Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Hey guys,

Some of you may have seen my post in the general forum introducing myself as a new TF owner. Its a 1956 3600 model. Came with no motor/trans.

Plans are 383 Stroker/5 speed with 4X4 conversion. I will be using front/rear ends from a 70's K20.

Also will add power steering, power brakes, A/C, 1 piece windows and possible power door locks and/or windows.

Here is a picture of when I got her last week. Since then I have removed the front clip and cleaned out the interior. I will post more pics in a few days (waiting for my new iphone since I finally broke my 11 year old phone)

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

sweet! was just dreaming of a 4x4 swap myself!

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Thanks. The thing that will separate my truck for other 4X4's I have seen is the ride height and wheels/tires.

I am not building a crawler or climber. The 4X4 is mainly just for snowy winters in New England. Most guys have raised the rear of their truck about 4 inches to level the ride height. I will be lowering the front of my truck a few inches to level it out. I will also only be using about a 29 inch tire vs the ones I have seen with 35s or bigger.

This way it will still have the functionality of a 4X4 without having that lifted look which I personally am not a huge fan of or that lowered hot rod look which I do like, but serves no purpose in a 4X4.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

I am getting a little ahead of myself here but I have been pondering motor/tranny/tc mounts and crossmembers.

Originally I was going to use the old style front motor mounts and either a tranny crossmember or a tc mount. Now I realize that leaves no "heavy mount" since I wouldnt be using one on top of the bell housing.

Has anyone fabricated their own side motor mounts to use on the stock front crossmember? If so, what did you use for a tranny mount or tc mount?

I was thinking of fabbing my own side motor mounts, then welding in a tranny crossmember and also fabbing a tc mount similar to OrrieG's.

Any thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Update: I removed the front clip and finished stripping the firewall. Also the interior is mostly gutted except for the steering column and a few dash knobs. Removed the gas tank from the cab and the heater box and controls as well. Here are a couple pics. More to come...

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

sounds like you've got the same opinion on the "not to big, not to small" type of 4x4. kudos to you!

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Thanks! To each his own but I am looking for functionality. Of course I want to burn some rubber and be able to drive in the snow but I wont be on the drag strip or the trails.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

No updates, just thought I would share a quick pic of the first snowfall in New England! Just a dusting, but enough motivation to get more work done so I can get this in the garage!

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Here are a few pics of the truck I took a couple weeks ago. 1 is showing the firewall. 2 and 3 show the crappy riveted floor pan repair that will be ripped out. And 4 is showing where I have been storing some parts that have been removed... in the bed for now.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you've found a good candidate for your 4x4 build and have a plan in mind. There's lots of talent and knowledge on this forum that's always willing to help out so don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Good luck. Keep the pics coming.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Just for reference my 74 K10 front axle in mounted on the bottom of the original 59 spring pack. It took a 4" lift block under the back stock springs to get the frame level. Removing springs will affect the ride and handling, and with 4wd may allow the front axle to move more than you like. Shocks and brakes ended up being the same as required for the original 74 K10 lifted 4".

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Thanks for the info Orrie. Leveling out the ride height could prove to be a challenge as I dont want to be too high or too low. And removing springs will definitely mess with the ride and handling. I am trying to think of a unique solution.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

ever put any thought into air bags?? just a suggestion, around here some of the loacal guys who tow big campers and loads of hay put air bags in the rear to level it out. maybe you could do a milder air bag so you have the ride height your looking for and also level it out

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

My build is going along a similar path, definitely subscribing

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

I thought about bags and my conclusion was that it wouldnt be possible (at least without a lot of custom fab work) to have bags in the front since I will be using a solid axle. And I am not too sure about having 2 different types of suspension, bags or coils in the rear and leafs in the front. On newer 4x4s usually its reversed, front would have struts and rear would have leafs.

I would love to have IFS and IRS but at least for now I am sticking with leaf springs.

On a side note, the plural of leaf is leaves, but does that apply to leaf springs as well? I like leafs better

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Alright guys, I haven't done much to my truck lately with the holidays, weather and throw in a few days of being sick. But I did make a purchase last night. Picked up a 700r4/np208 combo out of an 86 Blazer to go behind my 383. I am currently finishing my last section of New England Tech and they saved the best for last, transmissions and related (diffs, transfer cases, axles, etc.). I will be fully rebuilding the 700r4 most likely with a kit from Monster Transmissions as part of my Automatic Transmissions Lab.

You may have noticed I previously said I wanted a 5 speed, well I figure to be doing some towing and whatnot with my truck so I went with an automatic overdrive. Both the 700r4 and the np208 were in full working order when I bought them so hopefully no surprises when I start the teardown.

I will post pictures of the unit later

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

This is Awesome Im Watchin this one Keep it up bud !

