The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Help with 52 2-ton (Updated Pics)

Hello all!

New here and have a few questions. I really don't know much about these older trucks, but I'm willing to learn. Just picked up a 52' 2-ton Chevy in fair shape I guess. It does need a lot of work, but that's why I got it. Love to restore old cars and boats, but this is a first for a large truck. A little background on it. It belonged to a casual neighbor of mine down the road and he used it up until about 3 years ago. It had sat since then. Well, myself and a few others, including the owner, got her running. It runs very well. The problems are these. It has a dump bed on it that we can't get to go up. When you engage the PTO, you can hear it trying to go but just won't. So we manually raised the bed up and checked the fluid and it was full. Any ideas with the limited info of where to begin troubleshooting this? Also, the drivers side door latch will not hold the door shut. (Not good when going down the road). It looks as though the piece that hooks into the plate in the door will not hold. Just kinda hanging there and won't "snap" up and lock in. I noticed that you can buy the entire latch or just the springs for the latch. I'm guessing that a spring cut loose in there and that's why it won't latch tight. They also make some kind of repair spring that I saw, but don't know anything about where it would go. So if anyone knows how I can repair this, I'd sure appreciate it. The one other thing I wanted to run by you is the fact that the truck really vibrates above 15-20 MPH. It seems more than a balance problem to me, but I guess it could be. Alot of shaking going on at such a low speed. I was wondering if the tires could have flat spots in them from sitting so long. I'm going to take it in tomorow to have the tires balanced and see if that helps, Any thoughts? Also, the heater is not working, but I can fix that I think. Everthing else is just minor stuff. Seems like it will be a good project and hopefully I can iron out some of these bigger problems and get going on it. Done most of the maintenence that I felt nessesary for a truck that's been sitting for a while. I want to really get the mechanics of it in shape and then work on the cosmetics later for the most part. If there is anything I need to focus on or any help you can give with the other problems, I sure would appreciate it. Great forum here! Like I said, I really don't know much about the trucks, but I'll try to answer any question you may have. I have a Manual on the way, so that may help, too....Wow, that was a long post.....

Thanks,

On your hoist--there should be another knob, or lever that goes to another valve. Check to see if that's fully engaging. Maybe it's hung up or sticking.

I know this goes without saying, but if you do get it lifted up--manually or otherwise-- DON"T go under there, unless it's supported VERY securely!! Even then, I would avoid it if at all possible. Do as much as you can from underneath the truck. I knew a guy once who got killed when a truck box fell on him.

Hey Rickdb,

You might check to see if you have a "sweet spot" in the lever that controls the dump action.

On the '48 International KB5 I used to have, and on the '48 Chevy 2-ton I have now, with the PTO running, when I go to raise the bed, if I move the lever too fast, it will go past the "raise" position and nothing would happen. If I pull the lever back slowly, It will hit the "sweet spot" and the bed raises no problem. Pull it back some more and it slows down, pull it all the way back and it stops. Same thing on the way down...no problems. So in reality, it could use a stop at the bottom of the lever to keep it from moving farther forward than needed. You might look into that.

Also, that same lever in the cab is connected by linkage to the valve on the dump cylinder. Make sure that when you move the lever, you get coresponding movement in the linkage and the valve operation. If you move the lever and the valve doesn't move, then nothing is going to happen.

As far as vibration, yes...check the tires, most old truck tires die from deterioration before the tread runs out. Check the front wheel bearings and king pins as some of these old trucks seem to have the original sets still in them. Also check the drive line for bad u-joints and carrier bearing. If yours has the parking brake mounted on the transmission, check the drum to make sure it's all there and round.

And most important....SAFETY....When ever you raise the bed to work on the cylinder or anything under the bed that you cant get to underneath, Support the bed, I can't stress that enough. Use a couple sturdy 4x4 posts, one on each side of the frame, and prop them at an angle against the cross members of the bed. Make sure that what they're against is good and sound. You can also lay another 4x4 accross the frame back by the bed hinges and push it against the "V" of the frame and bed. Make sure that whatever you do, that bed doesn't come crashing down on you. I say this because A friend of mine lost his boss right in front of him when the bed of the dumptruck they were working on fell and crushed him, killing him instantly.

Sorry to hit a sad note but thats something to be aware of.

The big trucks are a blast to drive...I've had several and I'm hooked.....Good luck to you!

Rezman

Where did you check the oil level?

Have you checked the driveline to see if it is turning the pump? Set screw or key may not be there. If it is OK remove the hose from the cylinder base, install a tee and a pressure guage. Then run the pump at 1000 RPM and see what is indicated. Sholdn't require very much to lift an empty bed, maybe 200-300 psi. Pump should have 1000 psi when deadheaded at a bypass valve. If not then I would replace the pump.

