Found a good old '48 (3800 I think) dually on an old farm. It is a grain truck right now. Could this be restored into a 1/2 ton? Or are the fenders, etc different between the two? Any info on this or anything you could link me to on these styles of trucks would be great. I currently have a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton project on the go, but have never wrenched on something this old before. Again, any help appreciated here, I look forward to spending alot of time here researching. P.S. Happy 1st post to me!
Yes! Happy 1st post REPO999 I don't mean yes to your questions- in your research, I know you'll find this out about "Zig". He only knows a little about doors and rattle cans. (and REALLY CHEAP wine...) The rest is kinda like that fly that keeps landing on your TV and making you think, "Hey, is that thing part of the show, or should I actually get up, walk over there, and squishit?!" No doubt these fine fellers will set you straight. I am 50% sure that anything bigger than 3/4 is not the same. They lookthe same from a distance, but everything is bigger. (So why don't more men quit fooling with the 1/2 and 3/4 stuff?) Just remeber- it ain't manly unless it wears the GMC smile! Welcome (young?) man! Bring a grill and enjoy yourself!
Everything on a one ton is the same as a 1/2 and 3/4. The difference in fender size, grille size, etc. begins with the 1 1/2 ton. There might be a little difference in the floor pans, 1 ton might be flatter cause it sits higher but even it that is true, it shouldn't matter with what you are talking about. Check out what it would look like if you made it a 1 ton pickup. http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/baskette_bill_1948.html By the way, welcome to our community of old Chevy AD truck lovers. My name is Bill but I go by Gater, usually.
I'm glad that Zig and Tailgater responded first! Zig is the first step, 3/4 ton. Tailgater is the second step, 1 ton. They will have the answers to stepping up, or down, in your case. We can make your 3800 into a 3100 if you want that. Look at wheelbase, for a 1/2 ton, you want 116" wb to be proper, 118'" if you want the back wheels to be centered in the back. I never had a problem with the "bigger" trucks, YOU decide what you want, and we can walk you though it!!
Uh~Hummm What the??? Who the??? How the??? See? Just 'cause Gater's truck is bigger than mine, he goes and leaves out us GMC lovers! Being a GMC man is just like workin' up the nerve to take a sip of good box wine. Your lip curls, your nose tells your stomach to ..., the glass touches your lower lip anyway~ and before you know it- you have crossed that line. Don't get me wrong~ I like Chevy trucks too. Flipper- your ride is too cool!
My apologies, Zig. A thousand pardons, I ask. I guess I just consider the GMC a big brother to the Chevy. You know, kinda like Adam was on Bonanza. Hoss was the 3800, Adam was the 3600, little Joe was the 3100. Adam, (appropriately that he be the 3600) who came around every once in a while and stirred things up, was the GMC. He didn't do much work but he made a lot of noise when he did. He also teneded to get a little hurt and would start brooding if the other brothers left him out. Kinda like when Hoss and Joe or Old Ben would forget to mention that there was another sibling in the family. I'll try not to forget to mention you next time, Adam...er..I mean...Zig. Love ya man, Gater
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm A-O, O - A!!! I need to do one of those poll things that "teacher" did. I'm not sure, but I think Gater might have just slammed me -in an obscure kinda' way-
No, Gater didn't slam you. Now had he compared you and your truck to Hop Sing, that would have been a slam!
Ken, I just couldn't find an analogy that fit Hop sing. I guess the analogy breaks down since there were no Toyotas or Nissan's between 47 and 54. At least not around here. Besides, Adam was kinda cool in a different sort of way. You know, kinda like GMCs. They grow on ya. Gater
If it is a grain truck, then it is probably a ton and a 1/2, not a 3800 1-ton. But I could be wrong. The 1-1/2 tons have five lugs up front, ten in the rear. My dad has an old grain truck like the one you described... Only the cab would have worked for a pickup, so we scratched the idea and bought my '65.
Aimless is right. All the cabs were the same just not the fenders. But as long as the cab is good then you can always get fenders hood and grill. If it's the frame you need let me know I've got one just sitting around that most likely will never get used on anything. By the way what's your name, where you from, all those kinds of things? We all want to know. By the way don't pay attention to Zig up there getting his feelings hurt, he always calms down after the magic box of red stuff kicks in.
Thanks for all the help guys. But now that I have been reading more, I don't think its a 3800. This is a large grain truck. It also happens to be a Maple Leaf truck. Check my other post on help figuring out what the heck this is! Thanks!
You may have noticed~ Some peolpe on this site aint worth the powder to blow them up. BUT- no matter how hard everyone tries, that person just won't go away. Kinda like steppin' in dog poop. Sure you can wipe it off your shoe, but just wait 'till you kick back with your babe- You get good and cozy- cross your leg up over the other as you lean in, and what-the-hell is it that you smell? That dang dog poop. Gater- guess what I'm sending you for Christmas? Anyway... Repo, I am happy for you, and happy for us that we have another rounded fender lover in our midst. Please do me a favor just to stir things up and tell us you want to "hot-rod" your truck! Give me a chance and I'll prove that it's the fine fellers on this site that have made me what I are! (when it comes to these trucks)
I wonder how long it will take me to get that visual out of my head??? Glad I can help with impressing the babes. By the way, Zig, kick those shoes off before you get in my truck. Gater
Zig you trying to stir the pot again with the hot rod jokes? I didn't think so! Nate and I are buddies and always will be no matter what we build, right Nate?
Actually Kevin~ I think that response was promted by a comment someone made about a TV series and who I would've been in it. My reply now is, TOMBSTONE and I'm Doc! "you're a daisy if you do..." I must say- I've never given it much tought, but I guess you could say I'm feeling "CAPITAL" right now! -what a COOL line! lower case tomorrow, but CAPITAL today!
Zig, My favorite line fromthat movie, if I have the movie right, was from Val Kilmer (Doc Holiday). "I'll be your huckleberry." Now I am going to have to go rent that one again. Gater
