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-   -   66 4x4 my sons new project (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=453897)

Raider Rudy 03-19-2011 10:56 AM

66 4x4 my sons new project
 
2 Attachment(s)
Picked it up on Thursday!

66Gilbert 03-19-2011 12:37 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Very cool!! What are the plans keep it stock or custom?

66Gilbert 03-19-2011 12:42 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Glad to see that this old 4x4 did not make it to a salvage yard.

Raider Rudy 03-19-2011 05:29 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert (Post 4562991)
Very cool!! What are the plans keep it stock or custom?

He wants to keep it original, but when we crawled under it we found out the transfer case was missing! It had an old Rockwell. The rear end is blown out too,:banghead: so we have our work cut out for us!

argonaut 03-19-2011 10:53 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Its got a fair bit of rust in the cab and some pretty wavy body panels. So I'll be keeping my eyes open for a donor long bed with some good steel, preferably 60-62.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1058.jpg
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1052.jpg
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1050.jpg


The previous owner drilled about fifty thousand holes in the dash, mounted switches and gauges and an auxillary fuse panel... so I spent part of today ripping all that out and restoring the wiring to factory.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1049.jpg


For now we'll focus on getting the powertrain and drivetrain sorted out. And hopefully in the next two weeks there will be a big block in here.
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1044.jpg

wilkinst 03-26-2011 09:58 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Beautiful truck! Looks about like what I started with. Keep us posted with your plans and more pictures!

scottsdaleowner75 03-27-2011 12:37 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Cool build. Good to see another 4x4'er near me. (San Bernardino)

argonaut 03-27-2011 02:11 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
UPDATE

Today I scored a deal on some parts froma guy parting out a 73 1/2 ton Blazer.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1069.jpg

Picked up front Dana44 axle complete hub to hub, along with the linkage, power steering gearbox and sway bar. I'll need to do some research on the best way to mount the steering gearbox as well as the sway bar. On the 73 the sway bar mounted to the front crossmember, which is quite different than the 66's front crossmember.

Grabbed the power brake booster, master cylinder, proportioning valve and mounting brackets. So this should set us up well with the disk brake Dana44 up front and help stop this big truck.

Finally loaded up the complete rear axle and both front and rear driveshafts. As I discovered a week ago the rear differential in the 66 had grenaded at some point in the past so I'll just swap out the whole rear axle. I'll need to check the pinion angle with respect to the leaf perches and compare to stock.

Raider Rudy 03-27-2011 11:49 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Before I let my son have the truck I was going to cut it down to a short bed.
I wonder if he is going to keep it a long bed:banghead:

argonaut 03-27-2011 07:05 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
..but there is so much room in that loooong bed :)

One thing I noticed today is that the driver's side shock mounts behind the axle on the 73 12 bolt, as opposed to both shocks on the 66 which mount forward. I'm thinking of relocating the upper shock mount bracket in the frame to the rear of the axle on the driver's side.

scottsdaleowner75 03-27-2011 07:58 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Yes you will have to drill a hole and instal the shock bolt and stud. No big deal. I vote shortbed all the way!!

Raider Rudy 03-27-2011 09:19 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsdaleowner75 (Post 4582079)
Yes you will have to drill a hole and instal the shock bolt and stud. No big deal. I vote shortbed all the way!!

Short Bed :fry:Yesssss!

west9378 03-27-2011 09:49 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
I like the idea of a long bed for now later you may decide to shorten the bed.
Posted via Mobile Device

onebadbowtie 03-27-2011 10:45 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
long bed 4x4's look tougher!!!:metal::metal:

argonaut 03-28-2011 12:36 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsdaleowner75 (Post 4582079)
Yes you will have to drill a hole and instal the shock bolt and stud. No big deal. I vote shortbed all the way!!

It looks like there is a standoff bracket that is riveted inside the frame C-channel. I'll have to remove it and relocate it further back on the frame.

scottsdaleowner75 03-28-2011 04:29 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Or you could just inboard the shocks with a new mount like the 1 ton K30's and CUCV's.

argonaut 03-28-2011 05:33 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Photos?

