The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 66 K20 - Looking to buy

Morning, everyone!
I posted this over at the Welcome page, they suggested I cross post it here, too. This weekend I found a 1966 K20 with a High Torque 292 for sale down the street, I didn't know I needed it until I saw it. It's not perfect, but it looks better than a lot of older trucks I've seen. It apparently used to be a fire department brush truck in its former life. It has a winch on the brush bumper that runs off a PTO, which is probably one of the cooler things I've seen (haven't tested if it works)

I'll post photos when I can, but I'm hoping to get some advice on what to look for before buying. The goal would be to have a nice, classic looking truck, that I don't mind actually using as a truck. Maybe tow a small boat if it's up for it. I've got a long list of things I want to check out that I've compiled off the various sites, but anyone have anything specific I should look for?

Any advice you experts are willing to share with a hopeful new buyer, or if anyone near BWI (in Maryland) would be willing to trade their time and knowledge for a 6 pack, I'd sincerely appreciate it. I hope to keep learning from this community and if I get the truck, start giving back, too!

Thanks,
-Kevin

60-66 buyers guide


for websites and tech articles specifically about 60-66 trucks, go explore here :

60-66 chevy truck information section

Good luck.

If you want to post photos, see the welcome centre or the IT short bus forum on how to do it.

As for folks in Maryland... check out The Side Lot area in the list of forums to find some locals.

If not, there are some professional services that will inspect cars for you... but you'd have to research those... through an insurance company, AAA or some other sort of organized car club. The VCCA may know of a service for that area.

Good luck.

-W

Here are the photos! I tried to include some description in each photo. Not as perfect as I'd hoped, but maybe not as bad as it could be. Drove like a pig - the clutch was exhausting, finding the right gear seemed like a treasure hunt, there was a ton of play in the shifter even when in gear (is that normal?), and the steering was worse than a tug boat. Not to mention the rust in the inner fender, and the fact that whoever owned it previously thought they knew something about electrical wiring and clearly they didn't. I also think it's a different year steering column.

-Kevin

I would be leary unless the price is really reasonable. These trucks should steer quite nicely with updated p/s unless the didn't do something right. does it still have the knuckle joint frt axles. I can't see how the p/s box is mounted. if the orig frt axle is still under it then the steering arm from the frt wheel to the draglink should have been shortened otherwise you will not get the full turning radius. 4 x 4 frames of this vintage can have cracks around the steering box mounting holes witch will make the steering feel funny as the frame is flexing from the cracks. does it have the orig str wheel or a smaller one.
rust holes around the inside of the w/shield means problems which can lead to a lt of work. looks like bondo work at the pass side bottom from bottom of fender along the bottom of the door. Paint hides a lot of sins..if you are concerned try and hire a good body man to check it out for you. it will save you a lot of change in the long run if you aer not familiar with these trucks. I mean a good body man, not some kid.
it looks like it has about a 3" body lift with thick rubber blocks which will also make for a funny feel going down the road and that will also may put a bit of a bind on the clutch linkage as there was no compensation made for it with the lift
Shifter can feel sloppy but in reality more than likely no problem.
with the 4 semi-elliptical springs it will ride like a buggy and not your 2015 dream truck.
some of these trucks had hard usage in their lives
new paint always makes things look better.
hidden rust is what I would be worried about and in the roof area in particular. if it is around the w/s that means that it is more than likely going down the door posts
the rear d/shaft is in backwards, the slip yoke should be at the frt .
now there are some things to think about
ron

The steering box looks to be through mounted to the frame but I'm not sure exactly how - maybe an adapter plate? I'm 90% sure the slop has to do with the blown rod ends - the pitman arm rotates a few degrees before it eats up the slop in the rod end, leading to oversteer.

As for the rust, I'm guessing there's more there than I can see, but I'm ready to accept that and if it comes to replacing panels over time... well, I better start saving my lunch money now!

Good point on the rear drive shaft, didn't even notice that at first!

Price wise - he's asking $5500. On the higher end of what I'd pay for this truck, but the Missus thinks it's a fair price to get me a project and keep me occupied. I guess I don't have enough projects as is!
-Kevin

It should have an adaptor plate such as the one in the following link.http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=332923
I think that 5500. is to much for that truck
it has all stock running gear?
does it still have manual brake?
does it have a tailgate?
tires need replacing
I really think that you should keep looking cause I think that what you are getting is 5500.00 truck with a paint job with bondo and other rust problem
you may have to look further afield and perhaps an a/plane ticket
but you can get a lot better truck than that for 5500-
ron

In my opinion 5500 is way too much for that truck. I have a great looking 63 that runs great and has tons of new stuff on it, virtually no rust. Only problem is my horn.:) Has vintage Mickey Thompson valve covers, great 350 engine, better rear bumper than that one original camper bumper) original mint AM radio. I doubt I could get too much more than that for mine and I'm in Los Angeles where they're sought after by all kinds of fanatics. I may be able to get 7000 if the right buyer came along. That's 1500 more than what you will pay and I guarantee you'll easily put 1500 into that one. It's a great project truck but I can tell you now just by what I've put into mine with wiring, lights, carpet, etc. you will be spending a lot to get that to be really good. A lot on top of the 5500. For 5500 I want something I can start up and drive. By comparison I got mine 15 years ago for 4000 and it had nothing wrong with it at the time. Too many surf trips, 3 kids, and too much time sitting parked while I bounced my kids on my knee. Now it's back up and running and if you saw it (I don't have any pictures posted anywhere) you'd say, I'll get THAT ONE for 5500! Mine is sweet. Can't drive anywhere without people asking to buy it. No one has offered me 7000 yet. Just my opinion. If he gets 5500 let me know and I'll park mine on his street to sell.

Well I'm passing on it at $5500, and am out of town for the next week. I told the seller if he gets a bite, good for him, otherwise we can talk price when I get back. I think he got fleeced on his purchase of it and doesn't want to take a loss, but I also think you're all right that $55 is too much. If I can get it for $4ish, that'd be in a better ballpark. Fingers crossed! Thanks all for the help.
-Kevin

But now that we know you are looking, we are sure to find something. You still have my number and if down in our neck give us a call. We have lots to show you and let you test drive. You bring the beer for after the drive. HB

Brush Pumpers spend a lot of their working life driving through cow pastures and up and down drop offs and washouts. I would look the frame over really well paying particular attention to bends and twists. Look for cracks around the welds.

I have a 1966 4x4 project I would sell. I also have a complete running driving 1986 4x4 donor for the complete drive train. 359/4 speed, 8 lug axles with 3:42 gears.
The 66 currently is a 4x4 cab and chassis with original axles, 350, 4 speed, cab is rough but do have another cab and most parts to build a truck.
Near Milwaukee, WI