The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New and have Grandpa's Original 1950 Chevy 3600 3/4 Ton

Hi all,
I am new here and excited to learn. I recently was given my grandpa's (then uncle's) 1950 Chevrolet 3600 pickup. For the most part it is all original. I just bought new bias ply tires and had some other minor work done to it. The truck has been sitting in a barn for 36 years, at least. Drives well. Photo below.

My issue is the general direction in which to take this project. I know it's personal, but this isn't exactly a truck I dug out of a grove somewhere. It has a history.

I want to keep it stock but am encountering some difficulties with.....for starters, the rear axle replacement. If I cannot locate what I need and then need to go to plan B with other axle modifications, then what about the wheels? If I have to get different rims, I worry it will lose it's authenticity. And it snowballs from there, for example....into paint. Is it odd to repaint a truck and leave the original old bed that my grandpa preserved by soaking in oil? (I want to keep the bed as-is.) Or the windows (I was told if I have it painted I need to replace the windows and the chrome.) and the list goes on. I realize these are common restoration questions. Part of me says Grandpa liked it this way...old and dinged and faded... so leave it! But I cannot drive 45mph where I live (Grandpa lived on a farm and I live in the suburbs) and hence the snowball I just chronicled above. PS: I need to outsource all the labor.

My objective is to determine (a) how to maintain the flavor of grandpa's truck, while (b) addressing any issues of rot/decay, and (c) ensuring it is super-reliable. BECAUSE.... I want to enjoy this vehicle without being stuck on the side of a road somewhere. Maybe I cannot accomplish (b) without a full restoration. I don't know....

Anyway, as I told my dad.... I always see MEN driving these old pickup trucks...never women. But I would like to change that.

I'm very thankful for this site to assist in my research. (Though I guarantee I'm driving my dad nuts.)

Thanks,
Sara

Sara
Welcome to the Garage!
Congrats on keeping your Grandfather's truck going!
You will pass it on to your grand kids in latter years.
No question will go unnoticed at this site.
We are a bunch of cranky old people and will give you good advice.

Don

Grossie74, you are at a point most of us have experienced and some more than once. Being raised on a farm and remembering my grandfathers Studebaker and the AD style trucks I think I know where your coming from.

There are many ways to accomplish what you want....... the one thing you must have is patience as you decide. I feel safe to say that most of us here would say to get it to "go" and "Whoa" if possible and drive it a little and let it talk to you!!
Take your time in devising your plan so there is not much "backing up and punting".

There are some options to get the truck up to speeds for he suburbs and guys on here can lead you in that process. Take some time and read some of the tech tips and learn to do "searches" for lots of info.

Lastly, ask questions in the GARAGE FORUMS. Pick the one that you think fits your particular problem the best. You will have questions in probably all of the forums before your finished. Not everyone signs in and come through the Welcome Centre.....some read all the forums..... and some visit the forums they are most interested in. After a while you'll get the hang or it..... or the feel for what is going on. Visit the tech tips, gallery and links sections.

....and I may have mentioned this before, watch for bolters from your area and sign in at the forum for your area. Got to a cruise in often to help stay motivated and work on it at least 15 minutes EVERY day no matter how little or big the project is.

Good luck, we'll see you around the garage.

Looking at the pictures I see that you have a very nice truck! Thanks to your Grandfather and Uncle that have preserved it as well as it is. I grew up on a farm in central North Dakota and understand the way trucks were used/abused too often. That's a very nice old truck you have there. I vote for changing the ring and pinion (theres a good thread here on that) and leave the rest alone. A legacy to your Grandfather, be proud when you drive it!!
I will add, I live in the outskirts of Seattle, I changed the gearing in my truck to 4:11. I can now keep up with traffic. Yes I have to be careful about following distances because the brakes are 70 year old technology. I don't go on the Interstate with my truck stay on the side roads and enjoy! My $.02

Original back in the day was dependable and can
still be dependable today.

What people forget is that when an old truck or car
was parked and retired it was because too many things
were worn out on it.

The new owner, in this case you are not aware of all
the issues that have to be fixed. So in goes the new
battery, clean out the gas tank, put in fresh gas, change
the oil. Wow she started up and can move under it's
own power.

Call the insurance agent, down to the DMV, back home
with the plates and the new owner starts driving.

Then all the issues that were there get noticed and
need to get fixed. Which leads to the false assumption
that these old trucks/cars are not dependable. They
were and will be when you get everything fixed on them.
Jeffrey

If you make a change try to keep the appearance original and
do bolt on items so the truck can always be brought back to original
A good example from Plowboy is to change the ring and pinion gear.
Jeffrey

Sara--good luck with your restoration, your grandfather maintained it well. I got a 49 from a neighbor in November last year and have been having a ball with restoration..Bill
https://www.flickr.com/cameraroll/

Completed repairs this year were: new tires, kingpins, exhaust system, battery, gas tank was flushed. I am currently having an active oil leak fixed and the charging system repaired before I put it away in a couple weeks for the winter. My winter project is FINDING a 4:10 Eaton HO52 axle. I am told this is the only thing that will work on a 3600. (The 3100 has more options apparently...and I cannot use a 4:11.) I found some great tech tips on what to look for. Now it's phone time with the junkyards!

Thanks Achipmunk. I'll try to work on that patience part. Not my strong suit.

Welcome Sara, some very good advice here sofar. Just take your time and before you know it, things will be fine. Nice to have the family history too, these trucks will outlast their owners.

Leo

Welcome Sara, what a great truck you now have, looks like it's been well cared for over the years. I live in the Twin Cities and see you are from Savage, I hope you consider bringing your truck to "Back to the 50's" show next summer at the state fair grounds - always a great show! I have a 1950 Chevy truck also, 3800 series 1 Ton, had it at the show several years. I was fortunate to find a 4:10 rear end for it, just need to do the work to get it installed. Well it will be time soon to put them away for the winter. I now have a heated garage for the first time, so I can get a few things accomplished on the truck over winter. Have fun with your truck.

