The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New again user

Hey everyone. I'm Jimmy, had another profile under another name but I hadn't used it in almost two years, the old password sent to an old email, tried to recover the password for the email...yada yada. New account! I have a 1947 Chevy 2 ton flatbed with dump, its last job was collecting chips and sawdust in a mill and then dumping it off. My Papa (dads dad) taguht me how to drive in the Chevy asked me when I was 11 if I wanted this truck and of course I said yes. At that time he had the chevy, a mustang truck, a couple 36 and 37 fords, and an international. All but my chevy and his completed 37 and 2 parts trucks are gone now. I have some big plans for this truck in the future. Should get the wrenches turning again around the next calender year. I'm in the navy now and that should be the time I finish up all my schooling and potentially move again. As for the condition of my truck, the body was in really good shape, minus the passenger door. It somehow filled up with dust and chips and turned into mulch which turned into some cancer. It runs and drives perfectly and can haul anything you put on it. I had problems with the brakes but I recently found a booster from napa for it, which is a bummer now that I'm in Connecticut and the truck is back home in ca. I should be in the bolt quite a bit now, been really missing my truck and thought this should help! Here is a link to some pictures of my truck, along with a couple of my Papas. If you have any questions feel free to ask, I'm usually free after 12.

Pictures on Google Chrome

This should make it easier for folks.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1083...edium=chrome_app&utm_campaign=chrome

Welcome back, Jimmy. Now don't go straying off anymore
That is a nice truck and it is in good condition. Your a lucky man to have it and keeping it in the family. I think most of us, at least me, wish we had a big truck like that. They will earn their keep.

Visit often and let us know how we can help. I'm sure the guys in the BIG BOLT Forum will be glad to answer your questions as well as everyone else.

...and thank you for serving.

I am incredibly lucky to have this big truck, great around the ranch. And I know I'll never get rid of it, might let go of the ford though. Not enough room for a lot of big toys. I will definitely be here a lot to bounce ideas off some guys. Planning on putting in a Cummins and maybe even something crazy like a Dana 60 up front, I have a lot of time to plan. Thank you for your support!

Hi Jimmy welcome, sure looks like a nice work truck, so you have to drive it all the way back home? Sounds like fun.


Not sure what that is, a cross between a Mustang and a Ranchero?

Have fun!

Leo

I'm fairly certain it was a mustang, I could be wrong. It was almost half my lifetime ago haha. But that is what is in my head. My uncle might know so I could ask him.

White made it maybe? Again not really sure, someone else might know. I only saw it a couple times. But it was big, bigger than my Chevy.

And its at my parents house in California where it shall stay for awhile...most likely. I'm stationed in Connecticut and more than likely I'll be moving again around the calendar year so I cant really decide if I want to pay to ship it here and might have to move it again. Its very tempting though. Going from living in the country to living in town is a very hard adjustment. Sorry for the multiple short replies.

subsporter, THANK YOU for your service! Never did understand how you guys "voluntarily" agree to ride in one of those underwater boats! Haze Gray and underway for me baby!

Tip: Think about how longer you're going to be up in Groton before you try and move your truck. Military will only ship one vehicle, you pay the bill for any others when PCSing. Of course, if you're still young and single and want to move yourself to your next duty station, what a way to travel! Everything loaded up on the Stovebolt, including any other vehicle you have!

You'd definitely make an impression!

Submarines are amazing, the smaller crew, more port calls, the technology with sonar and the weapons systems, its all incredible stuff. If I got stationed on the east coast I would definitely drive it because I would end up here, Virginia or Georgia so the drive would be bearable in that old truck. But its just as likely I could end up back on the west coast, or even Guam for that matter. My plan is to trailer my Chevy to my next command, my old neighbor has a 93 dodge cummins that he said he'll sell to me. Pull my chevy and all my tools with the dodge then a take the dodge apart and use a decent amount the drive train from that minus the rear end.

Have this story in the Gallery now (See Jim's signature line). Hopefully, we'll get updates here as he is able to get some things done on the truck and has time to "drop in."

Good luck. She sure looks good. The pictures are impressive.

Peggy

So I'll add an update here so we're all on the same page. I have done the front axle swap already with the shortened up Dana 60. I'm leaning more towards a cat engine...long story short I've done a couple things but nothing huge. I do have more pictures of the steering setup because I know someone asked about it before. Stay tuned!

Jimmy, thanks for the update. Remember, large tasks are generally accomplished one small task at a time. You are making progress!

You are absolutely right. The progress is slow but it's happening, and just recently seeing the truck for the 4th time in 3 years doesn't help. It gives me a lot of time to ponder things though.
For example, when I swapped in the front dana 60 I shortened and put in the different steering gear, I never got it to turn lock to lock. I read as much as I could about tie rod, drag link, and gear box placement. Then when I was home it was immediately obvious what the issue is, the box is too far forward.
I still didn't fix it though. 5 days to fly from Virginia to California and be the best man at my sister's wedding, just too busy. Maybe next time!