66 K20 Tow Truck

[63chevyll]

Hello all

I just picked up this 1966 K20 Wrecker body. Defiantly needs some TLC.

Not sure what to do with it. Its just cool to me. As i sit wondering what to do with it im asking for advise.

Keep it a Wrecker or put a bed back on it. I wasnt sure the desire for factory 4x4s of this vintage. It would need some upgrades for sure.

Cool thing is it has a 396 in it.

Thanks in advance

[Brad54]

If it were mine, I'd get rid of the wrecker body and put a bed back on it.
And I'd convert that PTO winch to a front-mounted bumper winch!

-Brad

[jtrichard]

BY the badging its a 65

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

BY the badging its a 65

Yep I noticed that as well.


Check the vin to know for sure

[aerotruk63]

Is the SPID sheet still on the inside of the glove compartment door?

Could a build sheet still be trapped in the springs of the back of the seat or underneath the seat base?

While it's cool that it has a towing unit on it, it's not a known manufacturer of the day. Putting a box on it as mentioned above would make it a more practical truck.
Did they cut the frame at the back to mount the towing system?
Free wheeling aftermarket hubs a bonus.

Watch your head on the roof mount searchlight. Wack'd mine a few times.

Armored clearance marker lights up front.
1965 GMC Accessories book.

[TJ's Chevy]

I'd leave it a wrecker!!!! Way cooler that way! Everyone has a bed on their trucks! 4x4 ford tower would be sweet!

[TwoFiftyShifter]

It's cool for sure. My father has a '70 K20 wrecker. It was a slide in unit so it still has the fleet side bed, albeit bobbed out back. He scrapped the wrecker unit to be able to use it like a pickup.

[61K10]

If it's a org K tk get a bed back on it, unless you want to go into the tow tk business.

[63chevyll]

It may be a 65. Ill check the spid. My thoughts too were to put a bed bqck on it and repair the rear of frame

[63chevyll]

Also. Gonna swap in a SM465 with a 205. It has a devorced tase now.

[j.kirn]

I would be interested in the 221 transfercase if you decide to get rid of it

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Free wheeling aftermarket hubs a bonus.

Pardon my ignorance, but didn't they all come with lock-out hubs?
By definition they're free-wheeling, aren't they?

-Brad

[aerotruk63]

RPO F76 was the optional HUB, LOCKING FRONT WHEEL from the factory.
My 62 did not have free wheeling hubs therefore every time the truck moved the wheels were turning the gears and driveshaft. When you wanted 4WD you wouldn't have to exit the cab to engage your hubs. Puts a drag on the drivetrain when your not free wheeling therefore consuming more fuel.
The factory hub locks were made by DANA and supplied to GM. I just found 3, NOS, in Little Rock Ak. at a truck parts place via the internet using the DANA model part# 22432X last week.

Link to 1966 order form to use zoom:
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...KaEzuKuy4_HigE



GM Factory, DANA supplied HUB LOK's for 1/2 ton.





1963 Chevrolet Truck Silver Book.
These were an aftermarket source for dealerships to install.





Non hub lock 4WD had a simple cover. K25 assembly

[61K10]

there kinda odd-ball 1/2ton, were only used on closed knuckle 44's. 3/4ton are different.

[63chevyll]

Cant find the SPID. But its is a 65 according to the owners manual and registration.

Also the Proteco plate is in there. Whats the story with that? I tried posting a picture but it won't load

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

RPO F76 was the optional HUB, LOCKING FRONT WHEEL from the factory.
My 62 did not have free wheeling hubs therefore every time the truck moved the wheels were turning the gears and driveshaft. When you wanted 4WD you wouldn't have to exit the cab to engage your hubs. Puts a drag on the drivetrain when your not free wheeling therefore consuming more fuel.
The factory hub locks were made by DANA and supplied to GM. I just found 3, NOS, in Little Rock Ak. at a truck parts place via the internet using the DANA model part# 22432X last week.

Link to 1966 order form to use zoom:
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...KaEzuKuy4_HigE



GM Factory, DANA supplied HUB LOK's for 1/2 ton.





1963 Chevrolet Truck Silver Book.
These were an aftermarket source for dealerships to install.





Non hub lock 4WD had a simple cover. K25 assembly

Interesting! I didn't know they were an option... wasn't aware they were available as full-time 4WD.
My '62 K10 has the original locking hubs, and I've got a spare closed-knuckle D44 with what I think are Ford locking hubs.

-Brad

[aerotruk63]

When the transfercase is in 2H, there's no power from the engine going to the front axle.

[63chevyll]

Cool info

[aerotruk63]

I have no experience or literature on the Protecto Plate. It should have your VIN number axle codes, etc on it. You would hand it to the service and parts department to help them with your truck. Be interesting to see what info is on it.

[60-66]

The breakdown for protectoplates is in the front of the parts book

[63chevyll]

Good news. Got the title in hand today. It wasnt an issue as i knew who i was getting it from. Some cool old records from the truck and when it was last in service.

This is realy starting to grow on me. I have a short bed and wanting a long bed. So gonna keep my eyes pealed for a decent enough long bed to throw back on there.

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

When the transfercase is in 2H, there's no power from the engine going to the front axle.

My '76 Powerwagon is set up that way... it was a full-time 4x4 with auto, we swapped in a 205 and stick trans... in 2H, the front axle is still spinning the gears in the T-case, and it's so loud you can't have a conversation.

At some point I'll swap the axles I've got for that truck.

-Brad

[aerotruk63]

The long bed will make it a more practical truck. What Kind of records did you get?

[63chevyll]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

The long bed will make it a more practical truck. What Kind of records did you get?

Some parts he bought, the people the previous owner bought it from, what it was used as a Wrecker and what part of the state.

Stuff the replaced on the wrecker bed which indicated the last year it was used