Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

I'm really trying to keep this project as simple as possible and still meet my goals. I need this truck trip ready by May, so I'm going to mainly focus on mechanicals, electrical system and the interior of the cab. Not going to worry too much about cosmetics, although I will give the back half of the frame a cleaning and some rustoleum flat black.

Out goes the Eaton and rear suspension.
Attachment 1827381
Attachment 1827382

I'm going with the 73-87 rear suspension to eliminate the nearly 6 inch tall lift blocks. And it's less expensive than rebuilding the stock setup. This should also give the proper spring pad width for the 14 bolt.

Right now is the mockup phase to get the leaf springs at the correct height and angle. Then I'll set the axle in place to see how the pinion angle looks. I'm trying to keep pinion angle of the 14 bolt the same as the Eaton angle of zero degrees with the spring pad angle of about 6-7 degrees forward.

Here is the rear hanger installed where it will remain.
Attachment 1827383

Here is the front hanger clamped in place. There is a good bit of up or down adjustability here to get the angle of the spring set to where I think it should be.
Attachment 1827384

Here is the whole assembly mocked up. The spring angle is 11 degrees and I'm looking for 6-7, so the front hanger needs to come up a bit. I still need to measure the spring pad angle to pinion angle on the 14 bolt to be sure of how much.
Attachment 1827385

One thing I will say is that every fastener thus far has been fighting me all the way. The dis-assembly so far has been challenging to say the least. The complete opposite from the last truck. But I'm winning!

Are those off the shelf 52" springs?

[72cs20]

I hear you about the Eaton stuff. This is a good one and isn't going to scrap. I'll keep it around until the project is up and running.

If you would, please post back here what info you got from Inline Tube.

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

I hear you about the Eaton stuff. This is a good one and isn't going to scrap. I'll keep it around until the project is up and running.

If you would, please post back here what info you got from Inline Tube.

I called Inline tube and asked for specs on the rear cable. Whoever I was talking to couldn't find any, took my number and said he'd have someone from the cable department call me. That was yesterday morning. I've heard nothing. Not terribly impressed. I ordered a pre bent fuel line from them a couple years ago for my 64 and I'm not sure what pattern they used but I could have just about as well myself so this is strike two.

Where are you getting your cables made? I'm at a stand still until I either get a new one, get the old one freed up (been soaking about a week now) or put it back in to fill the hole for now so I can put the brakes back together. I hate to order that and it be wrong. I can get the wrong cable here in town.

[72cs20]

Contact this company and see what they say - Control Cables Inc (controlcables.com) or 562 949-0455. I here good things about this outfit. They do make cables from your old ones. In fact, I was going to try and use Inline Tube but I may just call these guys first. My experience with Inline Tube has also been underwhelming.

Like yours, mine are also frozen solid.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by jdl71

Are those off the shelf 52" springs?

Yes they are. 2800 lbs rated each. I wanted to use the 56" springs as they are rated 3500 lbs, but that would take up too much frame space towards the rear.

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

Yes they are. 2800 lbs rated each. I wanted to use the 56" springs as they are rated 3500 lbs, but that would take up too much frame space towards the rear.

Aren’t the stock rear springs also 52”? How are you getting lift without the blocks? The new hangers?

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by jdl71

Aren’t the stock rear springs also 52”? How are you getting lift without the blocks? The new hangers?

Yes, the stock springs are 52 inches. I'm using 73-87 frame brackets to get rid of the lift blocks. In the photos above I did a mockup of the passenger side rear spring using factory 73-87 K20 frame brackets. I'm not really liking how that is working out. Later this week I'll have plan B mocked up, which I think will give me the spring angle I'm looking for as well as a cleaner look.

I'll post the photos in a few days

[72cs20]

The new rear axle and suspension mock-up is basically done. I didn't like the stock type 73-87 spring hangers. I instead went with 73-87 shackle flip hangers from Off Road Design. I used two sets of rear hangers to do the job using the shackle flip on the rear.

Here is one of the hangers used for the passenger side front end of spring -



Rear hanger with the shackle flip -

[72cs20]

Here are some more pics from different angles.

Passenger side -


Driver side -


Inside of driver side -


Rear view passenger side -


Finished -