Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself Gallery 54 3/4 ton mixed bag

So I've started going through my next project. It is a 1954 titled 3600 with a flatbed converted to a wrecker at some point in its life. PTO operates a winch under the bed. My plans for the truck are a bit more tame, and I will most likely removing the improvised wrecker apparatus and reverting to a bed box. Taking a few measurements I'm left scratching my head. Wheelbase is 142". I'm guessing the rear axle was shifted back around 16" brackets for the rear leaves have been welded to the frame- were these brackets originally welded?
I cannot see where brackets could have been initially bolted in or riveted. At this time my 3/4 ton bed box isn't going to work as planned and longer running boards will need to be fabbed if wheelbase stays as is. (in the bed box scenario I might fab a spare tire holder/ toolbox between bed and box)

Also to add to the confusion. Front end ( fenders/ grill) is 1954 and cab is 1953 5-window. Could have been sold as a flat face cowl chassis I suppose. Door tags are removed but serial number is J54S05147 ( from title)
Engine 1018109F54XA

A 1954 but lots has happened to this truck in its lifetime.

It's quite the ensemble I've got in front of me and some decisions need to be made as to the projects direction. The best part I guess is that it's not a problem to take my own direction as keeping it "stock" would be anybody's guess. If anybody has any insight into the wheelbase and whether or not it was moved at some point please let me know.

Right now the idea is to get it stopping correctly then get the engine running smoothly and reliably. Then we'll figure out how to proceed.

The brackets were not welded originally (riveted), not a great idea for strength and durability over the long-term I would guess. Here is what a 3/4-ton leaf attachment points should look like. Let me know if you want detail pictures of overload springs on a 54' as I have a spare 3600 frame with that installation (none of those brackets weld either).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129054429/in/set-72157631867396207

Brad,

That's what I was afraid of... Here are some pictures of the truck

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/slawnski/library/1954%20chevy

Needs quite a bit of work. More pictures to come. Couple of decisions to make. We'll get it stopping, running , and driving right. Then we'll come up with a plan on the direction to take.

Wow your right the truck could probably tell a story or two. As you say it carries a 54' serial number and engine number but that sure looks like a 53' cab? Here is a 54 cab for comparison. Notice the one piece windshield.

Does the dash look like this or is it the 47-53 style?



Hey no matter if an oddball or not it looks like a good find, we love oddballs here anyway!

Here's the dash. I'm fairly certain the cab is a 47-53. I have a 53 wiring harness for it- the wiring is a mess! it was converted to 12 volts at some point early in it's life- but all the wires are crusty and in very poor shape. I'm guessing the 53 harness was right because of the 53 cab- brake components, suspension components, and drive train items will need to be circa 54- unless I find another mix of years as I dive into it.

I've grown fond of the oddball myself- Plenty to do getting it roadworthy as is before we begin to lay out plans for any changes. I think the flat bed has to go though- it's got 1/4" steel plates welded onto it and it is pretty rough- the perimeter of the bed has been smacked around and welded all over the place, so I don't think there's any saving it- I have a few ideas rolling around - but I want it on the road by the end of the weekend if at all possible, get it back to being a driver first. I'm sure you guys will see me on here quite a bit as I crawl forward on this latest endeavor- I know that I can count on you guys for support and advice- it's want makes the Stovebolt what it is!

Well it is the 53 dash for sure. I look forward to seeing your progress, good luck and ask away as things come up.

KMAC

It would probably be easier to make a new flatbed for it than to try to fit a factory bed
to a frame that was lengthened that much. Like you said, you don't need to worry about keeping it original at this point, so you have a true blank slate to work with there.

Okay, Jim's truck story is finally finished and in the Gallery. Check his signature line. He's got some nice photos of bed work in his album.

Hopefully, we'll hear from him in here with progress on both trucks!

Peg