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The Truck that Grant Built
Ok thought I would spend some time to tell you about my 56 Chevy. First off it’s not your usual hot rod project although it will be a hot rod it’s a dump truck. A 1956 Chevrolet 6100 two ton. Plans are for it to be a showy working hot rod dump truck. I found this truck about 50 miles south west of my home in Roy WA. I t was advertised in the local auto trader for $1600. So headed out in a south westerly direction till I came to the town of Elma WA. where the truck was currently living. As I looked over the truck I found it to be in much better shape than I could have ever dreamed. The truck was covered with green from the trees that leered overhead and had no battery in it though over all in great shape. The guy told me that everything on the truck was functional but naturally I wanted to see for my self. He had a tractor near by so I convinced him to let me borrow it’s battery. Wow it fired right up and purred like a kitten. The box went up and down it drove around the yard fine, had to have it. I wrote a check and told him I would be back in a week or two.
Not even a week had passed and I could not wait any longer. So I pulled of the job I was on early, “oh I might add I drive dump truck” rushed home to drop my pup trailer and hook up to my {tilt top} equipment trailer and headed for Elma. Three hours later we had the old girl loaded, the now previous owner signed over the title and I was headed home with my prize.
With her at home the next few weeks of spare time where spent blasting her with the pressure washer. The more I cleaned the more I found her condition to be. Well just say to my amazement this truck has zero rust, even the battery tray was found to be sound and rust free. I put her on blocks and pulled the wheels and tires. Sent the wheels out for powder coating and had them shoed with new 10.00 22.5 rubber nice ribbed steers in the front and a heavy lug traction for the rear. I striped the interior and ordered all new body seals, a polyvinyl floor mat, glass, power window and door lock kits, and too much other stuff too list, from LMC Truck.
That brings us to where I am at today. In the mock up stage. The plans are too update the drive train and comfort factor to modern day. Originally the truck had manual steering that at some point in time someone added a Vickers power assist ram to the manual system. This system is not up to my standards so I am replacing it with a Saginaw power box from an International Scout and changing it to crossover steering. The stock power comes from a 261 straight six that will give way to a 496ci stroked big block Chevy. An Edelbrock performer rpm pro-flo EFI. will help bring the old truck into the twenty-first century . With the addition of big power plans for new heat and A/C are in the works. The original SM420 trans will give its space too a Fuller FSO 6406A six speed overdrive. For now I will be keeping the drum brakes all around however a complete rebuild and plans for a hydro-boost and modern master cylinder are happening now. After all this comes together and works how I want it I’ll take it all apart and start on the paint body and chrome.
When finished this truck will be asked to safely and comfortably pull a twenty thousand pound trailer on a daily basis.
Progress Updates
Today 12/27/06 I fabricated a model of the steering arm that will bolt to the right hand spindle via the upper brake backing plate bolts. If I had a Bridgeport mill I would make the arm myself but I don’t, so I will send the model that I made out of wood, the spindle and bolts with my uncle who will build me the piece I need.
New pictures of steering system at my webshots site (LINK BELOW)