56' one Ton/new toy

[56-1-ton]

Hey guys, i'm new to the site...well i have spent many nights reading stuff on here but i'm new to owning one of these trucks and having a screen name.

but as of just the other day i'm the proud owner of a 56' 3800. i been looking for a heavy truck to help us out around our little farm, and when i ran across this it was just way too cool to pass up.

I think what sold me on it was the fact that i could drive it home, it's got a bit of rot in the passenger side cab corner and the doors have began to seperate on the bottoms just a bit, but overall i still say it's a very solid old truck, and fun as can be to drive around in!

the guy i got it from swapped out the cab a few years back with one off a two ton fuel truck, (59) i think. and he also took the 261 straight six out of that truck and swapped it in this one. now i don't know much about these six's but i've heard it's supposed to be a good motor? either way i'm liking it.

plans as of right now are to start clearing up all the rattles and squeeks, the doors need new rubbers so they'll stop making a lot of racket driving around and stuff like that. main goals are to drive it, use it, and make her as functional as i can. while heading back in the original looking direction as i can, doing stuff along the way.

i'm sure the questions will start coming as i seek advice from guys who have done this a lot longer than me, so thanks in advance everybody!!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Nice!! Looks like a real solid truck.
Good lookin' ole Oliver there in the background too

[Kim57]

Welcome.
I like the large flatbeds.
Kim

[56-1-ton]

Yes indeed an old oliver in the background, that ole thing has put in many good hours and many more to come i hope!

I have done some looking and can't seem to figure out what was the original interiors painted on these trucks? i know there were some different cab options such as std and such. it seems like many of them were that goldish looking color, but many others seem to be body color, or white? anyone know of a good article about this floating around? thanks

[Maximus]

That truck is freaking COOL!
I don't have a use for a 1-ton but if I did I would buy one quick!
The best part about these trucks is all body panels can be bought to replace rust damage. The same cab was used on ALL the pickups, 1/2 ton and up, so the cab corners and other parts are ALL available.
Keep us posted on your progress, and congrats on getting a DRIVER!
Took me 10 years to drive my truck, envy you for driving it on day one!

[71'tahoe]

Nice! I dig it and your old Oliver! Best of luck to ya! Welcome to the board!

[jfnar]

I don't have the paint codes handy but the top of the dash should be a textured, low gloss charcoal. I think it's available in rattle can. The steering column is smooth charcoal, and the rest is a light grey. I have a '57 3800 with only 29k miles that I'm gradually working into driver condition. I have to do most of the same things that your truck needs. You need to start watching the classifieds for a set of 4.10 rear gears from a HO52 or HO72 differential. It'll make it much better to drive on the highway. I'm doing it with a 235 so your 261 should handle it fine. Good luck with it.

[1959 Apache 3600]

That truck's a flippin' home run!

[56-1-ton]

Jfnar, thanks a bunch for the paint info! I bet our trucks had the same interior. What does your info plate say for paint? Just curious if they were less detailed on the bigger trucks. Mine just says std. I'm thinking standard cab?

Also good tip on the gears that would be a world of diff, call me crazy but I love drvin it with the low gearing ha ha. Although that may get old one day I'm sure cause that sucker is slow!
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[jfnar]

Mine says "special" because it was built for the USDA and painted their color of green. It was used it's entire life on a wildlife refuge and only used for hauling wheat for trapping wood ducks. That's why the milage is so low. Here's a lind to my photobucket. http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/n...0chevy%203800/