Been lurking for a bit because my wife picked up a 1937 Chevy 1 1/2 ton SB and have seen nothing but good friendly folks here.
The truck was literally a barn find, and as near as we can tell was last run around 1969 or thereabouts. It was a City of Laramie work truck for a time, and then purchased by the previous owner for work on the ranch. Sometime before the PO purchased the truck, a 1954 235 engine was installed along with some wiring changes.
Over the last few weeks, we hauled it home on my trailer and started cleaning it out. Got a new brake master cylinder for the beast and changed plugs/shot some oil down the cylinders. We bypassed the under seat tank and went straight from the auxiliary saddle tank for fuel (which had been drained) a new 6v battery...and lo and behold with a little fiddling, it started.
Played a little with the carb (will probably need to re-build eventually) but got it to run enough to be "yard driveable" and did so. The plan is to leave the original patina and make it for parades etc.
Lots of little stuff to do, and as I am not all that familiar with the heavy trucks, I may have some questions. I work in IT, so know the mantra of "always search first" But there may be some weird ones.
I had a big 37 back mid 90's but let it go and put my time on my 37 half ton. The style very well received and a big one makes it better. Enjoy the journey and post photo's as you go along. We love to ride with you.
Welcome! I've always had a soft spot for the bigger trucks. Looks like you've got a nice one! Plenty of info and good advice over on the Big Bolts forum. Keep us posted.
Wow what a great find and some history to go with it. Welcome to the BOLT.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
welcome! That is a sweet looking truck you found! We went through your neck of the woods a week ago with our 58 2-ton (on our way from Seattle, Wa. to Missouri, then to Tulsa, OK. and then heading back home. Beautiful country!
Welcome to the ‘Bolt! Great history and great looking truck!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
I did put up a quick post in the Welcome Centre, but as this is a "Big Bolt," I thought folks here might like to see the beginning of the project.
Although I am good with the motor etc, I am new to heavy trucks of this era, so may have some questions on my wife's latest project. She wants to leave the patina and originality of the truck, but is not worried about it staying 100% original since it already has a 54 235 in a 37 truck, but she wants to keep it at least looking original. We do have it running and brakes are in process (she seems to think they are necessary) Thanks in advance for understanding any weird questions as I come to them.
This'll be fun. The goal is to have it parade ready by Spring.
How about a pic of the door emblem? That looks pretty cool and may explain some of the unusual flatbed configuration.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
The side markings are from it's previous life as a city of Laramie work truck. My understanding is that itvwas used as a welding rig. The,flatbed was apparently installed by the previous owner to us for,ranch work. It,is a Clark bed.
After repairs, getting some real tires on it, Plugs, Fluids getting driving lights and headlights, insurance and plates (and a WHOLE lot of cleaning)....The wife was able to take her 37 and drive it on a public road for the first time since 1969 according to the previous owner. 20 miles for the first drive....not too bad...
Pic is from her pulling out of the shop on a previous loop before we changed the tires. Just for reference.
She had no issues other than a loose battery cable (apparently we missed tightening the negative..oops)
What tires/wheels are you running? The position of the front tire, relative to the fender looks odd and no dished wheel center outboard of tire. Good looking rig and congrats on getting on the road.
Actually, that tire was the spare (and the strangest bodge-job of welding and plates I had ever seen) with enough to get it on the trailer and in/out of the shop. That pic is from just before we changed the tires to a set of 19.5 wheels with new tires I found on either craigslist or FB. The offset is correct with the new rims and looks completely normal. I just forgot to take pics the day of the run. or the couple of runs since.... I am horrible about pics unless the wife reminds me...
MavinWY What do you mean make it pretty,it is beautiful right now,has earned every good look it has !! That is a Super Truck would work for safety and dependability and let her cruise it. Great grocery hauler and your neighbors know who it is !! Right ?? My neighbors sure recognize my 51 6400.
MavinWY One other thing be sure all the marker lights work,3 bar cluster etc. nothing finer than good markers !! I like to turn mine on before daylight so I can see to get around to get ready to go swig my coffee,let 'er warm up a little !! Beautiful truck !!
Oh, the patina is staying, but all the cactus spines, mouse droppings, dirt from being in the barn since 1969, heavy grease etc will at least be cleaned up. The patina is going to get protected, probably linseed oil style even needing re-done every few months.
As far as lights, I currently have everything except the overhead marker lights and the turn signals working. The new turn signal switch arrived a couple days ago, just have not had the chance to get it in. All the marker lights on the bed and tail work as well as the headlights which have been replaced with 6v halogen for more visibility without changing the look.
By the wife's request a second set of brake lights were added at the tail end of the truck (I used some round ones I had so they look normal) and I replaced the bulbs with LED for more visibility there as well.
We blew a wheel cylinder though, so were shut down for a few days getting parts. The blown one has been replaced...so back mobile, will do the other 3 over the next week or two as time allows.
And Yeah, she changed the wheel cylinder while I worked on the daughter in law's truck.
Single rear wheels currently on the rear, need to make a couple more axle spacers for the center holes, but in the meantime it lets us test to see what needs to be done "next:
Mavin, Go down town and get her some quality jack-stands. Don't work off of just the jack !! Great Truck,those bow-ties on the hood can be bolted on a denim shirt to wear to town,kinda heavy but look good. Happy truckin !!
