The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Needing to get Big Bolt for my furniture biz - recommendations?

Hi guys.

I am own a small outoor furniture business and have always thought it would be neat to have an old classic truck to use as my business vehicle/delivery truck.

I spotted an old chevy yesterday and snapped a couple pictures of it. I came here to find out more information about it and about what it will potentially take to maintain and fix up.

So what can you guys tell a 24 yr old kid who's never owned or driven an old truck like this? Is a 55 yr old truck still safe to drive on the highway these days? I'm not expecting to take it on the interstate but I definitely want it to be road worthy. I think it would be awesome to have this old truck for my business all painted up with vintage signs advertising my furniture. I just need you guys to reassure me that I can pull it off. Im not expecting it to be trouble free but it looks like this truck is in suprisingly good shape.

Are there things you guys can suggest I watch out for if/when I talk to the owner about it and look it over more closely? It appears to be rust free but what else should I watch out for?

Couple pictures:
[img]http://www.bendoutdoorfurniture.com/sof_chevy/pic1.jpg[/img]


[img]http://www.bendoutdoorfurniture.com/sof_chevy/pic2.jpg[/img]

It's a 49. :-)

Thanks!
-Marlin

Nice looking truck. Look under where it is parked a few drops of oil on pavement is fine, large puddles you'll want to check further. (Oil leak at rear main seal can kill a clutch) look at inside of wheels from underneath oil steaking on inside of tires/wheels can indicate inner wheel seals leaking or brake fluid leak. Check brake pedal feel if you have to pump it several times to get firm pedal you may have leak or air pockets to be bled. Does the charging system seem to be working? Lights? tires are they badly dry rotted etc. Most of these things are the same things you would look for on any truck regardless of age. Do a seargh on this page there was a DOT inspection thread you may find interesting. Final summary. If properly maintained it is perfectly safe to use and indeed would also make a fine advertising gimmick. Your road speed would proably not be much better than 55 with the 20 inch tires. Some trucks came equiped with 45 mph governors but I haven't run across one.
Good luck

hey Marlin, welcome to the garage! we're here to help ya get that ol girl workin hard and safe! I had a 57 panel w/ my business name on it for about 15 years, and it wasn't long before everyone in the valley knew what business that truck belonged to among a herd of business trucks they never even noticed - best advertising possible

the truck does look good on the surface, so if it the price is reasonable, and it doesn't look too abused under the hood, and if it runs and stops, you've got a real good start - you might want to have the owner fire it up for ya so you can see what little tricks that particular rig requires - especially as to where the the start button is maintenance is pretty simple [no computers involved except the one yer on now!], and tho' some parts are scarce, many are still in the local auto parts places, and we're here to help figure it all out

I'd say go for it - remember back in the 50's these trucks "moved a nation" - won't get you anywhere real quick, but it'll haul yer goods with a will, and wear yer logo proudly!

Bill

Think you'ld want a BOX on back, not flatbed first. Brakes are first thing to go and if you don't have mechanical means, can get expensive. I would use newer 19.5 tires on modern wheels for constant use. I had those on my 54. Radial tires, better ride, ease of repair. Making it twelve volt with alternator is a good idea too, not hard to do.
Ever think of one of those Isuzu box trucks with Chevy Gas V-8? Those are neat and easy to drive, for sale at all used truck places. Easy to handle, easier than big pick-up even. I sold mine, been kicking myself since!! They have Diesels too, but I like the gas 350.

Thanks for the replys guys. I don't have the money for a new box truck. Plus I live in a town with a bunch of rich people driving 05 caddy and porsche SUV's. They are a dime a dozen. A 49 flat bed with my furniture on the back would get noticed and would look great rolling up to peoples houses for deliveries. That's my idea at least.

I havnt talked to the owner yet and dont know engine details etc. Hopefully I'll find out soon. One neat thing is its got "Victory" painted on the drivers door. Makes me think the paint might even be original.

The 55mph limit would suit me fine. Oregon has a 55 limit anyways and it would be a sure way to keep me from getting another speeding ticket. ;-)

It's 2k obo. That sounds way fair to me assuming its drivable. How bad are the brakes to work on?

