Hey Guys, First off i love the site. I've scoured the first 14 pages so far and have gotten a good amount of info. The reason for the POSSIBLE newbie status is because im going to look at a 49 today. Here's the posting on CL http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/2062613860.html I have wanted this style truck for many years now and have never been able to find one in my price range which is just about $0 lol but i am a little apprehensive because of the timing and things going on right now. The guy told me that the frame and body are in great shape. He isn't sure if it is a 3100 or 36. The plans for the truck would be a fun project for my father and i but in the end i am hoping for a relatively cheap fun and light duty work truck. You know picking up 2x4's or whatever material that i might need for small renovations around the house. I guess my question or questions are: should i jump on this if it checks out? Am i being impractical as far as relatively cheap? Basically I'm looking for help with my usual buyers remorse even though i know i will enjoy the project. sorry for the lengthy first post thanks Matt
Re:49 Welcome to the forum CarCrazy. The truck looks to be a 3600 by the appearance of the rear axles and the long bed. It also looks to have been sunk into the ground for the entire 10 years the owner has had it. This could lead to frame rot and other rust issues. Even though its cheap,crawl around under it as much as possible and look closely for problems. Good luck! John
It is not the 3100, it could be the 3604 or or the 3804 with an 8 ft bed not the 9ft bed. You will know when you get the ID #'s to us, But BUY it you can always re-sale it on Ebay and start it off at $2K . Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride.
For $1k? Yeah, its worth it. Decide what you want out of it.....restored, hot rodded, cool old truck to tool around in? Then plot your course. The nicer you want, the more $, depending on your level of skill.
Look Closely ! Because it looks to be a rust bucket from here . The visor is from a '54Chevy sedan and has a value of mabye $250 , new ones are $350 ~ $400 anywhere in America , no shortage of these . If the engine isn't stuck , it'll run , no worries there . I'd be more worried about a paper thin frame and cab mountings ripped loose .
Well i took a look at the truck. from everything that i could see the rust is all surface and the frame is solid. He got the truck from his uncle and father. the engine isn't stock. not sure on the size. the root i want to go with the truck is a cool old truck to tool around in for atleast a few years. And i will officially be a newbie this coming weekend when i pick it up and drop it off in my fathers garage. You guys wont believe what i'm getting the truck for but ill wait until i actually have the truck so i don't jinx it lol I hope you guys are ready for alot of questions because i'm going to have em thanks Matt
get it and fix it up to be safe and dependable, then drive it. That is exactly what i did with mine. Couldn't be happier with it. I like the patina look to it.
thats how i planned it. it will likely be that way for a few years as worker. Oh and i am officially a newbie. trucks in the garage and looking great. ill post up pictures when i can
Congrats CarCrazy396! Welcome to the Nuthouse! Now for the house rules! We require pics and lots of them! After that, it's "Katy bar the door"! Next, remember this! There is no such thing as a stupid question! We reserve the right, however, to give a stupid answer! Now that it is in the garage, first order of business is to figure out if you have a 3600 or 3800 (the Craigslist pics made me think that it is possibly a 1 ton). Next, what's up with the exhaust stacks? Are they functional, or someone's weak attempt at humor? What kind of engine is in it? Welcome aboard! Have fun with your new truck! Ken
how do i figure out if its a 36 or 38? the engine is a inline six out of something in the 70's 80's we figure because there is a temp sensor connection but beyond that i have no idea yet. Pictures will be on the way. the stacks are functional and as much as i might get flack for it i kind of like them... for now not for the future. oh and i enjoy stupid answers lol also i was wondering if there is any way i could find the build date. my father was born in 49 and was thinking how incredibly unbelievable it would be if it was the same day as his birthday. I know its a long shot but funny non the less.
Look to see if there is a serial number on a plate on the drivers side pillar. That should give you all the info you need to know. Absent that, measure the wheelbase. 3600 series will measure around 125", 3800 series will measure around 137". Measure centerline from front hub to back hub. Your serial number should start with a number, followed by 3 letters, then a series of numbers again. The 3rd letter will be the month in which it rolled off of the assembly line. Ken
Buy buy baby! 1st: YES, buy it for $1,000 (or less). 2nd: Congrats on taking my previous advice!!!! and WELCOME. I think based on what your plans are, you have a great truck here to work with, plus working on it with your dad is a huge bonus. I would keep it all looking as is (stacks and all), especially the paint and the exterior lights, and get it running safe and sound. That would be such a cool ride. After a couple of years, you will decide what more you want to do with it if any. I think you have made a very nice RESCUE! Thanks and congrats again! - jd Find the VIN# and from that you can tell where it was built and the frame sequence number will tell you (relatively to all builds from that plant that year) when. Regardless, working on it with your dad will be a great b-day present.
Congradulations ! On buying your truck C.C. ; As it has 8 wheel lugs , IIRC this means it's a 3600 . No matter , the tune up detailis the same on ALL InLine GM engines , you'll find more than you ever wanted to know in the older posts , just look up 'tune up' , 'valve adjust' (really important !) and so on . Change the oil before anything else and when you have the rocker box off for the valve adjustment , squirt oil between the valve springs using a pump oiler , this will ensure the valves don't stick or bend from sticking . I like to use ATF there . When you get it started , expect BIG BLUE CLOUDS OF SMOKE ! not to worry though , they all do that an 95 % of them stop or reduce the smoking as you get it " Peaked & Tweaked " Just So with the help from the good folks here . Oil & grease , lots of it , don't rush to take it apart....
Take LOTS of pictures before, during and after any job you do. They come in handy when you forget how things go back together. And vacuume out any mouse turds, apparently that stuff is bad to breathe.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm , Here is a page so you can figure out what you have. Look on the door jamb and jot down the #'s. G is for 49 Year Model Series Wheel Base Size 1949 GP 3100 116 GR 3600 125.25 GT 3700 125.25 GS 3800 137 GU 3900 137 My other 1 ton #'s are 6KSJ1821 which is a 1 ton KS & built in Oakland, Ca.
well i decoded the VIN and it is a 3600 manufactured in May of 49. I have the registration so it was alot easier then looking at the truck. thanks CCHarr for the website. yeah i will be taking lots and lots of pictures with alot of plastic sandwich bags and labels when i do start working on it. As far as the mouse turds ill be cleaning that starting tomorrow. I'm glad that i was able to rescue it especially when it has been on my top three vehicle list i've wanted for longer than i can remember
Congratulations, Matt! Now you will have to change your name to "truck crazy!" Welcome! We look forward to many pictures and an even happier ending for the truck. If your dad is like mine, that project may breath new life into him, as well!
haha yeah i would change the name but its been with me for a long time on many forums. that was one of my hopes when i got the truck as far as the ol' man goes. so the truck is a few days to a couple weeks younger than him because he was born in April. that should make him enjoy it a little more i think