Altec 03-28-2011 06:20 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
If it is going to be used as a truck, then keep it long.

msgross 03-28-2011 06:39 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Captain Fab (on the board) makes a bracket for the newer steering box to mount to the flat frames. Use a piece of C Channel for the front crossmember extension, to mount the sway bar.

argonaut 03-28-2011 06:47 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
I was looking at Catain Fab's post on the steering gearbox adapter. Do the 2wd and 4wd gearboxes mount in the same way/loctation/pattern? I have a CPP kit that I will be putting onto my 64 C10 in the next few weeks... but I'm not the biggest fan of CPP at the moment.

msgross 03-28-2011 09:22 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
yes, they mount the same but the arm moves in different directions...

LeftCoast32 03-28-2011 09:31 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Very nice start to a build for your son! Keep us posted on the progress. Keep it a Long Bed, it will look great with a set of 33"-35" tires on it. Here is mine on stock suspension and 35" tires. I will have these wheels and a bunch of parts left over from my build. I am down in Carlsbad about 1.5 hours drive from you.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80...0/IMG_0400.jpg

Raider Rudy 03-28-2011 09:40 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoast32 (Post 4584887)
Very nice start to a build for your son! Keep us posted on the progress. Keep it a Long Bed, it will look great with a set of 33"-35" tires on it. Here is mine on stock suspension and 35" tires. I will have these wheels and a bunch of parts left over from my build. I am down in Carlsbad about 1.5 hours drive from you.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80...0/IMG_0400.jpg

Nice long bed! I noticed it the other day. I had big plans for the truck but my son said it was the truck of his dreams:waah:

argonaut 03-29-2011 01:58 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
I believe my dad has secured the '72 donor truck with the 402 big block that is destined for transplant into the '66. That means we have all the major parts necessary to turn Big Ugly into a runner!

argonaut 03-29-2011 01:59 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Lefty, Let us know when you start pulling parts off of yours, there may be some we're interested in!

msgross 03-29-2011 07:44 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by argonaut (Post 4586317)
Lefty, Let us know when you start pulling parts off of yours, there may be some we're interested in!

be careful not to turn your build thread into a WTB, want to buy, thread...

west9378 03-29-2011 08:48 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Left Coast Sweet Truck I am so envious I hope mine looks near that good when I finish.
West

LeftCoast32 03-30-2011 09:27 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by argonaut (Post 4586317)
Lefty, Let us know when you start pulling parts off of yours, there may be some we're interested in!

Just send me a PM and we can link up. It would be good to see another factory 4WD.

I plan to take mine up into the San Bernardino Mountains when finished. There are some great trails and camping. We used to go up for a weekend for 4-wheeling, camping, gold mining (panning) and walking through a bunch of old mines that were abandoned years ago.

We go up just North of you off the 15, the little town is called Lytle Creek.

Lytle Creek - http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Lytle_Creek_Ridge_Trail - http://www.summitpost.org/lytle-creek-canyon/405236

Quote:

Originally Posted by west9378 (Post 4587143)
Left Coast Sweet Truck I am so envious I hope mine looks near that good when I finish.
West

Thanks! This is actually the start not the finished picture. Here is a thread on the build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=455530

argonaut 05-03-2011 02:35 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
I'm still collecting the parts needed to make Big-Ugly a runner, but I'm almost there.

My dad and I finally pulled this 402 BBC and TH400 from a 71 motorhome that we've had our eyes on for a while now.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1091.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1092.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1093.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1094.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1095.jpg

I'm not planning to use this TH400 but I'm sure we'll find a home for it somewhere.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1096.jpg

Pulled the exhaust also because it was in good shape. 2-1/2" dual exhaust with H-pipe. Just need a couple mufflers and tailpipes.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1097.jpg

I'm also going to grab the brake booster and master cylinder, as well as the power steering pump, lines and gearbox from this 71.


