John used all the suspension...
John used all the suspension and drivetrain components from the 82 for reliability and strength. The stock springs were retained and, with the 3-inch body lift, he was able to fit 33x10.50-15 Yokohama Super Diggers on the Suburban 15x8 Rally wheels. Using only moderately larger tires helps keep the 10-bolt front axle happy. We like the location of the tow hook on the front crossmember: Its functional but out of sight. However, it should be bolted, not welded, for optimum strength.
In addition to cutting the...
In addition to cutting the frame in the middle to shorten it, John also trimmed and rounded off the frame in front so the stock 66 front bumper could be attached properly. The spring hangers were left alone, but John put a crossmember near the front for increased strength. Check out the fabricated radiator mount.
The rear also features 82...
The rear also features 82 components including the 10-bolt rear. You may notice the Suburban gas tank is missing. John retained the 66 tank, which is housed behind the drivers seat. The extended breather tube on the pumpkin helps keep out debris that can quickly ruin gears.
The receiver hitch is custom...
The receiver hitch is custom built with the exception of the ball and tongue. As opposed to the aftermarket hitches that bolt up, John welded plates directly to the framerails. He used 2x3-inch boxed steel to mount the rear portion of the bed. Not only does this provide good mounting brackets, it also significantly strengthens the floor of the bed. The exhaust exits neatly between the hitch and the bed floor.
After the proper length was...
After the proper length was achieved, the next obstacles were body mounts. John essentially fabricated a 3-inch body lift to make the body sit properly on the frame. A bracket was made so the bed would line up with the cab. He also installed a custom flap (left) to keep road debris kicked up by the tiresincluding road saltoff the underside of the bed and to help prevent rust.
The economical and reliable...
The economical and reliable 82 Chevy 350 benefited from a few minor improvements. A Holley 650-cfm carb feeds the engine, and a Holley Contender intake manifold directs flow. A new air cleaner allows air to flow into the carb more efficiently, and a dual exhaust system sends away the spent gases. John mounted the bottle jack under the hood so it wouldnt clutter up the cab.
Some more frame trimming was...
Some more frame trimming was necessary in the back to end the rails where the bumper belongs. John didnt turn off the welder until this very clean-looking bumper had been fabricated.
The 82 power-steering...
The 82 power-steering box fit snugly under the 66 body, but the body lift required trimming the firewall a little to clear the steering shaft. Since a body lift was used instead of a suspension lift, all of the original steering components could be retained.
The engine feeds power to...
The engine feeds power to the stock 700-R4 tranny, and a capable NP208 splits power to each axle. It was necessary to shorten the rear driveshaft after the rear wheels were moved closer to the T-case, which John did himself. Since this truck sees mostly sand, it isnt necessary to have a skidplate on the transfer case.
The interior was kept vintage...
The interior was kept vintage with the exception of the steering column that was discarded in favor of the later model. John opted to keep the switch on the column and installed an extra accessory switch in the location of the original. The original bench seat benefited from new dark gray cloth, and the later-model parking brake pedal was installed in place of the old pull-handle type.
The first order of business...
The first order of business was shortening the Suburbans frame to fit the truck body. The truck has a 115-inch wheelbase, and the Suburban chassis sported 129.5 inches between the axles, so nearly 15 inches had to be chopped. Its best to cut just after the tranny crossmember to avoid interfering with the spring hanger and tranny crossmember location.
What do you get when you cross an 82 Chevy Suburban with a 66 C10 pickup? A huge project that could take years to complete. But with lots of hard work, determination, and ingenuity, John Keysor combined the two and built this way-cool 66 Chevy truck.
Hes had plenty of practice putting vehicle bodies on different chassishis previous projects include a 39 Ford pickup on an 80 CJ-5 frame and an 84 Ford Escort wagon on another Jeep frame (demonstrating his good sense of humor). The tips and tricks he learned from these previous one-offs are apparent in his latest creation.
Most of the work required a cutting torch, a welder, and a lot of time. The job also required a fair amount of expertise, which John, a General Motors retiree, has. The project took about a year to complete from start to finish, but all the time invested has certainly paid off in this great-looking truck that works. He used all the suspension and running gear from the donor Suburban to cut down on driveline headaches, so essentially this is an 82 Suburban hiding under classy 66 sheetmetal. After the project was completed, the exterior was lit up in Torch Red.
John cruises around his hometown of Dewitt, Michigan, in his Bow-Tie, and we were able to catch up with him at the Silver Lake Dunes outside Mears, Michigan. Its rare to see vintage 4x4 sheetmetal straight and shiny in the Rustbelt, but Johns truck is wrapped in it.