The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts My first big bolt

I have recently bought my first big bolt project. However what I have is not what I thought I had. I picked it up in MO last weekend after purchasing it two weeks before. I thought it was a 48 6100, but after reading all the previous posts I am not sure. Since everyone seems so helpfull and knowledgeable I thought I would see if yall agreed with what I have come up with.
The serial # is 5skj3888 with 11,000 max on plate
The wb is 161"
9 front leafs
11 rear leafs with 6 overloads
tires are 7.5 x 20 8 ply with 10 lugs
It does have the brake booster
there is a 2 speed rear with a four speed

With the help from the forums and a reprint shop manual I think that makes it a 49 4400 because that is the only sk reference that I can find. Everything else matches except the 2 speed rear but it looks factory installed. However my book says that it should be a gvw of 12500. If this sounds correct please let me know. Thanks In advance for any help. I have about a 100 questions but will try and research old posts so nobody has to recover any ground.

Also, I know we all like pictures so here is a link to what I have so far http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=13034406&uid=6780932&members=1
I will try to take more as the restoration goes on.

Welcome Moneypit,

I don't know the answer but I wanted to extend the welcome and ask for pictures when you have a chance!

The engine in your truck looks exactly like my 261 Jobmaster.. My truck is a 1956 Chevy 6400. Have you checked your numbers at Mike's Garage yet ???

Nevermind....I now see the pictures...cool truck! that is what I get for getting on the bolt after a 12 hr day...

Actually I just edited in the pictures. I have not checked the engine numbers yet.

5skj3888

5=Kansas City plant

SK= 1949 4400

J= October assembly

3888= 2888th truck off the KC line that year.

source: oldgmctrucks.com

I'm looking at the reprint manual you reference and I agree that it doesn't show the 2speed rear for that truck. In fact the truck rated at 11,000GVW didn't have the overload springs. Could be someone added the whole works from another truck sometime in it's lifetime.

That is what I thought also but the overload brackets on the frame are riveted instead of bolted on. I know somebody has done some work on this because there is a 6100 emblem on one side of the hood. And all of the controls for the 2 speed appear factory. I found the number for the engine it is f55z which I belive makes it a 1955 235. I will try to get the transmission number tomorrow.

How many leafs in front? The 2-speed sounds like a 6000 series, the serial number is definitely 4400. Wheel base says 4400 or 6400.

I'm wondering is someone moved a cab from one truck to another.

The wheel size says 4400 while the two speed rear says 2 ton. I think it's been modified at least a couple of times in it's 55+ years of service,
Scott

I was going to ask what the serial plate is mounted with because mine has screws in it. I am used to seeing rivets holding in the other ones but was unsure since this is my first big bolt. could it be that some one changed the plate at some point, also changing the tire size as well. I found the number off of the rear end it is pn0220 but I can not find where to decode it. Also the trans number is sc192631 and it is a sm420. If you can make anything from those numbers it would really help me. I was looking for a two ton anyway for the extra capacity.