finally building

[56hotrodred]

Well I finally got to start the final build on my 56.

Was able to spray final coat on the frame when we got back from Arizona and started to put parts on!

Frame is Eastwood 2k ceramic satin black with the gloss parts being POR 15 Top Coat.

What I like about both is you can get them in aerosol 2k and regular 2k paint you mix with catalyst. Really helps now with me having to touch up scratches and bumps that seem to be inevitable - for me anyway!!!

Both paints seem to be adhering really good. No flaking when it gets bumped and no flaking when removing masking tap.

[Kim57]

Frame looks real nice.
Kim

[my56chevytruck]

obviously, I'm a lover of the 56, also having one, and have gotten to the stage of driving. Looks great what you've done so far, keep at it and keep sending the pictures.

[dsraven]

looks good. just wondering though, if there is a crossmember somewhere between the front end and the rear to keep the frame rails parallel and not too flexxie. not just the trans cross but something that ties the top rail to the bottom rail and also ties both sides together? I understand the pic is of the frame not completely assembled so just curious.

[56hotrodred]

Originally Posted by dsraven

looks good. just wondering though, if there is a crossmember somewhere between the front end and the rear to keep the frame rails parallel and not too flexxie. not just the trans cross but something that ties the top rail to the bottom rail and also ties both sides together? I understand the pic is of the frame not completely assembled so just curious.

All the 1980 frame had in there was the transmission crossmember! Someone please correct me if I am wrong!!!

I did not pull anything out of there!

There is of course the cab that would stiffen that up.

I wonder if anyone else can help out here as it does look like a big open area...

[dsraven]

i think the crossmember for the trans has also a bracket that connects the upper and lower frame rails. if you use that yuo wil prolly be ok. like yousaid, it looks like a big open area.
it also seems to me that they had a crossmember for the park brake cables etc just ahead of the diff somewhere. maybe not, I have seen waaaay too many trucks in my day, haha.

[56hotrodred]

I was in the shop looking around at piles of stuff and particularly the after market and original transmission cross members.

The OEM transmission cross member does tie the outer frame rails much better than what the after market one will. The after market one simply bolts to the bottom lip of the frame with two bolts on each side. Tha OEM one bolts onto sides of the frame.

I am really going to gave to look at both closely before I commit to using one!

[56hotrodred]

so sorry i posted this in wrong place. i have also inserted pictures into build threads.

thanks so much for kind words.

[Port&PolishMan]

These are the Reasons - Information like this Should be Sticke'd in the Build Area
or Library of Tech. Notes ..

Good Info .. Nice Chassis .

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by 56hotrodred

Well I finally got to start the final build on my 56.

Was able to spray final coat on the frame when we got back from Arizona and started to put parts on!

Frame is Eastwood 2k ceramic satin black with the gloss parts being POR 15 Top Coat.

What I like about both is you can get them in aerosol 2k and regular 2k paint you mix with catalyst. Really helps now with me having to touch up scratches and bumps that seem to be inevitable - for me anyway!!!

Both paints seem to be adhering really good. No flaking when it gets bumped and no flaking when removing masking tap.

Did you start with an epoxy primer?

[56hotrodred]

Yes I did!

[Coupeguy2001]

the 4l60E is the electric version of the 700R4 with a lot of the factory upgrades the 700R4 didn't come with.
You can buy a shifting module for the 4L60 if you don't use an engine computer.