My “FREE” 56 truck build! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Krustyone · 12-29-2017, 10:48 PM

Got me a free truck! Brought it home, tore it down and here we go.
It’s a 56 Chevy short bed step side. A family member built it in high school about 35 years ago. It’s been sitting for a LONG time. Here’s some pics to get it started.

**mongocanfly** · 12-29-2017, 11:05 PM

can't beat that price...welcome aboard

Krustyone · 12-31-2017, 07:24 PM

Pulled the cab off. Flattened out the steering box lip, removed shock towers. I’m starting to dislike rivets.

Krustyone · 12-31-2017, 07:49 PM

Pulled the cab off. Flattened out the steering box, removed shock towers. I’m starting to dislike rivets.

Krustyone · 01-01-2018, 12:22 AM

This is my goal for stance. (Example below) I could use some advice. Planning to bag it I think.

Here is my plan:
I have a 420 hp small block from my old 32 roadster ready to run.
4 spd Muncie m22 and found a forward mount shifter to allow a bench seat.
Ford 9” posi of some sort. Probably source from curry.
4 link rear with watts link or panhard. Possibly a triangulated 4 link.
Stock looking exterior and interior. Love the classic look, with some modern convenience like vintage air and carpet dynamat etc.
Bench seat with shoulder belts and a middle seat belt for the little one.
Flat blue or black paint with steel wheels and whitewalls.
Disks all around, power rack and brakes.
Classic wood stained bed, raised a little for dropped suspension.
Rear mounted gas tank or or fuel cell.

71'tahoe · 01-02-2018, 08:58 AM

You have a good foundation to start with! When I started my project it was only a body. Good luck with he build and post tons of photos.

jjzepplin · 01-02-2018, 09:49 AM

Who the heck gave that away? Seems like it was nice at one point. Still looks good! This will be fun!

ChuckDriver · 01-05-2018, 10:25 PM

Free is always nice!

You should talk to Nate and Dave at PoterBuilt Fab in Apache Junction, they have some killer suspension setups for the 55-59's!

Scottish58chev · 01-06-2018, 04:43 AM

That's an awesome truck for a starting point and you can't beat the price.

Krustyone · 01-11-2018, 10:36 PM

After staring at the frame and all the work its gonna need to bag it and set it up like I want I decided to build a frame from scratch. Starting with some 2x6 square tube narrowing down a bit in the front and grafting 2x4 in the rear for the drop. Welders series MII and rear 4 link. Any input on the frame will be much appreciated as I’ve never built one from scratch before. I do have some friends and family that I can recruit for help that are experts in this. Better bone up on my welding skills. Many pics to follow..... Love this site. I’d like to do porterbuilt front and rear, but holy crap, big bucks!!!*

**joedoh** · 01-12-2018, 11:42 PM

is that a giant sunroof?

cant beat free!

47 Fasttoys · 01-14-2018, 06:39 PM

Man this thing has got old school all over it: gold anodized valve covers, T-bolts holding them on, twin carb intake, Centerlines, large sunroof, drum brakes and a solid axle and two tone paint. What's not to love, this thing would have been the hot rod truck of my high school back in 1980. Cool project.
Rob
PS. I just noticed it also had a tilt front end? Yea, someone was on their game back in the day.

Krustyone · 02-04-2018, 10:25 PM

Little update.. got the chassis table done, and flipped and level. Had my son do half the welding. He did great. Got the 2x6 tube cut to length for the chassis rails. These two pictures are both taken the same way, wtf one rotated??? Grrrrr

Krustyone · 02-04-2018, 10:32 PM

Little update.. got the chassis table done, and flipped and level. Had my son do half the welding. He did great. Got the 2x6 tube cut to length for the chassis rails. These two pictures are both taken the same way, wtf one rotated??? Grrrrr

**slammed57** · 02-05-2018, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krustyone

Little update.. got the chassis table done, and flipped and level. Had my son do half the welding. He did great. Got the 2x6 tube cut to length for the chassis rails. These two pictures are both taken the same way, wtf one rotated??? Grrrrr

awesome... I know this too well with the frame table... great to see your son is involved.. Looking forward to your build. I moved the front wheel center forward an inch and the rear about 1/2 an inch to center the wheels in the wheel/fender opening, it will track a little straighter and give the front end a little better handling due to the weight shift with the front end... I still have all my frame measurements documented as when i built my frame if needed.. welder sieres is a great place to get your supplies as i got it from them as well

**gigamanx** · 02-06-2018, 11:32 AM

Wait a second...is that a sunroof?

