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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 | I am working on my 1949 3800 Dual Rear Wheel one ton truck. One of the things that I am planning to do is as I restore it, replace all the seals/bushings in the suspension. The front end is all tight (king pins, tie rod ends) but the rubber seals on components up front as well as the shock bushings and the like need to be replaced.
Which brings me to my question...were the seals/bushings the same as on the half-tons? I have been looking around at the usual online restoration parts suppliers and they seem to only offer one style. And I know that since I have a somewhat oddball truck, those may or may not work. I figured I would ask the question of those who have been down the road before I end up with a box of parts that won't work.
Advice, suggestions, part numbers, etc are all appreciated. Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 | Most suppliers for aftermarket truck restoration don't handle parts for trucks like ours. Chevs of the 40's has more then most. I've found most of the parts for my '54 1 ton dually locally. I like to buy local when I can. Get a parts book and research numbers. You'll find out a specific part can fit many years. Also with a factory part number, a good parts store can cross reference it to an aftermarket part. Find a good local store and make friends with somebody who will actually work with you, usually an older guy but not always.
Bruce | | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 | That's what I was thinking. I have a pretty good parts house in a town about 30 miles away. The one that is close to me just glasses over when I say "1949". When I get to the point of saying "3800", I've stayed too long.
Was hoping I could just order it online and have it arrive at the house. But I could use a little road trip. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | It's been a few years but I had great luck buying all the spring related components for my 3800 from Eaton Detroit Spring.
King pins you can get from NAPA tie-rod ends too I bet
Wheel bearings one of the restoration parts vendors offers tapered roller bearings now. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I bought quite a few of my suspension parts from Espo Springs and Things. Espo | | | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 20 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2013 Posts: 20 | Grigg,
"Wheel bearings one of the restoration parts vendors offers tapered roller bearings now."
WHO? Please share. Lots of us would like to know.
Cliff | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | I forget, and haven't bought any.
Search the regulars like Carter's, american classic and so on.
They have also been discussed here on the forum several times before. Last I remember is they are a specially made bearing only available from the restoration parts place(s) not an off the shelf item at a bearing store or NAPA.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | As far as the tapered bearings go. I'm not for sure they are still availible. When I bought my for my 54, Classic Truck Parts and Chev's of the 40's had them. Of course, that was for the 53-59 trucks, not for sure about the earlier ones.
There's nothing really wrong with the ball bearings. You can get them from just about anywhere from Autozone to Napa. Most of the supply houses have them too. Such as Chev's of the 40's, Classic, Golden State, etc... Federal Mogul/National still make them.
As far as the rest of your frontend parts, most of the parts listed for the 3/4 ton will work on a 1 ton. The biggest difference in the 3/4 ton and 1 tons is the 3/4 ton had different front springs.
Chev's of the 40's is probably the best place to look. They seem to have more listed the other supply houses.
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