The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1948 Chevy Loadmaster 6400 2-Ton

and I think I've lost my mind...

Good evening everyone -
It is with nervous excitement and trepidation that I come and introduce myself. What started as an innocent comment at a local festival by my wife to my brother-in-law, "I've always wanted an old truck like that." has led to a 1948 Chevy Loadmaster 6400 sitting out by the shop. It's not like we don't have three teenagers (one in college and two in high school), a family business and my corporate job, church and family to keep us busy. We thought it'd be fun to add something else like this into the mix...

Seriously, we love fixing up old stuff. Our first house was 128 years old with no walls, plumbing or electricity so this is par for the course. We'd like to introduce our new 68 year old baby to you folks!

And here is the whole story in pictures!


Today I made the first step, I dropped the radiator off at the radiator shop as well as the fuel tank. The first good news is that the fuel tank has too much rust damage to repair so now I will add that to the official list of things to buy. The truck was running when it was parked 10 years ago. I know that's always the story but I know the seller and he can be trusted. (It's my brother-in-law's father. See how that happened....)

Anyway, we look forward to a rewarding journey of getting the beauty back on the road. Plans are to make her road-worthy but not a full restoration. I'd like to put a stakeside bed on it when I get things squared away mechanically.

Always welcome any directions on parts providers and tips and techniques we might find handy. I am thinking my 17 y/o son and 16 y/o daughter still at home will come in handy too.

Micah
-comfortably south of Atlanta, GA

Welcome Micah, lots of those big trucks here, you should fit right in. Be sure to have the teenagers help you out. Good luck.
Leo

That's a nice story on the truck....and great news with all that help you have around! Just having someone to hand you things is a tremendous help so you don't have to get up and down a million times for one little problem.

Good luck, ask questions in the most appropriate forums and let us help you on the journey....it appears you already have the "disease" after looking at your list of vehicles!!

welcome to the site! I have a couple big bolts myself. First ride in mine was with white knuckles and a huge grin! Now, it is just a huge grin every time I drive it! (little less now that it has mufflers and not open stacks)! LOL

That looks like a real solid truck!

Thanks Mike - it really is solid and in very good condition considering all things. I get a little overwhelmed because there are so many things that need to be addressed. However, as I read the forums and read about folks who have doors that don't open (or no doors at all), glass that's broken and major assemblies MIA, I count my blessings. I am looking at replacing a few items but most everything is accounted for. I know I am looking for a fuel tank and wheels and tires but I want to get her running off of a small fuel can before I start getting too far down that road.... little steps I need to remind myself.

yep, little steps. Get it running like you said, then moving and stopping, then lights... that is my normal progression on a new to me vehicle. Then you can at least go around the block! I then drive it a bit and figure out what else I need to do to make it more reliable and how far I want to go as far as tearing into it, body off the frame, just drive it as-is, or somewhere in-between!

Got to see the pictures this time and WOW. What a deal. Five windows, stainless trim, hood ornament and looks like minimal rust. Way to go. That's truly a diamond in the rough....but not to rough!

What Alvin said. Congratulations, and keep us posted on your progress.

Nice truck, your cat seems to like it as well.

Great looking truck. Looks like it acquired a 1948 car hood ornament along the way.

Okay, we've got Micah's Loadmaster in the Gallery now. Good story and some great pictures.

Keep us posted on the progress.

Peggy M

Hi Micah,
Nice looking truck!
I have a 1948 6400 that I bought last year and have slowly started working on this year.
I hope your project goes well and maybe we can share some ideas and resources as we go along.

Best Regards,
Brian

what I have done so far;
- had the Hydrovac brake booster rebuilt.
- installed new front wheel cylinders.
- new front tires.
- converted to 12v
- got the 235 babbitt running. Drove enough to find out it is shot. Knocking and smoking.
- the pto driven hydraulic dump now works.

current;
- rebuilding a 261 and sm420 that I purchased in great shape form a Bolter here.
- new rear wheel cylinders. (i thought they were good until the fronts held pressure then the booster blew the rears...)
- looking for tires
-getting ready to trouble shoot the 2 speed rear end.

Here I sit so much longer later and I have little to show for my efforts. I just wanted to humbly say i still have my truck and I am poking away at little things here and there when time allows. I am in the middle of a project maybe "because of" this truck. I am adding about a 950 sq ft addition to my barn of which a third will be fully enclosed with concrete flooring. That has been designated "truck" space. I am hoping things will begin moving along at a faster pace at that point.... fingers crossed.

Sounds like the new shed is a vital part of the project!
Hang in there. Every little step counts.

Micah Nice Truck.

Greetings from down under.

Your truck looks just like mine that I found pretty much the same way... Showing a friend some pictures and he says, "Paul's got one next door".
Nearly two years later I finally got organised to pick them up and they have sat through a messy divorce, a change of house, a hand injury and now finally it's time for the build.
I have attached a couple of links to my Pinterest page at the bottom. I want to rebuild the red (read rusty) truck using the body off the blue one and rebuilding the stock crate on the back. Only difference from how I found it is an Independent front end and air bags, I know the purist will hate it, but you don't see one like that around. The red truck is Canadian and the blue one is built (or compliance) by Holden in Australia so I'm trying to ID the trucks I have.

Can you send me some images of the badge on the bonnet (hood) side and the door handles inside and out? Any line on parts for these big girls?

Have fun!

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/569916527824371720/
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/569916527824371719/
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/569916527824371730/
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/569916527824371748/