Long time reader, but thought I'd share what we've been working on.
Bought this 1950 3600 tow truck last January on a whim. I've always wanted a tow truck and my wife loves AD Chevys, so it seemed like a good opportunity.
It turns out it was grossly misrepresented and, instead of something that "runs and drives great!" we got a fairly substantial project.
Nevertheless, the big guy has a lot of appeal and we've finally got it somewhat into shape. We've rebuilt the brakes, installed new kingpins, new gas tank, reupholstered the seat. We added weather seals on the doors, a new exhaust system, new wiring harness, new carburetor, and probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting.
We also added accessories and tools in the bed and some decals to give it a more authentic look, and I even found a 1950s CB radio that I installed under the dash (non-functional, but it looks the part).
The engine is a bit of a Frankenstein, with a '58 235 block and a later 261 head. But it runs great. I also don't know if it started life as a dually or how it was converted, but it seems to have a standard front end, albeit with 8-lug hubs. So I'm guessing that it started as a single wheel.
Today, it runs great and drives pretty well, although the front end has a pretty good shimmy that we're going to have to sort out. The valves are a little noisy, and the speedo reads about half speed.
I have to admit the big guy is a lot of fun to drive and I like the big stupid thing more than I should. Sure, it's rusty in the usual spots, the paint is worn and chipped, and it's plenty scruffy, but who wants one of these in perfect condition? I'd argue that the way it sits today is the way it wants to be -- it was made to work and it looks like it's good at its job.
Guess I'll start reading about rebuilding the steering.
Thanks for the welcome!
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/24/20245:48 PM. Reason: added more info to the title
Welcome. Love the truck and the graphics on it. There are quite a few wrecker guys on here that you can compare notes with.
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/24/20245:49 PM.
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.
Welcome Matt Absolutely great looking wrecker, as well as wonderfully detailed introduction. Looking forward to seeing your questions and other posts in the forums.
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/24/20245:49 PM.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Great old truck. Work out the few issues that you have and just drive the wheels off it .
~ 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
Oh! John L. I thought the same about the die cast. Both the front pix and the rear. Matt , maybe you ought to offer it up to the Die cast people!!
We have a number of Wreckers in the Gallery. Search in here when you get the time. Search around the Forums and then the entire site (from the menu at the top and bottom of the pages). Lots of help here. Also check in with the Great Lakes Bolters.
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/24/20245:52 PM.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery "Success comes in 'cans' ..."
Welcome. So, someone else had the idea of putting in the first gen CB. Very cool project, and nicely restored. Make it look like it's original but not show perfect, so driving it doesn't scare you.
Chip
'Rusto-Mod' '51 Chevy 3600 5 window | C4 Corvette front/rear suspension & drivetrain | everything else looks old and stock '92 GMC Sonoma GT #15 of 806 '91 GMC Sonoma GT Extended cab 1 of 1 Trucks, Trucks.....and more Trucks
Long time reader, but thought I'd share what we've been working on. 
There are quite a few wrecker guys on here that you can compare notes with.
Absolutely great looking wrecker, as well as wonderfully detailed introduction. 
Nice truck. 
