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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 | Folks — New here and thinking of joining the Big Bolt world. Have a chance to purchase a 1954 4100 dump truck in really good shape, but a little worried about availability of driveline parts and brake parts.
Can shoes, drums, cylinders, bearings, seals and such be found?
Also — are cab parts the same across 3100/4100 series? This truck has a shattered passenger window.
I am used to working on old things, and also used to chasing down hard to find parts. Got a little worried when internet searches turned up nil on the brake parts.
If I new I could keep her on the road I would buy her in a heartbeat — just a beautiful truck that needs TLC. Looking for advice as to whether or not to make the plunge. I have restored cars going back to 1931, and have a brother in law as a resource that repairs tractor trailers and heavy construction equipment.
Thanks,
Scott
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | Welcome,
Brake drums are pretty much only available used.
Cabs and all their parts are same as small trucks. Fenders, hood, and grill are big truck items.
All the rest is easy.
Go for it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | I am with Grigg, go for it! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | x3.
Everybody's got pickups! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,317 | Hello Scott,
Shoes can be re-lined. Wheel cylinders can be rebuilt (parts are available) if they're not too pitted. Lots of parts can still be found if you really look. The biggest problem I have with big bolts is the cost of tires.
If you have the space, and live in an area where you can drive it, I too say go for it.
Welcome to the Stovebolt.
John | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | the price all depends on condition. I paid 500 for my 55.2 6400 and 900 for my 58. The 58, I drove onto the trailer when I picked it up, the 55, I drove off once I got it home and cleaned out the carb.Both trucks need all 6 tires and neither one had brakes that worked.
Tires are a big expense, if all 6 tires are good, that is worth some money, interior, mine were full of mouse stuff, and seats completely shot. If yours has been re-done inside and fairly clean, or even repainted, that is worth some more $$. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | The wheels shown are the safe/serviceable kind of multi piece wheels. Bumper is on upside down... perhaps that helps in your negotiating  Price is your call, is it worth it to you? My guess is it's in the right neighborhood, without having seen the truck in person to better judge condition. Sometimes just because it looks nice and has paint on it doesn't mean it's worth more than an old original with faded and missing paint.. the "pretty" one might be full or rust and poor workmanship. Always cheaper and or better in the long run to buy the truck without rust, or with as little rust as you can afford up front. Replacing/fixing rust properly gets expensive, or corners are cut and it reappears. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 | Thanks guys . I am having trouble putting a value on it, and looking on the internet just confuses me - found a couple non-runners for more money..... so your input really helps. Here are some more details: Interior is redone, new headliner, reupholstered seat, new door panels, dash repainted All brake lines replaced Front wheel cylinders replaced with 1"in place of 7/8".... don't know what to make of this... Master cylinder replaced Clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing replaced New radiator 235 babbitted engine replaced with 235 with insert bearings Electric Wipers Front brake drums replaced Brake power assist rebuilt New speedometer Was inspected and on the road last year. [img] http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i397/stouchton/4100.jpg[/img] | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | The wheel cyl. replacement will make the brakes more powerful, at the expense of less volume, which might not matter.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 | One last question before I make my decision - how much should I be worried about the differential?
This truck runs fine, and sounds fine - so I am not suspicious of anything. But it is old, and things go wrong. Is the differential serviceable, can parts be found? I have been doing a lot of research, and found a lot of good information on this site. But if I would need ring or pinion gears at some point, or bearings or seals - is there a source? Or do I need to scrounge used parts? Does someone here know where parts can be found?
Is it easy to transplant something out of a more modern vehicle?
I want to give this truck a new home, and take care of it. Also want to enjoy it and run it. It would have an easy life - but I sort of need to know if I can take care of it (if that makes sense...).
Thanks for your help - this is not an easy decision.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,877 | Rear axles rarely give trouble if they have oil in them and not water.
Bearings and seals are generally available and easy to find.
Entire rear axles for these trucks are essentially free, if you need one and ask around they turn up, and aren't desirable for any other application.
More modern choices also exist, but to keep your same bolt pattern the newer versions have rear disc brakes, which then would require adapting front disc brakes to complement them, also possible.
Otherwise many other newer axles can be made to fit, some better than most, but wouldn't have same bolt pattern.
If you like these trucks there's no reason not to have one, they are all quite serviceable and easy enough to get about anything you could ever need. Also quite adaptable if you want more modern stuff and not all original, while maintaining original appearance. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 | Grigg - thanks for your help and feedback. Looks like this one will be following me home this week. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | As Grigg said, bearings and seals are not hard to find as GM didn't reinvent the wheel for just that truck but used off the shelf parts from ones like Timken, Bower, or LMC. We have a 1928 Chevy dump truck that had no brakes at all on the front, just the backing plates Know a man with a 28 stake bed that let us copy the brake shoe steel backing ( they are NOT hard to make) and most important the cam/lever/pivot/rod of the mechanical brake set up. Summary is these old trucks are so simple that if you can't buy it you can make it. [img]https://i.postimg.cc/QBh8R87S/IMG_4582.jpg[/img]
Evan
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 62 | Thanks coilover! I have committed to taking the plunge.
You have a nice truck there. | | |
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