Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Remember that time back in 2013 when I bought a second '66 truck to drive while the first '66 was apart? This is going to be a rerun of that, except I'm not planning on selling this one.

Ever since I've been into C10s dad has mentioned that he knew a guy that bought a blue and white '66 new and still had it. Dad had occasionally asked if it could be bought but the guy never wanted to sell it. That guy passed away about ten years ago and not long after his wife asked us about restoring the truck, but she wasn't expecting a full restoration to cost so much. She let a neighbor take the truck to get it running and redo the brakes to make it driveable again but he never did anything to it. I had kept up with the truck up until 2018, then it went missing from the neighbor's yard.

Fast forward to last December, I went down a road that I hadn't been on in awhile to avoid Main Street, which had developed a ton of potholes from all the rain we had last fall. I spotted a blue 60-66 bed corner barely sticking out from beside a building on a side road so I made a U turn and went back to check it out and it turned out to be the same '66. No one seemed to be home that day so I started checking back every few days until I caught the owner out in his yard. At first he said he didn't want to sell it but the more we talked we figured out that he had been to our shop for glass work in the past, so then he seemed to be more comfortable about talking to me about the truck. I showed him pics of the other C10s I've had, he talked about his other cars, I ended up staying there probably thirty minutes. Before I left I made an offer and left my number in case he ever changed his mind, and this week I got the call saying that he was ready to sell it.


This was it back in 2018 before it went missing from the neighbor's yard. I had friends that lived in that neighborhood back then so I would see it often.

https://i.imgur.com/RUuDH5Yh.jpg


The spot it was sitting when I found it in December. Since it was between those buildings only the very corner of the bed was barely visible from the main road. As much as I complain about how bad our roads are, SC DOT's slack road maintenance on Main Street gets credit for me taking a different route and finding the truck again :lol:

https://i.imgur.com/Ybo0ilrh.jpg


As found, after loading it. He had a set of 8" truck rally wheels and new tires that went with the truck and had already mounted two on the front to replace the old flat tires.

https://i.imgur.com/RQ7yl0Fh.jpg


Back at the shop I immediately swapped a couple tires on the original rims and mounted them to rid it of the rally wheels.- I can't stand those things :lol:

https://i.imgur.com/cA5WOKvh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RiKJWYZh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/b32RruMh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ESpoCGth.jpg



Digging into it I found the original owners manual, protection plan booklet with protect-o-plate, the SPID, plastic storage sleeve, and old receipts and registration cards. It was registered up until 2000. The engine was rebuilt in 1990 and driven another 13,000 miles before being parked. It's pretty much original everywhere except for a repaint, seat cover, and it had a steel bed floor welded in.

https://i.imgur.com/ex8JL4ph.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8uPfpE6h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Rc2t69ch.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JRFLdfOh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VcbYjL9h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/luKh5HSh.jpg



Short term plans are to redo the brakes, fuel system, cooling system, and install a bed floor kit replace the steel floor. Pretty much just do whats needed to make it reliable and drive it as is for now. I'd like to get all that done in time to take it to Run to the Sun in March. After that I'll copy the suspension setup I used on the first winter beater '66, except I'll use air bags in the rear for added load capacity and add CPP 500 series power steering. Long term plans are still pretty simple, I don't want to do anything irreversible. Right now I'm thinking (*subject to change :lol:) A/C, swap in taller rear gears, add a tach, hidden hitch, rebuild/lump port a spare cylinder head, Aussiespeed four barrel intake, Sniper efi, 6-1 header, and a small turbo that spools at low rpm. Basically build it into something that is more comfortable than our '79 C30 flatbed for light duty towing. I already have a set of old aftermarket chrome reverse wheels like I used on the last blue '66, but I'm also looking into 17" or 18" four slot/hubcap wheels and Diamondback Radial thin whitewalls.