Krustyone · 02-06-2018, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigamanx

Wait a second...is that a sunroof?

yup. That will be a fun little repair. I have a spare cab waiting with a good roof skin.

Krustyone · 02-06-2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammed57

awesome... I know this too well with the frame table... great to see your son is involved.. Looking forward to your build. I moved the front wheel center forward an inch and the rear about 1/2 an inch to center the wheels in the wheel/fender opening, it will track a little straighter and give the front end a little better handling due to the weight shift with the front end... I still have all my frame measurements documented as when i built my frame if needed.. welder sieres is a great place to get your supplies as i got it from them as well

Your build log on trifive inspired me to try this frame build. Looking to do something very similar. If you have those dimensions that would be awesome and serve as a sanity check... Your's looks great.

**slammed57** · 02-08-2018, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krustyone

Your build log on trifive inspired me to try this frame build. Looking to do something very similar. If you have those dimensions that would be awesome and serve as a sanity check... Your's looks great.

Yep not a problem, I'll see if I can scan them tonight and I'll send them over, Mike

dsraven · 02-08-2018, 06:07 PM

are you going with the same width of frame or changing it to fit a certain donor geometry?

dsraven · 02-08-2018, 06:10 PM

grab yourself a digital level. they are awesome. you will be surprised how "off" you will find a bubble level can be.

**slammed57** · 02-08-2018, 09:02 PM

check your PM

Krustyone · 02-09-2018, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsraven

are you going with the same width of frame or changing it to fit a certain donor geometry?

Same width as stock.

Krustyone · 02-09-2018, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsraven

grab yourself a digital level. they are awesome. you will be surprised how "off" you will find a bubble level can be.

I have one. I use it along with the bubble level. It’s great for angles.

dsraven · 02-09-2018, 01:01 AM

yup, I used mine a lot installing the MII front end. great to get the frame perfectly level side to side and at the rake angle you want, then it works great to get the crossmember level side to side and fore to aft. I used it in conjunction with a 4ft level (used to span the width with the digital level sitting on top) to check for level with it sitting on the control arm lower pivot bolts (they were sticking out the front side). that way you get actual and don't have to worry about the shafts being level with the top or bottom of the crossmember. I also used it on the lower control arms to ensure they were level fore to aft and side to side when I was mocking up the assembly. it comes in handy to get the anti dive angle dialed in on the upper control arm shafts as well.
keep posting up pics, it is incentive for the rest of us.

12-29-2017, 10:48 PM	#1
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	My “FREE” 56 truck build! Got me a free truck! Brought it home, tore it down and here we go. It’s a 56 Chevy short bed step side. A family member built it in high school about 35 years ago. It’s been sitting for a LONG time. Here’s some pics to get it started. Attached Images

12-29-2017, 11:05 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,670	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! can't beat that price...welcome aboard __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

12-31-2017, 07:24 PM	#3
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Pulled the cab off. Flattened out the steering box lip, removed shock towers. I’m starting to dislike rivets. Attached Images

12-31-2017, 07:49 PM	#4
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Pulled the cab off. Flattened out the steering box, removed shock towers. I’m starting to dislike rivets.

01-01-2018, 12:22 AM	#5
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! This is my goal for stance. (Example below) I could use some advice. Planning to bag it I think. Here is my plan: I have a 420 hp small block from my old 32 roadster ready to run. 4 spd Muncie m22 and found a forward mount shifter to allow a bench seat. Ford 9” posi of some sort. Probably source from curry. 4 link rear with watts link or panhard. Possibly a triangulated 4 link. Stock looking exterior and interior. Love the classic look, with some modern convenience like vintage air and carpet dynamat etc. Bench seat with shoulder belts and a middle seat belt for the little one. Flat blue or black paint with steel wheels and whitewalls. Disks all around, power rack and brakes. Classic wood stained bed, raised a little for dropped suspension. Rear mounted gas tank or or fuel cell. Attached Images

01-02-2018, 08:58 AM	#6
71'tahoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: lynchburg ohio Posts: 736	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! You have a good foundation to start with! When I started my project it was only a body. Good luck with he build and post tons of photos.

