Projects Winter project- half ass 1956 F100

late this past summer I ended up buying a 1956 F-100 pickup. It ran and drove and I cruised it around while summer dwindled into fall, and kind of took inventory of what it needed and what I wanted to do to it. It’s a pretty original truck, one old repaint, rebuilt 223 6 with a factory OD. I wanted to build a mild custom- lowered, caps, chrome, merc tail lights, etc. what you may see cruising the streets or pushing a digger in like 1961. A few weeks ago I decided to get going, and started with the rear first. It’s half ass because I’m not restoring it, I’m trying to give it all I can as my time and budget allows. The truck needs some dent and rust repair. Some it will get, some it will wait. I just want to have it on the road by spring. Hang out if you want. I’ll try to update this as I go....

This is what I am staring with, sits like a marmon Harrington. All the springs, suspension, shackles, pins are all new in this truck. Someone put a lot of time into it...and I’m gonna fuck it all up





A week ago I started prepping the bed to come off. I removed what was left of the wood and started buzzing/breaking bolts






This is my pile of springs and axle I had dropped.






Once the bed was finally off, I used a wire wheel and wire brush to clean the frame the best I could. Then took advantage of a warm afternoon and washed the whole rear of the frame with simple green.







I let it dry for a coupe days and removed the rear end, springs, and front spring hangers for the rear spring. Then started pairing it using some Zero Rust I had left over from another project. My lil buddy even chipped in on labor







Tonight I installed some modified front spring hangers and longer rear shackles, along with Posie springs. I estimate the drop to be 6-7” total. With no weight on the rear the chrome running boards are 10” off the ground and plenty of clearance between the rear end and frame. The rear end is just mocked back in it, I have an early F100 9” going under it.

 

You're on fire with trucks this last year. Love the 56s. Looking forward to seeing it come together.

 

Looks like you are starting with a nice solid truck. I like the direction this is going.

 

I love the simplicity of this dash layout. Could you post a few different angles please?

 

Ok, great starter truck, great help, great plan. Redoing the suspension was made a lot easier because of the recent redo ( recoop money by selling to a restorer), the body looks like it needs minimal rust repair and you're spending quality time with a potential future hot rodder. Fantastic! Oh, almost forgot...... Chrome running boards! Now, where's that Digger.

 

looks great!

 

Seeing that pic of that kid helping out brought back a few fuzzy memories of "helping" dad on his 56 F-100, probably about the same age

 

Go Swensons!

 

Really like the truck and love the build it simple idea.

The photo of the little guy painting is so cool! HRP

 

That is a nice truck. I like the direction you’re taking it. Had one once. Lots of fun.

 

this is a great truck

 

Here’s all I have, 56 was a one year old cab and dash lay out. I am going to run a 59-60 Ford Custom Cab steering wheel (needs repainted white) and my friend Bruce found me chrome dash cluster, ash tray and glove box door. I’m having the seat and door panels done right now as well. I need to do some floor repair, and will clean that original paint on the dash and doors up the best I can.

 

Wow....thank you Chris. If that were my dash I would fill the ash tray door, glove box door and hide the controls.....thank you again!

 

Currently accepting donations for a FED

 

My upholster sent me these pics tonight, he got my seat and door panels done! I wanted a mainly stock Custom Cab Interior, because I think it looks so bitchin

 

My '55 F100's down right now, tore the engine mounts clean out! (needed to re-do those anyway)
Really enjoying your approach to this, Chris! Chrome boards are the cat's ass...and, the F100 9" rear is a good fit. (my '50 Merc wheels are reversed with 6" Buick outers, 'taper-out'. Look GREAT with my new '50 Merc stainless 'Ash Can' caps...)
I used a '59 F100 front axle, same width, but has nearly 1" more drop. Had to mill 1/8" inboard on spring bores, as '55 springs are 1/4" narrower.
Wife disassembled and flattened leaves in my 20 ton press.
What are you going to use for wood in bed???

 

Chris, I did find the chrome heater box assy.... its yours if ya want it.... The Chrome heater core face went with my old truck... I'm sure this 56 will be killer like most of cars you own...

 

There are '56 Ford old chrome inner fenderwells for 200.00 on the Orange Co. Ca. Craigslist. You like old chrome.…

 

Love it, Chris but wassup with the red and cream interior in a green truck? Was red and cream the only colors available with the custom cab interior? It'd look really nice with green and cream IMHO but it's your hauler.
Hell, mine didn't have any upholstery except the bucket seats.

 

Oh man, I need those. Are they close to you?

 

Yes, I believe red and creme was the only color in custom cabs, regardless of exterior color. My old 53 was dark green and had a red and light gray seat like factory. I’m not going for stock, but I do like loud contrasting colors of paint and interiors that so many 50’s hot rods and customs had. @Ryan shoe box is one of my favorites: a heavy creame and green exterior with orange and white interior. It’s not safe, and it reminds me of that colorful late 50’s. It’s not for everyone, but I like it. This interior will be mainly mint green an off white, with a splash or red and chrome

 

Was that a thing back then, I also have a chrome glove box lid and ash tray (came with my old '54 panel).

 

Your an inspiration my friend!

 

Nice Effie.

 

Love the Moon discs on old pickups!! You can buy good aluminum wheels and cover them up with the discs. Most seem to like the screw on version.

I love the simplicity of these old cars and trucks. I also love the sound of a straight six with three on the tree with a regular muffler.. .

 

Not too far. Set the deal up and I'll pick them up for you. Tell the guy where I live and maybe we can meet somewhere. Are you coming to GNRS?

 

It was a thing back when I got my first '56 in '72. My dad had all the same items chromed on his first 2 '56s in the 60s-early 70s. My old girlfriend swore I used the chromed glovebox door to look up her dress.....but she always next to me in the middle?

 

Saaweeet! This is gonna be nice....like all your others builds.

 

Along for the ride.

 

I am going to buy a bed wood kit, I need the wood, strips and all hardware. They range from 450-550.00 depending if I want stainless or plain strips. Leaning towards stainless beings it's not much more. The bed does need some rust repair on the very bottom in some places before I can do any wood stuff.