I pulled all the drums off today to disassemble the fronts and adjust the rears in make it roll easier, the left front was starting to get sticky. The rear self adjusters were still free and easily adjusted.

https://i.imgur.com/zpakmQ7h.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

A long hunt that paid off, what a great truck.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Excellent “find”

And glad you managed to get it.

One of my favourite colours too for these trucks.

Original wheels look so much nicer on it, despite me loving Rallye wheels.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Good to know that they're still out there. 66 real custom cab shortie in the best color combo. Congrats and excellent detective work.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Wow great find. :)

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Dadgum, that's nice. I like that turbo idea :metal:

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

That is a great find!

Ever so slightly jealous.....

Turbo 6 sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea.

P. :D

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Enjoyed the story behind the truck and how you found it again. It sure is a beauty!

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

That's a real nice truck. I'll be following your magic on this one.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Congrats John.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

What a find. Will follow to see what you do with this one.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I'm in to see what happens :cool:

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Made a little bit of progress. Got pretty much everything for the brakes, fuel, ignition, cooling, and charging systems either here or on the way. I'm just missing an alternator, radiator, carb, and a few gaskets to get it running. The drop spindle/disc kit will be here tomorrow. I found the new tank locally for $50 and already had the old chrome reverse wheels, air bags for the rear, and bumper guards with matching patina. When I sold the other blue '66 I kept the '66 Farm Truck tag that I had on the front of it, so I'll reuse it on this one.

https://i.imgur.com/zRNjqCUh.jpg


I pulled the tank and cleaned up the back of the cab where the old tank had leaked. I soaked it in Purple Power, scrubbed/rinsed, then scrubbed off the surface rust using CLR and steel wool. I'll coat it with Penetrol to seal it back up and bring back some color before the tank goes in.

https://i.imgur.com/IcQ7oeth.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oppiySOh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/j5T69kVh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ltUBkfeh.jpg


I pulled everything that was going to be replaced and did a quick scrub down of the engine compartment. The firewall and engine need to be repainted but I'll make sure the engine is good first.

https://i.imgur.com/3lO2htqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wIjTqOdh.jpg


A couple of bolts were stubborn and broke off so I had to weld washers and nuts on what was left to extract them.

https://i.imgur.com/8NH0y65h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/w5uCw1qh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ezlEPVKh.jpg


Mating surfaces cleaned up with a wire wheel, then flattened with a file.

https://i.imgur.com/mMbJUQOh.jpg


Bolt holes chased and flushed with brake cleaner. Gasket surface cleaned to bare metal with a wire wheel.

https://i.imgur.com/toxb6bwh.jpg


I still consider myself an aircooled VW guy so all this water pump/radiator stuff is still kinda strange to me :lol: I used Permatex Aviation on the gaskets, it keeps oil in a VW block and it seems to be working on the watercooled stuff I've used it on so far.

https://i.imgur.com/SU8TQDfh.jpg


The carb is a lost cause. I'm looking into using a newer Rochester Monojet instead.

https://i.imgur.com/Ifg6fpEh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sRhsbz7h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Z3Frrknh.jpg


I've had a pair of old aftermarket chrome reverse 8" wheels for a few years, plus a single 6" and single 7" but never could find a either a 6 or 7 to make a front pair even after running multiple wanted ads. We had a leftover pair of 8" barrels so I started cutting the centers out of rusty original wheels to swap into the 8" barrels.

https://i.imgur.com/AYXWPr7h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HNvwj45h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ExoKDeih.jpg


I pressed the centers in pretty much all the way to the front edge of the drop center so they'll have about 1.25" more backspacing than the rear pair for a staggered look. That's still more lip than I wanted up front so I might find a pair of 7" hoops instead. I want the big and little look but with a wider width to stretch/support the sidewalls better than the stock wheels. I also don't like the way the wheel center is more inset in the drop center on the rear pair- that shrouds the hubcap, so I might build one more 8" like this, use those on the rear, and build two 7's for the front.

https://i.imgur.com/IjH4AuWh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Lx5fXokh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5QEuKnlh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LpgjBvXh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I dig the wheel tweaks.

