'56 F600 custom
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'56 F600 custom
Hi everyone.
I'm new here and I've been looking at a '56 F600 that is in decent shape and running. It's currently all original, but I would like to know if a modern drive chain can be put in it.. ie newer diesel motor, transmission, and gearing. I would like to make it an automatic.
My goal is to have a truck that I can drive on the highway and tow an RV or small cargo trailer. Thanks in advance for your help... I just want to know if I'm getting in over my head on this one...
Thanks!
I'm new here and I've been looking at a '56 F600 that is in decent shape and running. It's currently all original, but I would like to know if a modern drive chain can be put in it.. ie newer diesel motor, transmission, and gearing. I would like to make it an automatic.
My goal is to have a truck that I can drive on the highway and tow an RV or small cargo trailer. Thanks in advance for your help... I just want to know if I'm getting in over my head on this one...
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,175
Likes: 4,782
From: Burbank, WA
Hi everyone.
I'm new here and I've been looking at a '56 F600 that is in decent shape and running. It's currently all original, but I would like to know if a modern drive chain can be put in it.. ie newer diesel motor, transmission, and gearing. I would like to make it an automatic.
My goal is to have a truck that I can drive on the highway and tow an RV or small cargo trailer. Thanks in advance for your help... I just want to know if I'm getting in over my head on this one...
Thanks!
I'm new here and I've been looking at a '56 F600 that is in decent shape and running. It's currently all original, but I would like to know if a modern drive chain can be put in it.. ie newer diesel motor, transmission, and gearing. I would like to make it an automatic.
My goal is to have a truck that I can drive on the highway and tow an RV or small cargo trailer. Thanks in advance for your help... I just want to know if I'm getting in over my head on this one...
Thanks!
Welcome to the forum! Most anything can be done, given enough time and money. (Although I'm not sure how many newer vehicles have a drive "chain" anymore
) 
Whether or not you'll be in over your head will depend on your custom fabrication skill level, or your pocket book. You'd better really want it, if you're going to do it, because it won't be cheap.
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Thanks for the reply 
I thought it would be pretty expensive...and I don't have any fabrication experience....mostly worked on motorcycles (hence the drive chain haha)
Perhaps I should start with something a little less custom intensive. Now looking at a '57 F350.
Thanks!
I thought it would be pretty expensive...and I don't have any fabrication experience....mostly worked on motorcycles (hence the drive chain haha) Perhaps I should start with something a little less custom intensive. Now looking at a '57 F350.
Thanks!
Ret. UPSer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 581
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From: Morgan Hill Ca
56 f600 cummins conversion
Yes It can be done, I installed a 5.9 cummins from a 94 f700, used a fuller 5306 6sp out of a 95 f750, a dana 80 rear end with 3.31 ratio out of a 99 freightliner mt45. I'm very happy with this conversion, driven 6k miles so far. check out the old build tread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...onversion.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ideo-link.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...onversion.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ideo-link.html
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Ret. UPSer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 581
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From: Morgan Hill Ca
Delivery trucks ie. fed ex, dhl, laundry.bread vans are all good canidates.
If your willing to wait for the right deal the swap can be done inexpensively.
Ive got 3k in my swap, the only outside labor was having the driveshafts made.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,175
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From: Burbank, WA
Like Rusty said, if you have the time to wait for the right deal, and you really have your heart set on the F-600, then go for it. The work is going to be the same whether you do a drivetrain swap in a one ton or a 2 ton, you're simply working on a slightly larger rig. We all had our first time, so go ahead and jump in the deep end. There's plenty of us here willing to help keep you from drowning. Just keep us posted on your progress.
PS, thanks for taking my lighthearted chain ribbing in the spirit intended. I didn't want to be known as the newbie slammer. ;-)
PS, thanks for taking my lighthearted chain ribbing in the spirit intended. I didn't want to be known as the newbie slammer. ;-)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 117
From: Upper Left Coast
And it's why I'm going back to work on my 55 F-600. While I would LOVE to put a Cummins in mine(& I was close) , I decided to stay with the era-correct 292 Y-block.
It's also using an automatic trans (not so era-correct, but up to the task GCVW-wise!)
Now that I know what I know (thanks to Rusty there!!!) My next one will get a Cummins and maybe an Allison! (I want a 53-56 F-800!)
Pics in my Gallery!
Cheers,
Rick
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
I'm gonna have to agree with most of the guys on here. If you want it, do it. There are so many options, and so many different ways of building what's right for you, that it is only limited by your imagination. It is often easier to start with the 53-56 trucks, than some of the other years, because the aftermarket has made parts readily available. Going the route like rustyrelic, wouldn't be that hard to make happen. The older Cummins trucks (89-93 Dodge) are showing up more and more, and like mentioned, lots of delivery trucks. In fact, there's a Cummins with 5 speed here locally for only a few thousand. Body parts are the same for 100-900 trucks, except fenders, and running boards, so that helps with lots of options too. 460 V-8 can be had for cheap, and can be built (on a low budget) to out torque a stock Cummins, and still yield 18+ mpg if geared right, unless you're set on the diesel route. I just picked up a 1993 Cummins, with tranny for $2500, it is now in a '70 Chevy bus I'm building for a guy. So, just get your idea together, and do some looking. The stuff is out there, it just takes keeping an eye, and ear open for it.
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