01-02-2018, 09:49 AM	#7
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,566	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Who the heck gave that away? Seems like it was nice at one point. Still looks good! This will be fun! __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

01-05-2018, 10:25 PM	#8
ChuckDriver A320 Pilot/USAF Retired Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,629	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Free is always nice! You should talk to Nate and Dave at PoterBuilt Fab in Apache Junction, they have some killer suspension setups for the 55-59's! __________________ 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

01-06-2018, 04:43 AM	#9
Scottish58chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Doune, perthshire, Scotland Posts: 206	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! That's an awesome truck for a starting point and you can't beat the price. __________________ My taking way longer than expected 58 build

01-11-2018, 10:36 PM	#10
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! After staring at the frame and all the work its gonna need to bag it and set it up like I want I decided to build a frame from scratch. Starting with some 2x6 square tube narrowing down a bit in the front and grafting 2x4 in the rear for the drop. Welders series MII and rear 4 link. Any input on the frame will be much appreciated as I’ve never built one from scratch before. I do have some friends and family that I can recruit for help that are experts in this. Better bone up on my welding skills. Many pics to follow..... Love this site. I’d like to do porterbuilt front and rear, but holy crap, big bucks!!!*

01-12-2018, 11:42 PM	#11
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! is that a giant sunroof? cant beat free! __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

01-14-2018, 06:39 PM	#12
47 Fasttoys Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Westminster, SC Posts: 933	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Man this thing has got old school all over it: gold anodized valve covers, T-bolts holding them on, twin carb intake, Centerlines, large sunroof, drum brakes and a solid axle and two tone paint. What's not to love, this thing would have been the hot rod truck of my high school back in 1980. Cool project. Rob PS. I just noticed it also had a tilt front end? Yea, someone was on their game back in the day. __________________ My '47 C.O.E build Last edited by 47 Fasttoys; 01-14-2018 at 06:47 PM.

02-04-2018, 10:25 PM	#13
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Little update.. got the chassis table done, and flipped and level. Had my son do half the welding. He did great. Got the 2x6 tube cut to length for the chassis rails. These two pictures are both taken the same way, wtf one rotated??? Grrrrr Attached Images

02-04-2018, 10:32 PM	#14
Krustyone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mesa az Posts: 41	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Little update.. got the chassis table done, and flipped and level. Had my son do half the welding. He did great. Got the 2x6 tube cut to length for the chassis rails. These two pictures are both taken the same way, wtf one rotated??? Grrrrr

02-06-2018, 11:32 AM	#16
gigamanx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 1,004	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! Wait a second...is that a sunroof? __________________ Current Build Thread 1930 Ford Model A Modern Twist: Ford Model A Rat Rod With a Modern Twist Build Thread Phase 1 "The Swap": 1949 3100 with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition! Build Thread Phase 2 "The Drop": Beginner Build with Ambition gets Air Ride



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02-08-2018, 06:07 PM	#20
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,322	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! are you going with the same width of frame or changing it to fit a certain donor geometry?

02-08-2018, 06:10 PM	#21
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,322	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! grab yourself a digital level. they are awesome. you will be surprised how "off" you will find a bubble level can be.

02-08-2018, 09:02 PM	#22
slammed57 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: pembroke pines, fl Posts: 707	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! check your PM __________________ My 57 current build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662590

02-09-2018, 01:01 AM	#25
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,322	Re: My “FREE” 56 truck build! yup, I used mine a lot installing the MII front end. great to get the frame perfectly level side to side and at the rake angle you want, then it works great to get the crossmember level side to side and fore to aft. I used it in conjunction with a 4ft level (used to span the width with the digital level sitting on top) to check for level with it sitting on the control arm lower pivot bolts (they were sticking out the front side). that way you get actual and don't have to worry about the shafts being level with the top or bottom of the crossmember. I also used it on the lower control arms to ensure they were level fore to aft and side to side when I was mocking up the assembly. it comes in handy to get the anti dive angle dialed in on the upper control arm shafts as well. keep posting up pics, it is incentive for the rest of us.

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