1966 K20 Project

[LeftCoast32]

Well I finally found a good Big Window Cab for my 1966 Factory 4WD.

This is the truck I am doing 1966 K20 Factory 4WD that I am adding 1 1/4 Ton D60 Front Axle and 1 ton Van 14 Bolt Rear Axle.

We are having 3" lift springs made for it to keep all the original grease pins. The axles will give it another 3/4" lift.

I had steel wheels made that have a full steel center. The wheels are 17X9 with 5" backspace to clear disc brakes front and rear.

I am going to run a set of the BF Goodrich Mud TA KM in 37X12.50X17 for the tall tire look.





The Cab has been setting down in El Cajon, CA since 2003 and hasnt been registered since 1993.

It is a 1964 Big Window C30 with Factory Gauges, Heater Delete and Radio Delete with all the original parts still in place.

She was left in Yellow Primer for 8 years in a guys back yard. I wish I could have found her 8 years ago as she would have been perfect.

She is real straight and almost completely rust free other then the small spots on the floors from setting so long without a back window.

I stripped the interior today, she came apart real easy. We are going to pull all the rest apart and remove the body for Media Blasting.

Once back from the Media Blasting we will do any needed metal work before it gets sealed in DP90 and High Build Primer.

[Captainfab]

That's a nice looking cab and the front sheetmetal looks good too.

What's the reason for the 'van' 14 bolt? Won't that be a bit too wide for the truck? What gears are you going to run with those 37's?

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's a nice looking cab and the front sheetmetal looks good too.

What's the reason for the 'van' 14 bolt? Won't that be a bit too wide for the truck? What gears are you going to run with those 37's?

Thanks!

The Van 14 Bolt Rear is 70" Wide, the Dana 60 Front is 69.5" wide. This makes them almost a perfect match.

I have always had a thing about the stock dimension axles being so different in width. The fronts are 69.5" and the rears are 66" in the stock factory 4WD's.

The axles have 4.56 gears and lockers front and rear. We converted the axles to disc brakes front and rear. Parking Brake will be on the transmission when finished.

I am looking for a '66 SM420 with Transmission Parking Brake if you know of any. I only need the parking brake parts but will take a full transmission too. I am unsure if the output shaft is longer when the parking brake was on there?

The only thing with the transmission parking brake is that I wont be able to run the Spicer 2021 Overdrive between the transmission and transfer case. I am still looking!

[aerotruk63]

The difference in the axle widths was to have the rear of the vehicle track better in the ruts. Good luck with your project! Do you plan to retain the stock transfer case? Any plans for the mirror arm and mirror off the 64 drivers door?

[jocko]

nice looking truck! looking fwd to posts on the progress. congrats on the cab find, looks like it's in great shape.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

The difference in the axle widths was to have the rear of the vehicle track better in the ruts. Good luck with your project! Do you plan to retain the stock transfer case? Any plans for the mirror arm and mirror off the 64 drivers door?

The most we see out here is sand and rocks so no problems with tracking.

Plans are to keep the T221 transfercase for now as there are no problems with it. I may convert to a Divorced 205 at a later date.

I am waiting till I see how the 37" tires and 4.56 gears feel. It is used mostly in town from 55 MPH and down. I ocassionally take it on the freeeway at 70 around here.

I actually threw the mirrors from the C30 in the dumpster yesterday.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by jocko

nice looking truck! looking fwd to posts on the progress. congrats on the cab find, looks like it's in great shape.

Thanks!

[aerotruk63]

To bad on the mirror! jonzcustomshop has been looking for one.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

To bad on the mirror! jonzcustomshop has been looking for one.

I will see if it is still there tomorrow.

[aerotruk63]

That would be nice.

Look through post #5 in the link, seems you could get a parking brake on the transfer case. Never seen or heard of one. Most likely on military applications.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=397681

[fryer1979]

Love 4x4 classics, cool build project. I'm saving my first '65 for a swap onto a 4x4 chassis. Looking good so far.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

That would be nice.

Look through post #5 in the link, seems you could get a parking brake on the transfer case. Never seen or heard of one. Most likely on military applications.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=397681

I passed on one that was for sale on e-bay. Wish I would have snatched it up. Check the next post - Another member pointed out a new Transfer-Case E-Brake Option from High Angle Driveline.