Tom

Hi Tom,
Yes, I live in Savage and the truck is currently in southern MN where it'll stay for the winter. I have that show on my calendar already and am contemplating bringing the truck...We will see how things go with my rear axle hunt as I really need to address that before getting it up to the Cities. That show sounds pretty incredible - I checked out a big show in Victoria this summer, one in Chanhassen and Wheels N Heels in Prior Lake. The Victoria one was pretty cool as well....

Welcome!
Just curious as to whereabouts in southern MN your truck is located. Just wondering if it's close to me.

Welcome to the greatest information site for these trucks.
Nice truck.
From the moment I saw my truck in the grass on a farm I knew it had to be preserved as original as possible.
Alot of extra work is definitely involved from cleaning and repairing old parts to researching and tracking down parts but you've got a ton of ideas and incredible knowledge to help right here.
The best part is when your parked just about anywhere not just at a show and shine but lot's of folks of all ages will walk right past a modified or rodded up truck to come have a look and sometimes touch it to have the memories flood back of Dad or Grandfather.
How ever you decide to proceed your family and friends will be amazed at your accomplishment. I know mine are!

Doyle

Hi Rich, Sort of! I'm originally from the New Ulm area, which is where my truck is currently.

Funny you should say that, Doyle. One DAY this September, I was cleaning the truck as it was parked in a garage. Hadn't been washed since my grandpa owned it.... EVER to anyone's knowledge, and it took me 4-1/2 hours to really get every nook and cranny including the cab, while trying to stay away from the wood bed and a probable windshield seal leak going on somewhere. Some guy I never met wandered into the driveway and said he noticed there was an old truck in there and wanted to check it out. (He sure didn't come to talk to ME! haha) That was interesting...... Anyway, I am already discovering the comments from guys telling me "Don't touch a thing!" This truck has the original wood bed which is really cool. The wood is blackish because my grandpa soaked it in oil to preserve it, but I am proud of the fact that it is truly original. One guy this week told me I could replace it with some really nice new wood panels. I was not interested. Preserving the original bed is very important to me, dirty or not. I just won't sit back there with my white pants on! Thanks for reaching out! Sara

Welcome to our site, Sara! Always great to have another big little truck join us -- especially one with family history! My '49 3804 has its original bed wood, too, so ... cool for you on that! With a little patience, I think you will find your 4.10 rear axle 3rd member swap. Many of us have and it was pretty painless (unless you drop it on your foot ... funny how I should know that ...). Check in the 1-ton forum and search for the swap thread -- The guy your are looking for is Mrf1002u but I see he hasn't been on our site since July ... Anyway, those axle 3rd members are out there and you will find one. It is a ridiculously easy upgrade (WAY easier than the ring and pinion gear upgrade hassle the half ton guys have to go through ... ) and it will make your truck modern road compatible. Just be sure your steering and brakes are good, too. And you might consider a seat belt install -- I did the Juliano's kit and it was pretty easy. I'm a grandpa myself so I am pretty sure your grandpa will thank you for keeping yourself safe in his truck

Thanks for checking in and introducing yourself -- we're glad to have you join in. If any of these hooligans and senior delinquents give you any static, just let me know ... I will be glad to square them away

Regards,
John

Thanks John, I will check out Mrf1002u and see what I can uncover. I was told I'm looking for a needle in a haystack with that 4:10 gear ratio but I am nowhere near giving up on the hunt. I will share your thoughts with my dad about the ease of it vs. the alternative. He's helping me out quite a bit. The seatbelt piece did cross my mind as well. Would love to see pics of your wood bed.

So far the hooligans seem harmless.

Your truck looks really cool - inspirational because it still has the original look and vibe!

Howdy Sara.
Welcome to the site with the best information for the repair and preservation of older Chev. trucks.
Your photos show that you have a great piece of family history that will not take much work to enjoy and share.

The axle swap out as John says is quite simple but is heavy work. I found a 4:56 ratio rather than a 4:11 to replace my 5:17 and that works well.
But mine is a bit heaver one ton that has a larger diameter tire. Just remember that traveling with modern vehicles also requires good steering and stopping.
Yours will do that with some attention to detail. It does appear to be well looked after.

The 3/4 & 1 ton trucks have a unique nich on this site and we all watch out for each other and the enjoyment of the special trucks.
The panel and surburban crowd have the same thinking.

Again welcome.
Howie

Thank you all for the warm welcomes and words of advice (and reminders of patience!) I am sure I will have far more questions for you all than I will have answers. Looking forward to all your worldly advice on the AD trucks! Sara

Hi Grossie73

I would keep it just like it is...yes do the rear gear swap as you have planned....maybe some better brakes for the front axle if you have the hankering to that type of work...

I love the looks of your truck...we had one that was twin to yours back in the in my my home town...

Keep us in the loop....you have an awesome truck right there...

MikeC

Welcome to the 'bolt.

Oh neat, a family heirloom.

Well, you are in the right place, wander around the site and get a feel for the place.

post up details, ask questions, the parts are still out there.

As for the truck, if it is running, then just make sure it is safe to drive.

Then just drive it, it will let you know what it needs.

Don't rush into tearing it apart. Some people get what I call, restoration-itis.

It's Grandpa's old truck, so just wash it good, wax parts of it maybe, lubricate everything.

A lot of the stuff you can probably learn to do yourself if you know anything about basic hand tools.

that's the fun with old trucks, you can take a lot of it apart.

edit : Oh wow, I just found the link to the photos - that's a nice old truck!

do the mechanical stuff, safety first and drive it!

-W