The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1946 flatbed original ?

I have a 12' all wood flatbed. It has a 1/4 inch by 1 1/2 flat metal band around bed with stack pockets bolted to 1 1/2 inch by 6 inch wood board and welded on bottom edge to metal rail.Everything is wood until it is u bolted to frame. Is this a factory flatbed or were all the flatbeds made locally. This looks to be original whoever made it. Also what makes this a one and a half ton or 2 ton. It has double stacked leaf springs and a single speed rear end.I will post pictures soon.Reddog 46 :cool:

Pictures would help. A single speed rear usually, but not always, indicates a 1 1/2 ton.

My 46 2-ton has a single speed rear end. As I understand, if you have bolt dust covers on the front axle it is a 2-ton. If it s threaded on dust cover it is a 1 1/2 ton.

Not sure about the bed. Post a link to some photo's and I'm sure someone will chime in!

I don't have it in front of me, but the Salesman's Info book would help with both of these questions. It has drawings of the trucks available, including the stakebeds, though I don't know how much detail they give.

It also specifies the equipment for 1 1/2 vs. 2 ton trucks. Pretty sure it's largely wheel size and suspension, though there may be a difference in frames. I'll check tomorrow.

-Michael

Check the serial number tag on the right hand side of the cowl. If the it starts with PV or PW, it is a 2-ton. The 2-speed reared was optional equipment It was up to the original purchaser to decide if it was needed for the truck's application. The flatbed could be from GM, an aftermarket up fitter or home made. Many farmers would build their own to save a little money.

My plate says 6PK-F - 1070. It also has 7:00x20 tires and wheels.These tires and wheels seem to just clear the front fenders. It seems that other trucks sit higher of the ground than this truck.Also one odd question ,why would one backing plate in the rear sit inside the wheel and the other is outside the wheel edge. I have not taken off the wheels but they seem the same on each side? thanks Reddog46

You probably have wheels with different offset. In 70 years time, who knows what someone bought out of a salvage yard. Its not always the case, but earlier wheels tended to have less offset. Could be one is an earlier wheel. There are lots of wheels with the same bolt pattern.

Pictures will help.

2 tons also have a large 3/8"? plate that runs on the outside frame rails, That has always been my quickest telltale as to the size difference between the 1.5 to 2 tonners.