1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Starting 1966 GMC K10 Suburban project. Last driven around 1992, sitting since then. A friend got it for me. It is going to be a slow project that needs some work (not defined yet). My grandson and I are working together on it. Body has the usual Suburban dents along with a few more, roof is good. Inside usual rust, lower “A” pillar right side, lower kick panels, floor, inner and outer rocker right side. The body frame and supports are all solid. The front and rear frame horns were modified for aftermarket bumpers.
Photos start with disassembly. New tools for this project include, gantry crane, and distribution lift bar for G crane, higher lift floor jack, tall jack stands. The 5’ I-beam lift bar is really handy for suburban body. Photo of it later.
Usual I-Pad photo sideways issue. Body being removed from frame in this picture.

Overall the chassis is pretty original, shocks, brake and fuel lines, frame brackets, body mount pads, axles,transfer case , drive shafts.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Frame going to be steam cleaned. In the first photo, 2nd body mount on GMC Suburban’s is different then on chevy. It is a rubber 3/4 ton style vs solid on chevy. Will show more detailed photo of it later. Second photo shows Dana 44 axle and spiral shock. Shocks have 12/65 build date code, more detail on them later too. Third, steam cleaning removing lots of dirt. Last photo, transfer case area.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Body initial cleaning, removing lots of dirt from under side.
Again I-Pad photo issue.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

A few more photos of the body. Plan is to leave the body as is for now. First work will be to repair the frame horns. These photos of the 66’ GMC suburban body were taken while the body is resting on a suburban 2WD frame. The 4WD frame is separately being worked on. The 2WD frame is illustrated by the 5 lug front wheels, front crossmember is from a 89’ suburban. The last photo illustrates the unique suburban rear frame horn. Later frame posts will show the unique differences between suburban 4WD and 2WD rear frame sections. Also, the suburban bumpers have, unique
characteristics.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Suburbans are so nice looking! Looks like a fun project!

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Location of 4WD decal, on 66’ GMC.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

roll-the-dice, thanks for the complement. Agree the Suburban’s are unique. Also, thought this 66’ GMC 4WD is going to be a fun project.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Came for the 4x4 suburban, stayed because it's my favorite color :metal:

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Christian,
Glad to have you onboard.

Les

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Doing a little frame horn repair, both front and rear. The first photo shows the front frame horn replaced, along with an additional 3/16 steel plate reinforcement piece added to frame. This piece is mainly in front of radiator crossmember. Did same piece on both sides. Second photo shows additional reinforcement plate added to frame behind radiator crossmember. Cut the reinforcement plates out on plasma table, and included factory frame holes, so as to not be noticeable from outside frame. The plates are test fit and not welded yet. These early K10 frames are not real strong, and crack when bigger engines and wheels/tires are added. Especially in the steering gear box area. This frame had some cracks, Ved out and TIG welded.
Second photo shows the frame upside down, you can see radiator saddles pointing down.
Third photo, front frame horns replaced, and frame on trailer going to be powder coated.
Last photo shows front frame horns replaced.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Rear frame horn replacement.
1st). Rear frame horn section replacement with trailer hitch, cut and trimmed to fit;
2nd). Replacement section welding in;
3rd). Replacement section completed, including 1/4” reinforcement plate inside frame supporting frame sectioning and trailer hitch attachment.
4th). Shows how K10 suburban rear frame area is made from two pieces.
5th). Frame fixes mostly complete and on trailer to be powder coated.
Note: The surburban/panel rear frame frame horns are unique to them. The K10 models use a one ton frame and therefor, need a two piece rear frame, riveted as shown above. The 131” one ton frame also uses riveted rear frame sections.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Photos of 1/4 reinforcement plate added to rear frame. Again cut on plasma table, with hole matching original frame holes, So no see from outside.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Posting a bunch of original photos for reference of GMC 66’ K10. These are before or as taken apart. Let me know of requests and will post if have.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

More, no order, some may be repeats.

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More original photos II

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

More original III

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More original IV
2nd- front rear spring hangers, cleaning.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Great work so far! l'm a big fan of these GMC K10's, I may have missed it but is it wearing an original color?

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Southcity, thanks for complement, appreciated. yes it has original paint, which plan to keep for now, with it character dents. Some of the dents are typical suburban. Believe 1966 GMC color is code 503, light green. Will post photo(s) of color from unweathered areas.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Thanks for the updates. Great work your doing.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Rocknrod,
Thanks for your complement, and support for this project.

