My 56 6bt 4X4 build.

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by brimc

I have been wondering about driving down to Bills Truck Shop to check it out.
What is your opinion? Is it as good as it sounds?

Bill and Rob are real cool guys to deal with . You need to keep in mind he moved in to a industrial building so there isn't much of a yard to poke around in . I think the business was at his house before . Older pics on his website show all kinds of cool stuff in the yard .

Still worth the trip if you need something tho. If you just looking to walk around I'd wate till I had a shopping list.

[6BT 56]

No another cool note we went to a buddys place for the long wknd and a friend brought up his toy. Real Cool . We were rippen around in the mid 80's. This thing is loose ! I have gone just under twice as fast as this thing goes . But this deffinately qualified as the loosest ride Ive been on , Period !

[6BT 56]

Oops for got the pic .

[Dieselwrencher]

Heck yes that Jet boat is sweet!!!! Your bumber looks great, and good job on the shocks. Looks mucho better!

[6BT 56]

I knew it wouldent take you long to spot the shocks ! Your truck is looken sweet . That boat wasent a jet ! 30% over drive 1 gear ! no rev . Revin abt 6200 with the jackshaft between the idiots , I mean passangers and the trans rite at your feet !!!

It was a killer ride . One that I dont know if I need to do again , if you know what I mean !!!

[Dieselwrencher]

Yeah, it sounds like a trip for sure!!

[Luther Grimace]

I bet that boat is a blast to drive! What kind of engine is that? Looks like a backwards big block Chevy?

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

I bet that boat is a blast to drive! What kind of engine is that? Looks like a backwards big block Chevy?

Yep its a blast ! My ears are still ringing ! Ever sat infront of a bbc at 6000rpm with open dry headers ! Yikes . On the flip side it's funny the thing will do 55 all day at abt 3200 and just hum along . Even 55 is fast by everyday boat standards.

Hows your truck doing? Im going to p u my speedo extension from napa tomorrow . Will see how that works . I did a diy fe allignment the other day . Not perfect , I think I toed it in a bit too much , but it drives a lot better now .

You ever thought abt movin your thread over to the diesel conversion section ? Seems there is a lot more for me or us over there . Not too sure how you do or if you can do that .

[6BT 56]

So I got my speedo working now. I got a cable extension just as Orrie did . worked sweet. It reads abt 10 mph slow. I have a adapter that gears up by %13 so I will install that as well that should get me real close to where I need to b.

I will post the p n for you if you like Luther . Got it at NAPA,

[Luther Grimace]

Awesome! Can't wait to see the pics! Did you just remove the electric part?
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[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Awesome! Can't wait to see the pics! Did you just remove the electric part?
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Hi Luther

Yep just ditched the electric thing . When I un did it there was just a normal 7/8 speedo cable end under it .

I went to Napa and got a 30 in extension cable

Pn 615-1618

Worked good .

My speedo is abt 10 mph slow . Your speed may be closer with the 36's

As the truck is actually going faster than it will say it is . I have this cool little adaptor that goes inline and speeds things up by 13% but it needs small keyed speedo cable parts that im missing . I guess I will have to hunt around to see what else i can find .


Im driving the truck lots tho . A new steering box is next on the things to do list . Just got to do some shoppong for one I can afford .

[6BT 56]

So I have a up date. After a super summer cruzen aroud in the old truck I m so glad
I did this swap. It still needs lots of little tweaks but these old trucks always do . It never needs fuel it just keeps going and going I took it to the local truck pull last nite . The truck weighed in at 5275 lbs with me in it . The guys at the track said because it was a diesel truck I had to run in the 6500 to 8500 lb class. I was a a disadvantage to say the least . The average truck was a common rail cummins or a turned up d max . All running nice beefy tires and weighted up to be just under 8500lbs The winner pulled 277 ft . When the dust settelled the old gmc still pulled off a 187 with a top speed of 13 mph lol. Not bad for her first pull with a almost bald set of good year wranglers . I may have been able to muster a few more feet but I had to pedal it a few times as the front axle was wheel hopping badly. Once it found it's groove I was able to keep it pinned till we came to a hault at 187 . This winter will be all abt the tweaks . I cant wate till next year . We actually have 3 pulls within half a hour of home . Looking forward to some fun !

[Luther Grimace]

That is pretty awesome! What gear did you run in when you pulled? I have never pulled. kinda wonderin the technique. I was talking with someone last night about taking my truck to some pulls in southern middle TN.
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[6lcummins]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

That is pretty awesome! What gear did you run in when you pulled? I have never pulled. kinda wonderin the technique. I was talking with someone last night about taking my truck to some pulls in southern middle TN.
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That depends on power you think you have, the gears you have, and tire size. I'm not sure what you have done to your engine but I would probably run 2nd gear if you have taller gears and taller tires. Otherwise 3rd gear but that will take more slipping and you can warp/fry a single disc clutch easlily starting the sled. And of course LOW side.

