Hello everyone. I'm new to the chevy truck world. I visited your site yesterday to ask a couple questions and after getting a couple of helpful replies to my post and a few hours reading your discussions I decided to join . I'm looking forward to participating in your group. Thanks for having me! I have a 1966 C10 stepside that was my father's. It's a cool truck in pretty sad shape and requires some serious work. It's been sitting with some good guys at Old Car Garage in Albuquerque, NM for a few years waiting for me. I'm beginning the restoration process now and have some decisions to make regarding the degree of restoration, modifications, etc. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions. The truck is a 61/2' bed, 3 speed on the column with a few factory options. I've been thinking of taking one of these three approaches and any feedback is from you is certainly appreciated: 1) Restore to "like new" condition, add factory power steering option that was available. 2) Restore to "like new" condition, convert to factory 4 wheel drive using 1966 K10 parts from a donor K10. No power steering as it was not available for 4X4 in 1966. 3) Restore to "like new" condition, bigger (V8) engine, four or five speed on floor, power steering. I love the original qualities of the truck and I'm hesitant to change the truck too much but I have to admit that I like more power and five speed shifting like on my 1990 Wrangler and my 1992 2500 long bed. I also like having 4 wheel drive. I would welcome your thoughts, opinions, or recommendations. Thanks to Tech1 and dvalentine for your replies to my previous questions.
What you do to your truck is a matter of personal taste and a realistic view of your abilities. What ever you do, start with a plan. The plan begins with deciding what you want to do, then breaking it down into managable phases. It MUST include a budget if you will achieve any measure of success. The budget factor will help you prioritize what gets done, when it will get done and how much it will cost. Which ever way you decide, I would recommend with making it SAFE first. Rebuild the braking, steering and suspension FIRST. A lot of us have gone with a disk brake conversion for the front to improve braking. Still others have rebuilt the front ends by replacing bushings, springs, tie-rod ends etc.. Doing these things first will make driving your truck more fun, require less effort, and be safer. Dennis
FYI on the power steering conversion, my 65 4x4 came with a poorly mounted power steering conversion. I got the REZ kit and all is well or at least safe. HOWEVER, the 800 series power steering box which came off a mid 70's 4x4 doesn't have enough travel to turn the wheels all the way left or right. I've got it adjusted to turn a little tighter to the left so I can make through the IN-N-OUT burger drive thru. (Double-Double with onions, thank you). I don't know if the 2wd steering box will work (the 4wd has a 'timed' arm, meaning it only goes on one way, and the 2wd steering box isn't. Although I don't know if the 2wd arm can be positioned to work on the 4x4). The problem is that the steering arm located on the Dana 44F closed knuckle front axle is too long and requires a lot of travel from the steering box. It has been suggested to just cut a piece out of the steering arm and weld it back together, but doing things like that to your steering components IS A VERY BAD IDEA! IT CAN MAKE YOU DEAD! My upcoming solution to the problem is putting a late 70's model model front axle under it. The spacing of the mounting pads is the same and I'll have disc brakes. This means new master cylinder and lines, but since I'll be driving this thing everyday, it'll be worth it. Also, the locking hubs for the closed-knuckle front axles are over $300 just by themselves, and you should be able to find a front axle for less than that. Just make sure it's the same ratio as the rear. Good luck and be safe!
Yeah, the plan is the next step for sure. And I will follow your order regarding which items to do first. I have to admit that I don't much ability for the mechanical work and it's going to cost me more in proffessional labor than most of the people here at ChevyDuty who appear to be experienced mechanics. I love doing the work...I just don't know anything!
It's a factory 4x4. I looked a long time before I found one that hadn't been torn up too much. Most of the 4x4's from this era just got worked to death. Luckily the only difference is the frame, and aside from parking cables and speedo-cables, I've been able to get parts easily (body, interior, etc.) Although I never have been able to find a picture of what the factory transfer case shift boot looks like. There's a really poor drawing in the assembly manual, but that's about it.
"I love doing the work...I just don't know anything!" I would strongly recommend that you pick up a Factory Service Manual & depending how far you are going into a restoration, the Factory Assembly Manual as well. Both can be aquired from our hosts hare at ChevyDuty. I think you will find that there IS a lot you can do by yourself with a small investment in some hand tools. The Service Manual lays out maintenance procedures on 99% of our trucks. The remaining 1 % can be dealt with by staring at it and figuring it out yourself ! Get the manuals ! Knowledge is Power, Grasshopper !! Dennis
Dennis: Yes, I will get the manuals!! I still haven't decided which way to go with the restore but I'm leaning toward keeping it 100% factory issue with a handful of factory options thrown in. "Pure and simple". Turquoise blue with original budwieser license plate...just like it was given to me! Grasshopper
