Owned by Mike Bibbs "53 Chevy Loadmaster" Bolter # 39308 Pennsylvania

1948 Chevy Loadmaster 2-Ton Stake Body Dump Truck

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From Mike :

Even tho my screen name says "53 Chevy Loadmaster," it turns out my truck is actually a 1948. The gang in the Big Bolts forum (that's the discussion link above) helped me figure that out. The title said "'54" but it was an error. My best guess is, that since the truck had been used as a farm truck, when it came time to get the title in 1993, the owner used the serial number on the door and made a guess on the year based on the style of the truck.

After using the Stovebolt VIN link in the Tech Tips section, we found there was an error on the door tag (possibly changed the cab somewhere along the line and it came with a different plate). The VIN on the title and the VIN plate are the same. I haven't registered it in my name yet, but from what I have gathered from the information in the discussion, I shouldn't have a problem -- since the registration and the VIN match.

I have been messing with old trucks for a while. Me and my kid were wanting to build a rat rod so I had been looking for a '40s truck. They were kind of high priced, especially in a condition that it would run.

Well, my buddy's Uncle had an old farm truck that he didn't want to sell ... for a long while. He finally changed his mind and I got the truck from him just before Christmas 2014. This truck was in good shape -- not rotted out like most of those that you see in the Northeast. That's why I decided to jump on it and get it.

The truck was right here in Pennsylvania, so there wasn't a big hauling issue.

After I bought it, I tried to find out as much information about the truck as I could. My buddy had been using the truck on the farm to haul hay and stuff around the place. He parked it in 1998 or so. They would fire it up every now and then and move it.

After having the truck for a while, I decided not to restore it. I'm probably not going to paint it either. I thought I would clear coat over what is already there. It has a nice rustic look.

Did I say "not restore" ... hmmm ... maybe I should say I'm going to "return" the truck back to as much of its original state as I can. I went to our local Chevy dealer and he told me parts are available for it and it won't be too terrible to fit. I have taken out the bucket seats and found a bench seat. Now, when you look inside the door, you can tell it's an Advance Design truck!

The truck is a stake body dump and the dump mechanism still works. The only thing missing was the winch that use to be on the vehicle. I haven't found what kind it was but when I was in the junkyard getting the bench seat, the truck there had a winch on it from the '40s so I picked it up to put in the spot where the old winch had been - for now.

My friend's Uncle switched the motor out to something new and current but I haven't checked any of that. My buddy had converted the truck to 12-volt. He is very mechanically inclined so he had gotten some stuff done. So, I'd say the truck is 90% in tact.

Since we live in PA, we have to wait until it warms up a bit. I have made a list of what I need to get and do. Getting the original bench seat was a main thing, so one thing done!

My son is cool about putting the truck back to original. He was happy enough that it would be rusty looking. I am a purist so we'll leave the rust look and fix up all the stuff.

I bought another truck to work on that fits in the garage and have been working on it. It's a 1989 Chevy pickup for plowing. I have a GMC 2500 which is what I tow everything with. I also have two 3/4-ton trucks.

The picture here is from when I first got it with the original boards on it. I took the old boards off. Trimmed the beam.  Then it started snowing here and I started going to the junk yard.

Mike Bibbs
53 Chevy Loadmaster

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