56 4x4 conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jim ward · 01-12-2009, 08:05 PM

Working on a 56 GMC . Need help. Want to upgrade the chassis and convert to a 4x4. What would be a good year chassis to start with ? Thanks.

renegade6 · 01-12-2009, 11:07 PM

Mine had Jeep pickup (J20), axles, transfer and steering gearbox grafted on to my stock frame.

BigBlocksRule · 01-12-2009, 11:50 PM

I assume you're wanting to use a solid front rather than the newer IFS? I don't think there's a Chevy solid front axle that is narrow enough to even come close to staying inside the fenders. The rear of my '77 K-5 is 61" between wheel mounting surfaces and the front is about 4" wider. Try over at http://www.pirate4x4.com/welcome1.php, there's a lot of good info on there for several different brands. Good luck, a '56 4x4 will make for a badass truck. You might also try to find out what front GM used for the NAPCO 4x4's.

OrrieG · 01-13-2009, 01:31 AM

I kept the stock frame and springs and used 74 axles, steering, trans and transfer case. Look at my build thread "Lurker Orrie" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233305. Also there are some builds in the 4x4 section. I have a friend that is putting them on shortened early 90's 4wd dually frames too. Welcome...

Gene Sharp · 01-13-2009, 01:04 PM

56 on 80 short 4x4 frame - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet ...Page 2- 56 on 80 short 4x4 frame The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board.
67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=290391&page=2

Gene Sharp · 01-13-2009, 01:13 PM

also checkout page 1 of my thread

Jim ward · 01-13-2009, 02:26 PM

Thanks for all of the info. Great site Have a question for Gene. Your truck looks great , it is exactly what I would like to do . Was the frame from a pick up or a Blazer? I read that you had to move the fire wall back 2 inches. Was that just at the bottom or the whole thing? Thanks again.

Gene Sharp · 01-13-2009, 02:42 PM

The frame on this one was an 80 short bed 4x4 frame it is approx 1'' longer than the frame on a 56 short bed and same width in back
The beds are pretty much the same
just different back fenders
I had to move the firewall back a couple of inches to clear dist when using stock 80 model motor mounts
Would be best to move center section back a couple of inches most of way up and down
clears well everywehre else
Gene

01-12-2009, 08:05 PM	#1
Jim ward Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: rardnor pa Posts: 3	56 4x4 conversion Working on a 56 GMC . Need help. Want to upgrade the chassis and convert to a 4x4. What would be a good year chassis to start with ? Thanks.

01-12-2009, 11:07 PM	#2
renegade6 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texarkana, TX Posts: 443	Re: 56 4x4 conversion Mine had Jeep pickup (J20), axles, transfer and steering gearbox grafted on to my stock frame. __________________ Brandon 63 Biscayne https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/90718-63-Biscayne 57 Chevy Truck (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321380 72 K20 Long bed stepside (wife's) 72 K20 Long bed 396 (flip or keep...?) The latest build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...76#post8438476

01-12-2009, 11:50 PM	#3
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: 56 4x4 conversion I assume you're wanting to use a solid front rather than the newer IFS? I don't think there's a Chevy solid front axle that is narrow enough to even come close to staying inside the fenders. The rear of my '77 K-5 is 61" between wheel mounting surfaces and the front is about 4" wider. Try over at http://www.pirate4x4.com/welcome1.php, there's a lot of good info on there for several different brands. Good luck, a '56 4x4 will make for a badass truck. You might also try to find out what front GM used for the NAPCO 4x4's.

01-13-2009, 01:31 AM	#4
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 56 4x4 conversion I kept the stock frame and springs and used 74 axles, steering, trans and transfer case. Look at my build thread "Lurker Orrie" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233305. Also there are some builds in the 4x4 section. I have a friend that is putting them on shortened early 90's 4wd dually frames too. Welcome... __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

01-13-2009, 01:04 PM	#5
Gene Sharp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 183	Re: 56 4x4 conversion 56 on 80 short 4x4 frame - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet ...Page 2- 56 on 80 short 4x4 frame The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board. 67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=290391&page=2

01-13-2009, 01:13 PM	#6
Gene Sharp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 183	Re: 56 4x4 conversion also checkout page 1 of my thread

01-13-2009, 02:26 PM	#7
Jim ward Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: rardnor pa Posts: 3	Re: 56 4x4 conversion Thanks for all of the info. Great site Have a question for Gene. Your truck looks great , it is exactly what I would like to do . Was the frame from a pick up or a Blazer? I read that you had to move the fire wall back 2 inches. Was that just at the bottom or the whole thing? Thanks again.

01-13-2009, 02:42 PM	#8
Gene Sharp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 183	Re: 56 4x4 conversion The frame on this one was an 80 short bed 4x4 frame it is approx 1'' longer than the frame on a 56 short bed and same width in back The beds are pretty much the same just different back fenders I had to move the firewall back a couple of inches to clear dist when using stock 80 model motor mounts Would be best to move center section back a couple of inches most of way up and down clears well everywehre else Gene Last edited by Gene Sharp; 01-13-2009 at 02:45 PM. Reason: spelling



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