Owned by Jerry Mathiowetz "1951Chevy1Ton" Bolter # 6167 Minnesota

1951 Chevy 3804 1-Ton Pickup Truck

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From Jerry :

Here is my truck  picture taken in July 2013. This old truck is a 3804 one-ton with a 9 foot box.

As mentioned in the original Gallery submission, I purchased the truck in 2002 from an Uncle who lived on a farm about three-quarters of a mile from my home. My Uncle used this truck to head into town to bring home some feed for the chickens and hogs. He also hauled any excess grain from the farm to the local grain elevator. He hauled seed and some fertilizer for crops. The truck had a grain box extension that came as high as mid rear window and then several extensions on top of that.

I remember one time we shelled corn onto the box, hauled it in and it weighed out at 156 bushels.  I kind of chuckle when some fellow Bolters ask if these old trucks can haul or pull some excessive loads.

This is the vehicle I learned to drive when I was maybe 10 or so years old -- I could barely see over the steering wheel, or reach the gas, brake or clutch petal.

There was a good "practice" field road between our place and my Uncle's. Dad would need the pickup for something, and I would jump on my bike, ride there and drive the pickup home.

I also recall using granny gear and letting the truck drive itself while loading hay or straw bales onto a bale rack being towed behind. OSHA would not approve of some of the ways these trucks were used.

The old truck spent its later years, probably in the early 1990’s till I acquired it in about 2002, in a garage at my Uncle's place. My Uncle had zero mechanical ability and very few tools, so he did very little maintenance other than oil and filter change and grease jobs. A shade tree mechanic attempted to fix the brakes at one time. He used a compression fitting in a leaking brake line and took the internal hand brake levers and rods out of the rear wheels because the brake cables had rusted tight.

So, I've had some work to do on it! The gas in it was old and gummed up the carburetor. It actually started fairly easily after I got fresh gas, cleaned the carb and put in a kit.

The brakes where another story. Every wheel cylinder and master cylinder needed replacement as well as hoses.

After getting it road-worthy is when the “It would be nice to have this or that” set in. I now have replaced the leaky 216 with a renewed 235. I've added Fenton split exhaust, Flow Master mufflers, 3 point seat belts and a 4:11 rear gear set. I put in LED tail and brake lights. I switched to a 12 volt electrical system with alternator. I went with an older style water pump mounted to he 235 engine on an adapter plate. I have an original radio but have not installed it yet.

In the picture above, riding with me, is Kyra, my only grandchild and she is special!

Thank you,

Jerry

Jerry, the truck is still looking good. We put out a 1-ton special, after the Stovebolt Reunion in Kansas City. Jim Carter was thrilled to have three one-tons there and added some pictures to his Feature Truck story for September. So, we wondered if we could round enough up for a Tons O Fun calendar! Looks like it's gonna be easier than most things we dream up! Thanks for your contribution, Jerry. ~ Editor

05 November 2007
# 2114

From Jerry :

Here is my 1951 Chevy 1-Ton pickup truck. It was previously owned by an uncle on his farm in Southwest Minnesota. I purchased it in 2002. It is restored to original, except the tires and rims. I am running radial tires on solid re-worked rims. The rear end changed from 5.13 to 1 to a 4.10 to 1.

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