Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by russellmarling

We put a Cold-Case radiator in a Jeep at our shop at customer request. The first one leaked immediately, they sent us another one and it lasted a few weeks. Never again. Needless to say, the Jeep now has a regular old NAPA replacement radiator in it and it hasn't had a problem since.

Thanks for the input.

That is unfortunate. At least this one is being warrantied so they'll get one more chance.

[72cs20]

New radiator is enroute. So in the meantime I figured this is a good time to fit up the Doug Fir I picked up for the bed floor. The boards are a little tall and will need to go through a planer to knock off about an 1/8th of an inch. Then brush on the sealer.

[straight6chevyguy]

Looking good!

[aotte1]

Just read the whole thread, great work. Really appreciate your detail discussion on your work, along with photographic documentation. Super big help, great ideas.

Les

[72cs20]

Thanks straight6 and aotte1! I appreciate the comments.

For the first time in about 2 1/2 years I actually got the truck out for a little spin around the neighborhood. Ran it through the gears and the overdrive. The drive train seems to be working fine. But I think there is still little air in the clutch hydraulic line.

I also got the rear brakes adjusted and dialed in. The parking brake is also excellent now. But I'm still not completely happy with front brakes. They don't seem to be picking up their share of the load. Add it to the list.

Put the hood back on finally. Good time to change out the front parking lights and wiring harness. Out with the old and in with the new. Also got all the rear lights working including those big reverse flood lights. Should be no problem backing up in the dark now!

This week should also see the ac system charged up, front wheel alignment and vehicle title and registration.

[88Stanger]

looks great, good progress, bed is awesome

[72cs20]

Thank you Stanger!

Quick update. Got the bed boards shaved down for a good flush fit. The little planer I bought worked great.

Also test fit some mud flaps I cobbled together.

[72cs20]

Got the new pedal pads and gas pedal installed. The new pads seem to be a lot easier to install on the pedals and they stay put. The rubber is not as hard as the ones I've bought in the past.

Got the passenger seat in and started fitting up the seat belts.

[88Stanger]

looking good sir!

[aotte1]

Continuing to watch, thanks for sharing your build, with really nice ideas.
Like the shoulder belts. Fremont built truck, with shoulder belt nuts factory installed? Have Fremont built C20 Custom Camper with shoulder belt nuts installed too.
If you have driven, how does it drive with new steering gear box and location. Any bump steer?

Les

[roll_the_dice]

I haven't checked in lately. The bed and truck look great!

[layinrocker65]

Keep up the good work. Love this build

[72cs20]

Thank you gents. Still waiting on some parts to show up. Hopefully more progress this week.

[350TacoZilla]

Going to sound like an echo in here but the truck is looking great man! Good to see it coming together for you.

[72cs20]

Thanks much Taco.

While waiting for things to come in I've been playing around with a few things. I set the center console in between the seat to see how it fits. It looks good and fits well.

I also splurged on a new steering wheel. It's a 69-72 15 inch version and frees up a bit of space around the drivers seat area.

I halted finishing the flatbed because of the cost of steel as of late. It has gotten ridicules. But one of my good friends donated an old lumber rack to the cause. This is big!

[Racer2172]

Nice work and really nice ol 4x4.

[72cs20]

Thanks for chiming in Racer!

Here is the head board for the flatbed made out of the lumber rack given to me.
I still may build it up the roof line and frame the window.

[350TacoZilla]

Sorry if this was covered but is that cowl panel a stock one filled in or aftermarket part that comes with no holes?

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Sorry if this was covered but is that cowl panel a stock one filled in or aftermarket part that comes with no holes?

No problem. It is an aftermarket piece with no slots.

[72cs20]

With almost 100 miles on the odometer only two issues are standing out. There is very slow drip coming from between the transmission and the overdrive. And there is a driveline vibration that starts at about 50 mph. I think I'll need to get the truck loaded down to get final proper pinion angle. The gear oil leak can wait for awhile.

Another thing on the list is to measure for rear shock absorbers. To get the truck to sit at what should be close to normal ride height, I set my bent, warped and twisted boards onto the bed and set my current camper on the bed to compress the suspension and then measure for shock static stroke. This camper weighs about 1000 lbs. as shown. The suspension compressed an inch and a quarter over the tires. The truck will level out even more when fully loaded out for a trip. So it looks like I'll need a shock that sits at 24-25 inches, 29-30 inches extended and 17-19 compressed. I've got my eye on a couple of different Bilsteins that should work.

Lastly, I measured for more storage boxes to go on the top left and right sides of the bed.

[350TacoZilla]

Looks great on there! Storage box's to fill in the gap will be a very useful feature I'm sure, help keep more stuff out of the camper itself but still be able to bring it along. I'm getting excited for your first trip lol, hope all goes great with it and truck gives you ton of use.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Looks great on there! Storage box's to fill in the gap will be a very useful feature I'm sure, help keep more stuff out of the camper itself but still be able to bring it along. I'm getting excited for your first trip lol, hope all goes great with it and truck gives you ton of use.

Thanks Taco! That camper usually sits on my late model F-250. It is a little too big for the 66. But it was a good trial fit and answered some questions in order to keep moving this project ahead. I'm keeping my eye out for a camper of the same type, but shorter and narrower. I'd also like to reduce the gap between the top of the cab and the camper overhead if I can.

I'm also excited and I think I can see some light at end of the tunnel. I have a bunch of test runs to make in preparation for the ultimate destination - Alaska!

[350TacoZilla]

Could you remove the center boards and just sit the camper down onto the crossmembers of bed or would that cause issues? I think most modern campers are going to have the height over cab issue just due to newer trucks having super tall cabs.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Could you remove the center boards and just sit the camper down onto the crossmembers of bed or would that cause issues? I think most modern campers are going to have the height over cab issue just due to newer trucks having super tall cabs.

No, that won't work. There isn't enough length to fit the camper on the cross members. And even if it did fit, It would be so tight I wouldn't be able to open the door.

I will probably have to look for something older. An older Alaskan perhaps. I can have one custom made by the company that made my current unit, but I'd rather not spend that much money.

[layinrocker65]

Who makes those storage boxes?