Rtech Fabrications are a name pretty well known Stateside for producing some drool-worthy 4×4 eye candy. Their insane vehicle re-creations are usually pre-1972 Chevy trucks, including most recently an award-winning 1970 K20 and 1972 K50 Crew Cab. Now they’ve hit the nail on the head again with this lime green 1966 K30 Dually.
The ’66 body style rides on a 1972 C30 chassis with a 175-inch (4.44-metre) wheelbase, but that’s just for starters. Rtech got to work with custom suspension mounts and added cross members to support powertrain components. A Skyjacker lift and innovative Rtech rear traction bars that multi-task as lift blocks put power to the ground.
Speaking of power, a 1996 vintage 12-valve Cummins 5.9-litre turbodiesel was chosen for its renowned durability, boosted to approximately 400kW and an insane 1 762Nm. It features good stuff including a polished head, Competition Cams camshaft, Mahle pistons, a BD Diesel manifold and upgraded turbocharger, a custom intercooler, Dynamite Diesel Stage 3 injectors, a K&N intake, and a Flowmaster 4-inch exhaust system. Cooling is controlled by a Champion 3-core aluminium radiator and dual Derale electric fans. An NV4500 five-speed manual gearbox and NP206 transfer case gets the shifting done.
Apart from the drivetrain work, this beastie features insanely good-looking undercarriage kit including a Dana 60 front and Dana 70 rear axle, fitted with cross-drilled disc brakes front and giant drums at the rear, riding on Skyjacker leaf springs and controlled by four-a-side Bilstein 5160 remote-reservoir shocks.
The cab is where the true beauty of this build lies, and includes new sheet metal to the roof, power windows and spot welding every inch to factory spec. Rtech even rustled up a compass and original control dials for the radio and original HVAC system. The 2.43m-long bed includes a period correct Class C receiver hitch, while the nose gets an original chromed grille from a 1966 K30. Do we dare put a price tag on this marvel? Nah, rather just feast your eyes…
THE FULL BUILD
Drivetrain
Engine: 1996 12-valve Cummins 5.9L 6BT turbodiesel, Competition Cams camshaft, Mahle pistons, ported/polished head, BD Diesel manifold, Dynomite Diesel Stage 3 injectors, BD Diesel turbocharger, dual Derale electric fans, Champion 3-core aluminum radiator, custom intercooler, K&N intake, Flowmaster 4-inch exhaust
Power: 410kW, 1 762Nm
Transmission: NV4500 5-speed
Transfer case: NP205
Front axle/differential: Dana 60, 4.10 gears, stainless-steel drilled/slotted brake rotors
Rear axle/differential: Dana 70, Detroit Locker, 4.10 gears, drum brakes
Suspension
Skyjacker leaf springs, Bilstein 5160 shocks, custom-lift traction bars
Steering: Red Head box, factory tilt column
Tyres/Wheels
Tyres: 37×11.50 R20 Nitto Trail Grappler
Wheels: 20×8.25 American Force
Body
Custom Crew Cab 4-door conversion fabricated from several 1964-1966 Chevy/GMC bodies, factory 1966 chrome grille, Lucent GM Light Green paint by Rtech Fabrications, factory front bumper painted silver, custom glass by Grizzly Glass (Hayden, ID), plating by Spokane Metal Finishing (Spokane, WA), custom Dino’s Chevy Only badges, custom 5th wheel bed ball
Interior
Upholstery: Green vinyl and cloth from SMS Auto Fabrics in factory 1966 GM pattern
Carpet: Daytona weave
Dash: Dakota Digital OE-style gauges
Console: Custom using GM hood
Infotainment: Bluetooth-compatible RetroSound Hermosa RetroRadio AM/FM head unit, Kenwood amplifier and speakers.
Miscellaneous
Lighting: Off-Road LED Bars
Armour: Customised AMP Research PowerStep XL running boards, customised factory rear step bumper.
Accessories: Custom front cross member with Class V receiver hitch, AMSOIL synthetic lubricants, Old Air air conditioning, Warn 12 000lb winch, OE nav system (Hull Mfg. compass), Speedway Motors wiring by Jose Gonzales (Rtech Fabrications), Dakota Digital cruise control, custom Rtech Fabrications 227-litre fuel tank.
