The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1956 GMC 1/2-ton "Time to start the dream"

My High School Vehicle
Purchased for $800 in 1979

Hello All,

For the past 37 years I've been wanting to get busy converting my 1956 GMC to an everyday hot rod driver. I have very little restoration experience which I think has been holding me back most of my life. That and having a job, paying the bills, keeping the wife happy all took priority.

I've been close a few times to the point where I've ripped out all of the wiring (after the third dash fire I figured I should to prevent a total loss).

I've got my plans. I can envision what it will look like as well as how it will drive. So now I just need to get started and make sure I see this through.

I joined this site in order to gain knowledge, hopefully, on everything that I need to do and more importantly how to do it. I look forward to reading through all of the stories from all of you who've been down this road already.

I think Red said it best, "Get busy living or get busy dying." - Shawshank Redemption.

Sam

Welcome Sam! Experience (or lack thereof... ) has never been a limiter for the rest of us! No matter what it is, someone here will know how to do it. Ask lots of questions and post some pictures somewhere as soon as you can.

John

Welcome Sam. You're not the only one to buy an old truck and not know how to proceed.

You made a good first step by joining us. You came to the right place.

I would be disconnecting the battery until you get the short circuit fixed. Many of us have put in complete new wiring harnesses, not as intimidating as it sounds.

Be sure to check in and ask whenever you need help. Good luck and maybe share some pics.

Leo

Thanks all, I will be asking a lot of questions and will start posting pictures. I've already started my own website to chronicle my progress I just don't have it on the big interweb right now. As for disconnecting the battery, that was removed many ears ago.

Story time

I was a senior (back in 1980) and we were all getting together to have a kegger out in the boonies. I asked a very hot chick from the Cross Country team as my date and we set off. When we got to the dirt road, the ruts were so bad the both of us were bouncing around inside the cab. Not only did we not have seat belts but with every huge bumps, the rust from inside the cab rained down. Then to add to my embarrassment, dash fire number two ignited. (Thought I had fixed the problem.) That was the moment I realized that it was okay to carry a fire extinguisher in a truck. Not that I had one mind you, but it was suddenly a very good idea. Luckily, the fire subsided on its own, we pulled up to the bonfire and had a fairly normal time after that. No, I didn't score that night but I still remember it like it was yesterday.

For those of you who are wondering, the dash fire culprit turned out to be a loose hot wire bouncing around inside the dash. Faulty work from the previous owner but it cost me all new previously-owned gauges. I had just swapped them all out and the third and final dash fire caused me to load them all up with chemical dust when I grabbed that fire extinguisher. That dust is still in those gauges today and no none of them work.

I pulled the battery and every wire out of the engine compartment the last time I started the dream.

Thanks for listening.

Sam

I've had my truck for 24 years and just started to get serious about it. Keep us posted on the progress!

After waiting 40 years and 40 years worth of excuses, I have finally jumped into the rust and grime and the "Money Pit".

I checked into having it done and was told that if I wanted it "restored," it would cost a minimum of $150,000. If I wanted it modded it, would run upwards of $300,000. Knowing that this is my first attempt, and I'm going to suck at it and I don't have that kind of money, I've decided to knuckle up and get busy. So in 5 - 10 years from now when I post the finished pictures, I'll try to keep things updated as I go.

Sadly, my "Hydra-Matic" was previously downgraded to a manual transmission and today when I removed the motor mount bolts, I discovered that one of them wasn't original which means the engine may have been tampered with.

But hey, I was never going to restore it anyway so I can't whine too much.

Stay away from whoever told you those prices. They are dangerous people. Don't trust them.

What is a dash fire? What is there to burn? Usually wiring insulation won't propagate a flame.

Anyway I've had a few 56GMC's. Very nice year.

Hi Bartamos,

After I bought the truck when I was still a teen in high school, I would take it out on back roads which were quite bumpy. It was during these times, usually at night, which arken-sparken would occur and the cab would fill up with smoke.

On the third fire, I had just replaced all of my dashboard dials from a friend who was parting out his truck. When I started the truck, another dash fire but this time it wasn't momentary so I had to cut the battery cable and grab the fire extinguisher. The resulting powder residue ruined all of my new, old, dials.

After inspecting the dash wiring, I found the culprit. The previous Joe-Schmoe left a hot wire dangling in the rat's nest of wiring.

So the first two fires were just the hot wire touching the frame when the truck was bouncing. The third one must have pressed it against the frame which then melted which is why it wouldn't stop burning until I cut the battery cable.

Whomever messed with the wiring completely screwed it all up so I've cut it all out.

Good luck with the build.

I have attached a link to a website that I refer to a lot. The section on not getting burned out will become more and more relevant as you progress. I really liked the advice on setting small goals as it feels really good to complete something and check it off the to-do list!

Keep us posted as it is nice to have a comrade-in-arms.


How to Build Hotrods --- "Our Hotrod Advice Will Save You Money and Hassle."


Best regards,
Steve

Hi Steve,

I have been concerned about the burn-out effect simply because I'm a network geek, not a mechanic. I tried being a mechanic when I first bought this truck.

As I look back, it was classic. I couldn't drive a stick so my Dad had to drive my crusty old new purchase home. It was late but I was excited to get started teaching myself how to drive a stick shift the next morning. Alas, the truck wouldn't start. My Dad just laughed at me and told me I get to learn what a tune-up was all about as I didn't have a clue.

But I did get her running and after working a few weekends as a busboy and saving up whatever I could, it was time for me to learn how drum brakes get replaced. This kind of thing continued with the muffler, the rear axle housing (the u-bolts were so loose they gouged great big holes in the housing), the exhaust manifold, the head, 5 carbs ... all rebuilds and I could never get any of them working right. Single barrel carbs at that. New windshield, left driver door, glove box door, lower front bumper and radiator. That was in the first two years.

I mention all of this because I feel that I've already made it through the "setting small goals" phase. I am taking this beast down to the frame as I will be replacing the frame so I can get IFS, disc brakes, all new hydraulic brake lines and a working E-brake. It will sport a new crate LS1 with automatic transmission so I can put the "Hydramatic" emblem back on and feel good about it. The interior will be all updated, keeping the bench seat, excellent sound system, electric windows, with heating and cooling.

I still haven't decided what type of wood planking I will use with the chrome metal strips for the truck bed and I'm still trying to visualize exactly what my dash will look like. I will not cut the existing dash as that has never been done.

So I think I do qualify in having goals set along the way and I plan on boring all of you as I do it. Now I am more worried about how I will feel when it is complete. Will I still have my high school nostalgia or will I feel the job is complete and sell the truck. It's too soon to be thinking like that so scratch that last bit of insanity. I'm getting old.