4 X 4 1966 Suburban

[c-plane362]

I am looking to see if anyone has any information on the front wheel drive for the 1966 4 X 4 Suburban. I am trying to build a USGS survey truck from that era using the Revell kit.

[mikemodeler]

Use the drivetrain from the recent GMC Deserter pickup kit.

[Fat Brian]

The 60-66 Suburbans ran a Dana 44 in the front, you can get one in the new Bronco kits. You might gave to flip it over for the Chevy,  Ford ran their front axles reverse rotation sometimes. Check out BNL Resin, they do a lot of 4x4 stuff. Here is a link to great article on 60-66 Subs.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1603-last-of-the-chevy-highboys-1960-66

[c-plane362]

Thank you

[Fabrux]

What's that riggin' under the door on those things? ?

[mikemodeler]

5 minutes ago, kataranga said:

What's that riggin' under the door on those things? ?

Those are railroad vehicles. Special equipment to run down the rails, usually hydraulically activated.

[Fabrux]

Ah! I'm used to seeing modern hyrails with the train wheels at front and back rather than in the middle like that.

[c-plane362]

Those are Johnson Elevation Meters and are used for transferring elevations long distances. They were hooked up to a onboard computer and would record changes in elevations as you drove. Canada, Australia as well as the United States Geological Survey used them. They are also equipped with an air system to monitor and adjust tire pressure. the last one was used in the early 70s.

from the USGS web site A Johnson Elevation Meter mounted in a four-wheel-drive GMC Suburban 1960 model K1001 truck. The slope angle of the road was measured by a sensitive electronic pendulum, and the distance was measured by the fifth wheel. An onboard computer solved for the difference in elevation ten times per second. In areas of moderate relief with an adequate net of relatively smooth roads, these instruments were capable of establishing elevations within 2 feet while traveling at speeds approaching 30 miles per hour.

suburban.pdf

Edited April 2, 2018 by c-plane362

[Rob Hall]

That Suburban looks like it has rear wheel steering also...bizzare... 

[c-plane362]

as far as I have found out the Australian one did have 4 wheel steering. they accomplished this by using a front axle and hooking it up to the front steering. one article i have read said this truck cost around 80,000 in the1960s.