[LeftCoast32]

Here is the Parking Brake System from High Angle Driveline - http://www.highangledriveline.com/e_brake.html

I am looking at adapting the brake to the Rockwell T221 or converting over to the Divorced 205 from a Dodge for the correct front passenger drop.

The T221 and NP205 both use the same chassis mounts. This should make it a bolt in deal if the brake wont fit on the T221. The NP205 is also alot quieter and easier to find parts for. The T221 I have is actually pretty quiet and is in great shape. I just hate to invest any money into it and not be able to get parts later.

I am also looking at installing a Spicer (Brown-Lipe) 2021 Overdrive between the SM420 and Transfercase. This will give me the overdrive I need for the freeways and the gear splitting when off road.

[TheManInBlack]

This build is awesome, I'll be following intently. I love the look of the 60's trucks in 4x4.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by TheManInBlack

This build is awesome, I'll be following intently. I love the look of the 60's trucks in 4x4.

Thanks! I have been itching to get started on this for a while. I have a ton of parts all ready once the cab is finished.

The only other things we have to finish up before we can get the frame powdercoated is the suspension.

It goes down to National Spring for the custom springs once I have the new front and rear extended shackles back from the machine shop.

The front and rear shackles are real short on these years so to add arch to the springs they need more articulation from the shackles.

[duallyjams]

Hope you post lots of pics on this build.

[Str8axle]

Great looking build!!! Can't wait for more pix and updates!!
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[LeftCoast32]

Thanks for the compliments!

We got the sheetmetal all stripped off the frame and everything torn all the way down for media and powdercoat. I will take pictures tomorrow.

[LeftCoast32]

We still have a few days of work on the cab in preperation for Media Blasting. I will keep the pictures coming as promised!

Cab on the new rolling stand





Parts prepared for Powdercoat



Parts prepared for Media Blasting

[duallyjams]

That's some really nice parts to start with.

[LeftCoast32]

We have a few small projects to finish up on today and Monday.

Drill holes to mount the passenger side Sun Visor.

Strip off all the old undercoating.

Swap a few pieces of sheet metal with my current '66 (using the best out of both trucks).

Finish removing all the factory seam sealer (have been digging it all out for better blasting). We will re-seam seal after all metal is finished and the DP90LF (Epoxy Sealer) is applied.

Make new extended front and rear suspension shackles. We are copying the factory shackles and just making them longer. We need the extra length because the new springs will have all the lift in them (no blocks in the back). The factory shackles are so short they would bind in the brackets as the springs flex.

Finish stripping down the seat for powdercoat and taking it over for new foam and stitching up so nice new vinyl by the upholstery shop.

Prep door panels and sun visor brackets for the upholstery.

Finish prep on all parts for powdercoat.

[LeftCoast32]

Got some more done today! The cab and front sheetmetal is ready to go for Media!

Drill holes to mount the passenger side Sun Visor. Done

Strip off all the old undercoating from Cab, Fenders and Core Support. Done (The undercoating was like cement)

Swap a few pieces of sheet metal with my current '66 (using the best out of both trucks). Done

Finish removing all the factory seam sealer (have been digging it all out for better blasting). Done

[LeftCoast32]

Everything is ready to go over for Media Blasting. We just have to wait for the rain and damp weather to stop first. It should be good next week. I am really itching to get started on the little bit of metal work needed for the cab.

[LeftCoast32]

Thanks for the great comments!!

I have been working on the replacement Gauge Cluster (Full Gauges with Tach and Vac). I just need to find someone with a Chrome Bezel (Chroming Original) and a correct 1966 only Temp Gauge (acquired an NOS Gauge). I will post up pictures tomorrow of how far I have gotten.

The Cab and Front Sheetmetal should go the Media later this week..

[LeftCoast32]

"UPDATE"

I have a bunch of parts over for Chrome Plating.

I will be sending a bunch of parts over for Powdercoat this next week.

The Cab and Front Sheetmetal is all back from Media Blasting.

I have to Degrease and Clean all the metal after Media Blasting.

I have to coat the Cab and Front Sheetmetal in POR-15 Metal Prep.

We have to get started on some Sheet Metal Repair for the Cab.

I will load pictures up Monday evening!