I guess the Permatex Aviation is like Gasgacinch?

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Very clever on the wheels.

P. :D

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Great work you do. :)

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Can’t wait to see the progression. I always really enjoy your builds and the level of quality and detail you put into your work.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Great work, great ideas.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Nice progess....following along on this one.

Marc

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Always wondered how people did the wheels in the old days- thanks for posting this.!

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Not at all, Gasgacinch seems to just be contact adhesive, it smells and acts the same as DAP Weldwood for vinyl tops. Permatex Aviation isn't sticky like Gasgacinch so you can reposition gaskets if needed and it never sets up all the way hard so it's easy to clean off later.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I found loose lower ball joints when I pulled the original spindles, which lead to ripping out everything except the crossmember and steering parts. The pitman and idler arms feel tight and I adjusted the play out of the steering box so those should be good to go until I piece together power steering parts. I'm undecided between a CPP 500 series box or a normal ratio squarebody box. I liked the CPP box we used in the '68 Chevelle we built but I'd like to see some long term reviews before buying one. Redhead Gear was another option I've looked into but their reviews have been iffy lately. The slightly slower squarebody ratio box might be a better option for interstate trips and backing a trailer, the Chevelle steering ratio was almost too fast. If anyone has feedback on what box they're using let me know.


Before completely disassembling everything I mounted the wheel to check clearances front and back. Fender clearance is great, ball joint and tie rod clearance is kinda close. I may need to run a 1/4 spacer.

https://i.imgur.com/cKmADeRh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CGH5GbHh.jpg



Everything underneath was caked with grease and red clay. This mixture sets up hard enough that the pressure washer would barely touch it. I ended up soaking the arms in a container with old gas which dissolved the original paint and took the grime off with it after some scrubbing.

https://i.imgur.com/lEs9uf5h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YalCNWgh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MMG8wULh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ar9X15ch.jpg



I used a pallet jack to roll the truck out of the stall so I could pressure wash the crossmember and wheelwells.

https://i.imgur.com/fasQkMYh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hNKmVDXh.jpg



After the arms were stripped of most of the paint and grime I drilled out the spot welds holding the bump stops on, pressed out the ball joints, and removed the cross shafts. The old cross shafts were still tight and in good condition but the seals were rotting and coming apart.

https://i.imgur.com/cdiEcUyh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JEpGtX4h.jpg



I mocked up one of the lower arms to check the clearance between the arm and crossmember, I wanted to see how much further forward the arm could be mounted to add caster.

https://i.imgur.com/nNGXAZvh.jpg



Adding a new dimple to relocate the arm 3/4" forward.

https://i.imgur.com/UWdUTwAh.jpg



Crossmember cleaned up and painted.

https://i.imgur.com/mMMgg0zh.jpg



All of the new parts are painted/assembled and are ready to go back on, just need the LCA U bolts that won't be here until Tuesday. I also cleaned up and painted the stock springs after cutting one coil off.

https://i.imgur.com/GiQmLwEh.jpg



I pulled the rear brakes apart, pulled the axles and flushed out the diff to prepare for new axle bearings/seals, and repainted the backing plates.

https://i.imgur.com/HWl9jLZh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KolPf0ih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9gTCGI1h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/u43uhA1h.jpg



New tank is in, lines are flushed. I bought a Monojet carb from a late 60's/early 70's C10 since I'm more familiar with setting those up, but it arrived with a bent idle mixture screw and the wrong needle and jet so I have those parts ordered to get it ready to mount. I also ordered an aluminum radiator but it ended up having a monor defect and it's replacement was damaged during shipping. I'm hoping to have everything under the hood mostly finished up this week so I can start it for the first time.

https://i.imgur.com/D6qa9ARh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

You sir do excellent work.
You attention to detail is perfect.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Its hard to tell which pics are the before and which are the after....bha ha ha.
Your attention to detail is next level.

