turning my '66 GMC into a 4x4 If you do swap frames, be aware that some states require a title for the frame and title for the cab since the VINs will be different.



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