1956 F-100 long bed
 

Hello my grandfather just gave me his 1956 f-100 custom cab truck. I am new to the restoring thing but excited about getting started. The truck has a long bed on it and I wondering if it is possible to shorten the chassi and bed to make it look like a short bed? Or would it be better to shorten the chassi and find a short bed to put on it. Sorry for the "newby" questions but thanks for any responses. I am going to try and figure out how to put a picture in the photo gallery.

It really depends on what you want. If I'm not mistaken the long box is the same as the F250 box. Which is taller and wider then the shortbox.

If you like the looks of the current box but just want it shorter. Then you could cut it down. I think it's simpler just to replace the box though.:D

I shortened up a '56 many years ago....cut a chunk of frame out behind the cab and trimmed the rear horns. Worked pretty good, I put a regular short box on it. I don't remember exactly how much frame I took out tho.....

That's another truck I wish I woulda kept!:-X19

Here's what I used to figure out mine.


http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1.../fordspec4.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1.../fordspec1.jpg

Taken from the website How Stuff Works:

Production of the 1956 Ford F-100 Pickup:

* Short bed: 137,581
* Long bed: 25,122

I forgot to mention it might be easier to find a short bed.

Are a 58 bed and a 56 the same size ?

Yep 53-72 box will work. I believe the 58 will have a short step you will have to remove to fit your running boards. Which you'll also have to change when you shorten the box.

Oh yea, Welcome to the site!:D

Are a 58 bed and a 56 the same size ?

Yes the step side bed is the same! Here's a 58-72 Short box step side box on my 54 when I bought it.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...25_63_full.jpg

Stock inline v6 300 or a 1970 351w?

Inline 6 and V6 are two different engines. Watch out for that. Calling a 300 a V6 could get some guys on this site a little angry.:-D

Now are you talking about the 56 stock inline 6 engine or a newer 300? The 56 engine would be a 223 inline 6. They didn't make the 300 until 65.

Now if you are just building an old truck to cruise in the stock 56 inline 6 would be fine. If you want to build a daily driver or want more power then a newer engine would be a good choice.:-X22

yeah I asked my grandpa. He had it mixed up with the 300 inline 6, wish it was the newer one now.

i need me a inline v6!

Wouldn't that be a V-12??? LOL

http://pwoodford.net/blog/wp-content...1-13-09_21.jpg

HOLY SH!!!!!!!!!!T WAYNE !!!!!
is that yours??????
and no i want a inline v6(just giving the guy a hard time)sorry.