Hey everyone new to the forum here as you can probably tell by the number of posts. Well to make a long story short, i just inharited a 1956 Ford F100. Its olive green and black because my grandfather has started restoration on it. and has fixed what little rust it had. Im a complete n00b about this car and look forward to learning about it and restoring it. IS there anything you guys could tell me about a 56?

thanks all

 

keep it! or give it to me, lol. Welcome to FTE, and stick around, and soak it all in.

 

Post up the VIN and some pics and we can tell you more. Having a 56 of my own, I'd say you're onto a winner.

 

welcome to F T E.

 

Yes. "A 56 F100 is the coolest truck ever built". That's what I can tell you about it.

As to being a noobie without experience, welcome to the club! I bought my 56 about 4 years ago, and stumbled around with it for about a year until I discovered this place. I never had any building experience either, but I have done all the work on my truck myself with a lot of assistance from the many good folks here. You have come to the right place to finish your Grandad's truck. Great to have that kind of history with it, too.

What does your truck want to be when it grows up? That is the first question you really need to answer. Planning the build is essential. Stock restoration, resto rod or full blown street rod will each have officionados here.

Welcome !!!

Check out my gallery (click on my name and pick "view gallery")

 

Here's a another welcome, along with some quick facts about 1956 Ford trucks.

Your grandfather had great taste. 1956 is hands down the most popular year of all the vintage Ford trucks. You will find the best aftermarket parts support for this year truck, as well as New Old Stock (NOS) parts. 1956 trucks usually command the best prices if you ever decide to sell.

Most of the parts on a 1956 truck are similar to those found on trucks from 1953 to 1956. Many parts are identical. I suggest you pick up a Ford Parts Catalog for 53-56 trucks on ebay (or one of the FTE sponsers on the links at the top of the page!), as well as a shop manual. It will save you tons of guess work.

1956 was the first year of the "wrap around windshield" and that big windshield is the primary way to recognize a 56 next to a 55 or earlier. They also offered a wrap around back window, called the "big window" cab, but this was much more rare. Big window cabs are the most sought after today. 1956 was also the year that 12V electrical systems started being used, which is nice too as that's the modern standard.

The F-100 trucks are 1/2 ton models and were built mainly for consumers, making them the most popular. F-250's are 3/4 ton models and heavy duty, built for more commercial use. Most F-100's came with the standard 6ft long bed, also called the short bed. Most F-250's came with an 8ft long bed, also called the "express bed". Some F-100's came with the long bed too, but not many. Most folks think the short bed looks better.

The standard engine choices in 1956 were the 223 ci 6 cyl. and the 272 Y-block 8 cyl. The Y-block 8 was used in trucks from 1955 to 1964, and the 272, 292, and 312 ci sizes shared common parts. You can also find Y-blocks in cars up to 1960 or so, but they have some differences, such as the oil pan shape. There is a good Y-block forum on FTE for more info.

I also inherited my truck and it's a great link to the family. Good luck with yours and make sure to share all your progress around here, especially with pictures.

 

Welcome to the club, these guys here are the best and will answer your questions. I've learned a lot in a short time, you will too!

 

Welcome and congrats on getting your grampa`s neat truck.
Enjoy and be sure to post pictures as soon as you can.

 

Welcome!

Let's see some pics of that truck.

 

Thanks all for the welcome. I should state im not a complete novice at restoring cars, but when it comes to this car i am. I know it has the V-8 and its still running. Ill get pictures up here soon. Im lucky enought to have a garage to work on it in also (my gramps garage) which makes it much easier for me. Im going over to the house and look at it probably tomorrow or friday, and take a note of where gramps left off with it. I know so far that the engine will have to be re-done but thats all i have so far :-)


oh btw my intentions are to restore it to factory condition. with all cars i do, i like to keep them original. Specialy since this was my grandfathers truck.

 

I'm with you on the stock thing, and for the same reasons.

 

Another "Welcome to FTE!" Sounds like a nice project you have.
If you want to do some reading, we are blessed with several talented writers on this board..Take a look at George's "Earl's World" for an in depth look at his '56 F-250 restoration project. There's a lot of info on his truck and the 53-56 trucks in general at this link.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/index.html

We also have John Niolon's site for the customized or "dark side" guys. There are are articles dealing with some of the most popular modifications for these trucks and a nice article titled "Trials of the First Time Builder" that is some very interesting reading.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon/index.html

There are many more talented folks on here that have documented a wide variety of modifications and restoration processes in their galleries and on their web pages. It's a friendly place so make yourself at home.
Good Luck!

 

Welcome to the board. PICS PICS PICS. We like PICS. Congrates on getting your grandpas truck. I agree keep it stock. ..........RUSTY

 

Welcome to the FTE. Did anyone mention we like pictures?
I am also a purist, Mine is as close to stock as I can get it.
We really like pictures.
Don

 

Welcome to FTE. 56's are the COOLEST...stock or otherwise!