JF 68 Big Block Panel C20 to K20

[John Fabris]

Hi Gang,

Picked up a 1968 C20 Chevrolet Panel with 396.
It is a Custom trim level panel, no air and kinda runs.

My plans are to restore the body and interior, but then convert it from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive. Already have a lowered 67 C10 truck, so this is heading up!

It appears that this panel has been repainted Silver poly, but the orginal Interior/Exterior Color is Fawn with chrome side trim, chrome window trim, chrome bumpers, also appears to have had the paint strip down the side, and the white nose.

[John Fabris]

More Pictures

[John Fabris]

So, I pulled the carb to check it out as currently it will only run as long as I keep tapping the gas (running on accelerator pump action, will not stay running on its own). So, While my boy (almost five years old) was sitting in the engine compartment and removing the four bolts I showed him, I started in on removing the carpet in the back.
So, carpet removed. ah, layer of grey foam.


Removed grey foam to find layer of green foam.


Removed green foam to find two layers of 1/4 inch plywood.


After that, ahh, a very nice shape wood floor, will clean that up and repaint


That is it for now. Will update as I get more time on this truck. Have a Olds 442 that I need to finish painting engine in reinstall. Once done with that, I will be back on the engine of the Panel to check it out and make a decision to run it or to pull to rebuild later and drop in my spare 402 engine.

Oh Yea, forgot, this 4x4 panel is the inspiration of what I wish mine to look like with the exception of mine will be factory style paint (fawn) with white nose and all trim including side trim that it once had.

[70chevytruck]

My hat's off to you. That thing is monster....love the wood floor though.

[olblue60@aol.com]

Nice find! Keep the pictures coming!

John

[72BlckButy]

Looks like a fun project, and look at that floor... my oh my...

[hgs_notes]

Anywhere/anyone else and they would have found a few rusted bits of supports and a couple slivers of wood under that foam and plywood. Congratulations. I know someone else that built the same thing from a long parked panel. Someone had been living in it out in the stix for awhile. It turned out very nice.

Good luck with yours.

[John Fabris]

Got a chance to spend a little time on this last weekend. Timing is off, and appears that floats are too low. will not stay running. Checked oil before starting, looked brand new, after ten minutes of running it, water in oil. Yippee... drain radiator, drain yucky oil, new oil in, pulled spark plugs, all gapped wrong, range was 28 to 40, changed all to 35. Compression check, all cylinders between 158 and 165, except for #2 at 135. Also while draining oil, notice a buckle in the passenger frame rail. Another Yippee...

Alright, next chance I get on truck is to change the slot mag out for some stock 16.5 steelies (narrow ones) as I want to get rid of the slots. Then will pull intake manifold and pull both heads to see if I want to pull motor or just regasket for now.

[John Fabris]

Have it running enough to move around the yard. Been collecting the parts I need for this project.

Here is a shot of 6 of 9 wheels I have so far, still not a set of 4 with same offset.
These are 16.5"x9.75" wheels, (4.5", 5", 5.5" offsets)

[John Fabris]

4x4 hubcabs for the 16.5 wheels.

[John Fabris]

52 inch rear springs (rumered to be 6 inch lift) to use for the front end conversion.

[John Fabris]

used set of TSL SuperSwampers 35"X16.5" to use as rolling stock for use during conversion and fitment of new axles.

[John Fabris]

set of front and rear hooks to put onto the panel.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice project, and very cool build!

[67chevy1series]

wow thanks diesel for bringin this up good builo

[John Fabris]

YAA!!! Have a donor!!!!

1983 3/4 4x4 diesel suburban. This one is currently sporting a 396 big block, that is getting pulled and taken back to owner as part of the deal.

This appears to have a 10 bolt front axle, with a 14 bolt rear axle, NP208 transfer case, wih a 700r4 tranny. Now I need a flat cement pad to start working on all of this!!!

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice donor! 3/4 ton burbs are getting hard to find. Let alone a 4x4 one.

[1985-GMC]

Nice Panel! Did you ever get any further with this thing?

[John Fabris]

Project is still alive and kicking. I actually have a correct 1967-68 3/4 ton 4x4 frame from a Suburban now, and have just finished putting the front springs and axle (from the 85 4x4) onto the frame. Was able to resuse the 67-68 front leaf spring mounts as the 67 and the 85 have the same width springs, but did have to relocate the front spring rear hanger.

Have also been working on swaping the front crossmember (to use the later swaybar mounts) and will also swap in the engine crossemember and transmission crossmember.

As for the rear leaf springs from the 85, I have to trim some of the body mounts (on the 67 frame) for some clearance for the leaf spring hangers.

Already have the front tow hooks mounted. Will try to post pictures after I get home tonight.

I have to say that I hate frame rivets

[Katrina/10]

dig the custom interior door handles

[thelonerife]

nice project. looking forward to some pics.

[John Fabris]

More stockpiling of parts, have lots of the 16.5x9.75 rims (but yet to have 4 of same style/offset), some extra doors, set of buddy buckets with passenger side folding. Other shots are of the new front axle bolted in, and front tow hooks on.

[1985-GMC]

Sweet!

I would offer to trade you two of my wheels for two of yours but shipping would suck and I think the different offsets will make the front and rear tires line up with the body better anyway so I'm not too worried about it.

[Beetle]

Do you need some Ralleys? Also where is the LIKE button??? Big ole rat moving that panel, nice setup man!