66 Custom Camper Build

[f66]

Meet "Gross" my 1966 Custom Camper I bought in October 2016. The truck is called Gross because of the gross weight placards that came with the truck, and because the first words from my wife when she saw the truck was GROSS! LoL. So here is the story. I bought this truck to use as a daily driver and haul my 66 corvette. The inspiration comes from a picture of the trucks used to haul Roger Penske's race cars. My initial criteria was a C20 3/4 ton in good original shape, minimal rust, to use as a the starting point for the build. The truck came from Washington state, and the second owners son, who sold the truck after his dad passed. I feel very fortunate to have two build sheets and the SPID. (I have lot's of pictures in my profile.) I had the truck shipped to Maryland where I live, and started research and planning the build. My initial plan for the truck was a crate engine, driveline update, and brake update. After receiving the truck and looking at its originality and well preserved condition, I have decided to restore the truck and make updates that can be reversed if a future owner or i decide to go back to factory.

[Bomp]

Congrats, Looking forward to the restoration.
Sub'd

[66C10LB]

Looks good! Are you planning to keep the Saddle colour?

[f66]

Yes I am, I really like the color.

[Pontiacgurudan]

That thing looks sweet!

[f66]

The first we did to start the project was initial clean up. Engine and anything around fluids was pretty gummed up. Power washed the engine bay and underneath so we could assess what needs to being done.

[The Rocknrod]

Nice truck. It has everything else, does it have air?

[f66]

Truck does not have air now and was not originally optioned. This is one option I am going to add.

[Robert Haas]

The front sway bar is interesting, you know anything about it?

[shp4man]

Man, that's a nice truck. No rust in the lower front fenders, must be some kind of miracle.

[f66]

Originally Posted by Robert Haas

The front sway bar is interesting, you know anything about it?

I assumed the front sway bar/stabilizer was original. A front sway bar/stabilizer shows on the build sheet. What do you think?

[f66]

Originally Posted by shp4man

Man, that's a nice truck. No rust in the lower front fenders, must be some kind of miracle.

Thanks, I am also very surprised there is no rust through. There is some minor paint bubbling on the lower fenders, but the truck is very very clean for age and era of truck.

[Captainfab]

Front sway bars were available from the factory on the '63-'66 trucks both C10 and C20.

Originally Posted by f66

I assumed the front sway bar/stabilizer was original. A front sway bar/stabilizer shows on the build sheet. What do you think?

That is a very nice condition C20 with some nice options. I would also keep it mostly original. Hopefully it has 4.10 rear gears instead of the 4.57's

[sodly]

The front sway bar was part of the Camper Special package.

[f66]

Originally Posted by sodly

The front sway bar was part of the Camper Special package.

Sodly, Thanks. BTW, I will be starting on the engine build soon, and posting that part of the project. I saw some of your early posts on 327 specs and questions. look forward to your input.

[f66]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Front sway bars were available from the factory on the '63-'66 trucks both C10 and C20.



That is a very nice condition C20 with some nice options. I would also keep it mostly original. Hopefully it has 4.10 rear gears instead of the 4.57's

Just checked. Rear axle is JS (327 w/4:57) Will look for advice on best gears and trans options.

[Captainfab]

The only other gears available for the Eaton HO52/72 is 4.11's. The only to obtain those is to find a good used 3rd member, and those are getting very difficult to find. Parts in general for those are getting harder to find and often times expensive. If this were my truck, I would change the differential for either a Dana 60 or a 10.5" 14 bolt. The other option would be to change the TH400 for a 700R4, 4L60E or a 4L80E. The differential would be the cheaper option. If you could find a Dana 60 from a '68-'72 big block C20, it would be a direct bolt in except for the panhard bar and if from an auto trans truck, it should have 3.54 gears. If you decide to go with a 14 bolt, I do make the trailing arm mounts for those. Here is a thread showing one member's conversion.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=624445

Originally Posted by f66

Just checked. Rear axle is JS (327 w/4:57) Will look for advice on best gears and trans options.

[aotte1]

Very nice Custom Camper, please keep us updated with pictures as you do your restoration. Photos of the original parts adds greatly to history on these trucks.

On the Easton HO52 rear axle, 4:11s and posi are more common in late 60s and early 70s with automatic transmissions. Have found some parts from these trucks, if you want to keep the HO52. If 4.11s works for you some searching should find them. Or as Captain referenced if you want 3: something gears.

Les

[f66]

As it happens to many of us, life gets in the way. I have been slowly working on rebuilding all of the drivetrain components, and the engine. Here is the progress.

[Getter-Done]

That is well Laid out Presentation and a Great step forward.

Nice Work .

[f66]

Here are the photos of the tear down.

[f66]

More Tear down.

[f66]

Clean Up of the drive train prior to rebuild.

[f66]

Clean up and black oxide of the original fasteners.

[joesscamaro]

Welcome back! Nice, clean & organized disassembly and reassembly!