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| | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 | I just cked out a 1954 bigbolt for restoration. its a 1954 6400,(I think) I used a vin decoder and its telling me its a 4100. The emblem says its a 6400, The vin is N54t032218 With a 16000# gvw rating, single speed rear axle. The valve cover says GMC (and the bees were pretty mad at that point to get a # off the motor).Im new to the older big bolts so any info would be very helpful. Im bring the truck home this fall. Thanks in advance. 
1971 GMC 5500(gone but will never forget), 1972 K20 with plow
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | Hey bigbolt, Don't know exactly what you might have there. Those No.'s aren't "jiving". If it's a '54 6400 series, it will have a 161"in. wheelbase, & be 16000lb. gvw. What's confusing about yours, is the ID plate giving a 4100 ID number, with 16000gvw stamped on it. If it's a 4100 it should have a gvw of 14000lbs., & wheelbase of 137"in. It's possible someone switched the emblems, or the hood is from a 6400, but that ID plate having 16000, on it puzzles me. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 | Spanky, thanks for the reply.Im fairy sure on the vin. The tag was dirty and I should have given more effort to ck the gvw. Is it true the 6400s had a 2 speed and the 4100s diddnt? And what modle #s are what gvw ratings. Im just learning about the older chevys. thanks again.
1971 GMC 5500(gone but will never forget), 1972 K20 with plow
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | Bigbolt, Not all 6400 series trucks had 2 spd. rear axles. I've had 2 that didn't. The 2 spd. rear axle was an option. 3100 is 4800lb. gvw, 3600 is 5800lb. gvw.,3800 single rear wheel, is 7000lb. gvw., 3800 dual rear wheel is 8800lb. gvw.,4100 is 14000lb. gvw., 4400 is 14000lb. gvw.,6100 is 16000lb. gvw., 6400 is 16000lb. gvw.,6500 is 16000lb. gvw.. O.K. now for the COE (cabover engine)trucks, special 1 1/2 ton s5100, s5400, & s5700 series trucks are 15000lb. gvw., all 2 ton COE 5100, 5400, & 5700 series are 16000lb. gvw. Hope all this hasn't confused you. GMC's for '47-'54, on the other hand, have even more gvw ratings. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 19 | Spanky thanks for all the info. I went back armed with bee spray and got a better look at the tag. The 1st letter is a W not an N. I guess that makes it a 6400. 
1971 GMC 5500(gone but will never forget), 1972 K20 with plow
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | Yep, The "W", means it's a 6400 series, 161in. wheelbase. | | |
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