The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Might be Going to Look at Two Different '51 Chevy duallys... Advice?

So, there are two different 1951 Chevy trucks that I may be going to look at over the next couple weeks and wanted to get some advice before I go. Both trucks look to be in good running order, and say so in the ad. Both appear like they're in good condition body-wise, as well as the interior, and both are very drive-able.

One looks like it has a shorter bed on it, I don't know what sizes they came with, but I'm estimating around 10' long. They state it has a new 235 in it with less than 1000 miles.

The other looks to be note quite as sharp, but sports a longer bed (guessing 12-14') which is more what I'd want anyway. Again, body and interior look to be in pretty good condition, says it's road-worthy and all-original.

Neither ad (waiting to hear back from sellers) state what size/model the trucks are, and I'll know a bit more when I find out.

Anyway, I just wanted to get some ideas of general things to look out for, to check on, etc before I may the trips. Both trucks are about 2 1/2 hours away from me, in opposite directions.

Thanks guys!

-Bill

If you're planning on a restoration properly replacing rusty body parts gets expensive or at the very least time consuming really quick. So buy the most rust free truck you can find and afford. Even paying another $1,000 for a truck with little to no rust could save several times that if you buy one and need to do some seemingly small rust repairs.

Otherwise look for a truck you like for whatever those reasons are.

Ask both buyers for close-up pics of usual rust areas-cab corners,kick panels,floorboards,and belt line. the trucks with 9-(usually)10'boxes were 1-tons,and short-wheel-base 1-1/2 tons.The "near-new" 235 is a good selling point! The one with the 12-14' bed could be either a 1-1/2,or 2-ton. On the latter,check to see if it has a 2-speed rear,in working order. You'll gain about 10 M.P.H.,(depending on gears),with the 2-speed. Both SOUND like good trucks. It depends on what you want to use it for,and like Grigg says,what condition the metal is in. Good Luck!!

The longer one (looks like the whole thing just sits a little higher too) states it has the 2-speed rear end, but doesn't state much else... still waiting to hear back, might be a few days.

Plan of use is to restore it, and by restore it, I just mean fixing it up, not worried about being "true to stock original" or any of that. Fresh paint (not that either need it, though one has a horribly ugly orange/teal color combo), new wood if needed in the rear and sides... I may install a small little crane arm off to one side of the bed, up against the cab corner to lift heavy stuff onto the bed. New tires, conversion to 12v if needed, new door trim to help block out the cold during winter.

For use, it's going to be a very utility piece utilized on our little 60 acre farm, but being able to do stuff with some fun and charm. Driving the 34 mile trip into town to buy lumber for odd projects around the place, fencing material, bags of wood pellets for the stove, hay, and old tools/shop equipment that I restore (I have a 278 lb bench vise, for example, that was a pain in the butt to get home!)

I would love if I could convert it to a dump bed, but not needed (no idea how that is done, or if it's possible or financially feasible)

Anyway, we'll see what happens. Being a full-time college student and father of two kids, money is tight, and if I make the purchase is really dependent on how taxes go... I was surprised that that the wife actually sounded intrigued about the idea of picking up an old truck.

Thanks for the advice so far guys! Oh, before I forget, assuming the larger truck (the one I'm more interested in at the moment) is a 2 ton truck, what is the available weight limit I could put in the back? I'm assuming someone here knows the gross weight and all that. I don't plan on loading it up with much weight very often at all, but may use it to move an old tractor sometime.

Also you said the 2-speed rear end will give another 10 MPH or so. What'd be an average cruising speed to expect? Not worried at all about making good time or anything, just curious.

The 2 ton would sit higher because of the 20" rims.

I don't think the 2 speed rear will give you any top speed advantage. If I remember the spec sheets correctly, the top gear on a 2 speed is the same as the single speed and the other gear is lower. Slow and slower.

About 45-50 flat out

Hi,Filson! Welcome to the "'Bolt"! My '55 6500 is a "Heavy' 2-ton,and the G.V.W.,is rated at 18,000 pounds. Since "She" weighs about 8,500 pounds,"She"'ll Legally carry about 9,500. Back in the days when these were regularly used,a lot of farmers would exceed the weight limits,sometimes grossing 40,000 pounds,(on single-axle straight trucks),to save trips between the farm and elevator. Not near as many (highway) scales,as today. They hauled more wet grain than they do these days. There was a post on a dump box on "Parts For Sale,probably on page 3,or 4 by now. i don't think there were any "Takers". I'll see if I can find it for you. Price is CHEAP!! I can't remember the geographical location,though. Shipping may be out of the question. My 2-speed gets me down the road,at 55,with about a 1/4 inch of pedal left. I could get "Her" to 60,but the 261 "likes" 55. Your truck more than likely as a lower horsepower,taller gear rear-end. I would GUESS your top speed would be 46-50?? I'll see if I can find that dump box/hoist..Page 3,"Swap Meet Truck Parts For Sale" : Galion dump box/Hoist for $400.00. Problem is it's in Massachusetts. There should be truck boxes in your area,as well. This gives you an idea what they may be going for. And...Depending on the gears,2-speeds' top gears are faster than single speeds. This is true on trucks ,(that I know of),up to the mid '60's. Take "Brutus",(Jeff Bott's truck),for example. A '65 2-ton,with a single-speed rear end. Top speed-45 M.P.H. Owner installed,(or is in the process of),a 2-speed to gain speed/lower engine R.P.M.'s.

