66 C-20 needs updating.

[jchicago]

I have a 66 C-20 with a 292. Right now the clutch is slipping and I may open a can of worms on other work after searching on here.

First I was looking to just swap the 3 speed for a trans with OD, then I figured I should swap the rear end for a better gear ratio. That lead to swapping the front end for matching bolt pattern and all the improvements (p/s, handling, disc brakes).

Knowing the front end of a 73-87 truck will swap relatively painlessly, is there a certain year and model I could use as a parts truck to swap front end, rear, and transmission rather easily without hunting for three different part trucks at the pick and pull or craigslist?

Alternatively, would just swapping the rear end help with getting it up to highway speeds while leaving the 3 speed with the granny gear? Then I could just rebuild the clutch and swap the front and rear.

I tried to find an all-in-one post for the info, but really only found posts that dealt with the 1 of the 3 swaps. But if you know of a post or build that covers all of them, preferably using a single donor truck, I will happily read through them and not waste your time typing answers.

Thanks,
Jason

[LVPhotos]

1985+ would have 700r od and other parts if that's the route.

[kieth]

Jason, get a donor vehicle, !!!! we bought a 91 2wd suburban that was wrecked, cost $900.00 - 200.00 when we scrapped, here is what we used.
complete tbi 350, 700r4, front crossmember for disc brakes, power steering, sway bar.
wiring harness (kept serpentine belt system on tbi 350), alternater, A/C compressor, cruise control,
tilt wheel,
fuse panel total cost $700.00 you could also use the wheels off the suburban if you wanted to ......you can use the donor vehicle stick to later model stuff, 82 to 87 pickup or 82 to 91 suburban...........Kieth

here is a link to my build:http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-c93wLV9

[jchicago]

Thanks Gents,

Thought about a donor car, but no place to put it. The truck is currently my daily and is parked on the street here in Chicago. But house shopping now, so hopefully will have my own garage soon, otherwise my landlord is moving out of the building in May and letting me have the garage in lieu of taking care of the yard. So one way or another I'll have a garage to tinker in over the summer. But no place for a parts car, my neighbors are already complaining about replacing fuel lines, fluid changes and tune ups in front of their house.