1930 Chevy 1.5-Ton

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Owned by Bart Tilton "Bart" Bolter # 4290 La Junta, Colorado Comment on this truck in the DITY Gallery

More pictures of my old truck

From Bart :

I was looking through Craigslist one evening when this ad for a 1930 Chevy 1 1/2-ton caught my eye. I really didn't need a new project, but this one was priced right and I just couldn't let this one get away.

I showed the ad to my wife. She studied it for a bit and then said if you really think you need it, go ahead.

I called the number just knowing that someone had already beaten me to it, but the man still had the truck.

I called my friend Rich -- Rich is a tractor guy. He just so happens to have all of the equipment anyone could ever want for hauling trucks, tractors, or just about anything else. We then arranged the date for pick-up that everyone could agree on.

Upon arrival, we discovered that the truck was sitting in an old barn. The owner had moved it there so it would be easy to load. The tires were dry rotted but still held air. The hood, radiator and side panels were sitting in the cab.

I looked it over and saw that it was mostly there. The gentleman assured me that when he took it apart he kept everything with the truck.

We proceeded to load the truck onto the trailer, just as it started to rain. By the time we had everything tied down, the rain turned into a good downpour. The rain continued all the way home. We unloaded and pushed her into the garage all the while it's still pouring. Right after we stowed the equipment back in it's proper place on the trailer, the rain stopped.

My Son and I have been working together on this project. Since the cab wood had already been replaced with a high quality oak frame, we decided to concentrate on the fun things.

First, we tore into the engine and transmission, but immediately discovered that both were rusted pretty bad. We then determined that it would make more sense, and be cheaper, to replace them with something a little newer.

The brakes in the rear-end were needing a lot of work. The front end wasn't bad but still needed new brake shoes. We decided to change out the front and rear with hydraulic brakes. I traded an old jeep for the parts I needed.

For the drive train, we installed a 1950 235 GMC motor and transmission along with  a 1950 pickup front end. The only six lug rear end that I could find came from a 1972 1/2-ton four wheel drive pickup.

I have treated the rust and applied primer to the truck. We haven't yet done the body work, or finish the interior, which is fine, as we haven't yet decided on a color.

My wife keeps telling me that I have to give it a name, but so far all we have called it is "the pickup".

Thanks,

Bart


Bart also has a 1947 3/4-Ton Chevy and a 1954 GMC 3/4-Ton in the Stovebolt Gallery. ~ Editor

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