As for the vibration check to make sure the driveshaft is in phase, i.e, all U-joints on the same clock face

Thank you! Will check out what you have suggested. The shaft is turning the pump and the oil level is full. Not real familiar with hydraulics, but will give it a whirl and let you know what I find. Talked with the previous owner again last night and he said that it may be what rezman suggested. He said he does recall that it had to be at just the right position to work ( He hadn't used the dump bed in years). So I will see if I can find that "Sweet Spot". We had the bed supported with 2 pieces of steel "I" beam and a large piece by the hinge. Trying to be as safe as we can when working underneath there. I will also check the U joints to make sure they are in phase. Oddly enough, it started running smoother the more it was driven yesterday. Also, does anyone have any input on the door latch problem? Kinda sucks when the door keeps flying open when you're going down the road... I appreciate your help. Gonna be a long road to restoration, but it is fun....

On a side note to rezman. This truck has the push/pull knobs that are used for the hydraulics. No levers... Does this make a difference?? Also, should bed be up or down when filling or does it matter?

Hey all. Good news. Found the sweet spot and up she went. Filled it up with fluid and it's workin' like a champ . Thanks for the help. Now if I can get this door to stay shut.....

You asked if the bed should be up or down when filling the hoist with fluid. Looks like you already filled it, so this reply might be moot at this point.

I was going to say that on some hoists, you need to have it partway up to get at the filler plug. But if you overfill it in that position, it's possible to blow out the seals when you let it back down. So a good idea is to fill it, then let the box down first with the plug still out, so any excess fluid can come out. Then raise it again, put the plug back in, and you're good to go.

Thanks Rich for the info. What I did was get me a bottle of fluid and attached a hose to it. Crawled up underneath the truck, removed the plug and filled her up. I guess this would be the correct way to do it....Once again, thanks....

If it has cable controls you may want to put some dry-slide graphite in them and/or soak with some rust inhibitor. Or you may elect to replace them, they are pretty inexpensive. Hopefully there is a detent in the valve so you can find the position for raise or hold.

Thanks Dave, will do.....

Just thought I would post a pic of her. Not real pretty yet, but I think it will come along nicely..BTW- I paid $1000.00 for her. Do you think I did ok? (Hope so, as I see alot more being spent)...

one
two

That's an excellent buy,at $1000. Good look'in truck. Thanks for the pictures.

i think you did very well buying that truck! It looks good and its nice to see it still dumps!

depending on the construction of the tires they may develop memory of the tire position and won't round back out until driven a ways. My grandfather had a 60 1 ton with nylon belted(i beleive it's been a while) tires and the first couple miles were bumpy after sitting a few days. after they warmed up they were fine

Thanks all for the vote of confidence! And it appears that the tires are smoothing out, as most of the vibration is now gone after being driven for a bit. I hope to get some paint on her soon, but I need to locate someplace warm to work on it. That's gonna be a real trick for now. Also. in regards to the tires, does anyone know of a good place to get replacements for the 8.5 X 20's? I'm sure that in time I will need to replace at least some of them, as they have a bit of weathering going on. Once again, thanks for the advise and encouragement....

Nice lookin old truck there Rick ... Congratulations! Looks very similar to my 2-ton. Same color green but with a red bed. I'll try to figure out how to post it here in this forum, but I will also be submiting it to the gallery soon as well, so if you don't see it here, you'll see it there.

I went looking for some new tires for my truck at T&W truck tire center here in OKC. They are one of the main truck tire supliers in this region for dealers, maintainance or service centers, as well as heavy equipment operators.

I was also looking for 8.25x20s and they told me no one is making them any more. The only tire they can get is the 9.00x 20 and it's an import tire. There is just not that much demand for 20 inch tires any more as all of the medium duty truck makers have gotten away from using them.

6 new 9.00x20s with flaps and tubes would run about $1200. A lot of $$$! Fortunately, luck was on my side. When they returned my call for pricing, the gentleman told me that that they just so happend to have a set of almost new takeoffs from an ex-school bus turned hunting rig. Seems some guy converted this bus to take on hunting trips, and he put a new set of Nutech 9.00x20 bias plys on it, but didn't like the ride. So he brought it back and had them taken off and a new set of radials mounted up. I got the whole set of six takeoffs with flaps and tubes for $800. Still a lot of $$$ but these tires are in excelent condition & still have the little rubber titties on them. They look a little big on the front, but they look good, don't rub the fenders, and they all match.

So that got me to thinking Rick. If you have trouble locating tires, try calling around to all the local school districts in your area and ask the folks that run the bus barns about what they do with their takeoffs. Around here I know for a fact that they change them out before their used up. Chances are, you might find yourself a decent set for cheap.

Rezman

That is one nice looking truck!

I like working trucks better than trailer trucks.

