Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[72cs20]

Thanks for chiming in Racer!

Here is the head board for the flatbed made out of the lumber rack given to me.
I still may build it up the roof line and frame the window.

[Rabrantes2011]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

With the holidays over and my garage's electrical improvements finished, I figured it is about time to resurrect my thread.

So for starters I've got the rear fuel tank mock up pretty much finished -
Attachment 1874462
Attachment 1874464
Attachment 1874465

Also started further dis-assembly in preparation for lifting the cab off the frame. I initially did not want to go as far as lifting the cab, but the frame on this truck really needs a good cleaning and paint job.

I first removed the core support top covers and found remnants of the original paint. It looks like the truck came with the Fawn color -
Attachment 1874479

I am trying to find the two upper gas tank brackets you have across the top of the gas tank. Are those sourced from somewhere? Or what material did you use to make them? Thanks

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by Rabrantes2011

I am trying to find the two upper gas tank brackets you have across the top of the gas tank. Are those sourced from somewhere? Or what material did you use to make them? Thanks

Home Depot for all of it. In the metal section of the store and some thick rubber gasketing to go between the metal and the tank, from the door and window section.

[72cs20]

Been awhile since the last update but things are still moving along.

I dropped the truck off at my friends shop to charge the ac system, front wheel alignment and finally have the title transfer and registration taken care of. So now we have cool cab and are road legal.

Now that I can get it out on the road for testing, I found that the steering box had too much slop, and the pitman arm had seen better days. So I swapped the box out for a Redhead unit. I also installed a new two inch drop pitman arm. The truck has a very nice turning circle with tight turns and u-turns no problem. However, I have a bit of wander when driving on uneven sections of road that I need to look into. New steering damper installed too.

Still moving along on the bed too. Storage needed to be addressed so I decided on a box of 30 inches long, 16 inches deep and 14 tall for each side. Maybe something behind the rear wheels later on. We'll see how it goes.

[72cs20]

Well I had a productive week of test driving and getting the steering and braking dialed in just right. I'm very happy with the handling now. Now I need to deal with getting some rear shock absorbers fabbed in and everything will be good!

Another auto parts house part failure I've had is the positive side battery cable. Not too long after purchase and installation, the clamp cracked in half. So I decided to buy the parts and tools to make my own battery cables. Installed now are 1/0 cables with high quality clamps.

I also installed my non slotted cowl cover and new hood-to-cowl seal. The new cowl cover should keep debris out and I'm not using the kick panel vents any more. I did need to make slots for the windshield washer nozzles.

Next the seating needed attention. Specifically the seats were too high. And there was no front to back downward angle to the seat bracket. I shortened the rear legs 2 3/4 inches and the fronts 1 1/4 inches. Vision through the wind shield is right about center now. Given the short cabs these truck have, I think I look for seats with a thinner back rest to help with legroom and back position. I also finished the seatbelt installation and they work well.

[350TacoZilla]

Sorry if this was covered but is that cowl panel a stock one filled in or aftermarket part that comes with no holes?

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Sorry if this was covered but is that cowl panel a stock one filled in or aftermarket part that comes with no holes?

No problem. It is an aftermarket piece with no slots.

[72cs20]

With almost 100 miles on the odometer only two issues are standing out. There is very slow drip coming from between the transmission and the overdrive. And there is a driveline vibration that starts at about 50 mph. I think I'll need to get the truck loaded down to get final proper pinion angle. The gear oil leak can wait for awhile.

Another thing on the list is to measure for rear shock absorbers. To get the truck to sit at what should be close to normal ride height, I set my bent, warped and twisted boards onto the bed and set my current camper on the bed to compress the suspension and then measure for shock static stroke. This camper weighs about 1000 lbs. as shown. The suspension compressed an inch and a quarter over the tires. The truck will level out even more when fully loaded out for a trip. So it looks like I'll need a shock that sits at 24-25 inches, 29-30 inches extended and 17-19 compressed. I've got my eye on a couple of different Bilsteins that should work.

Lastly, I measured for more storage boxes to go on the top left and right sides of the bed.

[350TacoZilla]

Looks great on there! Storage box's to fill in the gap will be a very useful feature I'm sure, help keep more stuff out of the camper itself but still be able to bring it along. I'm getting excited for your first trip lol, hope all goes great with it and truck gives you ton of use.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Looks great on there! Storage box's to fill in the gap will be a very useful feature I'm sure, help keep more stuff out of the camper itself but still be able to bring it along. I'm getting excited for your first trip lol, hope all goes great with it and truck gives you ton of use.