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Sweet! You wont regret the auto-od, the 208 will also be a good option, 205's are stronger but a 208 will be just fine for your build. Keep up the wrok man. Glad i subbed this build. Will be sweet

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Here are some pics of the 700r4 and np208. I took the transfer case off the tranny today since I will be bringing the tranny into school to start the rebuild this week.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Started the 700r4 rebuild in class last week. Looks good so far but I have only removed the valve body, electrical, etc. I will know more this week as I dive further in and see if any mechanical components have been compromised. I will put up pics once disassembly is complete.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Tranny is totally torn down. Ordered my parts today. Got a master overhaul kit, reverse input drum, front pump bushing, extension housing to t-case seal,corvette intermediate servo, and elevated springs for both throttle pressure and main line pressure. Still will need a torque converter, new TV cable, dipstick, and crossmember/mount. I will worry about those when I am getting ready to install. Here are some pics from the tear-down/inspection.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Transmission rebuild is almost complete!

I returned a few parts and bought some more in the meantime. I returned the main line pressure kit and throttle valve elevated pressure spring. I bought a shift kit instead which should take care of those pressures and many other things most importantly reducing/removing shift overlap (also increases durability). I also bought "the beast." Its an upgraded reaction shell which is a known weak point on these models.

Ended up needing a new output shaft case bushing as well. Should be all back together by next week, then I will paint it and post some more pics incase anyone decides to look at my slow, painful thread! :waah:

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

The foreman from the machine shop picked up my 350 block on Sunday. He is going to clean it up, and magnaflux for cracks. If all looks well, he is going to bore the cylinders .030", replace the cam bearings and freeze plugs, and clearance the crankcase for the stroker crank. He said it should be done next week. I was looking at a few different stroker kits and when I mentioned them to him he recommended this one - http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/lo-ek1803c

What do you guys think? I am looking to be around 400 HP and 400 lb/ft of torque so I don't think going forged is necessary and neither did the machinist.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Trans is 90% complete. I will put putting the shift kit in and getting the valve body back together tonight then I should be able to bring it home for paint! I hope to get that done this weekend along with resealing and painting my t-case. :metal:

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Classic Industries was running a sale so I just ordered new front fenders and floor pan patch panels. I will take pictures of the new parts and old parts once they come in.

On the other note, I will be finishing up my trans on Saturday. I hope to paint both the trans and t-case on Sunday. I will put up some pictures this weekend.

Then next week, my block comes home from the machine shop! :bann:

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Sounds like good progress on the drivetrain. I'll be following your progress because I'm planning a similar build for my '59 after I finish the 78 GMC I'm currently doing.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Just some random 700r4 pics

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Update... tranny rebuild is complete. I am taking it home on Thursday.

Got my engine block back from the machine shop... looks great! I ordered my stroker kit from summit this morning and picked up engine and tranny crossmembers and urethane mounts from performance online.

Fenders and floorboard panels are being delivered today!

Here is a pick of my block when it got dropped off yesterday... will post pics of fenders and other parts as they come in

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Fenders and floor patches came in last week. Still waiting on my stroker kit and engine/tranny mounts.

I managed to remove the bed on Saturday with the help of some friends. Here are the pics of the bed removed...

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Hey guys, got some work done on the truck. Welded in my engine crossmember. Also started building the 383. I have a line on K20 front and rear with 3:73 gears so I am chasing that this week. More pics to follow

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Got a real score on the 78 K20 axles. Got both of them for $300. A pic is below. I will replace the ball joints, u-joints, seals, covers, and brakes before final installation. Right now I am getting some advise from Orrie and some other guys on which lift blocks, u-bolts, and mounting plates to use.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Looks to be coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!

-Joe

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

So I have done some work in the past few weeks. I painted my engine block, set all my ring gaps, and assembled the pistons/rods the other night. I am planning on getting the rotating assembly in the block this weekend and also getting my new axles mocked up under the frame. Some pics are below. I also removed the doors from the cab because as soon as I mock up the axles I will remove the cab and send it off to be blasted.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

So I have the rotating assembly installed in my block. I need to double check it tonight for crank clearance at the bottom of the cylinders and oil pan rails. I was turning the crank by the balancer bolt so I am not sure if that is why there was a lot of resistance or if the crank is interfering somewhere.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Got the rotating assembly in the block. Rotates freely, just needed to add some more oil between the journals.

I started removing the old front axle to get ready for the new front gm 10 bolt. I got the old one out of the way after a little persuasion with the cut off wheel. Went to put my old wheels on the new axle (both are same 8 bolt pattern) and the old lug nuts were too small. After calling all the parts stores in the area, nobody had more than 2 lug nuts available. Ordered a set of 32 from summit that should arrive today. Hope to get the new front installed, old rear axle removed and new (to me) rear gm 14 bolt installed today.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Looks like you are making good progress. I am guessing you will be losing the stock steering gear for a GM power steering conversion?

-Joe

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Yes, I am going to be getting rid of the stock steering box. I think I am going to use the CPP kit but I want to do some more research on other power steering options.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Feel like I am finally making some good progress! Got the new to me front gm 10 bolt mounted under the frame yesterday. It was a big of a struggle to maneuver it because the passenger side hub was frozen. Anyways, got it installed and the front is a solid 4" higher than the rear. I will be mounting the rear gm 14 bolt tomorrow with the Rancho 4" lift blocks. More pics to come!

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

That brings back memories...nice progress.

Re: Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build
 

Got the rear installed over the weekend. Only delay I ran into this time was a massive beehive in my frame rail! Here are some pics of the install...