Here’s 8300 pounds of ’66 Chevy truck that GM wouldn’t make
If you’re looking for a unique truck that can park anywhere and nowhere at the same time, you should probably give Rtech Fabrications a call. Led by Randall Robertson, this Idaho-based company specializes in the restoration and modification of 1966-72 GM trucks, and Robertson’s personal ‘66 Chevy is the perfect two-tone representation of the shop’s niche. Jay Leno takes a crack at it in the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
Built on a one-ton C30 frame with a wheelbase of 175 inches, this 8300 pound four-wheel-drive beast is running on a Dana 60 axle at the front and a Dana 70 with a locking differential at the rear, supported by dual Bilstein 6100 shocks in all corners. Powered by a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel connected to a five-speed manual gearbox, it also packs 550 horsepower and 1400 lb-ft of torque. That output is largely thanks to a liquid-air intercooler, a new turbo, and polished ports. And with a 60-gallon fuel cell onboard that you fill up at the front, this truck will go a long way on its duallies.
To create trucks that are clearly larger than any pickup that GM made in period, Rtech manufactures its own doors, roofs, and other metal panels in batches. Then, it will go as far as fabricating additional interior components from the steel of old GM hoods. Everything is up to the customer in this $150,000-$300,000+ game, and given that Rtech’s flagship vehicle called “The Ponderosa,” this lifted Chevy also comes with all the modern restomod comforts you would expect, including LED lights, a powerful air-conditioning system, Bluetooth connectivity and an AMP running board.
The GM truck that never was, Idaho-style.
