66 Build

[Hotrod1952]

Working on a 66 C-20 longbed since August 2013. Replaced all the rusted panels in the floor. Removed front and rear suspensions blasted and powdercoated the frame rails. I purchased an 87 silverado rust bucket with 90K miles and drove it for 2 months it runs and shifts great. Presently dismantling the 87. I plan to install complete front crossmember and power steering into the 66. Anyone have alignment specs for something like this? Was going to rebuild the motor/trans but for now will just clean paint and install into 66. I plan to remove all the air pump and egr and rest of the smog stuff and use the 87 wiring harness for the tbi motor. Future plans include installing the 87 rear end (3.42 Ratio) and leaf springs as well andl install a set of duramax aluminum wheels on the 8 lug suspension.

[rusty76]

Well welcome to the forum and looking forward to pics.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome! X2 on the pictures!

[Hotrod1952]

Front end removed.

Box is off.

[Hotrod1952]

Frame with suspension removed.

Building 1/2 ton style mounts.

Did i say the floor had rust? 4 weeks of fixing...

[Hotrod1952]

Still repairing rust.

Big back window donor section.

Finally the floor in primer!

[Hotrod1952]

Cab in primer!

Building drop dash for A/C Ducts. Vents will be from a 66 fullsize Chevy. Center is from a Buick Sportwagon.

Fixing a fender.

[Hotrod1952]

Getting ready to remove rear suspension fron the 87 donor truck.

[TJ's Chevy]

JFYI. You can upload pictures using this site.....just go to the "manage attachments" option....they should come out bigger....thanks for posting.

[Hotrod1952]

Lets try these. Should be better quality. Thanks TJ for pointing that out.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice work!

[Hotrod1952]

Time to get a few more pics up...

[Hotrod1952]

and a few more...
Home made patch for radio hole which was cut out.
Floor is finally completed.
Cab is in primer. Floor has been POR15'd on inside and painted/Bed liner on underside.

[Hotrod1952]

Removing front suspension from 1987 donor truck. Truck will provide motor (5.7 liter) , transmission (4l60), rear end (3.42 ratio), wire harness and computer for engine, and front and rear suspensions.

[McMurphy]

I like the start on a dash extension you have going on there, would like to see how that comes out when you are done !!

[TJ's Chevy]

I second that.

[Jeff La]

Dash extension is definitely a great start

[Hotrod1952]

Time for a few more pics. Working on front suspension yet. Waiting now for Western Chassis drop Spindles for 3/4 ton. Belltech 3100's I bought won't work. Anybody need a set? Swaybar is 1 1/16" and fits nice off the 87.

[1963c-10]

Welcome and great job on the floor patches. Alot of people would have replaced the cab and I admire the amount of dedication and work you went through to keep the original cab and do the work yourself. Keep up the good work.

[Hotrod1952]

Been working on Front suspension install, Steering column, Drop dash. 2.5" Western Chassis drop spindles. Modified the 87 pedal unit to fit so I could get correct pedal ratio. Shortened the 87 column 2.5" and removed key/column lock stuff. Mounted 87 booster. Trimmed the drop dash to fit around the column. Fabbed up a steering box bracket. Looks like the shaft from the column to the steering gear will fit without having to collapse it. Guess my measurements worked out.

[Hotrod1952]

More to come. Need to fab a inner fender next...

[Hotrod1952]

Got firewall painted tonight.

[Bomp]

Man you work fast.
Sub'd

[Hotrod1952]

Stayed up late Friday night got all the dash pieces & interior of cab painted. Used single stage enamel had it matched to paint code 22151 PPG lacquer color. The dash originally wash a shade darker, but I like the lighter color so I'm going all one color.

[Hotrod1952]

Time to get a couple photos up.
When I installed the firewall pad I cracked the sheet metal next to a weld I made in the firewall. So I got to do a spot repair on the newly painted firewall.
Working on getting dash assembled. Brake pedal and booster, steering column, fuse box, cable accelerator pedal, cut a hole for the 87 temp control to mount in the drop dash(I plan on installing a heater delete where the 66 control was), and wiring harness. Since I am using the 87 harness and computer I will have to figure out the ignition switch wiring. I also want an accessory position so I ordered a switch for a 61-63 impala. I read on a forum somewhere that I can install my key tumblers in that ignition switch. I also ordered a Jags #2prs speed sensor so I can get a speed reference into the ECM. I mounted the ECM behind the glove box above the heater. Similar to where it was in the 87. Next up after the Ignition switch will be figuring how to make a 66 wiper motor work with a 1987 intermittent wiper system. I would like to have intermittent wipers and have the switches on the 87 column already.
Hi Brandt