Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

It just takes money lol

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Thanks everyone for the comments .

Orrie , I know what you mean abt the kids and the technology , but Im only 35 . Just imagine how behind ill be by the time I have grandkids.

Ryan , You want to come all the way to Canada to help me take the fuel pin and parts out of the glove box and put them in the eng ? You think they wil be more effective there ???:lol:

I think this winters goal is , a new steering box . So I can drive the dam thing and drink a coffe . Some new skins. My wifes burb is in need of some before winter hits so I think I will get it a new set of 235 85 BFG AT's Then in the spring Ill take them and hopefully by then the burb will be going down the road . The 56 also needs some new front springs . Hopefully thet will help with the driveability and the front wheel hop . Last but not least . Taking the hop up parts out of the glove box , where they have been less than effective and putting them in the engine so a bit of smoke can be seen . Oh ya speaking of smoke also need a tail pipe. Oops and need a heater and and and ...... does it ever stop .....

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Nope, and I'm not Ryan, but yes, those parts will help considerably. How clsoe to Grand Prairie are you? One of us may be making a trip up there this spring.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Grand Pairie Is abt 3 days drive from here . A bit of a hike ! Alberta dosent use salt on there roads , just sand I guess. There trucks are a lot nicer than the ones in this neck of the woods . My truck was from out that way originially .

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

I'm talking a bit more than a fuel pin and gov spring. I'm talking about opening a major can of whoop ass. :lol:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

I have a can of whoop ass in the glove box as well. It's next to the gov spring and the fuel pin . I think I'll start with the pin and spring and save the can till a bit later ....:lol: I better read your instructions on how to open said can before I proceed on my own .:devil:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

So this has been one full on winter for sure up here . I had so many little things I wanted to get done , but the truck is snowed in to the storage building . I think I will take the tractor over and spend some time blowing out to get it to the shop in a few weeks .

Any one have any thing to say as to who makes or carries a good replacement steering box . my truck uses the dodge box , which s almost the same as a 80's gm truck box .

I see Borgenson has "new " boxes available . They seem to run in the $350 range . Anyone have any experience with there product ?

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

I've used a few Borgeson boxes on 2nd gen dodges and they are a very nice upgrade. They have great customer support and the boxes have an extra bearing that the stockers do not.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Well that is what I was looking to hear . The box that is on my truck was a reman not that long ago when it was on the dodge. I was looking for something a bit better quality this time around . Do you know if the 1st Gen boxes have upgrades as well?

Thanks for your 2 cents on this one. I was hopeing you would have something to say .

Sorry to hear abt the Excursion . I was tuned in to that one from the 1st step. Whats the plan now ?

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Honestly IDK. I heard they were going to do them for the square body chevies but haven't looked into it any farther. The Excursion I'm rebuilding a different engine for. Once it's done, we'll swap it in. It does suck, but what do you do? :lol:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

56 6BT - I hate to admit this but I just got around to reading your build thread. You got you a sweet old ride for sure.:metal::metal:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Hey thanks . Now if It would just warm up I could get some work done . I got a second set of front springs . The 56 has 2in wide front springs . Currently it's a hodge podge of stock with a few 2.5 wide dodge springs thrown in to help with the weight . I got a second set of stockers . My plan is to double em up and replace all the bushings at the same time . I also need a new steering box . Im just painting up some stock wheels and will have my 70;s hup caps on them in spring . I put a new set of BFG AT's on my wifes burb for the winter . They will go on my new steel wheels and the burb will get it's summers back . I also think i will try to get the heater hooked up . this way I can enjoy it a bit in the cooler spring weather .

Im looking forward to seeing your truck with the new meats installed .

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Hi All .

I just had my build moved over here . I thought this was a better place for it as it was never a build just abt the 56 , more abt building a old truck with a cummins and having a truck you can drive daily . I think most people on this side have seen it any way, but I thought what the heck .

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

welcome neighbor.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Welcome to the plugless side. :lol: (Unless you have a pesky IH engine or one of those Isuzu engines.) :lol:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

I know nothing abt the pesky engines and the other wont run on 1 wire ? I dont think any way .

Any one have any experience with crossover steering ? Considdering swiching this one over . Should cost abt $300. Worth it ?

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

$300 on the low end? :lol: I know it can be nice and bad on some trucks. I've only ever had one chevy with a D60 that I put cross over on and I never finished the project with the cross over so IDK how it drove. I've had friends that had horrible bump steer with it and others that have no issues. Ryanroo can give you a lot of info on it for sure.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

So, I went from the D44 with the regular steering to a D60 with cross-over. I love it, and love the improvement in the responsiveness in the steering over the old set-up. That being said, it also includes a new steering box and all new tie-rod ends, and I haven't had it out for any serious drives yet. (Still working through some oil leaks.)

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Im going to get a new steering box from borgenson and get a fe allignment done and see how it drives . My biggest push to do it is when you turn the truck all the way to the right the drivers tire rubs the pitman arm . Common on these 55 to 59 trucks with 80's gm powersteering box swapped in . It only really seems to do it when you are backing into your spot at the local cruze nite . Makes a nice grinding ,rubbing noise as the truck comes to a stop half in half out your parking space ... Makes you look like a real pro ....

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Hey 56!

Just wanting to check in! Hope all is well with you and your family. I was just thinking this morning how cool it would be for our two trucks to get there pictures taken side by side. Maybe one day we can make that happen. Any new developments on your truck? I know you are dead in the middle of boating season so you are probably busy with that. Maybe you have an obligatory boat hauler picture to show us.

Talk to you later,
Will

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Just read through the build.

Very cool truck.:metal:

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

So I thought I would thro in a current pic . Just a excuse to figure out how my new I pad works . Lol. Nothing new outside . There is finially a 4x4 shifter sticking out of the floor tho.

Here is a pic of my new project . I'm missed the truck that donated its driveline to the 56 so I have been poking around for the rite old truck.

Here it is . Rather straight 1st gen. Cummins auto 4x4. Need s ad rivers floor pan and definitely paint. It it's a good platform for a solid old farm truck to be. I will likely start a thread in alternates for sumtin to do.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

I guess I should actually include the pic when I say im going to .Lol.

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

And one of the old girl in her current form . Not too much to see except for abt 11000 k more on the clock

Re: My 56 6bt 4X4 build.
 

Here's a few of the new old truck . Old and ugly but should make a good farm truck . See the wheels I picked up for it as well. Could not pass them up for the $$$