The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1.5 or 2 ton??

In the absence of a VIN plate, can you determine whether a truck is a 1.5, 2, or even 3 ton vehicle?

Can you tell us, what body style, or year model, it is. If it is a Chevrolet, or GMC, or even a picture.

tire size, wheel base, spring leaf count front and rear are some of the indicators but of course these are subject to modification

If it is GMC you will have the Model and Serial number of the right front frame, on the outside. It will be stamped into the frame. Mine was hard to find until I used a wire brush to it. I fyou get the model number we should be able to tell you the size.

Alot of factors, but knowing the year really helps.

In '46 the 2 ton trucks usually have a vac booster for the brakes on the opposite side of the frame from master cylinder, the 1.5 tons usually dont. The presence of that vac booster and the longer wheel base is a good indicator of weither it's a 1.5 or a 2 ton, but it's still nothing more than a "probably is".

In newer Chevy vehicles (like in the 50's) the series number was put out on the hood, and you can tell quick what it is based on the series number.

If you can provide us with year, make, model (if known) and a picture, i'm sure between all of us we can figure it out.

bda, what year is your truck? I don't think any AD-era trucks, Chebby or GMC, were stamped with the model and serial # on the frame.

The truck is a '41 Chevy. It was probably delivered to the original owners (fire department) with just cab and chassis. With the tank on the back, she weighs 6980lbs (empty). I don't know how to put a photo in here, but it is in the 41 - 46 gallery as Duane Wilhelm's 1.5-Ton Art Deco Firetruck. I originally assumed it was a 1 1/2 ton, but I may be wrong. The tires are 8.00 x 20, with duals on the rear. There are 12 leaves on the main springs, and eight on the overloads. Hope this helps. Thanks for the interest.

It would indeed be a 1 1/2 ton. Chevrolet didn't list 2 ton rated, civilian trucks, until 1946.

Seems like I saw some where chevy wasn't making 2 tons till a little later. If so with the helpers it could be considered a heavy duty 1.5 ton. I do know for 1938 they list 157 inch wheel base as being available as either 1.5 w/o helper springs or heavy duty with helper springs. Since it's a 41 the vin plate should be on the cowl in the engine compartment on the passenger side. Any possibility it's been covered by some bolt on fire accessories such as electrical boxes and such to run sirens lights etc?

Don't know if I've run across 8.00x20 tires usually they go from 7.50 to 8.25.

GMCPanel my truck is an 1940 AC 503. It is a BIG one. And hard to find parts for!!!!!!!!!

My dad used to have a 1.5 ton 1941 Chevy military 4x4. That thing was an utter nightmare to find parts that worked.