1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project

[aotte1]

Starting 1966 GMC K10 Suburban project. Last driven around 1992, sitting since then. A friend got it for me. It is going to be a slow project that needs some work (not defined yet). My grandson and I are working together on it. Body has the usual Suburban dents along with a few more, roof is good. Inside usual rust, lower “A” pillar right side, lower kick panels, floor, inner and outer rocker right side. The body frame and supports are all solid. The front and rear frame horns were modified for aftermarket bumpers.
Photos start with disassembly. New tools for this project include, gantry crane, and distribution lift bar for G crane, higher lift floor jack, tall jack stands. The 5’ I-beam lift bar is really handy for suburban body. Photo of it later.
Usual I-Pad photo sideways issue. Body being removed from frame in this picture.

Overall the chassis is pretty original, shocks, brake and fuel lines, frame brackets, body mount pads, axles,transfer case , drive shafts.

[aotte1]

Frame going to be steam cleaned. In the first photo, 2nd body mount on GMC Suburban’s is different then on chevy. It is a rubber 3/4 ton style vs solid on chevy. Will show more detailed photo of it later. Second photo shows Dana 44 axle and spiral shock. Shocks have 12/65 build date code, more detail on them later too. Third, steam cleaning removing lots of dirt. Last photo, transfer case area.

[aotte1]

Body initial cleaning, removing lots of dirt from under side.
Again I-Pad photo issue.

[aotte1]

A few more photos of the body. Plan is to leave the body as is for now. First work will be to repair the frame horns. These photos of the 66’ GMC suburban body were taken while the body is resting on a suburban 2WD frame. The 4WD frame is separately being worked on. The 2WD frame is illustrated by the 5 lug front wheels, front crossmember is from a 89’ suburban. The last photo illustrates the unique suburban rear frame horn. Later frame posts will show the unique differences between suburban 4WD and 2WD rear frame sections. Also, the suburban bumpers have, unique
characteristics.

[roll_the_dice]

Suburbans are so nice looking! Looks like a fun project!

[aotte1]

Location of 4WD decal, on 66’ GMC.

[aotte1]

roll-the-dice, thanks for the complement. Agree the Suburban’s are unique. Also, thought this 66’ GMC 4WD is going to be a fun project.

[cwcarpenter98]

Came for the 4x4 suburban, stayed because it's my favorite color

[aotte1]

Christian,
Glad to have you onboard.

Les

[aotte1]

Doing a little frame horn repair, both front and rear. The first photo shows the front frame horn replaced, along with an additional 3/16 steel plate reinforcement piece added to frame. This piece is mainly in front of radiator crossmember. Did same piece on both sides. Second photo shows additional reinforcement plate added to frame behind radiator crossmember. Cut the reinforcement plates out on plasma table, and included factory frame holes, so as to not be noticeable from outside frame. The plates are test fit and not welded yet. These early K10 frames are not real strong, and crack when bigger engines and wheels/tires are added. Especially in the steering gear box area. This frame had some cracks, Ved out and TIG welded.
Second photo shows the frame upside down, you can see radiator saddles pointing down.
Third photo, front frame horns replaced, and frame on trailer going to be powder coated.
Last photo shows front frame horns replaced.

[aotte1]

Rear frame horn replacement.
1st). Rear frame horn section replacement with trailer hitch, cut and trimmed to fit;
2nd). Replacement section welding in;
3rd). Replacement section completed, including 1/4” reinforcement plate inside frame supporting frame sectioning and trailer hitch attachment.
4th). Shows how K10 suburban rear frame area is made from two pieces.
5th). Frame fixes mostly complete and on trailer to be powder coated.
Note: The surburban/panel rear frame frame horns are unique to them. The K10 models use a one ton frame and therefor, need a two piece rear frame, riveted as shown above. The 131” one ton frame also uses riveted rear frame sections.

[aotte1]

Photos of 1/4 reinforcement plate added to rear frame. Again cut on plasma table, with hole matching original frame holes, So no see from outside.

[aotte1]

Posting a bunch of original photos for reference of GMC 66’ K10. These are before or as taken apart. Let me know of requests and will post if have.

[aotte1]

More, no order, some may be repeats.

[aotte1]

More original photos II

[aotte1]

More original III

[aotte1]

More original IV
2nd- front rear spring hangers, cleaning.

[Southcity]

Great work so far! l'm a big fan of these GMC K10's, I may have missed it but is it wearing an original color?

[aotte1]

Southcity, thanks for complement, appreciated. yes it has original paint, which plan to keep for now, with it character dents. Some of the dents are typical suburban. Believe 1966 GMC color is code 503, light green. Will post photo(s) of color from unweathered areas.

[The Rocknrod]

Thanks for the updates. Great work your doing.

[aotte1]

Rocknrod,
Thanks for your complement, and support for this project.

Plan to post some original paint images from protected areas on the suburban soon. Again think it is a 503 light green color. Not seen this color before, so need to confirm color. Will clean some protected areas and post photos of them.

[notsolo]

Went to a good home, nice to see its progress. Great photo's . Thanks for sharing.

[aotte1]

Notsolo, thanks for encourage, plans include finishing frame/suspension soon, and repair rust in front floors/ right rocker. This work underway.

[aotte1]

Color photos of area not exposed to daylight, along with one exposed to sunlight. (66’ GMC suburban) The first two photos are of areas not exposed to sunlight. Last photo of pillar exposed to sunlight. The exposed area, may look a little lighter? These areas were cleaned with 3M Finesse-it II finishing material. The light condition is shop lights. In natural light the paint may look a little lighter. Will try to get photos in natural light too.
Not familiar with GMC colors, is this code 503? Searching forum found couple other trucks, that look original paint, close to this color.

[cwcarpenter98]

That kinda looks like 505 green to me, but I'm not sure