1956 Chevy truck build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ryan56chevy · 02-28-2014, 10:40 AM

Hey guys!! My name is Ryan from La Vernia TX. I obtained a 56 chevy stepside that I figured was a good second project. I've been working on it a few month, so I will throw some pictures up. Let me know what you think. I am always looking for suggestions and pointers. It started with a 305 and 3 speed transmission, but I pulled it out and put a SBC 400 that was destroked down to a 377 with a 700r4 trans. Should "get it" pretty good.

ryan56chevy · 02-28-2014, 10:42 AM

Here are some more pics.

ryan56chevy · 02-28-2014, 10:45 AM

...and some more pics. I really wanted a big back window, but I couldn't find the truck around here, so I went to my local junk yard and fab'd one in. Took about a month. I won't be doing THAT again. Haha

ryan56chevy · 02-28-2014, 10:48 AM

Here are some more! This pic is the frame with the 305 before I really got started. Pulled EVERYTHING off and started from scratch. New bushing and ball joints, 2" drop spindles which I probably didn't need because it already sits low enough after building my airbag brackets.

ryan56chevy · 02-28-2014, 10:52 AM

Here is a top view of the frame. I have come to find out that I really don't like installing shocks. Travel and location are always a pain!

Flames97 · 02-28-2014, 11:03 AM

That looks good, coming along nicely.

Kim57 · 02-28-2014, 11:17 AM

Welcome.
Looks like a real sweet truck.
Kim

ryan56chevy · 03-03-2014, 09:37 AM

Thanks! I don't think its too bad for my second build. I finally got my patch panel finished on the front corner and started to put it all back together yesterday. I have a little work to do on the bed, but I have to go to town for supplies. Putting those doors on is definitely not a one man job. Hahaha. I still have some adjusting to do.

**youngrodder** · 03-03-2014, 10:03 AM

Looks good Ryan. I like what you have going on...

Marc

Kim57 · 03-03-2014, 11:06 AM

Sits nice and low.
Kim

Spblack · 03-03-2014, 06:29 PM

welcome ryan... cant wait to see it finished. what color you going with?

ryan56chevy · 03-04-2014, 02:48 PM

Going to go with gloss black. I was going to do the interior a blood red, but I think I am going to go with a baseball glove tan/brown color.

ryan56chevy · 03-13-2014, 09:52 AM

LOOKING FOR A GOOD PAINT/BODY SHOP IN THE AREA OF SAN ANTONIO. ANY IDEAS???? I got a quote from a guy, and it made me want to make this a rat rod.....

Spblack · 03-13-2014, 12:43 PM

not in san Antonio. im down in Houston, I know a couple. you got a big shop, paint it yourself. lol. you have any close ups of your motor mounts? im installing a 5.3 in mine now and man..let me tell you..its a pain

**Dan in Pasadena** · 03-13-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan56chevy

Going to go with gloss black. I was going to do the interior a blood red, but I think I am going to go with a baseball glove tan/brown color.

I think it was the early Audi TT's that had actualy baseball glove heavy stitching on their bucket seats. You might try doing an interwebs search for photos. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Dodgers fan and I have considered doing that on my bench seat. Not sure how good/bad it'd look on a bench though.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 03-13-2014, 12:54 PM

Here 'ya go. I like it, others may think it's too heavy handed. I'm CERTAIN it'd be costly as hell though!

Rednek13x · 03-13-2014, 05:17 PM

^^^^ i love that!

Spblack · 03-13-2014, 08:16 PM

ryan, what gas tank did you go with? how did you configure your motor and trans alignment?

**Dan in Pasadena** · 03-13-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rednek13x

^^^^ i love that!

Yeah, I really like the look too, but I wonder if it would hold up over time and could I even find someone who would do it remotely affordably.

Looks cool though. I could see this in a Delmo truck - MINE! - if I ever win the Lotto and can afford to hire him, lol

ChuckDriver · 03-13-2014, 09:53 PM

Very cool project, love how low it sits!!

71'tahoe · 03-13-2014, 11:01 PM

Great build! Im digging the low stance!

ryan56chevy · 03-14-2014, 09:54 AM

It actually sits too low in the front. I need to bring it up an inch so it won't hit a rock or something else that will crack the trans or paint. The motor fit with small block mounts since it was a Nova front. I had to fab my own transmission cross-member so that it would go over my brake booster. It was already mounted and didn't want to jack with it. I put an angle finder on the carb to find out how low I needed to go with my bends.

Kim57 · 03-14-2014, 09:59 AM

Nice job.
Kim

Rednek13x · 03-14-2014, 10:55 AM

What front clip are you running? Looks good so far i like how low you got it!

ryan56chevy · 03-14-2014, 12:33 PM

It is a chevy nova clip I believe. We changed out all the bushings, ball joints, brake pads, and steering. Frontend is good to go.