The only concern I had is what my gas mileage is going to be with the stock 402, sm420, t221, 3.71:1 diff gears and say 33" tires....

scottsdaleowner75 05-03-2011 02:55 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
What a solid foundation. I would just powerwash it and replace and gaskets that it needed and a quick coat of paint and that thing is ready to go. Maybe rebuild that carb but those are excellent quadrajets especially for offroading

argonaut 05-03-2011 05:47 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
That is more or less what I had in mind. I need to get this truck rolling, so I'm not concerned with rebuilding everything to make it like new just yet. Just cleaning things up to make it a runner. Then finding some solid sheet metal for it. Then later diving back into it.
I've got another build going on my 64 2wd and that one is getting all the money right now.

I like pressure washing. Its cheap and easy and really does a good job. Only problem I have is location. It tends to put a TON of oil and grease onto the ground, especially when you wash 45 years of grime off a frame. Does anyone have any tricks on containment and cleanup?

scottsdaleowner75 05-03-2011 06:24 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
I used a blue plastic tarp that i put under the engine on mine and sprayed it down with engine degreaser in the hot sun first. Then hit it with the power washer. Kept everything well contained. Threw some kitty litter on the tarp when i was done. Then scooped it up and threw it away.

1969C10shortbed 07-19-2011 12:23 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Wow, I love this project log. Maybe it's because it's pretty much what I want to do with my '65 longbed fleet side, but still... I love it. I hope to see more of this.

argonaut 07-19-2011 12:45 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Good timing!

Just collected one of the last critical pieces to get this build going: Rockwell T221 Transfer Case

With all of his spare time... my Dad pulled this from the donor truck. He is swapping a TH350-NP203 into his 66/69 hybrid pickup.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...081025_002.jpg
http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1184.jpg

So now it is ready to go up into the Big-Ugly 66.

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...0/IMG_1242.jpg

More to come in the next few weeks as I get time to start piecing this together. Had a bit of a mishap with my 64 short fleet and a missing spindle nut cotter pin... Once I get that rectified I can move on to this.

1969C10shortbed 07-19-2011 01:25 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Sweet man, you're way ahead of me though! I have a 2WD to start out with.. It looks like you've pieced pretty much everything together already too.

argonaut 11-18-2011 02:09 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Trying to get my 64 C10 cleaned up has slowed my progress on the K10, but I have been slowly collecting the parts.

Had a little shift of plan. Next week I'm going to pull the 350 from the C10 and put it into the K10. Then I'll drop the 402 into the C10. This will simplify things overall as the C10 has a TH400 which can easily be moved forward with the motor and the 350 will be a bolt in for the K10 which originally had a 283.

I'll try to snap a few pics next week while I'm doing the work.

argonaut 12-24-2011 05:50 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Finally got some work done on old Big-Ugly. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos because I was busy all day and didn't finish until it was dark out.

Body:
I dismantled the front end sheet metal and removed the cab. I discovered that nearly every panel on the truck is originally from a different truck, based on the factory paint that is underneath the orange. I'm keeping what little is re-useable and scrapping the rest. I think all I'm saving is the radiator support, the inner fenders, steering column and the small parts from the cab. The cab, fenders, front facia and grill, bumper, etc are all going for scrap. I don't think there is a single exterior body panel that doesn't have severe cancer or multiple dents. The same goes for the bed once I get it cleaned out and pulled off of the frame. I'll only keep the bed rails. I'll be transplanting the body from a 62 that I recently bought, once I finished fixing up the frame and drivetrain. Then I'll be on the lookout for a big window cab.

