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| | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 | I recently acquired a Chevy '46 1 1/2 ton and would like to know if parts are interchangeable with the lighter models. In other words, is the cab and front body parts the same on any model up to 1 1/2 ton?
1936 Chevy 1/2 ton
1953 Chevy 3100
1946 Chevy 1 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 | 1/2 ton fenders have a smaller wheel opening. The front bumper on the "big" trucks is also different. Cab, doors, grill, are the same. As I understand it, the floor piece that covers the master cylinder, tranny etc is different. The master cylinder access hole is cut further back. If ya can find a good metal floor that matches your tranny, I would not worry too much about the master cylinder hole. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 | Hey, thanks for the info…my intention is to put this truck on a different frame and give it the look of a ½ ton...V8, lowered, etc.
If the cab and front are the same, I’m thinking it should look good. There is no bed, so I will have to find one or make one myself.
Having said that, what modern frame would you recommend, if any?
1936 Chevy 1/2 ton
1953 Chevy 3100
1946 Chevy 1 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Originally posted by 46 in progress:
Is this the look you are going for? I like that look. Are the fenders widened, or are they big truck fenders? Why a uhaul? Is the frame modified somehow to get the deck lower?
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 | U-haul just because it would be longer and cheap(?) for a hauler...
I'm probably thinking along the lines of the International chassis I rented....seemed to me the front wheels were smaller, the turning radius was pretty good for a 26 footer and diesel to boot...Air ride rear(??) that you let the air out of to drop the deck down a foot when you were unloading. I am just remembering why I don't like to move every 4 years....
There is a 80's 26 foot GM U-Haul for $1,000 in the area trader.....gas powered. Anything else big still goes for a sizeable chunk of coin.... | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Originally posted by 46 in progress:
Anything else big still goes for a sizeable chunk of coin.... I got a '78 Chevy P30 with good running 454/400 turbo and the suspension to support a 12,000 lb GVW. I got it for free because its under a motorhome that no one wanted. Everyone was happy except my wife...
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 975 | Everyone was happy except my wife... My wife would probably throw a few of my things on the lawn if she knew I even talked with someone who got a free motorhome....  I know where there are a few big bolts nearby...left overs from the farms that have been pushed out....one 58 or 9 probably has a 261..I don't dare stop in and ask if they are for sale for fear they just might give them to me... A P30.....what is that chassis again?..the cube van/motorhome chassis? I've seen a few of those advertised cheap as well.... | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Originally posted by 46 in progress: My wife would probably throw a few of my things on the lawn if she knew I even talked with someone who got a free motorhome.... Don't let my wife know she could respond with anything but a smile! GM P30 or P-anything is a forward control like a box van or motorhome.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 5 | Yeah...I saw that truck earlier...it's in Staunton, IL...only about 2 hours from us. It's a cool looking truk, but that's not what I think I'm wanting to do.
I'm more interested in putting 1/2 ton fenders on it and a 1/2 ton box and putting it on a modern frame...possibly a Chevy S-10. I really don't know what would work best. Maybe it would be better to locate an original frame and go from there.
Most importantly, I needed to know if I could put the 1/2 ton fenders on it without any problems...
1936 Chevy 1/2 ton
1953 Chevy 3100
1946 Chevy 1 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 1 Moderated | | Moderated Joined: Jan 2020 Posts: 1 | I also have "parts" truck 1/2 ton to use the grill a other items to fix up my old tow truck, the fenders measure out the same but have not matched them up that close. Is there a huge difference? Maybe my 1/2 ton is not a 1/2. I bought it from a tree nursery growing flowers around it. It has a modern rack and pinion frame with no bed and basically gutted except for sheet metal which is all good and straight.
I'm exited to be be a new " bolt". I'll post all the pics of both trucks
My Chevy dealership started by my dad in 1947 still has the original Holmes/ Chevy wrecker. Now I need to acquire all. The knowledge I can because we sold "everything"
But I grew up in that truck- have to save it. More to follow | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | The 1/2 ton fenders are almost parallel to the ground on the front verses the big bolts start sloping up towards the top of the wheel much sooner. | | |
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