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6lcummins

That depends on power you think you have, the gears you have, and tire size. I'm not sure what you have done to your engine but I would probably run 2nd gear if you have taller gears and taller tires. Otherwise 3rd gear but that will take more slipping and you can warp/fry a single disc clutch easlily starting the sled. And of course LOW side.

So that is in 2 hi? My truck is 3.54s and 37" tires with just the pump turned up. I don't think my truck could pull the 180' or so that the 56 6bt pulled. He has the non intercooled first gen with the bigger stock injectors.

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

So that is in 2 hi? My truck is 3.54s and 37" tires with just the pump turned up. I don't think my truck could pull the 180' or so that the 56 6bt pulled. He has the non intercooled first gen with the bigger stock injectors.

Hi Luther. I pulled in low range 2nd gear . It was just rite to get moving Im glad I had a little spin at first to get the thing spooled up . Once I got into it it was on the stock rev limiter , 2200 ??? all the way . Once the weight moved up the sled it parked me in a hurry. Pulled the rev's down a bit but promptly broke traction. I think with the fuel pin and govinor spring installed it would be just rite . I had them in the glove box but they didnt seem to do much Im trying to get the vid on here but my wifes phone dosent seem to be able to make it happen .

I have the same eng you did at first. 92 inercooled . I ditched the inercooler on install tho due to fitment . I dont have to tell you how tight these engines fit tho !

Does anyone know how, or if I can move my thread to the diesel swaps section ? I seem to spend all my time there now seeing what everyone is up to .

[6lcummins]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

So I have a up date. After a super summer cruzen aroud in the old truck I m so glad
I did this swap. It still needs lots of little tweaks but these old trucks always do . It never needs fuel it just keeps going and going I took it to the local truck pull last nite . The truck weighed in at 5275 lbs with me in it . The guys at the track said because it was a diesel truck I had to run in the 6500 to 8500 lb class. I was a a disadvantage to say the least . The average truck was a common rail cummins or a turned up d max . All running nice beefy tires and weighted up to be just under 8500lbs The winner pulled 277 ft . When the dust settelled the old gmc still pulled off a 187 with a top speed of 13 mph lol. Not bad for her first pull with a almost bald set of good year wranglers . I may have been able to muster a few more feet but I had to pedal it a few times as the front axle was wheel hopping badly. Once it found it's groove I was able to keep it pinned till we came to a hault at 187 . This winter will be all abt the tweaks . I cant wate till next year . We actually have 3 pulls within half a hour of home . Looking forward to some fun !

Weight isn't always your friend. It's more about transfer of said weight and your hitch design. I know my old 88 Chevy CCLB DRW weighed in at 6800 and I usually pulled that, my 96 Dodge, and my little brothers F350 ECLB DRW all at 7200 pounds.

Granted our friends 2.6 truck weighs in at 5700 lbs and he hangs enough to be barely shy of 8000#. He also has a purpose built hitch and weight box.

[Dieselwrencher]

"I had them in the glove box but they didn't seem to help" LMAO! That's hilarious! I'm glad you had fun! Yes, the tires and gears weren't your friend on the pulling track. But at least you tried it!!!

[6BT 56]

Hi guys . Ya the pull was a riot . I will get some new rubber this winter and turn up the fuel a bit and have some fun next year for sure . I bet those parts are real effective when you actually install them in the pump . Lol. Rite now my weak link is the coupler between the t c and the trans . The teeth on it are quite sharp . On it way out for sure . I went for a tour this wknd to a old local marina and snapped a few pics . Think they look kinda cool .

[Dieselwrencher]

It looks awesome man!!! I think PATC might sell the coupler but I'll have to recheck that.

[ryanroo]

it certainly does look cool! i think, but dont quote me, that there are a few places around that you can get a hardened beefcake version of the spud coupler.

[6BT 56]

Hi guys . Thanks for the replies . I asked abt the coupler a while ago and a ton of people replied with links and such. Thats deffinately on my to do list . The shafts look like new but I dont need to spin it as im certan they would not look new after that . Im looking forward to getting my 70's hub cabs painted up and installed as well. I think they will really suit the old girl. Thanks again for the comments .

[6BT 56]

So if this works here is the vid of my truck at the pull. You can hear in the vid I had to pedal it bit becouse the front end was starting to wheel hop




.

56 gmc napco clone with cummins - YouTube

[6BT 56]

Holly crap that worked !! I guess a 13 year ols is good for something after all . Lol..

I want to do a good walk around vid now that im a you tube wiz .... or al least I have one in the house .

[Luther Grimace]

Great pull! Truck looks awesome. How many feet did it pull? Or meters? :p I know how you crazy Canadians are with the Metric system.