Technical 1956 Chevy truck drop axle, suspension, and steering.

I apologize if this is a bit long. For a while I have been lurking around on here. I’ve been doing as much research as I can before I decided to make this post. I have a 1956 Chevy truck with a 59 fleet side bed that I’ve gone through once. It has a 350, th350 and stock rear end. I do not anticipate on clipping the front end to achieve IFS. I have a son who is 1yr and 4mnths old so my time is limited. If I were to go as far as clipping the front end I’d build a whole new tube chassis in stead ( I highly enjoy fabricating, possibly too much). I plan on doing a 4” drop axle and possibly lowering leaf springs ( I’m aware of scrub line). Amongst this, I plan to do disk brakes, new brake booster, power steering, shocks, new needle bearing style for the hubs, sway bar. It recently dawned on me that I’d need a new brake booster if I chose to convert the rear to disks at a later time. Might as well do the rear end now to avoid that. Like everyone else I don’t like spending money twice! Here begins my questions.
1-Any suggestions for a rear end swap that’s pretty direct other than new leaf perches and possibly relocating shock mounts ( I’d like to stick with 6 lug since I like my current wheel and tire combo)?

2- Has anyone had issues with a stock front axle and steering components being heated bent and stretched?

3- Does anyone know what material the front axle is made of? (I work for a heat treating company, I may heat treat the axle after getting it stretched if I can figure out the material it’s made from).

4- Advantages and disadvantaged from power brakes or non power brakes? I’m clueless on this.

5- What disk brake set up do you guys recommend?

6- What power steering conversion would any of you recommend, and steering column?

The truck currently runs and drives, I’d like modern amenities and make a bit more pleasurable to drive. I know it won’t handle like a car nor do I want it to. I drive a straight axle truck as my daily driver and I like it. Once I get the running gear completed I plan on pie cutting the hood and cut out the ‘ bullets’ in the bed to resemble a cameo bed, or install a 62-65 nova dashboard to match the ‘bullets’ on the bed.
I’d highly appreciate any and all suggestions and recommendations.


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After all said and done I plan on going back to an in-line 6cyl. When I was a few years younger I was given the trashed 4bolt main 350 and th350. I was able to work at an engine shop during the summer so I traded my free time to the shop and got my engine machined and built for free (kinda). It was a great experience to see how the block and heads were machined and built. Though I still don’t know my head from**** half the time.


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If you are going back to 6 I would go to disc on front and drums on rear that way you can keep your original rear wheel combination. If you want you could put on new drums and shoes but you should have plenty of brakes because it sounds like you are not building a race truck. Check with ECI for a brake kit 860 872 7046

 

ECI is really good lots of stock and great with information about whatever is your application.