My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:33 am
Here is how it was when I purchased it about 10 years ago.
More later.
More later.
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Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:20 pm
Nice truck there bud!
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:59 am
Thank you sir.
I hope to hit this build hard after I get my dailys engine swapped. The wiring is taking much longer than I had anticipated but that is OK as it will be a custom harness that started life as a 1980 720 L20b Automatic harness.
Here are afew pictures of some of the mods done to this truck in the last several years.
In California at the Wigwam Hotel for the SWDP barbecue.
The 720 heater and AC boxes and controls.
The custom firewall and tunnel.my brther bent up for me. I welded in the firewall and he did the tunnel. Just a small hole had to be cut to make the engine and trans fit like I wanted.
Shortened stock 620 automatic shifter with a 280Z shifter handle. I know th fad is long tall shifters but in this small cab space is limited.
Radiator support mod.
720 AC condensor mounted.
Custom locking gas door.
My brother and I did several mods to the stock 66 chassis but when it took 3.5 hours to set the engine and transin the truck with the cab on it was time to swap in the 1980 standard cab chassis I had sitting around. The 1980 chassis has the benefit of the removabIe transmission cross member, disk brakes, pitman arm and idler arm on the outside of the frame, and no king pins. I bought the 1980 720 truck when I was Working and living in Bagdad AZ as a mill mechanic for $50 with a title.
We also pushed the frame engine and transmission mounts back a half inch for the radiator and fan clearance.
There are many, many more mods done to this truck that to the untrained eye would miss.
I hope to hit this build hard after I get my dailys engine swapped. The wiring is taking much longer than I had anticipated but that is OK as it will be a custom harness that started life as a 1980 720 L20b Automatic harness.
Here are afew pictures of some of the mods done to this truck in the last several years.
In California at the Wigwam Hotel for the SWDP barbecue.
The 720 heater and AC boxes and controls.
The custom firewall and tunnel.my brther bent up for me. I welded in the firewall and he did the tunnel. Just a small hole had to be cut to make the engine and trans fit like I wanted.
Shortened stock 620 automatic shifter with a 280Z shifter handle. I know th fad is long tall shifters but in this small cab space is limited.
Radiator support mod.
720 AC condensor mounted.
Custom locking gas door.
My brother and I did several mods to the stock 66 chassis but when it took 3.5 hours to set the engine and transin the truck with the cab on it was time to swap in the 1980 standard cab chassis I had sitting around. The 1980 chassis has the benefit of the removabIe transmission cross member, disk brakes, pitman arm and idler arm on the outside of the frame, and no king pins. I bought the 1980 720 truck when I was Working and living in Bagdad AZ as a mill mechanic for $50 with a title.
We also pushed the frame engine and transmission mounts back a half inch for the radiator and fan clearance.
There are many, many more mods done to this truck that to the untrained eye would miss.
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:13 pm
nice work
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:09 pm
Looking good Charlie. Now let's get that puppy on the road.
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:26 pm
My problem is I can't rush perfection! LOL
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 3:37 pm
My problem is I can't rush perfection! LOL
I had some used tires mounted on a spare set of Isuzu wheels for test fit and rollers.
I might space the rears out a 1/2".
I had some used tires mounted on a spare set of Isuzu wheels for test fit and rollers.
I might space the rears out a 1/2".
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 9:18 am
Nice work. Love the job on the firewall and trans tunnel.
Rob
Rob
Re: My 66 520 Resto Mod
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:03 am
Thank you Rob. My design and measurements and my brother's metal fab and installation. I can not weld more than spot welds.
I have done some little things to the 520. I will be hard on this truck as soon as I get the remanufactured Z20 in my 86 Daily driver.
I have done some little things to the 520. I will be hard on this truck as soon as I get the remanufactured Z20 in my 86 Daily driver.