The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 59 Truck ID

I'm not sure where this should go but I have run into a 59 32 series half ton long bed and the vin on the cab and frame check as such but it has a 36 series 8 lug front hub and rear full floating axle. I can't seem to find anywhere where this may have been an option. The only other code on the plate is 5000 lbs GVW and RPO 431YG it also has a 283

Does anyone have an idea if this is a special build or just a swap at the dealer or PO may have done it

It's hard to tell the 3200 from the 3600 as the sheet metal and frames are the same.

Your 3200 serial number starts as V3B59.

If it's a 3600 it will be V3E59.

The 3200 has either 7 or 8 rear leaf springs, while the 3600 has 9 or 10. Other than the axles that's about the only difference.

I'm not aware of any RPO putting 3/4 ton axles under a 1/2 ton truck, why would they do that???

So, you either have swapped axles or a missed stamped series in your serial number (B should have been an E) from the factory...

Mike B

I have verified the VIN as 3B59S both on cab and on frame.

With the brake kits we manufacture I have come across many different combinations that were not in the manual or heritage packets. I have seen AD 3600's with factory dual rear wheels and a standard 8 lug front hub and also with a the extended front hub that were not swaps that's why I asked. Could it have been swapped at some point in its life, maybe but as you asked Why? I've seen single wheel trucks with dually axles so I know they did some odd factory installs, Civil defense trucks and forest service trucks sometimes have these upgrades between 36 and 38's but I have not seen one on a 32 before.

I did find in my data book that there was a 5000 lb GVW package that required suspension special ordered separately. This GVW tag says 5000 lbs. It had 8 leaf single stage springs rear 1550 lbs, 1350 lb. Payload (3/4 Ton) and 17.5 inch wheels which I believe were all 8 lug. So this looks like a legit up fit from the factory just very odd.

Sounds like everything is pointing towards it being a 3200 with swapped axles...

Mike B

possibly but I'm thinking not unless its a dealer swap, I do know they did have an option for a 32 with those axles according to my salesman's data book for 1959.

I did a little more research and I don't see the 8-lug floating axle as an option for the 3200.

I do see the HD rear springs (8 leaf) with 7x17.5 tires which would raise the GVW to 5000 pounds, but those 17.5 rims are 6-lug p/n 3724684, the 17.5 8-lug rims are p/n 3724683.

The difference in GVW between the 3200HD and the 3600 standard is only 200 pounds (5000 vs 5200).

The 3200 cost $1,986.00 + 125.50 (7x17.5 tires) = $2,111.50.

The 3600 cost $2,132.00 (with Std 17.5 tires).

Why would anyone buy a HD 1/2 ton when you could get the standard 3/4 ton for $20 more?

I still believe your axles were installed outside the factory.

Mike B