Plan to post some original paint images from protected areas on the suburban soon. Again think it is a 503 light green color. Not seen this color before, so need to confirm color. Will clean some protected areas and post photos of them.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Went to a good home, nice to see its progress. Great photo's . Thanks for sharing.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Notsolo, thanks for encourage, plans include finishing frame/suspension soon, and repair rust in front floors/ right rocker. This work underway.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Color photos of area not exposed to daylight, along with one exposed to sunlight. (66’ GMC suburban) The first two photos are of areas not exposed to sunlight. Last photo of pillar exposed to sunlight. The exposed area, may look a little lighter? These areas were cleaned with 3M Finesse-it II finishing material. The light condition is shop lights. In natural light the paint may look a little lighter. Will try to get photos in natural light too.
Not familiar with GMC colors, is this code 503? Searching forum found couple other trucks, that look original paint, close to this color.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

That kinda looks like 505 green to me, but I'm not sure

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

^ agree it looks more like the 505 Dark Green. I think that's the factory color on my 63 gmc 1500 also but called 505 Woodland Green for 63. I'm not good with all the different shades of colors but it looks like the 503 is lighter than what you have and 505 is closer match. I thought 503 was light kinda teal green or aqua green?

One place listed a code 511 Dark Aqua Metallic offered in 66 but not sure what that one looks like.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

350TacoZilla, thanks for your comments on original color.
Today had a conversation with forum member very knowledgeable on GMC trucks, and has many 60 to 66’s. He reminded me that GMC paint color codes are four digits, and GMC had many more colors then chevrolet. Will look on firewall and hood for paint codes, per his suggestion. Report back on paint code findings soon. Thanks member 60-66 on this information.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

65-66 paint color chart, showing paint code. The paint colors in chart below did not come through exactly correct. In sun light, looks match.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Shock Original 1966 GMC K10

Photos of the shocks removed from Suburban, looks like original to truck.
First photos are of the front shocks. Photos:
1st.-overall of front shocks;
2nd.- part number, both same number;
3rd.- build date, 355-65, 355 day of 1965, think Dec. 20,1965;
4th.- build location, Dayton Ohio;
5th.- bolt head marking, grade 8.

Color of shocks to be discussed more soon,

Note: The shock part numbers for Chevrolet K10s are reported by forum member to be the same.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Rear Shocks, 1966 GMC K10. Shocks:

1st. - Overall Rear Shocks, bolts show zinc plating;
2nd. & 3rd.- -photos of original color under outer shield;
4th.- bolt head marking, same as front except grade 5.

Have not cleaned these yet, date code is 122-65.

The color of the shocks is under further review. Looking at the black paint color over the under color (maybe gray). Plan to post NOS stabilizer shock to show color for comparison.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

I had no clue that GMCs had different color codes. Learn something new every day!

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Christian,
Information from very knowledge member provided, that GMC used 4 number color codes, and had many more colors available. Still looking for summary list of GMC paint colors for 1965 and 1966. These 4 digit numbers may be found on the firewall, and/or under the hood.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

GMC Seat Belts Suburban

Photos of 1966 GMC suburban seat belts:
Photos 1-4 show interior, photo 5 shows the support bracket for center seat belts, in second row seat. Photo shows the top side of bracket that was next to plywood floor.
Will post more photos of other seat belt brackets used under the floor pan, and seat belts themselves, in next post.

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GMC Seat Belt Anchors

Photos of the anchors for rear seat belts. Let me know if any other specific seat belt anchoring photos will help.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

A few seat belt close up photos.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

GMC Suburban Seat Belt Tags, extra photo showing grade 8 bolt head marking “TR”. All the seat belt bolt head markings were “TR”.

NOTE: Believe seat belts were factory installed, but can not confirm. Also, finding 1966 Suburban bodies to have unique seat belt features, not found on earlier subs.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

351E GMC V6 Engine

Photos of 1966 GMC suburban 351E engine. This engine has had some red touch up paint done to it.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

A Few More. Last photo, not sure if this is correct air cleaner, it is what came with it?

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

Still more 351E V6. The photos of the fan belts, are GMC fan belts, not sure if original or replacements. The last tow photos are of a different 351E out of a 66’ 1 ton truck. Also very original, with power steering too.

Re: 1966 GMC K10 Suburban Project
 

A few more, last two photos are of magnum exhaust manifolds. They have larger exits. They were used on big trucks, with the same engine.