Thanks Taco! That camper usually sits on my late model F-250. It is a little too big for the 66. But it was a good trial fit and answered some questions in order to keep moving this project ahead. I'm keeping my eye out for a camper of the same type, but shorter and narrower. I'd also like to reduce the gap between the top of the cab and the camper overhead if I can.

I'm also excited and I think I can see some light at end of the tunnel. I have a bunch of test runs to make in preparation for the ultimate destination - Alaska!

[350TacoZilla]

Could you remove the center boards and just sit the camper down onto the crossmembers of bed or would that cause issues? I think most modern campers are going to have the height over cab issue just due to newer trucks having super tall cabs.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Could you remove the center boards and just sit the camper down onto the crossmembers of bed or would that cause issues? I think most modern campers are going to have the height over cab issue just due to newer trucks having super tall cabs.

No, that won't work. There isn't enough length to fit the camper on the cross members. And even if it did fit, It would be so tight I wouldn't be able to open the door.

I will probably have to look for something older. An older Alaskan perhaps. I can have one custom made by the company that made my current unit, but I'd rather not spend that much money.

[layinrocker65]

Who makes those storage boxes?

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

Who makes those storage boxes?

https://www.zoro.com/buyers-products...commended=true

[layinrocker65]

Thank you

[72cs20]

Still progressing with this beast and finishing up the detail work.

I finally got around to installing shocks at the rear axle. They are Bilstein 5100 series units. The bushings on these shocks use 1/2 Inch bolts. To fit 1/2 inch bolts into the upper factory 3/4 inch mounting holes, I used some 3/4 inch outside diameter dom tubing with .120 wall(.510 inch inside diameter) to sleeve those upper mounting holes. The lower mounts are stout aftermarket sourced with 1/2 inch bolt holes.

To address the driveline vibration at 50+ mph, I've decided on CV joint at the transfer case end. And at the rear axle end I used a 4 degree shim to get the pinion and driveshaft on the same angle. I also had to change out the t-case rear output yoke to a CV style. Should get the driveshaft back from the shop next week.

The interior configuration is now the way it is going to stay so it was time to trim down and bend the main transmission shifter. I put some heat to it and made a bend towards the driver. Then I removed about 8 inches between the bend and the shift knob. Then I welded back together. Way more comfortable shifting position now.

[72cs20]

I had some air conditioning tasks to take care of. I never really liked the rotary knob control panel that came with the system. So I bought the newest control panel that is out now for the 64-66 trucks. It is pricey but way nicer and is also backlit.

In addition to the nice factory style ac vents there were still two ducted outputs from the ac unit that needed to be finished. I didn't want to use the whole lower duct assembly that came with the VA system. So I cut off the section I did want to use and rtv sealed off the open end with some thick cardboard. Gave it some black paint. Screwed it to the dash and ran the ducting. Great air flow now.

[72cs20]

Time to deal with the front bumper. The old pto winch mount is cool so I'm going to re-use it. I have an old Warn 8274 winch that will look good and work well on this truck.

The pto winch and its bracketry was mounted in this bumper almost permanently with a lot of thick steal. Very well done. It all had to be cut out with a grinder and cutting torch.

I then cut out enough of the middle to fit the Warn winch mount. Today was just mock up day to see how it all fits. Tacked in a few places and bolted to the truck. It fit nicely.

Then I set the winch in place to check fit. Pretty good but I think tomorrow I will move it down one inch and to the rear an inch.

[72cs20]

Winch and bumper fit up done. Moved the winch mounting plate down and back one inch. Bolted in with grade 8 1/2 inch hardware on 1/4 inch steel L-brackets. I cut the front bumper into two pieces and bolted her up. A little hammer work to the bumper and some paint and this step is off the whiteboard.

[joesscamaro]

That turned out great! Looks awesome!

[350TacoZilla]

Nice! Good work man, one step at a time. I always think of the old forestry trucks with those bumpers, just need the headlight guards added lol.

[72cs20]

Thanks for your inputs guys!

One more thing before paint is tow hooks. Again I scrounged around my stash of miscellaneous brackets and found a couple that would make good backing for anchoring tow hooks. Done!

I will be completely going through the winch soon also.

And a couple of shots after paint.

Last pic is of a brush guard that I've been test fitting. Picked up at a swap meet a couple of years ago. It had a tag on it that said 1960 F-250. It seems to fit the body lines of the Chevy well though. I haven't decided yet if I want to use it . The truck has a much cleaner look without it

[cwcarpenter98]

The winch and bumper looks great. I like the look of with and without the brush guard. That's a tough decision

[350TacoZilla]

That looks great on there. For me 100% with brush guard and maybe add small support from middle bar of guard to the rear of bumper.

[The Rocknrod]

That is a pretty cool brush guard, most people don't have them so it'd be a cool thing to have on there especially for the look your going for.