Marc

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

John did you have any interference with the front wheel and lower control arm with the dropped spindle?

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Wow what great luck to finally acquire this truck after trying for so long. I'll follow your progress.
I'm curious about the mod to the A arm shaft to move the arm ahead 3/4". I've not seen this done before. Can you expand on your rationale for doing it?

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Moving the lower arms forward adds Caster so the truck has a modern caster value that works better w/modern tire technology:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=caster+mod

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

No attention to detail on this one so far, just making it clean-ish. I didn't even blast/paint the brake hardware that was reused.



They fit when I had the drum brakes on, the tie rod clearance was tight though. A small spacer might've been needed. They don't clear the calipers though, the drop center is in the way since the rim is reversed.



Pretty stoked to have it, I've been itching for another driver/beater like the last blue and white '66 ever since I sold it in 2016.



:agree: I'll post the new alignment specs once I get that far, I'm shooting for around 7 degrees of caster.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I got the passenger side loosely stuck together last night. Tried to check wheel fit but since the barrel is reversed the inner step isn't deep enough now and the drop center hits the caliper, holding the wheel off the hub by about 1.5". I'll probably just use stock wheels with 1.5" bolt on spacers for now until I can find or build 7" front wheels with a skinny drop center so they have caliper clearance and a wider outer lip.

https://i.imgur.com/SZtKIdLh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SkdkrEqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5pEtWNOh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QClGGuqh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/w2BEVJIh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I wondered if/how it would work.

Are you going to cut up some 8" steel truck ralleys for the barrels or go aftermarket for them?

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I think I can take the two rims I have, cut them in half, and weld the two halves that have the deeper lips together to make a rim with a skinny drop center.

Factory rally barrels have a wide drop center so they wouldn't have the wide outer lip that I want. I could flip these barrels and make them work but then the outside lip would have the drop center step closer to the outside edge which I don't like.

https://i.imgur.com/tnE6Xxyh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Great idea!

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Since the front wheels didn't work out I found a pair of 1.5" spacers on sale to use with the stock front wheels. They were hubcentric for a Toyota so I chucked them in the lathe and trimmed off the snout to clear the stock wheels' smaller hub bore.

https://i.imgur.com/Dbo1jyQh.jpg


In the rear I relocated the shocks using Frizzle Fry's method and added CPP 1.5" drop blocks. Had to clearance an edge of the rear washer since the new U-bolt hole is closer to the folded edge. I'll drill and mount the upper shock studs once I settle on the rear ride height.

https://i.imgur.com/xd8vaQrh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YlIxczYh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CnhBQQsh.jpg



I had bags and cups leftover from the rear of Goldilocks (the No Limit three link kit replaced the original bag setup I bought) so I bought fittings and mocked them up to see how much room the fittings took up. I still need to cut the cups down by 1/2" and run air lines back to schrader valves. I'll post more pics of the cups/fittings once I pull them back out.

https://i.imgur.com/RJUgjKth.jpg


The heater box was pulled to clean out the internals and replace the heater core and fan motor, along with removing the under dash diverter box to clean it.

https://i.imgur.com/uL9UqZSh.jpg


Almost everything is buttoned up under the hood- all new tune up parts, all new cooling system, new alternator, cables, and a newer battery that came with the truck. I still need to figure out and build linkage to adapt the stock throttle pivot to the new carb, change the oil/filter, and replace the valve and pushrod cover gaskets before its ready to start up for the first time.

https://i.imgur.com/EhWy3Nsh.jpg


With the suspension mostly done I had to drop it down to see how it would sit. There are still a ton of small details to button up but I'm pretty happy to make this much progress this quickly. My goal for this week is to get the brakes bled, engine fired up, paint scanned/mixed for the wheels, wheels blasted/primed/painted, all lights working, and the seat and floor mat put back in. If that goes well I'll get a set of new tires mounted and an alignment done early next week so I can start putting miles on it.

https://i.imgur.com/rMLncAKh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Very Nice as always!

