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.

The axles are a 69.5" CUCV front Dana 60 with 4.56 Gears/Trac-Lock, the rear is a 70" Wide 14 Bolt FF with 4.56 Gears/Detroit Locker.

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 for a total of 3 3/4".

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 KM2 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.

['63GENIII]

Cool truck! Driving with that mirror would worry the crap outta me and seeing it coming at you oncoming would be something too!

[66Gilbert]

Wow!! For some reason I thought you were selling this truck? Glad to see that you are moving forward with the truck. Very nice find, I always have my eyes on the look out for 64-66 Big Back Window 4 speed hump cabs. I don't know if you know this but finding them with the Big Back Window and the 4 speed hump are hard to find. Most Big Back Window cabs have the small hump that came with a 3 speed or automatic transmission. In my opinion there is nothing like owning a 60-66 Chevy Big Back Window 4x4.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Cool truck! Driving with that mirror would worry the crap outta me and seeing it coming at you oncoming would be something too!

That drivers side mirror was way out there!! I have no idea what they were thinking.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by 66Gilbert

Wow!! For some reason I thought you were selling this truck? Glad to see that you are moving forward with the truck. Very nice find, I always have my eyes on the look out for 64-66 Big Back Window 4 speed hump cabs. I don't know if you know this but finding them with the Big Back Window and the 4 speed hump are hard to find. Most Big Back Window cabs have the small hump that came with a 3 speed or automatic transmission. In my opinion there is nothing like owning a 60-66 Chevy Big Back Window 4x4.

Thanks!

We actually flipped the front bumper over so it is correct now too! We had to cut the front frame horns back off and weld them back on the right way. It took forever to get all the metal I-beam out of there. The California Park Service had I-beam welded to the inside of the front frame. We were able to cut it all out and reweld/blend the front frame horns back on so you cant tell it was ever done.

I had it up for sale a while back because I was getting frustrated with trying to find the parts I wanted. I have been looking for this style cab for over a year. They are indeed hard to find. The only other ones I have found are all on C30's out here.

I actually drive the truck everyday and have put over 10,000 miles on it this last year. The more and more I drive it the more I want to keep it. These truck in 4WD are a real standout on the road. It is tall enough to see and be seen!

I will keep the pictures coming in the next few weeks as I have a ton of parts I have been collecting for the build.

I will have a complete set of 1/2 Ton Original Axles that are on it currently that will need to go to a new home. If you are interested give me a PM and I will give them to you if you pay the crate and shipping charges.

[thinair]

[LeftCoast32]

Thanks!

[70 beast]

killer project!!!!
what gear ratio are the axles?

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by 70 beast

killer project!!!!
what gear ratio are the axles?

Thanks! The new axles have 4.56 gears!

[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.

[LeftCoast32]

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

[62 short step]

Looking good! Those are some clean doors!

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by 62 short step

Looking good! Those are some clean doors!

Thanks! I cant wait to get it all back from media blasting. I want to get all the metal work finished and start preping for paint.

[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 some 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.

[thirdstreettito]

Looking good! Keep up the good work!

[west9378]

Ok I just need to say I love this truck it just looks tough. Great build
Posted via Mobile Device

[msgross]

nice clean cab... my next project, if there is one, will be from CA or AZ...

[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!

[LeftCoast32]

Here are the pictures of everything back from Media Blasting

[62 short step]

Wow! That cab is awesome, no cancer anywhere.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by 62 short step

Wow! That cab is awesome, no cancer anywhere.

Thanks!

The Cab - Needs a little work in the floors from setting for so long. It is not bad just needs a little attention.

The Doors - Couple of small dents, no rust at all.

The Hood - Needs a little straightening, no rust at all.

The Cowl - Perfectly straight, no rust at all.

The Fenders - Perfectly Straight, no rust at all.

The Grill - Perfectly Straight, no rust at all.