Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[raylube]

Looks good . Can you give some info on steering arm modifications?

[72cs20]

Sure. It was shortened one inch and welded back together and then plated top and bottom.

[72cs20]

Time for an update.

For the last month or so I've been gathering parts and getting the truck ready for modification. I'm starting at the rear and will be working forward. The changes from the cab rearward will be a 31 gallon fuel tank, 73+ rear suspension and the 14 bolt rear axle.

First task was to remove the bed. I built a head frame and used a cheap 2000lb chain hoist to lift the bed and drive the truck out from under it. Then it was set down onto my trailer.



Truck back in the garage. Much easier to work on without the bed.

[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.



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.


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.


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.


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!

[72cs20]

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to use the 327 or move to a later 350 truck engine of some type. The numbers on the 327 show it to be a 1963 factory 250 hp 4bbl engine. Not too shabby. I don't know if it makes a good truck engine or not. I know they spin up pretty well but do they have good low end torque? I just don't know how these motors are set up. But I still have a few months to figure it out.

One thing I will keep initially is the Rockwell T-case. It seems to be in good shape. It shifts easily, doesn't make any bad noises and doesn't leak (so far).

In addition to the front and rear axle swap, here are some of the parts that I've gathered for the driveline upgrades.

Later bellhousing with the larger index hole.


That's it for now. Be back soon.

Ranger Torque Splitter overdrive.


Fully rebuilt SM465 4speed.


And the 31 gallon baffled K5 blazer fuel tank. This will get an in-tank fuel for the fuel injection I'll be using. TBI most likely.

[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]

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?