The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Inspecting a Prospective Truck

Good Morning from Suburban Chicagoland!

I am new to Stovebolt and I am blown away by the sheer amount of information, knowledge, and experience on this forum and general site.

I've done a fair amount of browsing around but there's just so much to sift through; I might have missed what I'm looking for.

I am going to check out a rough 1948 3800 soon and was looking for a "buyers guide" or a list of items specific to that year and possibly model to be on the look out for. Each of the beauties showcased on this site have their own congenital flaws and I was just looking for a laundry list of inspection points.

I would appreciate any and all advice related to purchasing my first truck!

I thank you all in advance!

Welcome to the 'bolt. regardless of what you end up with I'm sure you will enjoy working on it.

You might want to make a post in the General Truck Talk forum, as there are a lot more folks there than here.

Good Luck

Welcome to the Stovebolt madness. There is no cure!

Brake drums are non-existent for the 3800. Body parts interchange with the 1/2 & 3/4 tons.
Be sure to post your specific questions in the appropriate garage forum. We do have a special forum for the 1 tons.

Yes : most "Body parts interchange with the 1/2 & 3/4 tons"

But, there may be a few differences:
- bumpers and bumper brackets ?
- running board lengths ?

When you say "rough", I think of my 1950 3100 and how it had a fresh paint job over very rusted out front cab supports and corners. This caused the hood to be out of alignment and not able to close. I was not skilled enough to fix this and as a result it took me 28 years so far to get this truck done and driveable. I hope you are more skilled than I and will be able to get yours back on the road. But do check the cab corners front and rear at the bottoms and also the cab supports as these are critical for strength and alignment. This will be the year for me!!

Jerry

Buying mechanical parts for a 3800 is a a bit more effort
Most online places don’t list 1 ton compatibility even if it’s the correct part they just don’t know so they can’t help you

With exception of those rear brake drums there is a way to get all the standard parts for your 3800, if you are having difficulty finding something just ask the forum

It will be fun, you should def get a 1 ton
-s

One thing to consider is the "completeness" of the project truck. Try to buy something that isn't missing too many parts. As finding and buying replacements of missing equipment can get pricey in a hurry! John

Thanks for the advice! I'll crosspost this over there.

Note to all: OP has started this topic in GTT. Continue to post your welcomes here but answer his questions in the GTT post. Thank you.

Hello Dan,

Welcome to the "Bolt".

John

NADA says low retail is $11,200, Average $26,500, High $69,100. Something to start from.

Regarding you Huck Brakes, I just got through some work on mine. I replaced the rear wheel cylinders and one of the adjuster wheels. I also dismantled and cleaned out the front cylinders. When I originally got this truck, I had a miserable time getting the drums off, everything was frozen. I had to use a wheel puller to get them off. I have also come to the conclusion that the number of people that know anything about drum brakes is dwindling. lot of blank stares out there.

As far as inspecting, see if the engine spins, 6 or 12 volt, check for oil in the radiator water, condition of the wire harness, see if the heat riser is free, smell the gas to see if it has turned into shellac, condition of the tires, condition of the bed and look for the results from a visit by the good idea fairy.