Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[67swb72klb]

This is going to be a great truck

[jdl71]

Looks great. I guess the tbi block was drilled and tapped already for the clutch pivot?

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by jdl71

Looks great. I guess the tbi block was drilled and tapped already for the clutch pivot?

Thanks. This engine is a pre-87 basic build 350 with a cam that gives better torque than normal and a carburated intake. I'll be using an adapter to mate the throttle body to the intake.

But interestingly, this engine has the threaded holes for the earlier and later style clutch pivot locations. I won't be using either as I am going hydraulic this time.

[350TacoZilla]

Good to see you back on it, love this build.

[jdl71]

Nice, missed seeing your posts.

[ElReeso]

Very nice Project!

[duallyjams]

great work

[72cs20]

Thank you all and thanks for following along.

The inside of the cab is getting all the attention now. There are a few rust spots at the driver side kick panel, passenger floor and the rockers. Also have a crack coming off of the passenger side kick panel vent that will need to be stitched up. Nothing too serious that require large sections to be replaced. I'll make some sheet metal patches for the affected areas, a good rust converter and paint. The goal here is to achieve an arrested state of decay.

I'm having problems uploading photos normally but here are a few -

[Android04]

insane build, love it.

[72cs20]

With this update I hope to keep this thread rolling a little faster from now on. I finally finished up the cleaning, welding, patching, cutting and painting the inside of the cab this past week.

That new gaping hole above the radio opening is for the factory style ac vents. Cutting that was nerve wracking.

At this stage I can finally start the re-assembly and get this project moving!

A few pics -

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

What. BADAZZZ Build... Sub

[350TacoZilla]

Looks great ! Personally I can rip a motor out or cut suspension off etc without any problems but that dash hole would take me about a week of planning and working up the courage to make the cut.

[72cs20]

Thanks!

I've had a bunch of vintage GM trucks over the years and this is the only one that didn't have the dash cut for whatever reason.

Here is an ugly close up and one with the vent panel taped in place.

[72cs20]

Here we are in the middle of a total re-wire using AA classic update harness. At the same time the wiring for the tbi fuel injection and the Dakota Digital instrument panel is also being worked in.

I'm waiting for the Vintage air system to arrive as it has some parts I need to finalize placement of the efi computer and instrument panel controller.

Pics of the somewhat organized mess -

[straight6chevyguy]

Looking good!

[72cs20]

Thanks straight6!

The wiring job keeps going. It's an exercise of patience for sure. Starter and alternator done as well as fuel pump, gauge wiring at fuel tank, reverse light switch and the Dakota Digital sensors.

The Vintage Air kit also arrived so I got that rolling. Got the cowl vent block off covers painted and started on setting up the evaporator for install in the cab.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of issues with some parts of the kit that I need to resolve with VA. So that part is on hold for now.

[Budget63]

I'm liking everything about this! Looking forward to your progress.

[72cs20]

Thanks Budget63!

Just a quick update. Was drowning in wiring this but it's better now. The ac evap and hard lines are in and the upper bracket serves as a good place for the fuel system computer.

On the driver side kick panel is the instrument panel interface box.

[72cs20]

Still plugging away at the little stuff. Almost finished with the main wiring. Started getting other things in like the steering column and the a/c controls in the dash. I went with the rotary style controls mounted to an reproduction panel. The panel does not fit very well and I can see changing back to the factory lever style later on.

Ididit tilt column is in along with new brake light switch. Also put on my 64 Impala wheel to see how it looked. I think it works!

Lastly I got the instrument panel attached to a new bezel with new paint.

[cwcarpenter98]

Lookin good! Sometimes I want an Impala wheel, other times I like my stock wheel. It's tough to decide

[EagleScreech]

What did you dislike about the vintage air kit? I'm about to pull the trigger on the same setup, want to make sure it's not junk! $$$

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by EagleScreech

What did you dislike about the vintage air kit? I'm about to pull the trigger on the same setup, want to make sure it's not junk! $$$

I like the vintage air kit very much. This install is my second. My first one worked perfectly. I just had some mistakes made in my order on V/A's end. All resolved now. And btw, that panel I said didn't fit well (where the V/A controls mount to) is not a vintage air part. I bought that from different vendor.

[72cs20]

Continuing on with the dash assembly. Everything but the glove box door is in. Leaving it off until a/c system is finished.

[72cs20]

I've been holding off on installing the core support and inner fenders while deciding what to do about strengthening the frame around the steering box. I finally decided to box this area. I made a template of that portion of the frame and my neighbor cut a nice piece of 7/16 plate on his plasma table. Some welding and drilling and steering box is good to go. I have some spanner bushings to go between the plate and frame to finish it off. Those should be here this week.

[350TacoZilla]

Good work man, it's already starting to look like a truck again.