Hi all! Apologies for not being around much. Single daddy with 2 kids seems to take up alot of my free time anymore. The older they get, the more goes on!
Anyhow, i took the week off to fart around the house and work on my '56. I've been working on it here and there. Had the engine out, dropped the rear down, dropped the front down (but don't like the results) and a few other odds and ends. Can never seem to find time to sit down and tippity-tap on this thing and post up new pics. I'll have to just force myself to make time to do so. Anyways, wanted to say Hi! and sorry for being such an anti-social shut-in... Will try to get my build thread all updated and up to speed again. Lots of stuff to share!

Here's the truck as-is...

Rear susp mods to include: New Mid-Fifty rear spring mounts (frame brackets) and extended Y-hangars, relocated forward spring mounts up to top of frame, stock Rear leaf springs -3 leaves removed, All pins, bushings, and mounts rebuilt or replaced.

Up Front: A '57-'60 3" dropped axle (4.25" drop over '56 stock) (And yes, the wheels are cambered bad... ) New, Stock unmodified leaf springs, 3" tie rod drops, All pins, bushings, and related all replaced and/or re-bushed.

 

Here's where it was with stock springs front and rear with 3 leaves removed on each end. Stock front axle and a 390 FE engine.

 

Hey Dano! Good to hear from you. Gotta tend to the kids first - even if the truck suffers. Like the progress. Thanks for checking in.

DW

 

Everyone has slow and busy times, and no one will fault you for spending time with the family.

Nice truck. I think I like it better in the before pics. I don't mind lowered, just not slammed. Your pic of it originally look nicely proportioned.

 

Thanks! Yeah figured I'd do a thrash on it before Little League starts again here in a month or so. Get it fairly squared away so i can actually drive it some more. No time to work on it when the kids' Baseball starts! Miss chattin with you guys and seeing your projects. I'll try harder!!

dmack91- Yeah it's too low in the front. That's what the axle in front of the truck is for. It's a 3" drop stock '56 axle. It should raise it up about 1.25 inches. With that crazy axle thats in there now, I can't even slide a 2x4 on it's flat side under the lowest part of the I-beam when on the ground. Nor get it off my lift without a floor jack! Not good...

 

Welcome back! I can relate as I've been a single parent for the last 16 years. Things can get hectic at times. Glad to see you still have the truck and are still playing around with it.
Keep us updated as you can.

 

Good to see you back at it.

 

Scott- Oh yeah? Wow didn't know! Hats off to you buddy... it's no easy job! Well worth it in the end. You really appreciate the little bits of free time if and when you get it. Yeah, tinkering is about it, anymore. Little at a time. Allows me to build up cash reserves too, so it goes hand-in-hand.

Grant- How's that '56 of yours coming along??? Was hoping to see it on the road here soon. I'm gonna have to go get lost in the Members Build Thread and catch up with some of you guys. It's been a while!!!

 

My kid's with hockey and baseball are keeping me broke for now I have a lot to do in the spring that will cost minimal dollar's, and show some accomplishment. Got a little blizzard happening here, and gotta run to rink to drop one off, and pick up the other. Have a great nite.

 

Dano, a really nice looking truck. Juggling family, work, and old trucks is quite an accomplishment. I am doing fine with the first two but the old truck is suffering. I have barely touched it in the last 5 months.

 

Dano, I hear you about busy with kids... I've had custody of my daughter for the last 20 years... She's 21 now and I still seam to be broke... But well worth it... Even when I save up money for my truck, it ends up being spent on her stuff... But I'm glad I got custody!

 

Do you know what your scrub line is?

 

Yep that's little league for me! But i enjoy it as do the kids. Kinda sucks as it's smack dab in the middle of spring swap meet season. I usually work around it though.

Oh I hear ya. I haven't touched mine since last September. Just sat 1/2 ripped apart until now. Finally going forward again.. Hopefully it stays that way and not slide backwards!

Hats off to you too, sir. Definitely not an easy job. Its interesting to see how many single dads are out there nowadays. Certainly respect and admire them as well as the single moms that actually pull the duty.

Uhhh... non existent...! It's not good, that's one of the reasons I'm changing out to the 3" dropped by Sid. If a tire goes down it'll be safe and not act like a road grader ripping up asphalt then.

 

Kids are wonderful, enjoy them while you can because they grow up and leave in the blink of a eye. Raising them can be demanding at times, but you already know that's its very rewarding. Friends come and go, belongings come and go, but in the end family is what you can always rely on. Don't ever feel bad for putting family first. Your truck is beautiful by the way. Its always good to see you on the board, take care.

 

Glad to see you back!

Your truck looks great!