Originally Posted by jorb
So, I'm at this car show and I see this 1951 Chevy Suburban.
It has a 3/4 ton rear end with open drive shaft with 4 speed on the floor.
The engine serial number says: JAD 018019. Automobile engine
Plate on drivers door hinge pillar says: 5JP-A 5604 This was a 1/2 Ton 3100 from the factory
Owner say says it was ordered by the Colorado park service. Hard to disprove him without research
The Engine serial number JAD 018019 turns out to be a:
J = 1951
A = Passenger car
D = RPO 317, Powerglide Trans, 235 Engine w/hydraulic lifters, Assembled in Flint, Michigan 1951 Passenger car Specs. Powerglide was never made available to the 1947/55 light trucks, only Hydra-matic which was introduced to chevrolet in 1954 and Gmc in 1953.

So, do you think this truck was ordered by the Colorado park service this way? No, this is a typical "frankentruck, assembled from several vehicles
Looks factory stock to me.
1951 Suburbans normally came with 1/2 ton rear end and a enclosed drive shaft with a 216 engine and solid lifters.
1951 Chevrolet Suburban Pictures


What did the floor board look like, did it have the hole for the clutch pedal? Did the mat have a hole for the clutch pedal? What did the shifter look like? Did it have a power glide indicated on the steering mast? Did it have a 3/4 ton front axel too? Did it have a 3/4 ton tire carrier underneath? Sometimes the previous owner has not done the research and states everything he has heard without investigating to see if it is the truth.