1966 C20 Fleetside 2wd Work Truck Fixer

[6T6]

I got this truck last month and figured I would start a thread on it.
My plans are to make the interior nice (close to OEM) and go through the drive train and fix whats needed. This truck will be used for hauling and coffee runs and taking the dogs to the trails. If all goes well, it may get metal and paint too. My brother had a couple of these trucks and I sure am happy to get this one.

I am going to post some 'before' pics of the truck to get started.
I did clean it out and remove the saddle blanket seat cover and also removed the heater control and dash cluster to get at some stuff.
The original 4way switch is pulled out in the pics too.

The truck is mostly complete but does not have original motor.
Ran the casting numbers on the block and found it has a 1968 Chevelle 307cid. Still has it's GM 2bbl and runs really well, choke
pull-off may need some tweaking but engine runs very strong and has a Muncie SM420 4spd. Havent checked for rear diff ratio yet.

The truck has brand new wheels and tires and just had some engine and bearing/brake work a few miles ago....drives arrow straight and the drum brakes work as new. The exhaust is very tight and can barely hear the motor at a stop which I like for what the truck is now.

This truck was located in Gustavus Alaska and was in a garage at a fishing 'cabin' for the last 21yrs. The previous owner used it during the summer when he visited Alaska.....I live in Juneau ans had the truck sent over via ferry. The remote village this truck was in for the last 20+yr has only about 25miles of road!! (we only have about 90miles of road here in Juneau)

The truck was originally 514 Red and was repainted Orange probably in the late 1980's. Has typical rust in cab but is solid in alot of places.
By the time I can fix up the interior and go throught the running gear I will decide if I want to take this driver project through metal and paint.

So...........here are the pics so far. Thanks for looking!!

TC

[6T6]

Interior

[6T6]

....more interior

[6T6]

Engine bay

1966 C20 chev eng numbers

18g131562 (eng codes)
t0625ds


1968 Chevy 307cid built June 25th of 1968 and installed in a
Chevelle with 2bbl carb and Powerglide. 1968 307 rated at 200hp.

1 = chevy
8 = 1968
g = Framingham, Massachusetts - eng plant code
131562 = Prod sequence of vehicle vin


t = Tonowanda
06 = June
25 = 25th
DF = 1968 Chevelle 2bbl 307cid Powerglide

The truck has a GM SM420 Muncie 4-spd

[6T6]

Undercarriage

[6T6]

Labels and Emblems.........the Anti-Spin label is AWESOME imo!!!

TC

[6T6]

....and here is the corner of the Build Sheet. I can see it wedged between the bottom seat cover and rear of seat bottom frame. Its very deteriorated and has been damp......but hoping to get some info from it when I pull the seat.

TC

[6T6]

Winters are cold here so one of my first fixes will be the heater. The levers were broken on the original unit so I ordered a used assembly from eBay....turned out to be worse than mine so I ordered levers and knobs for the one that was already in the truck. Managed to get all of the cables and heater doors working and the mechanical will be good to go. Here are some pics of the two heater controls....notice how the lever that operates the heater switch is different.....also the cable attatchment points are not the same distance from the pivot rod. The OEM 1966 control is on the right and the eBay one on the left.

TC

[C@rnut001]

Looks like a solid start and a great truck! Congrats on your find and good luck on fixing it up. Thanks for sharing your plans.

[6T6]

Thanks CornNut!

This truck is pretty solid with rust in the normal spots......but the fuse
block is badly rusted in this truck!?? The wiring and connectors in the rest of the harness look nice and so does the area around the fuse block......must have gotten wet on a regular basis and no dielectric grease ever used? ..........anyway here are some pics of the rusted block. I ordered a used block from eBay, lets hope it works out better than the heater control. Trying not to spend $235+ship on a new dash harness, but may have to?

TC

[Flathead Smith]

Nice to see that it looks like your going to keep the original drive train. The 3/4 tons are my favorite; wish mine had a no-spin. If you run across one let me know.

[6T6]

OK Flathead your at the top of the list for a NoSpin if I run across an extra. 3/4T Reg Cab Long Box's are my all time favorite, my '04 2500HD (bought new) is Reg/Long also.


TC

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

I agree, looks like a good solid truck to work with. That's unbelieveable that it has been sitting in a garage for the last 20+ years. I see by the plates that it was originally from Twin Falls, Idaho.

You may get lucky and have 4.11 gears in that Eaton HO52, but more than likely it will have the 4.57 gears. That is what my '66 C20 has as well as the No-Spin differential. Have you checked to see if the SPID is still on the inside of the glove box door. That will show you what the truck originally came with.

[6T6]

Thanks Cap!!

The SPID is missing from the glovebox door but I am hoping that the build sheet (can see it stuck under seat, but its been wet) will have some info on it thats still readable. I do have a differential service on the short list of things to do, hoping the tag is there or that I can see the R&P for counting teeth. Doesn't feel like its as low as 4.57, but I guess it could be. Will post that info when I figure it out.

Thanks for the replies folks.....this won't be an expensive build or a resto, but I have some specific ideas for this truck and will definitely post as many pics as I can.

TC

[6T6]

Pic from my coffee run today. Mendenhall Glacier in the background.


TC

[McMurphy]

Good looking rig!
If you ever get up to the Fairbanks area shoot me a PM and we will get together!!

[6T6]

McMurphy.......definitely will look you up if I get in that area!! COOL!!

The 'new' wiring harnesses I got from eBay arrived today. Both Fuse Blocks are useable but one has labeling that is still readable so thats an easy choice. Looks like only 7-8 wires to solder and I can start going through the electrical on the truck. I expect it will need a turn signal switch and a couple other items. After I get the fuse block in I plan to add high quality grounds throughout so I can perform accurate diagnosis of the electrical.


TC

[6T6]

Have replaced the fuse block and have the brake and parking lights working. Put about 150 miles on today.......

--couple pics from the drive this evening.


TC

[LostMy65]

Those are nice shots.

[66farmer]

Great looking truck. I have been on Gustavus fishing a few times but I don't remember seeing your truck.

[6T6]

Originally Posted by 66farmer

Great looking truck. I have been on Gustavus fishing a few times but I don't remember seeing your truck.

It was there....probably in the garage? The owner used it only during his visits to Alaska. This pic is one of the oldest reciepts from under the seat that I can still read......fuel purchase from 1996.....$1.70/gallon!! Sure miss that price.......


TC

[6T6]

wrong forum