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After a small battle with the DMV I was able to take my '41 1 1/2 ton out for a drive tonight for the first time. One observation is that first gear is really short, really really really short. Since the speedo is not working I had no idea how fast I was going but with the the line of headlights behind me I am sure I was not breaking any speed records. I love it!!! It's nice to be waved at by strangers who are smiling.
My only concern is the steering. It feels very sloppy, is this the norm or should I be looking into it more?
Thanks to everyone for the advice

Andy

Andy,

Congratulations.

You might as well try to adjust the steering gear. That description is lacking in illustrations. This is for 13 years later, but it shows where to put the scale.

This scale from Walmart works well.

Good luck. This adjustment made a significant difference n my '54 Suburban.

TK421,WELCOME to the "Bolt"! First thing to check, would be your bushings. Jack the truck,(STANDS),until both wheels are off the ground. check the tie rod ends,(turn the wheels left to right),should be no more than 1/4 inch play,between the two. turning the wheels from left to right,again,check the steering link. There should be minimal play there,too. Good time to check wheel bearings,kingpins,and check the bolts on the wheel hubs. Once,on a '67 I.H.C.,I thought my steering was a little sloppy,and found the left wheel hub steering bracket was held on by one bolt,and it was ready to drop! Best,and safest to check everything. "By the book",the steering box is the final adjustment. Heck of a GOOD tip,though! Good time to adjust the brakes,while you have the wheels off the ground. Greasing is a bit easier,too! Enjoy your truck!!

First gear is usually only used when starting out with a load. Not usually necessary to use it with an empty truck. Most of the time you should be able to start out in 2nd gear.

Compound Low is really only for starting with a huge Load or a heavy Tow being pulled...or for 'Pulling Stumps'.

Otherwise one just starts out in 2nd.

2nd is probably good till around 6 or 7 miles an hour or so, tops, on a 1-1/2 Ton of that era, then, one goes to 3rd...and one hits 4th probably around 10 or maybe 12 mph or so on level ground.

My one Ton if memory serve, I generally went into 4th Gear around 12 mph on level ground.

That's awesome. I took my bus out 1 time and have since been working on a bunch of things to get it going again. I'm real close, but I love hearing peoples' story of their first drive. Thanks for sharing.

Tie rods are shot. Can someone here give me the part numbers? Also everywhere I look the have them for the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton but never for the big boys. Is this some thing I will be dealing with throughout my ownership experience?

Thanks

yes, you'll find that for the big bolts replacement parts are scarce, many/most things will only be found used - if you're lucky

Bill

Not quite true. Many wear items parts like bearings, tie rod ends, kingpins, wheel cylinders, u-joints, and so on can usually be found at a good autoparts store like NAPA.

Brake drums you may not find new, shoes can be relined. After that what parts will you need that aren't the same as a 1/2 ton? Then whatever else you can think of is likely not even available for the 1/2 ton, so you're pretty much in the same boat, and its not so bad.
Owning and working on a Big Bolt has not been any trouble for me.

Grigg

So if I walked into NAPA and said I need a right and left tie rod end for a chevy 1 1/2 ton the may have it?

Exactly.

If your Tie Rod Ends are 4-5/32" long and have 13/16-18 thread they are Chevrolet part number 601395 (Left) and 601396 (Right) and were used from 1934 thru 1959.

Hope this helps,

Mike B

You can simply adjust the Tie Rods...they are adjustable and were generally good for ever and then some.

Make sure ALL your Zerk Fittings everywhere, are passing Geaze well, and be sure to grease everything which can be greased!

Your experience walking into NAPA and getting the correct parts depends on the guy or girl behind the counter. You'll have to find the guy in the store that knows where they stashed the paper catalougues. That being said, I've had good luck getting stuff from there, once I found the right parts guy. FWIW, a quick check on NAPA's website showed that part numbers Mike B gave you were valid and available. Good luck.
Scott