Front Axle:
So once I got it stripped down to the frame I went to work on the chassis and suspension. I pulled of the old brake lines and the steering gearbox, then pulled the closed knuckle Dana 44 front axle (anyone want an original closed knuckle front axle in unknown condition?). Rolled that out of the way and rolled in the replacement 73 open knuckle Dana 44. It is complete from end to end including the power steering gearbox. Two things I need to get are gearbox mount kit for the 60-66 and a stock steering arm for the axle. The 73 blazer that I pulled the axles from had a 4" lift kit on it with a 4" lifted steering arm. I may lift the truck in the future but for now I'm just trying to get everything assembled into one piece.

While I had the axle housing out I inspected the front suspension. Shocks are shot of course, as well as all the leaf spring bushings. I also noticed that the rear shackles looked like they were home-made. After comparing to my Dad's truck last night they are in fact "after market". Although they were made out of 1/4" thick steel and basically the same as stock just an inch or so longer. That probably explains why the PO had some shims between the leafs and the perches on the front axle.

Cool things I noticed:
While getting intimate the the truck I started to notice a few unique aspects of the 4x4 chassis. The front crossmember that supports the radiator has some additional braces the extend forward on the frame. Also the radiator supports are actually separate brackets that bolt onto the frame; one bolt on top and two in the side. Obviously the frame is deeper on the K-series trucks. And the front upper shock mounts have the nice outer supports stock.

Chassis:
Then I started moving backward on the chassis. It looks like the truck saw some abuse back in the day. The upper crossmember for the transfer case looked like it had failing rivets. So the PO had sloppily drilled four new holes and put bolts in. I removed the bolts and cut the rivets off to completely remove the crossmember. While pounding on the rivets I discovered that below all the caked on grease and grime the PO had also welded the bottoms of the rivets to the crossmember. Ugh. So I cut the welds and ground it all down and finally pounded the rivet slugs out. I'll bolt it back in with grade 8 hardware and hardened washers, the right way.

Then, after I was very sore and tired I went and picked up my T221 transfer case from my Dad. Its complete and probably just needs a full set of seals and gaskets and some fresh gear oil.

One thing I noticed I do need is the actuator for the E-brake that mounts to the back of the TC crossmember. There is a bolt on slide bracket and a pivot bar that I need to get my hands on.

That was enough work for one day. Next week I'll get the transfer case and the engine and transmission in place to make sure I'm not missing anything. I also need to get the frame cut down and re-welded to make it into a short wheel base. Anyone in the Southern California area know of a good welder who can re-weld the frame?

argonaut 12-31-2011 01:56 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Stripped the old body off in preparation to shorten the frame and fix a few things:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2000.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2002.jpg

Apparently Rancho makes or made replacement front springs that fit the 60-66 K10:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...S%20-%2000.jpg

Interesting looking radiator support mount brackets:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...t%20-%2000.jpg

Swapped in 73 Dana 44:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...e%20-%2000.jpg

The bed that will go on once the frame is shortened:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...d%20-%2000.jpg

A '65 big window cab that I just picked up today with the help of my Dad and our friend Ralph:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...b%20-%2000.jpg

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...b%20-%2003.jpg

It was originally from a General Telephone truck and then a local shop truck until it was parked under a tree in 1983:

http://jase-ace.com/public/photo/196...b%20-%2004.jpg

duallyjams 12-31-2011 04:18 PM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
GTE is now Verizon and that motto is still used today.

argonaut 01-03-2012 01:05 AM

Re: 66 4x4 my sons new project
 
Cool info, duallyjams.

The cab does have the usual rusted out rockers and floorpans that connect to the rockers. The truck has been sitting for probably 15-20 years under a tree. And unfortunately the side windows were rolled down, so the cab was full of composting leaves. Luckily the roof is fine. The cowl area was FILLED with composed and leaves. Must have taken a half an hour to scoop it all out by hand. But the metal underneath still had paint and wasn't terribly rusty.

I'm hoping to get the frame cut and re-welded at the end of this week. Once that is done I'll be jamming to get it built up! Can't wait! Big window, short bed, fleetside, K10... my dream is coming true! (My dad is getting jealous, but he'll be smiling when the 66 K10 is parked next to his 69 K10 :))


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