Man, quite a knowledgeable group here, I love it! Thanks again for the input guys!

I don't know the rules here as far as posting links from outside the website, is that alright? It'd be a lot easier to just show y'all the craigslist listings lol.

Filson,go to the "Craigslist" listing, Save ,(in-case the video URL doesn't copy the first time).Mouse over the pic. right-click "Copy video URL". Arrow directly over the Pic.Left-click to copy. Go back to your "Stovebolt Topic". once you're "in",and ready to enter your link,"Right-Click" "Paste",arrow "Paste",then left-click. The address should appear on the screen. If the link simply says "Javascript",the URL "broke". Repeat the above steps,and when you come back to your "Stovebolt Topic",click "Edit",delete the "Javascript" link,and then "paste in the correct URL. It should start as either www.,or http. Sometimes,I'll have to go back and do it several times,before It actually works. It's a PITA,but it will work. Hope this helps!

The larger truck...

http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_8d2DFavhhJJ_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00g0g_eDzKvmxs5og_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00202_cbW7XfjPjq9_600x450.jpg

And the smaller one with it's... artful colors.

http://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_eglVI1SiEQf_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00Q0Q_9CduqYWuhf0_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/01010_4mIuKb5zKwb_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00M0M_90yySy4u3zc_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00X0X_78h3LcM9vMA_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00E0E_a3zSiXfNUvx_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00c0c_klyxcU6bETb_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00L0L_91avkkjcxy2_600x450.jpg

The larger one, he's asking $2600 for and he emailed me back today saying that the breaks need work, but engine runs strong, and it has good tires. I asked him about a dozen more questions, so we'll see what he says.

Haven't heard back on the smaller one yet - he's asking $3,250

Hi,Filson! good JOB on the pic's! The smaller truck,"Sherbet",(that's the first thing I thought of when I saw that color combo),is a 1-1/2-ton,probably a 4400. From the wheelbase on the "bigger" one,I'm GUESSING it's a 2-ton. I paid $2,000.00,for mine,and the engine runs good,but it needed tires and brakes. If it has good tires,and you're satisfied with them,that'll save you $1,500.00-$2,000.00,right there. It's better to be safe than sorry,anyway,when it comes to brakes,especially on a 60-year-old vehicle. I,myself,prefer to go with the rebuilt/replaced single reservoir master cylinder,and rebuilt/replaced hydrovac,simply because they were engineered to stop these trucks,(with a load),and have done so,for the last 60 years. To be safe,replace all brake lines,steel and rubber. They corrode from the inside-out,so you don't know their integrity. Wheel cylinders may be honed,(as well as the M.C.),if the bores aren't too corroded. Rock Auto and N.A.P.A.,are two good brake sources,as well. Sounds to me,from the condition that both these trucks are in,the prices are fair. Even if the brakes did work on "Sherbet",i'd still thoroughly inspect,or replace every brake component,just to be safe. Good-LUCK,and THANKS for the Pic's!!

You mentioned converting to a dump bed. It's possible that one or both MAY already have one. Or have the owners told you they don't?
I tried looking at the interior pics for controls for a hoist. Couldn't see any, but it's really hard to tell from the photos.

Hard to see,with angle of the cab shot,but I was wondering the same thing. That would make the truck that muc more desirable,for sure.

The 1-1/2 couldn't be because the rear protector is too close to the ground. no clearance to tip.

Wasn't referring to that one! It'd have to be a mobile home toter wheelbase,like Ameritowruston's 3-Door,to have to worry about a 10',or less , box ground clearance!

Good point. I hadn't noticed that.

Best I can tell they are both 2 tons.
The short one has the 2 ton front axle for sure with the little bolted on hub grease cap. The longer one also looks like it has the 2 ton axle.

However the heavy axle was an option on the 1.5 ton trucks, so the door tag might be the only way to know for sure.
1.5 ton will be about 14,000 lb, and 2 ton will say about 16,000 lb.

Not sure it matters much either way though, pick a truck you like and go for it... I don't believe you've said if or why a 1.5 or a 2 ton is better for your needs than the other? Or better than a 1 ton or even a smaller truck?

Grigg - Oh, heck, no practical reason really, I'm sure either would do everything I ask out of it and more. I do want a longer bed however, for moving larger, bulky items.