I've recently inherited a 1936 1.5 ton stake side from my father-in-laws estate. This is something that I've wanted since the very first time I saw it back in the late 1970's. As this has been in the family for so long, I will to do a restoration back to as original as reasonably as possible. This will then become something that I can pass down to my kids and hopefully to my grandson one day.
The love affair began over 40 years ago when I first started dating my wife. The love was for both my wife and for the old truck her dad owned that was sitting on top of the hill behind their house. It was love at first sight for both her (and the truck). I bugged my father in law for many years to let me have the truck, but he just couldn't part with it. Fast forward to 2020 and the passing of my father in law. Well, I got my wish and took possession of a gorgeous 1936 Chevy 1 1/2 ton stake side truck. The two of us found out that it originally belonged to her grandfather and so it became even more important in our decision to do a full restoration of it back to what it was when it came off the assembly line.
As I'm somewhat older, don't have a place to work on it, don't have the equipment and knowledge to do a restore, I plan to hire a shop to do most of the work. I know it would be really enjoyable to do it myself, it just doesn't make sense.
I'm sure that I will be back here many times looking for guidance and also many parts. So the first will be a post for replacement 20X9 lock ring wheels.
welcome to the site! In the "swap meet" forum, there is a parts wanted section, you can create a post in there for your wheels, and then separate ones for whatever else you find you need.
That is a great history on your truck!! Glad you can keep it in the family!
Bruce 36 1.5 great family truck project...that will be a fun build. I'd do my best to hear Grandpa's engine fire up again.and shift the gears he shifted ! Good Luck !!
I looked at your truck on the Vecca website, looks like 10 on 7.25” wheels. 22.5 wheels were made in that boltpattern in the late ‘50’s with the advent of tubelesstires. Most are gone now, so 19.5’s are the next best. They only come on GMC 3000 and 3500HD trucks, not hanging on trees. Start looking now.
If you want to make your truck original and keep the 20’s, Coker makes 20’s. If you want to make your truck a highway cruiser with larger engine, you will need to find modern axles. GM ff 14 bolt rear axles are an economical alternative, any GM front axle, either IFS or solid will bring you disc brakes. Watch axle width. Both these axles are 8 lug which are not original bolt pattern. If you want 10 on 7.25” bolt pattern, have to do some more work. Let us know when you get to that point.
Reading on modern disc brake axles at top of forum in locked(2) topics to keep you reading when weather is bad.
Ed
Last edited by Phak1; 09/17/20239:47 PM.
'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.
EdPruss, The link to the VCCA site is for my truck, not the truck which is the subject of this thread. I am not looking for tires, or wheels, or disk brakes, or any other modern modifications to my truck. I like everything about my old vehicles. The sound, the smell, the ride, the total experience. When I want or need to go 70 MPH, I have a 2004 pickup for that. Looking out over a pointed hood at that speed holds no fascination for me. Don't get me wrong, everybody gets to do what he wants with his truck, but my trucks stay original as much as I can keep them that way.
I've posted a request in the swap meet section for wheels that will fit my 36 1.5T. As I'm looking to keep this fairly original, I'm looking for wheels to fit the existing axle/hub. They are the 10 bolt pattern with the hub opening approximately 4 3/4 inches.
Your wheels are 20x6 with an inner tube and locking ring, 10 lug on a 7.25" bolt circle, and are "hub piloted" on a 4.75" hub. Fronts and rears are identical, with a cover plate over the front wheels that blocks five of the lugs while adding a little strength, so your showing only 5 lugs on the front even though it's a 10 lug hole wheel. I don't remember the offset.
Be careful buying new wheels, the hub size changed in 1954, to 5.25", and those wheels won't be safe on your truck (no centering from the hub). The ultimate authority here is Grigg, and his "Wheels and tires what to do" will tell you most of what you need to know, even though it's aimed at later (AD) trucks.
My 1935 1.5T had a 207, and I think yours does too if it's original. If the engine is not repairable, consider upgrading to a 216 or 235. I have a 216. It looks like a 207, but it's a MUCH better engine if you plan to drive your truck at all. It's also a lot easier to find one. Mine has a later (1949) bellhousing, mated to the original transmission (double clutching is fun!).
I think your brakes are hydraulic but not power assist. If you keep it down at it's design speed (mine's happy at 45 mph), and don't put a load in the back, the brakes are fine. I've had a half a ton in the back of mine, and that DID increase the stopping distance to an uncomfortable amount. I have mechanical brakes, but there's no difference in the stopping power between well adjusted mechanicals and unassisted hydraulics if your right leg is in good shape.
Thank you both thruman and 35mike for your help and thank you everyone for your comments and support. It is reasons like this that I'm so glad a site like this exists.
As I said above, both the engine and transmission are in tough shape as they were removed from the truck and my father-in-law attempted to make a home grown skid-steer using them. He never completed that project so they sat outside for 50 to 60 years. You've got me thinking about what to do if the engine is not salvageable, then a possibility might be to move to a 216, maybe.
Bruce, I can tell at a glance that your engine and trans are TOAST. 216 is a good swap, I have one, and a transmission. I have two wheels for you also. I'm sorry I did not get to you in time to recommend 6.50 X 20 tires. I'm in Columbia, MO. I think we spoke on the phone. My direct email is ml.russell1936@gmail.com Call me any time 573 592 1991 DAYS or 573 864 6539 MOBILE
I was able to find a really nice person near Tacoma Washington who had seven wheels with good tires on them from a 1939 truck. So the two of us jumped into a pickup and drove 2,000 miles in two days to purchase them. Then two days later, we were home. After they were put on, the truck looked so much better as it was now standing proud. The next issue was the engine/transmission was swapped out many years ago. I wanted a true 207 engine and I found another really nice person just south of Washington DC. So we again jumped into a pickup and drove all day so we could purchase it and have it loaded before sunset. The next day we were home again.
All along, I've been working with another really nice person that has kind of become my mentor. We've met him and he has shown me all of his interesting projects. (Thank you Mike, this means a great deal to me). To sum it up, everyone I've had contact with (via Stovebolt) has been so kind and nice! Thank you all.
We've decided to have a restoration shop help us get the old girl back onto her feet. She was delivered this last Saturday and so is about to begin her long journey back to life. I will continue to post our progress here as I plan to be very hands-on throughout the entire process.
The disassembly has begun. The cab, hood, radiator shroud and running boards are now off of the chassis. We have found so many mice nests yet the metal is in really good shape. The worst areas are the lower rear of the cab as there is enough rust that we must remove the cancer up about 6 inches. Another bad area is the running boards and the attaching brackets. I'm looking see if we can find any replacements but I don't feel very confident that I will be successful. So it looks like they will have to be fabricated. Another part that needs replacement is the front windshield frame. I started looking around and I was surprised to find multiple sites that list fabricated ones for sale. If anyone has any opinion on what to consider or avoid, I would appreciate it. Hopefully, the cab will be taken to be dipped in the next week or two. The doors are in fairly good shape with just some minor rust near the bottom that will need to be replaced.
