Been a fan favorite of the site for awhile and finally created an account. I just recently acquired a 1954 4100 series grain truck. 1-1/2 ton w/235 inline 6 and 4-speed.
I had been looking for a something that was relatively well maintained to be used for general property maintenance, running errands, helping the kids with their house projects, etc. I've gotten so tired of all the emissions and technology stuff on anything modern that I set my sites on something more old school. I wasn't on the lookout for this vintage originally. More something 60's - 70's but this caught my eye due to the condition it was in vs the price that it had fallen to. It was too good to pass up. My wife spent her early years on a farm and remembers them having one very similar. I'm glad I inquired about it because the owner was a pleasure to do business with. He had it about 12 years and drove it infrequently. It's been mostly stored inside. It came with all the receipts that the owner prior to the last one had saved for all the work they had done to it. Once the deal was made, I contracted with a transport company to bring it the 3 hrs. to my place.
The truck has just over 61K miles on it and I'm told that is original. It is converted to 12V which is nice. It has an Omaha Standard wooden grain box on the back that, other than the floor, is in pretty good shape. The sides are removed in the photo while I get used to driving it. They put up a large blind spot. Not sure yet if I will put them back on or go with shorter sides.
It has the usual dings, dents, and scratches a work truck would get during it's life. There is also some minor driver side damage where the door was opened beyond it's limit, maybe by the wind got it.
I'm in the process of going over it and making sure everything is mechanically sound and safe. Already have the front brakes torn down and expecting to do the rears. I don't really consider that work. It's very relaxing going out to my shop after work and spending a couple hours working on it. I don't intend to restore it. Just make it mechanically sound and use it. Not worry about additional dings.
I am super impressed with this site and how friendly everyone is. I may need to reach out to the group for some recommended parts suppliers and technical know-how. I'll try to do my homework before just posting a question that has been answered 50 times prior.
Looking forward to some valuable interaction with this group.
