Ok, I am kinda new here on this site. Its great to find so many people interested in these old trucks. Anyway, been working on a 56 1.5 ton truck for about 5 months now. Started with the engine, got it running after sitting for about 17 years. Then the brakes. Man, what a job. since I work in a truck shop for a Pepsi company, I have many resources. I had to replace ALL hardware, wheel cylinders, brake lines, master cylinder, etc.... Finally got them working after bleeding, bleeding, bleeding. I kept getting air. So I replaced the master. GOT BRAKES NOW BABY !!!!! Did a total frame blast. Now I cheated, I left the cab on and degreased and power washed around, under and in between. I couldn't beleive the amount of grease at the leaf spring zirk fittings and the universal. GEEZ. Now mind you this took about two months now. Stripped and painted the frame, front and rear suspension, stripped and primed the wheels. Gutted the interior. Removed the windsheild for new gasket and clean out the crap in the window channel. Oh, rewired the entire truck, installed new lights front and rear. Now, while this is going on, the truck has not moved. Well today, I have had enough looking at this thing, drivers coming in and asking "does it run ?" So, I cranked her up, bungee corded the doors closed, Put on my sunglasses, and proceed down the road. Oh yeah, NO WINSHEILD. The last time I drove it Which was a year ago, it would only go 45 mph. Well I happy to say that got over 60, and was keeping up with traffic, and it still had more throttle left.
Trucks are great !!
Jason Connellee