02-28-2014, 10:40 AM	#1
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	1956 Chevy truck build Hey guys!! My name is Ryan from La Vernia TX. I obtained a 56 chevy stepside that I figured was a good second project. I've been working on it a few month, so I will throw some pictures up. Let me know what you think. I am always looking for suggestions and pointers. It started with a 305 and 3 speed transmission, but I pulled it out and put a SBC 400 that was destroked down to a 377 with a 700r4 trans. Should "get it" pretty good. Attached Images

02-28-2014, 10:42 AM	#2
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	1956 Chevy truck build Here are some more pics. Attached Images

02-28-2014, 10:45 AM	#3
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	1956 Chevy truck build ...and some more pics. I really wanted a big back window, but I couldn't find the truck around here, so I went to my local junk yard and fab'd one in. Took about a month. I won't be doing THAT again. Haha Attached Images

02-28-2014, 10:48 AM	#4
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	1956 Chevy truck build Here are some more! This pic is the frame with the 305 before I really got started. Pulled EVERYTHING off and started from scratch. New bushing and ball joints, 2" drop spindles which I probably didn't need because it already sits low enough after building my airbag brackets. Attached Images

02-28-2014, 10:52 AM	#5
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Here is a top view of the frame. I have come to find out that I really don't like installing shocks. Travel and location are always a pain! Attached Images

02-28-2014, 11:03 AM	#6
Flames97 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tonasket, Washington Posts: 316	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build That looks good, coming along nicely. __________________ -Aaron '15.5 Chevy Duramax LTZ/Z71, LML, CC/SB '77 Chevy K10, 4" lift, 33-12.50, 350/350 '55 Chevy Short Box (In Pieces)MII,4-link,Bagged,383 Stroker,700r4,3.73posi (SOLD) My 55.2 Chevy 3100 Build

02-28-2014, 11:17 AM	#7
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Welcome. Looks like a real sweet truck. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

03-03-2014, 09:37 AM	#8
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Thanks! I don't think its too bad for my second build. I finally got my patch panel finished on the front corner and started to put it all back together yesterday. I have a little work to do on the bed, but I have to go to town for supplies. Putting those doors on is definitely not a one man job. Hahaha. I still have some adjusting to do. Attached Images

03-03-2014, 10:03 AM	#9
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,774	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Looks good Ryan. I like what you have going on... Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857

03-03-2014, 11:06 AM	#10
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Sits nice and low. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

03-03-2014, 06:29 PM	#11
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build welcome ryan... cant wait to see it finished. what color you going with? __________________ 1959 Chevy Apache (sold) 1958 Fleetside Current My builds: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606412 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7560906

03-04-2014, 02:48 PM	#12
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Going to go with gloss black. I was going to do the interior a blood red, but I think I am going to go with a baseball glove tan/brown color.

03-13-2014, 09:52 AM	#13
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build LOOKING FOR A GOOD PAINT/BODY SHOP IN THE AREA OF SAN ANTONIO. ANY IDEAS???? I got a quote from a guy, and it made me want to make this a rat rod.....

03-13-2014, 12:43 PM	#14
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build not in san Antonio. im down in Houston, I know a couple. you got a big shop, paint it yourself. lol. you have any close ups of your motor mounts? im installing a 5.3 in mine now and man..let me tell you..its a pain __________________ 1959 Chevy Apache (sold) 1958 Fleetside Current My builds: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606412 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7560906

03-13-2014, 12:54 PM	#16
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,341	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Here 'ya go. I like it, others may think it's too heavy handed. I'm CERTAIN it'd be costly as hell though! Attached Images __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!



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03-13-2014, 05:17 PM	#17
Rednek13x Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clear Lake, MN Posts: 329	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build ^^^^ i love that! __________________ 1957 Chevy Longbed Bagged V8 Project HACK CITY CUSTOMS

03-13-2014, 08:16 PM	#18
Spblack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: spring Posts: 287	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build ryan, what gas tank did you go with? how did you configure your motor and trans alignment? __________________ 1959 Chevy Apache (sold) 1958 Fleetside Current My builds: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606412 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7560906

03-13-2014, 09:53 PM	#20
ChuckDriver A320 Pilot/USAF Retired Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,629	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Very cool project, love how low it sits!! __________________ JJ My 1957 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=334552 http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22037 Instagram - Chuckdriver57

03-13-2014, 11:01 PM	#21
71'tahoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: lynchburg ohio Posts: 736	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Great build! Im digging the low stance!

03-14-2014, 09:54 AM	#22
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build It actually sits too low in the front. I need to bring it up an inch so it won't hit a rock or something else that will crack the trans or paint. The motor fit with small block mounts since it was a Nova front. I had to fab my own transmission cross-member so that it would go over my brake booster. It was already mounted and didn't want to jack with it. I put an angle finder on the carb to find out how low I needed to go with my bends. Attached Images

03-14-2014, 09:59 AM	#23
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build Nice job. Kim __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

03-14-2014, 10:55 AM	#24
Rednek13x Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clear Lake, MN Posts: 329	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build What front clip are you running? Looks good so far i like how low you got it! __________________ 1957 Chevy Longbed Bagged V8 Project HACK CITY CUSTOMS

03-14-2014, 12:33 PM	#25
ryan56chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Vernia, TX Posts: 20	Re: 1956 Chevy truck build It is a chevy nova clip I believe. We changed out all the bushings, ball joints, brake pads, and steering. Frontend is good to go.

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