The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1954 Chevy 6400 Grain Truck question

I just purchased this truck on ebay and can't wait for delivery. I was decoding the VIN (SW54K025843) and the SW denotes a 6400 Special which the specifications manual seems to call a 1 1/2 Ton with a GVWR of 15,000 lbs. The regular 6400 is shown as a 2 Ton with a GVWR of 16,000 lbs.

I thought the 4000 series was the 1 1/2 ton series and the 6000 series was the 2 ton series. What (and why?) is a 6000 series 1 1/2 ton?

23 Pictures - http://s1042.photobucket.com/user/58limited/library/1954 Chevy 6400

Because some of them are "Special" as in 64xxS 1.5 ton "Special" - keep moving on through "Next Page" at bottom of each screen.

And, because you Vehicle Serial Number's "SW" means 6400 Special.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/54057.htm

Yes, that is where I found the info in my original post above. Just curious as to why some 6400 models are 1 1/2 ton specials when Chevy had a 1 1/2 ton series - the 4000 series.

I looked through those specs from 1941-1954. It appears that the 2 ton came about post-war with the first mention of "1 1/2 Ton Special" in 1946 specs. The only explanation of the term I saw was in the 1950 specs (page /5051.htm). This states that the only difference between the 1.5 Special and the 2 Ton is the identification plate showing 15000 max GVW. The plate is an option - RPO 402. I am thinking this must have to do with a government regulation for weight. If I can find more, I'll post it.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/5051.htm

64xx 2.0 ton and 1.5 ton vs 4xxx 1.5 ton truck differences:

One significant difference is GVW:

64xx 2-ton - 16,000 lbs
64xxS 1.5 ton - 15,000 lbs
4xxx 1.5 ton - 4100, 4400, 4500 lbs: GVW 14,000, 14,000, 12,000 lbs

Other spec differences are shown at the link in my earlier post.

You might follow-up with another "why all the different models"?

The simple answer is that GM/Chevrolet obvious saw a market for the various models/differences.

What would be an example of a government regulation for weight (back in the 40s or 50s)?

Some states had vastly different license plate fees based on GVW ratings. When my grandfather's 34 Chevy flatbed trucks and later tractor/semitrailer rigs were hauling beer from Milwaukee and St. Louis to Nashville, negotiating the GVW limits for several states was a nightmare. A legal load in one state would draw an overload fine in the adjoining one sometimes.

It's possible Chevy learned to sell the same trucks with different GVW ratings in different states to take advantage of loopholes in registration fees, hence the ID plate changes. They knew most owners planned to overload 'em anyway!
Jerry

Very nice truck. That single speed rear axle, makes it a 15000lb., special 1 1/2 ton. Commonly the 6000 series trucks came standard with a 2 spd. axle.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've never had a Big Bolt before but I have fallen in love with them. I think I will get at least one more in the next few years, one with a fifth wheel hitch and trailer to haul the tractor around - might try to find a COE.

Until I buy my own place in the next few years I plan to keep the grain truck at my friend's farm in a barn out of the weather. It may be driven into town for shows but it will also be used for work around the farm, mostly to haul hay or to pick up feed and fencing materials in town.

What part of Texas are you in?

Near Beaumont

HI 58. Fellow eastern tx boy here, I'm 100 plus miles north of you. From your screen name may I assume you own some 1958's or that's your birth yr? I and my truck fleet we're born in 58. Are there any good part sources or junk yards in your area for old Chevy trucks.? I'm always looking for something. Thanks.

Unfortunately there are no good junk yards around here - they crush most cars quickly to cash in on the scrap metal. What few older cars and trucks I've seen are complete rust buckets with few usable parts. The one '52 Chevy I found I took most of the usable parts from 15 years ago, I doubt he has the body anymore at this point - he had to move his junkyard so he probably crushed everything.

My user name comes from one of my cars - a 1958 Buick Limited 2 door hardtop: http://www.1958buickforum.net/webpage/58buick.htm

I also run the 1958 Buick Forum which is pretty small compared to the StoveBolt forum.

Best of luck with all your projects. These big bolts r such a challenge. Thanks for writing back. Nice truck !