01 January 2013
# 2993

Owned by Dave "Gibby" Gibson "54nut" Bolter # 32817 Poulsbo, Washington

1954 2-Ton Chevrolet 6500

"Big Jim"

More pictures of my old truck

From Gibby :

Okay, okay. First it was a 1954 Chevy COE Dump Truck I couldn't pass up. Then there was Elmer, a 1954 2-ton Chevrolet 6200 Cattle Truck that I found myself trailering home. It's just contagious! I have acquired another: Big Jim, a 1954 Chevrolet 2-ton 6500.

I found Big Jim near my Brother's place down in Bend, Oregon. We checked it out first. The truck had been listed on Craiglist so I called and made the deal over the phone. The plan was that the next time I went to see my Brother, I would bring the truck home.

When it was time to go get the truck, my friend flew in from Salt Lake City and we rented a trailer to go pick it up. The specs on the web said a Chevy 6500 has a 179" wheel base and weighs 4800 lbs. A 16' trailer with a 7000 lbs. gross should work out just right. Right?

Well, apparently, Chevrolet made an extra long 6500 with about a 195" wheel base, and that's what I bought. The trailer had about a 198" bed. But it fit -- kinda. (oooohh ... precision truck-loading - quite the skill / death-wish - take your pick! ~ Editor)

The old truck also had the ram and hardware for a lift and I'm sure we were cheating a bit on the gross trailer weight. The tires were a little squished and we had about 4" of clearance at the back of the trailer.

We got home with no hiccups, so no harm, no foul. It looks like I'll have to get a real trailer before I bring another truck home.

Once home, we found this Chevy Big Bolt actually runs. It just needs a little paint. It has no bed right now but I plan to put a flat bed on it. We want to use this old truck in our advertising, too.

The seller, who was from Bend, didn't have it very long. He said he got it from a fellow who used it on the farm.

Now, I am up to my fifth Stovebolt and third Big Bolt.

I'd love to get a Suburban added to my collection. OK, I have a Suburban, but it's 2004, doesn't count.

We have a lot of work to do now!

Dave

Dave's "getting older and his toys are getting bigger." Some nifty stuff. So far in the Stovebolt Gallery, Gibby's got a 1954 Chevrolet COE Dump Truck and "Elmer, a 1954 2-Ton Chevrolet 6200 Cattle Truck, and "Big Jim," a 1954 Chevrolet 2-ton 6500. "54Nut" is an appropriate screen name! He's "downsizing" his chores and "upsizing" his Stovebolt Cylinder Count! And then there's this 1995 International 4700, T444E with refer box.

And may we add, Dave is a firefighter for the City of Belview, Washington. Another Bolter in Uniform to whom we toot our horns in thanks for your service. ~ Editor

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