All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BOHICA · 05-24-2006, 02:23 AM

Hey guys, does anyone know much about installing AWD systems in older vehicles? I got to thinking about that tonight and figured it would be really fun to convert my truck and see how it performs. Only thing is, I don't know what kind of vehicle to canibalize to get it or how hard/reliable it would be to mate to an Olds 455. If anyone has any experience doing this, I'd really appreciate hearing what you have to say.

Oldtruckfanatic · 05-24-2006, 02:34 AM

Wow that sounds like a fun project..I'm not too sure about donors your post just caught my eye because of the title. If I had to guess I would say to see about the measurements for the typhoon pickup (I think that was the name) at any rate it was kinda like an all wheel drive S10 with a turbo v6 in it I think for what you want to do it might be a good place to start looking. Unfortunately they are pretty much a collectors item themselves so I'm not sure how available the drivetrain would be but it's at least something to check out. Hopefully someone can point you in a better direction than I can. Great idea though.

BOHICA · 05-24-2006, 03:00 AM

Thanks. They actually put the same system (sans engine) in the S-10 Blazers and I've heard a similar one, if not the same, in the Silverado SS. Don't laugh, but I actually considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse drivetrain because they'll take quite a bit of power. Unfortunately, they're front wheel biased(although that might not be bad on a vehicle that has all its weight forward of the bed). Right now I'm just looking for a cheap, reliable way to do this, not to mention something easy to find in a salvage yard.

Oldtruckfanatic · 05-24-2006, 03:09 AM

I did an engine r&r on a 94 dodge stealth rt tt (same as a 3000gt)a couple of years ago and got a good look at the transaxle and transfer case setup in the front wheel bias cars That car in particular was a transverse v6 twin turbo awd aws car. Now when someone mentions working on one of those I run like my hair is on fire the other way. Lost my butt on that job because it was a favor for a buddy lol. I'm going to subscribe to this thread so I can see what everyone comes up with but let me know if you find anything interesting because I'm intrigued by the idea.

skanave · 05-24-2006, 03:47 AM

id say go find an AWD Bravada or Astro Van, those should have all the pieces you need to convert

this is coming from a Typhoon guy

BOHICA · 05-24-2006, 03:59 AM

My teacher's told us repeatedly how much he hated working on 3000GT's when he was with Mitsu(I go to Wyotech). Hadn't thought of a Bravada or Astro. Someone on Jalopy Journal said I should use a Typhoon or Syclone chassis from a junk yard, but there's no way I would tear one of those up. If I found one of those, it would be getting rebuilt.

skanave · 05-24-2006, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOHICA

My teacher's told us repeatedly how much he hated working on 3000GT's when he was with Mitsu(I go to Wyotech). Hadn't thought of a Bravada or Astro. Someone on Jalopy Journal said I should use a Typhoon or Syclone chassis from a junk yard, but there's no way I would tear one of those up. If I found one of those, it would be getting rebuilt.

they arent difficult to find, just gotta know where to look, chances are u wont find one in a junk yard

bravada/astro van would be the way to go in my book, you could get everythign you need from the junkyard

1-ton of fun · 06-02-2006, 11:31 AM

or just a 4x4 pickup. there is a guy with a newer reg. cab silverado 4wd that runs a 406 cu small block with a big ass turbo and won hot rod magazine's drag week.

top left corner here:
http://www.hotrod.com/eventcoverage/...y5/index1.html

DennyB · 06-02-2006, 03:59 PM

I plan on doing the AWD to my 56' (check my sig).
Its my understanding that the AWD astro van shares alot of the same parts as the Cyclone and Typhoon. Also with the stock 4.3 in them a SBC transplant should be easy. I dont know how it will handle a BB BOP engine.

skanave · 06-02-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

or just a 4x4 pickup. there is a guy with a newer reg. cab silverado 4wd that runs a 406 cu small block with a big ass turbo and won hot rod magazine's drag week.

top left corner here:
http://www.hotrod.com/eventcoverage/...y5/index1.html

his setup has changed dramatically

skanave · 06-02-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyB

I plan on doing the AWD to my 56' (check my sig).
Its my understanding that the AWD astro van shares alot of the same parts as the Cyclone and Typhoon. Also with the stock 4.3 in them a SBC transplant should be easy. I dont know how it will handle a BB BOP engine.

astrovans and bravadas are the way to go unless you are gunna making huge HP

BOHICA · 06-03-2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skanave

...unless you are gunna making huge HP

skanave · 06-03-2006, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOHICA

if you are then you are gunna need to beef those up but it will still hold the power
there are typhoons in the low 10s high 9s i believe on their AWD setups so its definitely doable

**N2TRUX** · 06-04-2006, 01:20 PM

I have no idea what the width of your truck is, but you might consider the Denali/Escalade drivetrains as well. It gives you AWD and a drivetrain that's set up for a v8. It also gives you the latest in EFI and a 6.0 motor as well....

BOHICA · 06-04-2006, 02:37 PM

Thanks, may have to look into that.

1-ton of fun · 06-05-2006, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skanave

his setup has changed dramatically

details?....

*FormerMember* · 06-05-2006, 10:25 AM

Could also go old school, with an NP203 and axles from a 70's pick up or blazer.

Th400 will handle a BB easily. as will the 203.

**Captkaos** · 06-05-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

details?....

He sold the pt88 turbo and is not putting together twin precision gts70's.
The truck hasn't ran in about 7 months.

1-ton of fun · 06-08-2006, 10:46 AM

that should be a wild ride!