Thanks.
-M

I'm from Oregon also and try to keep alot of these trucks on the road. You may have to put a little $ into the truck at first but it'll be worth it in the long run. Be sure to check on what the insurance and weight registration might be because those costs can get high. Let me know how you do and I have some parts trucks of this vintage that might help.

I'm in Bend. Thanks for the tip about insurance and weight. Is it really that bad? Oregon vehicle fees are pretty reasonable compaired to those poor suckers that live south of us. (Although it can still be entertaining hearing some of the things that come out of the mouths of people when they are standing at the counter at the DMV. lol)

Do these trucks have a flat head V8? or a I6? and what about a 2 speed rear end?

thanks for all your help guys. If I end up getting this beast you will probably be seeing a lot of me. You'll be cussing yourselves for saying anything encouraging in no time. :-)

-Marlin

Should be an inline six. 2 speed rear was optional so would depend on how it was ordered

With furniture your not likely to get heavy enough to need the 2 speed if you stay with the flatbed and moderately high side boards

Your right kb.. a 1.5 ton is about a 1.25 tons more than I need to haul cedar furniture. But with that big ol bed who knows what I'll end up trying to fit on there at some point.

-M

The other thing you'll want to consider is the harshness of the ride these trucks were built to work and the ride may not be as soft as you could wish for your furniture or just may require a little more forethuoght when packing the furniture for the ride. Radial tires may help in that department

That's probably a 216 in that truck. You have some options for registering a truck like that you want to use. You can register with "truck" plates and pay by the weight you register at or if you can get farm ID and farm plates and the weight registration cost goes way down. Either way you're insurance will be high. Or you can register as a normal vehicle which is legal because I'm sure that truck doesn't weigh over 8000 lbs. This way you can get antique auto insurance. I would weigh the truck and find out how much weight you can haul without paying for the high weight registration. Check the ODOT website for a reg cost list.

For streetability I will definitely want to put modern tires on when the time comes. That's going to cost a pretty penny. But will definitely make it go down the road nicer I think. I will definitely have to strap the furniture down but thats ok. I have to do that in pretty much any truck i use.

Edit: thanks for the tips tri5. :-) I'm trying to get ahold of the owner to get more details.

-Marlin
Schaefer\'s Outdoor Furniture

1reel -- Having read the discussion thus far, I have to say that if the truck is as good as it looks, you have a real find. You're going into this with your eyes open -- that's excellent!

Mechanical parts for that truck )I have one just like it) aren't that hard to find. The hard to find stuff is the sheet metal bits and from the pictures, I'd say you're good to go.

Like G.L. and the others say, if you're going to be using that truck fairly regularly and depending upon it for your living, don't hold back on making sure the brakes, steering, clutch, tires and electrical system are top notch. And that assumes a good running engine. Remember, this old iron isn't like new trucks where you just jump in, turn the key as you're shifting into "drive." They take a little more care and feeding. But if you know that going in, as it seems you do, you should be good to go and miles ahead of the others who drive vanilla plain delivery trucks like everyone else.

There's something about fine furniture and these old trucks that just seems to go together -- must be something about old-fashioned craftsmanship. One of my Mennonite neighbors is a furniture maker and another is an outdoor furniture builder -- I've delivered for both using my '49 and it just seems right.

Good on ya and best of luck! You're doing great!

Regards and welcome to the Stovebolt Page!
John

Thanks John.

It's kind of scary to undertake such a (potentially) big project. I wouldn't even consider it (except in my dreams..lol) if it didnt seem like is was fairly under control. From what I saw so far it looks like its in suprisingly good shape. At least on the outside. Hopefully that bodes well for the mechanicals too.

I'll know more when I talk to the owner. I'll post a follow up when I do to get your guys feedback.

This seems like a friendly place. All the more reason to buy that truck if you ask me. :-)

Well, he said he's had it for 4 years. Had some work done on the floor boards. Replaced some rusted areas I suspect. He said he also had the bed shortened. Said all the guages work and its been really reliable for him. Never let him down except when he ran it out of gas. ;-) Said it runs and drives. Hasn't taken it long distances, but has taken it on 50 mile round trips. Which is encouraging as far as im concerned.

