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| | | Forums66 Topics128,035 Posts1,055,445 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 | Well i just acquired 53 chevy loadmaster. I ran the serial number and it coming up as a 1948 chevy loadmaster is that a common thing? Also what model truck would this be considered ? I am coming up as a 2 ton with a 16000 gvw. Front tires are a 7.50 x20 and the rear is drw 7.50 x20 any clarification to understand what i have and find parts Thank you fellow stove bolters
Last edited by 53 loadmaster; 01/15/2015 10:21 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 Red dot, center of chest ... | | Red dot, center of chest ... Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 | How do you know it's a 54? Where did you find the serial number that you ran?
IF it's a 54 and IF it's a 2 ton, it should be a Model 6400. What did the serial number say about the model? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 53 loadmaster
A 54 loadmaster would be a term to describe the loadmaster 235 engine used in 1954.
The term Loadmaster was not used to describe truck model in 1954.
The use of the terms Thriftmaster and Loadmaster to describe truck sizes ended in late 1949.
The terms Thriftmaster, Loadmaster, and Jobmaster referred to three engine sizes in 1954.
What is the code/codes that you have found?
In 1953, the terms Thrifmaster and Loadmaster referred to the two engine sizes which were either standard or optional, depending on the size/model of the truck.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 581 | According to the Salesman's Book, the 7.50x20s were the base tire on the 6400. 8.25x20s front and 9.00x20s on rears was the max. I believe the tire size equates to the Gross Vehicle Weight, ie: capacity, but keep in mind the current tires are not likely the originals.
As far as parts on the larger trucks, the cab & engine stuff is all pretty easy, up to and including your local Napa store. Common replacement items such as wheel cylinders as well.
Some of the things related to the big trucks only, like the over-sized hood ornament, are not made by anyone, but those items are few.
Check the links page for good vendors - there's no shortage.
-Michael | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 | sorry for the delay i was searching local area for parts today the serial number on the drivers side door jam is where my serial number is located 2RW-J10862 the gvw is 16000 and the actual title that i have states the is a 53
Last edited by 53 loadmaster; 01/15/2015 10:32 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 Red dot, center of chest ... | | Red dot, center of chest ... Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 | If you put that VIN into our VIN buster - http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/vin/vinbuster.html - you get this: 1948 (October) 2 Ton 161 inch wheelbase built in Tarrytown, NY. Either the cab has been replaced with that one or the truck ain't a 54 or 53. Where is the gas tank located? In the cab? Or inside the frame behind the cab? You should have a split windshield and no vent windows. Do you have any pictures? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 | i have pictures having trouble uploading them but the front window is a split window and the gas tank is mounted on the passenger side frame
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 Red dot, center of chest ... | | Red dot, center of chest ... Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,177 | That's a 48, unless it's been modified. Does the tank filler tube come through the right bed side? If so, it's either a 48 or somebody has done a bunch of modifications to a newer truck converting it to an older model. (Very doubtful, IMO.) | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | Or someone had a title made and they got the year wrong...I assume the title serial number matches what's on the truck plate. Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 | the fuel neck doesnt its more like a fuel cell that runs along side the truck on the outside of the frame the thing i find troubling is that the serial number on the pillar and the physical paper title have the same number | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | ...the thing i find troubling is that the serial number on the pillar and the physical paper title have the same number That's a very good thing, if they didn't match then you'd be in trouble. Without seeing the truck my guess is someone swapped the vin tag from a 54 onto the older truck. It's an old truck, very common for parts to be changed around, make two trucks out of one, replace damaged or worn out or rusted things. Could be a 54 chassis with older cab (original wrecked or rusted), and they liked the frame mounted gas tank and swapped it too. Without seeing details like engine mounts, frame and such it's hard to say what really happened. Just call it what it is or resembles most, which sounds like a 48, no one will bother what the registration says so long as you have the legal title to it. On edit, I missed this and your most recent guess at someone just noting the wrong year seems the most likely..
Last edited by Grigg; 01/16/2015 5:33 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 | a ok thank you all for the comments and information i am thinking that as well my best guess since i was titled in 93 is that because it was a farm truck they went by the serial number on the door and guessed a yr on the truck style | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,070 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,070 | We've got Mike's story in the Gallery now. We are working on getting some more pictures in the Bolt Bucket. It may take a while to get all that together. It will be good to see progress on this truck.
He's another that needs to make it down to Homecoming this year.
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804"Charlie" - The Stovebolt FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | |
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