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

And here is me taking an entire weekend to instal a gearbox....

Fantastic work Sir!

P. :D

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Thanks guys!! I got it started and running but the carb needs dialing in. I fixed the leak between the throttle body and main body after this vid. Its still running lean, I think the needle is either too large on the thicker/upper idle section and restricting fuel flow too much, or the needle height is too low. I have an extra needle I can machine smaller if needed. The wheels are blasted, I'll shoot epoxy and paint tonight, and the tires should be here today. The brakes are bled, just need to finish the rear bag mounts and drill the frame for the upper shock studs to have it buttoned up underneath.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

One of the old 8" reversed wheels I had ended up being pitted too badly to use so I used the center and rim I had mocked up on the front to replace it. I had blasted both pieces which left a bit of a rough surface. When I tried to press the center back in it locked down and wouldn't budge, the metal had galled and was making deep tears in the surface. Had to press it out and grind those spots down, then smooth the surface with 100 grit on a grinder, then oil both parts to get the center to go in smoothly.

https://i.imgur.com/APuvtIMh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/afKr7Wah.jpg


Checking runout after pressing the center in. I matched the backspacing of the other old 8" wheel, 3 7/16". I was able to get it straight to within .020".

https://i.imgur.com/OgCFYYyh.jpg


Welded in.

https://i.imgur.com/sOkWWPdh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/styBjXyh.jpg


The truck was running super lean so I chucked the metering rod in the lathe and thinned down the idle/low speed step from .083" to 075" and filed the correct length taper in the transition area. It runs a little better, but still not great. I'll try raising the needle height about .010" at a time tomorrow to see if that fixes it.

https://i.imgur.com/pP3MkjZh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/faHV02ah.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RZTdaWXh.jpg


My sister and brother in law came over to help out, she worked on cleaning up the hub caps and he clearanced the trailing arms for the relocated shocks, filled the diff, and trimmed the rear bump stops.

https://i.imgur.com/6k9FWMRh.jpg

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Had to go back into the carb and redo the throttle shaft bore, it was worn about .010" too large and was pulling enough air in that it wouldn't run rich enough to not misfire. Luckily I had ordered the correct reamer and bushings for another project and had enough leftover for this one.

https://i.imgur.com/YfvHhujh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2ERAOTth.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PRsOgQth.jpg


I went through three accelerator pump seals before finding one that wasn't too big or too small. The one that came in the carb was too big and would stick to the bore and not pump for the first 1/4th of throttle opening so there was a bad hesitation. The second was too small and didn't seal up in the bore.

https://i.imgur.com/SWjjLqYh.jpg


I ran it through a few heat cycles, flushing the cooling system with clean water each time.

https://i.imgur.com/vm3tJN2h.jpg


The rear shocks mounts are finished. Picked up new tires yesterday. I'll mount the bags and run air lines tomorrow, plus prime/paint the wheels and mount the tires if the paint is dry enough. Back in January I went in with a few friends and bought a Hunter TCX51 tire machine, so I can mount them myself late tomorrow to give the paint more time to dry.

Quick vid of it running now that its dialed in better.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

Fantastic, great solutions and implementation, great.

Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
 

I got it together enough to attempt a trip to the gas station late last night. It made it there and back no problem. I stopped at a car wash on the way back and knocked most of the crud off and scrubbed the blue coating off the whitewalls. This morning I drove it to church and lunch, and down to my grandparent's house, almost 20 miles total. Only issue so far was the lower alternator bolt backed out, someone forgot to put a nut on it. :dohh: Still a ton of things to cross off the to-do list but its driveable now!

https://i.imgur.com/LZPjy6th.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MVy43vhh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Gq0QyJh.jpg