1956 6100 2 TON Truck Question

[pvienneau]

Found the following truck in my home town. I'm looking to use the drivetrain in my 49 3100. What do you think? Will it fit right in?

1956 Chevy 6100 2ton dual rear wheel, it runs and drives, has typical body rust for its year. No bed, I believe air over hydraulic brakes, or full air. 4 speed with 2 speed rear end... straight 6 engine....Was going to be a project but never got around to it, have title. Email with any other questions. looking for $1800 but open to all offers

Thanks

Patrick

[OrrieG]

The link in my signature will drop you on a 1956 truck spec page with frame information. Look thru the specs to compare the 6100 frame and running gear information to what you want to put it into.

Short answer off my head is engine and trans should bolt up. The rear end will have a much lower ratio (like 4:56 or 5:11) than is usually not suitable for every day highway use, the big trucks were designed for hauling heavy loads at relatively low speeds. I believe the spring pad locations are all the same but you can check in the specs to see. At one time I had a sm460 and 1 ton rearend in mine when it was 2wd. Great for climbing in the mountains where I camped and hunted, but getting there was a 45 mph trip with the 4:56 rear end. There have been other threads on finding higher gear sets but consensus seems to be they are rare, expensive and newer modern rear ends are cheaper and relatively available.

[pvienneau]

Orrie, I think Im gonna pass on it. I was thinking of the engine, tranny and shifter for my 3100 project. The engine I got with my 3100 is junk.

[OrrieG]

Make him an offer based on what you need. Remind him that the big truck front clips are different that small trucks and not desirable, same with the rear end. Cabs and doors are the same. He may not be aware of the differences.