Chris and Lori Dooley's 1956 Chevrolet 4400

"The Water Truck"

17 July 2007 Update
# 1419

From Chris :

          Greetings fellow Stovebolters! I have a minor update on my 1956 Chevy 4400 "water truck." Over the 4th of July, I installed some tires on the truck and took it for a short spin before running out of gas. I have a new video of that on Youtube.

          I am also sending updated pictures. The truck sure has a nice proud stance now. Only a dedicated Stovebolter would drive 100 miles to the desert to install some tires on a tired old truck in the 110 degree heat!

          By the way … I’m still looking for a bumper and maybe a seat and radio delete plugs.

          Thanks for the great site!

Chris and Lori Dooley
"Glamis4x4"
Bolter # 10216
Whittier, California

05 March 2007 Update
# 1419

From Chris :

          Well, I got the title from Grandpa and started the transfer process. It was out of the system, so It has to be inspected now, to verify the VIN. Since the truck is out in the sticks right now, that is kind of hard to do. So that is on hold for now.

          Over new year holiday, I introduced my four year old son Ryan to the truck. He showed some interest, but mostly just wanted to ride his new quad that he got from Santa! It will be a great Father-Son project

          Over Presidents' Day weekend, I decided to try to see if i could get the water truck started. It took some rigging, in the form of an old VW plug wire (to replace a chewed through original) and a small portable gas tank, gravity feeding the carb. It ran very good and I actually drove it around the property once, on only two tires. I've got some video of that!

          After my short lap around the property, I parked it and removed the bare wheels and took them home so I could get some tires mounted.

          I have been doing alot of research trying to find some history on this truck (from before Grandpa, or 1978). I noticed on the doors under a faded repaint, they have graphics that read "Pasadena Pest Control" and the remnants of an address and phone number. The side of the cowl also reads "Unit No. 2." So, I drove over to the Pasadena historical museum to see if they might have a vintage photo of this truck from its hay day. The guy thought I was nuts and said "This is the first time anyone has ever asked for this."

          Well, they were no help.

          I now know my truck came with a 6 cylinder, and at some point was replaced with a small block. It looks like an older motor, with the "Chevrolet" script valve covers, but I don't know the size or year.

          The other thing that has me stumped right now is on the GVW tag on the door jamb, the trim code is stamped "234N" as opposed to the usual "STD" on most trucks. Most people in the Stovebolt forums don't know for sure what it means either. Next time I go visit the truck, I will put some tires on it, attempt to fix the brakes, and start removing the bed and water tank (won't be using those anymore). If anyone wants the bed and or water tank, feel free to contact me!

          Well, that's about where I'm at with it right now.

Thanks for the great site!

Chris and Lori Dooley
"Glamis4x4"
Bolter # 10216
Whittier, California

10 February 2006
# 1419

From Chris:

          This truck was bought by my wife's grandfather many years ago to be used as their "water truck." It was used to transport water from the aqueduct to their water tank for their desert vacation home. There are no utilities in the vacation home, so water was pumped from a tank outside.

          The truck has been sitting for about ten years now. Last summer my wife took me up there to visit the property. When I saw the truck sitting there, I instantly fell in love with it.

          I soon got permission from my wife's family to have it. My wife says it's been a long time since she can remember it running. Some things she remembers are that it had a gas powered water pump mounted to the bed. The truck itself was loud. And they used a bungee cord to hold it in second gear. The interior wasn't too bad.

          It has the 265 V8 and 4 speed trans. It appears to be all original and complete except for the tires that have rotted and fallen off.

          Here is my four year old son Ryan when I introduced him to "the water truck." This truck will be a great father and son project!

          I plan on some day restoring this truck all original, and maybe installing an original looking flat bed. Does anyone know the maker and vintage of the bed on my truck? (minus the water tank ... Grandpa made that.)

          My wife found an old family photo with "the water truck" in the background. The photo is from July 1986. That's her on the right.

Thanks,

Chris and Lori Dooley
"Glamis4x4"
Bolter # 10216
Whittier, California