I'm probably going to go look at it either tomorrow or the next day. There are also a few other people looking at it. So now my question is what are the important things to look for when checking it out in person and what is a fair price to offer him?

Thanks
-Marlin

Marlin, welcome to the Stovebolt.

I think you've got the basic information on what to look for in buying one of these old Big Bolts.

That said, I'll just bet that whatever hasn't been talked about here will be the first thing you will have a problem with.

If the owner will go with you and let you drive the truck, I would suggest you do things like stop while going down a hill (not a steep one, just downgrade), then put the old girl in reverse and back up (you can even test the emergency brake--will it hold, let a little off the clutch and slowly release the emergency brake). A smooth start is nice; if it bucks and kicks backing up, think, maybe, clutch problem.

Check the windshield wipers, all the lights, dash lights, go back and forth between high beam and low beam a couple times, anything you can think of. None of these items are deal killers, but it helps to know what you may need to work on first.

While you are driving the truck around on a straight road, do a series of wedeln turns in the lane (if you are a skier, you'll understand). Great for checking the feel of the control slop in the steering, caster, and camber. Don't forget, this is an old truck and there will be a different feel from a new vehicle, and wear in the steering as well as tires will let the truck wander and hunt a little, but, if you have to "chase" the truck with the steering wheel to keep it in your lane, well, maybe it ain't bad, but it ain't great, neither.

Look up underneath the fenders, running boards, and such. Dirt is ok, and Oregon trucks probably have lots of dirt and mud, but rusty holes and bubbling metal mean future work.

Look at the oil and the grease (in the spring shackles). Now, some hawnyock can take a grease gun and go out and pump the fitting full for the first time in ten years, but anyone who doesn't do basic maintenance on a truck just ain't gonna figger to take the time to do that.

Finally, fall in love with the truck, don't let nobody else buy it, and send us more pictures.

Get with your accountant. Capitalize the truck as a business asset and get your customers to pay for your fun of deliverin' their furniture.

Hey Glenn,

Thanks for the response. I definitely like the idea of it. I think it would be great for business. My practial side says I'm totally crazy for even considering it. But the vision I have in my head for how cool it could be is really tempting.

Decisions, decisions...
-M

my practical side protested when i got my big truck too. i shoved a dirty sock in his mouth and told him to never interupt my fantasies again. so far so good. just close your eyes and let the big truck bug bite. it will all be better soon.

Haha! I'm fighting back thoughts of trying to drive a 55 yr old, 10,000 lb truck around the multitude of roundabouts we have in this town! Ouch!

-M

Dude,
Buy that truck now....before someone else does. You will not regret it. If things do not work out sell it. Asking price is more than fair in your favor. Your idea for this truck/your business is great and money/cost has nothing to due with your plan in the long run. Once bought look to this site at least every other day.
Masterlynk

Just for something to compare to! This is a link to my old truck. I've never regretted buying it. It didn't look as good as the one you're interested in but with some TLC and a paint job it's a 'winner'.

Basically my truck just needed some good maintenance and small repairs---probably all that beauty you're looking at needs. Like Glenn and the others have said; "don't expect it to drive like a new one". That said, they don't drive bad at all if everything is fairly snug.

http://geocities.com/jarge46/46_Chev.html

Cheers, (and buy that truck) George

If you have your business name painted on the doors,I think you can write the purchase off as advertising.

$2,000 obo ... I wonder what the sellers best offer has been so far?

Thats a fair price for a hop in and drive truck, especially one that appears to be in as good a condition as that one is.

Rundown the "go, no go" list:

Tires and brakes in good shape? All the glass intact? Frame solid? Turn signals & brake lights work? Engine starts easilly? Got good charge voltage and oil pressure?

If you got a "go" on all those points, i'd offer him $1500 to $1700 and drive it home.

If any of that stuff is non functional/shot, consider what it's going to cost to make it right and base the trucks value on that.. doing the work yourself can save some big leauge scratch in the repair department.

I got both my '46 2 ton and '50 1/2 ton running with the help, advice, and suggestions of the folks here.. if I can do it, anybody can!