DennyB · 06-08-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skanave

astrovans and bravadas are the way to go unless you are gonna making huge HP

I think the Bravada is much shorter. The LWB Astro is only a couple inches shorter so I should be able to just move the rear axle back a bit. The width also seems right.

N2,
I'll have to look into the Denali/Escalade chassis too.

grendel, I had already thought of that. Even had the chassis and was mocking it up. 12 bolt rear, dana 44 and NP205 with twin sticks. Only I wanted it low so it would handle nice. By dropping it down the springs interfered with the cross over steering. I would have to go with a 4 link up front. I figured with that much work, I'm gonna have IFS

BOHICA, I didn't mean to jack your thread but thought this info may be helpful

BOHICA · 06-08-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyB

BOHICA, I didn't mean to jack your thread but thought this info may be helpful

Just as long as I get finished before you.

j/k I've decided to go with the twin turbos on my 455, so I'm not too worried about my truck not being unique. Hopefully we can give each other advice as our builds progress.

skanave · 06-12-2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

He sold the pt88 turbo and is not putting together twin precision gts70's.
The truck hasn't ran in about 7 months.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=523456

Chevrolet4x4s · 06-12-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skanave

id say go find an AWD Bravada or Astro Van, those should have all the pieces you need to convert

this is coming from a Typhoon guy

Sounds like the simplest way to go.
Shane

05-24-2006, 02:23 AM	#1
BOHICA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 274	All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck Hey guys, does anyone know much about installing AWD systems in older vehicles? I got to thinking about that tonight and figured it would be really fun to convert my truck and see how it performs. Only thing is, I don't know what kind of vehicle to canibalize to get it or how hard/reliable it would be to mate to an Olds 455. If anyone has any experience doing this, I'd really appreciate hearing what you have to say.

05-24-2006, 02:34 AM	#2
Oldtruckfanatic Truck junkie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Reno NV Posts: 697	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck Wow that sounds like a fun project..I'm not too sure about donors your post just caught my eye because of the title. If I had to guess I would say to see about the measurements for the typhoon pickup (I think that was the name) at any rate it was kinda like an all wheel drive S10 with a turbo v6 in it I think for what you want to do it might be a good place to start looking. Unfortunately they are pretty much a collectors item themselves so I'm not sure how available the drivetrain would be but it's at least something to check out. Hopefully someone can point you in a better direction than I can. Great idea though.

05-24-2006, 03:00 AM	#3
BOHICA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 274	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck Thanks. They actually put the same system (sans engine) in the S-10 Blazers and I've heard a similar one, if not the same, in the Silverado SS. Don't laugh, but I actually considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse drivetrain because they'll take quite a bit of power. Unfortunately, they're front wheel biased(although that might not be bad on a vehicle that has all its weight forward of the bed). Right now I'm just looking for a cheap, reliable way to do this, not to mention something easy to find in a salvage yard. Last edited by BOHICA; 05-24-2006 at 03:00 AM.

05-24-2006, 03:09 AM	#4
Oldtruckfanatic Truck junkie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Reno NV Posts: 697	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck I did an engine r&r on a 94 dodge stealth rt tt (same as a 3000gt)a couple of years ago and got a good look at the transaxle and transfer case setup in the front wheel bias cars That car in particular was a transverse v6 twin turbo awd aws car. Now when someone mentions working on one of those I run like my hair is on fire the other way. Lost my butt on that job because it was a favor for a buddy lol. I'm going to subscribe to this thread so I can see what everyone comes up with but let me know if you find anything interesting because I'm intrigued by the idea. Last edited by Oldtruckfanatic; 05-24-2006 at 03:10 AM.

05-24-2006, 03:47 AM	#5
skanave Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 80	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck id say go find an AWD Bravada or Astro Van, those should have all the pieces you need to convert this is coming from a Typhoon guy

05-24-2006, 03:59 AM	#6
BOHICA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 274	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck My teacher's told us repeatedly how much he hated working on 3000GT's when he was with Mitsu(I go to Wyotech). Hadn't thought of a Bravada or Astro. Someone on Jalopy Journal said I should use a Typhoon or Syclone chassis from a junk yard, but there's no way I would tear one of those up. If I found one of those, it would be getting rebuilt.

06-02-2006, 11:31 AM	#8
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck or just a 4x4 pickup. there is a guy with a newer reg. cab silverado 4wd that runs a 406 cu small block with a big ass turbo and won hot rod magazine's drag week. top left corner here: http://www.hotrod.com/eventcoverage/...y5/index1.html

06-02-2006, 03:59 PM	#9
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck I plan on doing the AWD to my 56' (check my sig). Its my understanding that the AWD astro van shares alot of the same parts as the Cyclone and Typhoon. Also with the stock 4.3 in them a SBC transplant should be easy. I dont know how it will handle a BB BOP engine. __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

06-04-2006, 01:20 PM	#14
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck I have no idea what the width of your truck is, but you might consider the Denali/Escalade drivetrains as well. It gives you AWD and a drivetrain that's set up for a v8. It also gives you the latest in EFI and a 6.0 motor as well.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

06-04-2006, 02:37 PM	#15
BOHICA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 274	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck Thanks, may have to look into that.

06-05-2006, 10:25 AM	#17
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck Could also go old school, with an NP203 and axles from a 70's pick up or blazer. Th400 will handle a BB easily. as will the 203.

06-08-2006, 10:46 AM	#19
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: All Wheel Drive '56 Chevy Truck that should be a wild ride!



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