56 on 80 short 4x4 frame

[Gene Sharp]

Hello group
sorry for being so long getting back
been at work on truck with little time off
attached picture of frame showing
the piece of modified 2x6 retangular tubing we added to make cab
set level we then used the origional cab mounts from the 56
were it to do over again would probably take 1 inch
out if the frame between the two cab mounts

Gene

[GRIMSS]

Frame looks good. Going to be a fun truck when done.

[Gene Sharp]

It will look something like this
but have since acquired a really nice big window cab

[Gene Sharp]

AS I said before would cut one inch out of the frame under the cab
then take the 2 x6 retungular tubing and cut on the bottom to sit in the
space where theold cab set leaving what amounts to a straight frame
(with small kickups over the axels )
This will allow you to remove the cab mounts from your old frameor obtain some and position and weld or bolt to new frame
some simple angle iron brackets for the radiator support
One suggestion If replacing bed wood consider getting wood and strips
for 73 up chevy to match holes in frames also reinforcemet strips and sills
of getting new bed sides or replacing strips then get ones for 73-87 also
then you can use the larger 1/2 inch bolts and they will go in old holes in frame . May have to slot a little
I got all my bed parts from Mar-K in Oklahoma City and they workded well
Another thing if this is to be a driver :
I would consider putting linex on the bed boards before assembly
then use stainless strips
we have not found a stain /varnish that will stand being outside in our Texas
Summers and the black andstainless contrast nicely

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

As to the Steering I am using a flaming river tilt column the same diameter as the stock one makes everything fit lots better
just measure up from drop in cab and set it about the same
am using the stainless sure - fit intermediate shaft from Flaming river
looks good and the sliding feature makes fit lots better
On this truck went with an AGR box with the quicker ratio
Have one on my Jeep and it sure makes it handle nice
and no slop from a worn box
used Rancho 9000 Adjustable shocks all around with a 2 1/2
inch lift kit to clear 12x33 x15 tires on Mickey Thompson Classic II
Wheels

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

Here is a picture of the 56 as it looks now
new floor. steps, and rockers and 2 1/2 inch firewall setback
by Gene Robertson Auto Body in Amarillo Texas

Gene Sharp

[Kim57]

Very nice.
Kim

[entourageguy]

I like the work so far. Nice big window cab.

[Gene Sharp]

quick shot of th bed
floor and bed sides from Mar-K in
Oklahoma City
I used floor and stainless bed strips
from a 73 to 87 short chevy pickup
to match the frame
I woudl also if doing it again get them to weld on the stainless strips that are tacked to bed sides for a 73 to 87 would make it easier to line up with cills and reinforcements
Used two extra reinforcments and 1''pollly bushings under the bed
used stainless button head bolts to assemble and Lined with added
stuff to make it shiner from Line x of Chickahsha , Okla
they did a super job
Getting letters on tail gate painted in the same 76 Chevy Pickup blue as the
top of dash

Gene Sharp

[GRIMSS]

Man it's coming around quick. Look'n good.

[Gene Sharp]

rear view of 56
note the Blazer rear cross member we transplanted so gas tank would be mostly a bolt in
If you were doing a street truck you could move rear crossmember a little further foreward and use a roll pan

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

Anyone know of a good source for a new gray big back window
for 56 truck somewhat in my area to avoid huge shipping cost

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

Another view of the gas tank supports
this one a Blazer one too
a piece of angle iron welded in and the tank support welded to it
to compensate for the kick up in the pickup frame the blazer doesnt have
this keeps tank level
then bolt in Blazer tank
next time we will talk about tank a little

Gene Sharp

[memo43]

what kind of sound insualtion did you use? I can barely see some on post #6, also is that a brush on bed liner or spray on.
Email me at memo_43@yahoo.com, That what i can email you the pics of the gauges. I don't know how to resize them.

nice truck BTW.

memo

[Gene Sharp]

the sound deadener is Hush Mat available (by ordering ) from O'Reilley
The bed liner was a spray on put on by Line X of Chicksha ,Oklahoma
It has an added ingredient to give it more shine
They did a really good job
I also had underside of back fenders coated with Rhino liner and also
had a bed liner material sprayed on underside and inside floor of cab

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

Accidental;y got my shadow in the picture
and did not have time to go re shoot it
this is an 86 blazer gas tank repacement and new pickup sender unit
the 87 blazer came with EFI so that sender woudl be an option
and might just work with the other Injection systems by substuting a different fuel pump ?
as to the guage the ohms are different do am using a hole saw to drill out
hole in the little round indention you see in lower right corner
and installing a stock type sender probably one from a 53 as that is what I have used before with success I believe all the older trucks used 1-30 ohm senders ?

then just a matter of bolting it in place
What I like is when done it looks like it had always been there
and is easily replaceable

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

forgot ,,,,,,,,,,,unsolder fuel fill neck cut off and reinstall
so you just have little fill neck sticking straight up
then a piece of ruber hose up to fill cap in bed

Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

got a nice guage set with 140 speedo and tach
looks really good
am excited about putting it in

Gene Sharp

[GRIMSS]

That looks great. really like the blue and white.

[Gene Sharp]

one of the most important things we have yet to discuss is motor
for this I chose a 350 Ram Jet from Scoggin Dickey in Lubbock Texas
It is Rated at 350 horsepower and has electronic fuel injection
sorta like an updated version of the old Rochesters of the 60s
Corvettes (run those for years ) Since it ws designed as a replacement engine for "hot rods " it has no smog or overly complicated computer
The parts team at Scoggin Dickey are the best
It is equiped with a billet serpentine setup from Vintage Air
called the front runner It is a good setup if you have the room
The headers are the Ceramic Coated ones from Hooker
with two Flow Master Mufflers behind them
I plan to add a crossover pipe to connect the two sides for more torque

Gene Sharp

[Kim57]

That is really looking nice.
Kim

[Gene Sharp]

to me the advantages of using the late model frame are
motor mounts that work
front disk brakes that work
steering that is safe
and fairly easy part availability in case of problems
I chose an AGR steering box because it is completely rebuilt
and because they offer a quicker ratio in a street box
that is not too
o twichy for normal highway use
and have used the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks before
and they are good
The Red Poly bushings give longer wear and a good firm ride

[CAL 58 GMC]

Man your truck is really turning out nice! Great job!

[Gene Sharp]

The lift kit is also Rancho from 4 Wheel parts wholesalers
and a lift block under the steering arm to bring it back up to level
The steering box has an added brace
the frames are really bad on these trucks about flexing and eventually cracking with 12.00 tires
the power steering pump is a Gen II GM pump
The water pump a stuart aluminum model


Gene Sharp

[Gene Sharp]

What my goal is in builing this truck is to have soemthing that meets my
many needs and desires
I want something I can talke to small local car shows if I wnat
something to drive everyday for parts chasing and in my business
a tough trail ready truck for trips to the mountains
a good highway traveler for trips
the 50s hot rod nostalgic look and feel ,
but updated to meet modern needs
So I have retained as much of the old feel etc as practical
This is with lots of changes the truck I dreamed about building
in Jr HIgh and High School but never got the chance
It will not be perfect , but am building it as good as i can
It will be fairly plain no fender or hood chrome
The 50s clean hot rod look
Manual Trans because that says hot rod to me
same with tach and guages
but with power steering and 4 wheel disk brakes and air cond
all the safety and comfort but with a retro feel


Gene Sharp