The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Where do shop for parts? VIN Search?

New guy here with a 2 part question,

New owner of a 1959 Apache 31

What are some good sources of parts for these trucks? Any "must have" resources to share?

Anyway I can find information about the history of an old truck? I ran plate numbers and VIN through sites like bumper.com and other verification sites to no avail. States no info available.
I tried to run it through the CA DMV database as well. No luck

Classic Parts They give a 5% discount if you use the code Stovebolt. LMC Truck Not sure, but they might have a discount also with Stovebolt. If you are looking for standard repair parts like brakes, plugs, tune-up, etc. you would be suprized what you can find on the standard auto parts places like NAPA and Rockauto.

VIN/history search might be tough. I have not found a site that tracks this for older vehicles.

As far as previous ownership, that won't get far, especially via DMV. Ours won't release any information they might have because of privacy issues. And they may not even keep that kind of information. It's not worth anything past one previous owner.

You can research original part numbers (at least thru '57 - many being the same thru '59) HERE

Many eBay sellers use the old part numbers for NOS parts.

For other stuff, try the Swap Meet here on Stovebolt.

Thank you for the provided info so far!

You might also want to look at registering your truck here. Chevy Truck Legends. this is an official Chevrolet site.

To Kevin's point, I have another vintage vehicle recently purchase and had the original Tennessee registration from about 20 years ago. All the numbers and dates, etc... I called them and they had no record of the vehicle.

You know, that was one thing we really tried to do since the beginning of this site. After awhile, it was hard to keep up with it. For *some* of the trucks listed in the static Gallery, we would include the PO info when someone acquired the truck. So, the info stayed and new info added from new owner.

The first truck here, shows where Kevin Bremer bought John's 1939 1/2-ton.

When I'd get an email that someone has sold their truck, I always asked if the owner would try to get the new owner to connect with us. Sometimes did; sometimes didn't.

In the FWIW category.

www.NationalPartsDepot.com (NPD)

www.ClassicIndustries.com

www.ClassicChevroletParts.com

www.ClassicParts.com

www.Ecklers.com

www.LMCTruck.com

www.RockAuto.com

www.OldChevyTrucks.com (Jim Carter)

www.FillingStation.com

www.Mar-K.com

Note the "Classic" suppliers above are all different companies.

I have had decent success with brother's trucks since they got bought out by Holley last year. www.brotherstrucks.com

If you want aftermarket parts/upgrades, speedway motors has a nice selection and generally good prices.
www.speedwaymotors.com

What direction are you wanting to go with it? All original? Minor upgrades (T5, disk brakes, etc)? Full restomod with coilovers and an LS?

All of the above are completely valid, but we might be able to point you to some better resources with some idea of what your notional plans are.

Im going to leave it all original for the most part. I may entertain safety upgrades such as brakes, lighting, etc.

I will look to this groups and others knowledge on that kind of stuff.

Get to know all the wrecking yards in your area, if on a trip out of town, peruse all the wrecking yards there.

Ed

Welcome to Stovebolt

Your chassis serial number will look something like this 3A59O100001...if you have a factory V8 engine there will be a prefix 'V' in front of the 3A.

3A = 3100 series
59 = Year
O = Oakland Assembly Plant
100001 = unit number starting with 100001

The engine serial number will look something like this F415J.

F = Flint Engine Plant
4 = Month
15 = Day
J = regular production 235 in a 31, 32, 36, 38 series

If you have different numbers feel free to post and we'll help where we can.

Mike B

Rovertech,

I came across this site recently Dezo's Garage that has a bunch of publications of interest to Stovebolter's. The site says "All brochures have been put into PDF format for convenient downloading." so apparently accessible to all that wish to see and download them.

There is a large listing of various brochures posted for both Chevrolet and GMC trucks, although not all years area available.

The primary one you may have an interest in is Task Force 59 Chevrolet / models and specifications

Just one of many resources out there to help us out.

Dan

I'll throw this out there again.

I've harvested every Vehicle Information Kit for our Stovebolt years, including that Brochure that Dan linked to from Dezo's Garage. They're available to any Stovebolter that want's one via e-mail. Just send me a PM.

Rovertech Watch for rough trucks with parts you need, people find out you have this and give you parts,maybe whole trucks,have recieved 3 that way out of the weeds. At swap meets be able to recognize parts you need,after 60 years of working on them you can do better on this. Junk yards have books that show interchange between years and even brands on parts. I have used the same junkyard for 58 years now and they still have some old stuff. A place like the frog follies in Evansville indiana at labor day time is a test of your recognizing ability lot of AD stuff probably TF too. A huge pile at Pamona California swap meet 2 or 3 times a year. Should be be stuff in AR in the weeds, I see a big yard in phoenix probably expensive. Could contact Mongo in Kansas City Mo. he is part of this group. It helps a lot if your running and driving it,when mine is apart don't feel as much like working on it. Of course there is the wanted ads on this sight,lot of coverage there from guys that know about your year. Good Luck with your hunt !!

Thank you gentleman!

You might be surprised at what will show up on a random google internet search. Like someone parting out or just someone wanting to dispose of an old vehicle.

Thought I'd add to the list already shared, and this one has the profile of a really nice truck:
Jim Carter truck parts

Here's one in Arkansas I've purchased from:

https://hhclassic.com/if-1630-contact-us.html

To be prejudiced here, Jim Carter and American Classic Truck Parts have been long time supporters of Stovebolt for many years. Always had discounts for Bolters and gave us plenty of prizes for our various doings.

Peggy M Your right about Jim Carter great guy,hit a snag on brakes his tech guy didn't know about but he said here I'll send you back to the switchboard I know Mr. Carter is in. Ask him my question he knew just what to do. Solved it !!!

Indeed. I think at the Reunions, Jim Carter didn't stay at his booth very long. He wanted to ask about the trucks. He came and watched some of our clinics. If we were bold enough, we should have asked him to be The Answerman for a "clinic" so folks could know he is VERY approachable and very knowledgeable.

When visiting his place, he seemed to know every part that was there. His down-to-earthness was also heart-warming. He seemed kinda shy, except when you asked him a mechanical question.

A side note Peggy, Jim Carter came by the Reunion at Mongo’s two years ago.
I sat and talked to him for a good amount of time. Great guy and like you said, he has a lot of info and is really eager to share.
Maybe we can draw him back this next September?

Don

As others have stated, there are many good suppliers of replacement parts for those parts that are available. Sometimes you may find that certain parts are not available through normal channels. When that happened during my restoration I followed this method:
1. Using the factory assembly manual, locate the part number..
2. Using the GM parts wiki online, learn what model year and model the part number was used on and any supersessions to the part number. That helps when trying to find used parts at salvage yards
3. Search online , google, eBay, etc..


One of the many places I've used to find NOS parts is parts voice. Check it out.

http://www.gmpartswiki.com/

https://www.partsvoice.com/

At the top of this forum there is a “Sticky” thread with numerous parts suppliers. Woogeroo has put together a good list.

Besides looking at the thread (sticky) up top of this forum, be sure to click on to Woogeroo's link in there to The Chevrolet & GMC Trucks Parts Vendors List. Woog has done a great job with his list. Lots of details to make it easy to navigate.