The biggest issue I had to cure on my '56 was the old wooden dump bed, pretty dangerous when I hauled gravel, it would creak and groan and bend. Heard stories of them breaking in half (my friend's neighbor had it happen, crushed the back of the cab). So I replaced the entire thing with a good knaphide box and scissor hoist, new pump and control valve, even rebuilt the SM420 and the rest of the drivetrain while I was at it. Pretty solid now.
I'd like a locker for the rear, open diff isn't good in the winter when empty, just spins the right duals. (I live in the mountains, nothing is flat here)
Good thread though.
