The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Turn Signals & Dash Hole

1955 3100 2nd series. Looking for an education. I’m “restoring” (but not to factory correct) this truck and trying to understand what I am working with. Here are my questions. FYI - The dash on this truck has no radio opening (no blank off plate), just a smooth dashboard.

a) I thought that the ‘55 came with integral turn signals. But, it has an aftermarket turn signal system and no hole in the dash column housing for a signal lever. Were turn signals an option in ‘55?

b) There is a third factory hole on the left side of the steering column. I’ve looked at a lot of on line photos which all show only two holes (for switch knobs) left of the column. (Ignore the 4 smaller holes which are the work of a previous butcher and will be welded closed.) What would the 3 openings be used for?

Thanks,
-Mike

The hole between the headlight switch and the choke is not from the factory. I think it was a good job of an added switch. Do you think the radio cut-out could have been filled in the past? look at the back-side of the dash to find any indication of welding or filler.

I looked at the back side of the dashboard and the radio opening was enlarged and filled. Bummer, I’ll have to correct that.

But, the third hole on the left of the steering column is definitely factory punched and pressed. It is exactly like all other knob holes, except without the raised area (circle) around the opening. The hole is very perfectly “rolled in” or concave, and not just drilled. If you zoom in on the photo you can see the the details of the concave. It was not made by hand tools.

Does anyone have a dealer brochure that lists customer options?

Mike,

Here is a link to a scanned original 1955 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features pamphlet that I came across.

After a thorough quick read of the document and the pics inside, I couldn't see anything indicating a "3rd" factory hole or a corresponding control/device in that spot.

Also could not find anything related in this '55.2 Truck Operators Manual

I don't have access to a '55.2 or later Accessories Installation Manual, but maybe someone else does and can search that to see if we are missing something here???

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Dan

Thanks Dan. I browsed the engineering features pamphlet and didn’t see anything either. I did another search on line and found two photos of unrestored dashes which had a three holes on the left of the dash. The photos were clear enough to show that the holes were also concaved. So, at this point, I’m guessing it was an option for some sort of accessory perhaps for utility vehicles for DPW, telco, forestry service or fire service? Who knows.

I will look at the operators manual later today.
Thanks for the references.

— Mike.

Mike,

You are most welcome sir!

An add-on for mounting an extra switch/control for one (or more) of those specialty service vehicles is probably right on target. Perfect place for a switch for a big bubble rotating warning light or something similar.

Wonder if any fellow Bolters that may an example of one of those type "service" related trucks can shed some light???

Did you ever come up with more info on the "turn signal" part of your question???

Dan

Nothing definitive on the turn signals yet. There are used truck turn signal column parts out there and turn signal wiring is noted in the shop manual wiring diagram. My questions are to satisfy my curiosity as I document, bag & tag the parts. Because this pickup has an early aftermarket t/s system, was a factory t/s system not available on the 3100, an option, or only available on big trucks? The answer might push me in one direction or another during reassembly….keep the early aftermarket t/s or rebuild with factory column parts?

Another curiosity item…this weekend I removed a spring loaded push button vacuum switch that was located on the bottom lip of the dash. Still works; when I applied air pressure to one leg and depressed the button, air shot out the other leg. Maybe for an air horn? With only short pieces of rubber hose still attached, no clue as to what the other ends were connected to.

I won’t burn a lot of brain cells on these questions but the answer could influence the outcome of the rebuild. It’s part of the fun of this hobby.

-Mike

Mike,

Here are a couple of resource documents I found online that may be of interest and help:

1955 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features pamphlet

1955 Chevrolet Truck 2nd Series Data

Below are some screenshots extracted from the second resource document specific to the "turn signal" question.

The 2nd screenshot shows both the standard and optional lists for the '55.2 "3104" Light duty truck.

As noted in the 3rd screenshot, it appears to show that "turn signals front and rear" where an accessory option, but the "Application to" column seems to indicate that was not for Pickups??? Reads about as clear as mud.

Anyhow, hope this may be of some use in your information collection.

Dan

Hmmm….. I see what you are saying……after reading this, I’d agree that the turn signals were not available for the pickup.
Thanks,
-Mike