Some updated pics after paint job and some other work. Not perfect, but Coming along. I know the Black is not original, but I always wanted an old truck that was painted black, soooooo, that's what I got....Ran new electric to the back, so all of the lights now work without blowing fuses..Repainted interior and put new leather on the door panels. Thanks for looking...
one

two

three

three and a half

Gonna get the seats recovered soon

four

"The Paint Booth"

five


Door panel redone

six

Nice job Rick. Looks great. Thanks for the updated pictures. Looks like my first Big Bolt years ago. I had a '49 4400 1 1/2 ton flatbed, that was black, with gray wheels, & bumper.

Wow, what a sweet truck. All your good work is showing! She really looks happy with the new black paint and working dump. I think that is a smile I see on that 54 year old face

Tomcoe

I think the black paint looks good on her. Nice job!

Thanks guys. I still have to paint the grill the Cream color, but as you can see, the weather makes it kinda touch and go. I'm about an hour away from the nearest town that has anything I need(Paint, Parts, Etc.), so I have to try and plan ahead on what I'm going to accomplish. Unfortunately I wasn't thinking about the cream color when I got the black or it would be done. The interior also needs some "touch-up" work too. But the good news is that now that I have the outside and mechanicals pretty much done, I can use it to start hauling wood and hay. This was a big priority for us. Delivery out here was killing us. Took her into town yesterday and was swarmed by people wanting rides and to drive her. The old owner was there and I think he now wished he had kept her. But he was still happy to see her running and on the road again. I'm real happy to be at this point without any major issues with the truck. Everything works and that's all I can ask for right now. Hopefully I can gradually do more work and make her even better. I'm not really concerned about perfection, as it will be used as a work truck again. I want it to look nice and run good, though. I appreciate the advice here and love reading through the old posts. Lots of good help to be had....Thanks for looking and I hope I can help someone else in the future....

Looks Great Rick! You're doing an awsome job.

Tell me something though. Did you disassemble your grill to paint it or just mask it off? Looks darn good.

Rezman

Rick,

Be sure to read through our "Tech Tips," "Features" and "Gallery" sections of this web site, too -- lots of good info, especially on the Big Bolts -- you can find all of it using the menu bar at the top of this page.

And welcome aboard!

John

Hi Rezman

Thanks for the compliment. As much as it looks like it in the photos, I haven't had a chance to paint the grill yet. I plan on doing it in place. I would have done it at the same time I did the body, but while in town (An hour away) I forgot to pick up the cream paint for it. It still looks pretty good like it is. I'll put up some pics when I get it done. And Hi John and thanks for the welcome. I've been reading everything I can here. Lots of good info that's helped me out alot already. The Tech. Tips are awesome! Great place to find when you're working on these old bolts.....

Rick

Let me echo the comments of everyone--you have a great looking Big Bolt and I'll throw in with ya on the color. Black is a great color of these old trucks, 'specially the workahaulics.

Keep us posted and be careful on them icy roads.

Oh, and as far as folks takin' a liking to yer truck--well, that just goes with the territory.
I frequently give a feller a ride in my '46, and I can tell right quick how he feels about the old truck.

If a feller expresses the kind of appreciation for an old truck that I have, I don't hesitate to let him get behind the wheel. I know how much I enjoy drivin' the truck and I like to share that with others who can take a story home with them.

Hi Glenn

Thanks for the kind words. It does kinda warm the heart to have others so interested in your project and wanting rides and such. Who could resist a neat old truck anyway?? I'm happy to have the interest. It provides more incentive to do more. I like the Black color and am happy I did it now. Can't wait for warmer weather so I can do more. The wife made me take down the makeshift paintbooth/shelter, so I have to wait until I can work outside to do more. Just a few inches narrower and I could have gotton her in the barn. I should have planned ahead when I built it, but who knew I would be getting such a large old truck..The horses probably wouldn't like it anyway....Just did a little holiday decorating for the trips to town....

Oh yeah, don't know where Jarrell Texas is, but we are transplants from Corsicana, just south of Dallas...Lots of Texas folk come out here to vacation and live....

[img]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f250/rickdb1/IMG_1268Medium.jpg[/img]

sweet.. Had one just like it.

Nice , Nice , Nice. Did you just go ahead and replace the intire door latch mech? How did it turn out?
Slider

Hi Slider and thanks for the compliment. Yes, I ordered a new one and finally installed it. Works like a champ. A little tight getting to it, but not a real big deal....

Wow! That is a cool truck! I like it all black myself.

-W

I really like your truck Rick... it looks very straight and solid. I also liked your paint booth. I have the same sort of addition on my shop right now. Not the greatest situation but better than being in the rain, plus you don't have to pay taxes on it.

Keep up the excellent work.

Paul.