The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1948 Chevy 3800 project (TN)

Just bought a 1948 Chevy 3800 1 Ton, sight unseen, (except for pictures.)

I was actually looking for something a bit newer at the time I found it but had been kicking around the idea of a 3800 for years. Never expected to find anything in resonable condition at a reasonable price so I had always assumed I would be going the rat rod route with a few donor rustbuckets pieced together on a new frame. Saw it and knew it was probably a once in a lifetime chance so after a few texts and phone calls, I pulled the trigger. Working on getting it transported right now, but have been combing this forum since then, figured I'd introduce myself and show my hand.

I have quite a few options on moving forward with this project, Will probably spend the next few months nitpicking it until I know the state of everything. Looks like someone had been taking care of it for yearrs, I hope I'm right. Anyways, here's the pictures

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Matt

Welcome to the ‘bolt.

It looks like you scored a nice truck!!

Welcome! Nice find. Should be a fun truck for trips to the hardware store.

Welcome to Stovebolt Matt! Looks like you found a real nice one that someone has been putting some love into. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your 3800 when it gets home.

On that note, just wanted to say that in addition to all the great Truck topic forums in the Shop Area, you will want to check out and do some looking (and perhaps posting) in the Tons 'o Fun forum. A place to talk/discuss 1 Ton specifics that may help you with your new truck.

Good score.👍 Welcome John

Matt -- Welcome aboard! I'm John and I'm actually the guy who started and owns this web site (my wife runs the day to day aspects of it now... ...)

Depending on where in TN you are, this becomes important as we live just south of Huntland/Winchester, TN in Skyline, AL. AND ... we are also 3800 owners (3804, to be exact...).

Send us an email at editor@stovebolt.com and tell us where you are.

Regards,
John

Matt, obviously this truck caught my eye since it looked so familiar. Then seeing you had TN in the title, it jumped out even more. Just so happens our Charlie (the 1949 one-ton) was also from TN. HERE IS the story in the Legacy Gallery.

Welcome to Stovebolt. Hope you are close enough for a visit to the new HQ.

Welcome, and congrats on the truck! Hope it's as nice as it looks.

Does it have a hoist?

Not in her current state, but may have/had PTO originally. Obvious signs of being originally spec'd out as a work truck, DRW, no radio, so she was a workhorse of some sort for sure. I'm assuming its most likely a 3809, could be 3808 or 3803. Is the difference in a 3808 and 3809 literally just stake pockets?

Looks like a few modifications were made, thats obviously not the original paint job, mirror was moved (maybe original owner had an earlier truck prior to this and was used to the mirror there, AK series maybe?) I have no idea what the stock bed was, or where the rear fenders came from. You all probably know more than me to begin with, I do have a few videos I’ll upload as well for the detectives on the forum.

I really need the VIN.

Matt,

Me thinks you need the Advance Design Spotting Guide ...

Matt, another place that might help ID your truck, at least before it arrives and you can share the ID plate info, is checking out this 1948 Chevrolet Truck GM Heritge Center document. Original specs and descriptions plus info to help you decode your serial number data, etc.

What he actually needs is a dealer data book. I can't find mine at the moment ... (Dan ... it didn't end up in that package you received, did it? Maroon cover, spiral bound?).

I need the book to confirm, but its my understanding that the beds from the AD era had rounded sides. That does look like a factory-built bed, not a shop built one, though. It could also be that the truck was sold as a C&C and the first owner put an after market bed on it. Or ... the first bed has been replaced with this bed. At any rate, that bed is so nice looking (love the round corners and the metal stake ends) that it looks original.

The fenders probably were added by whoever fabricated the trailer hitch. They're not stock.

Have I mentioned yet that it is a very good looking truck??

And surprising that such a good looking 3800 was lurking within the area of the Old Dominion Stovebolt Society ... Apparently, the ODSS radar is working as well as it used to ...

I know it is comparing apples to oranges, but my '52 GMC flatbed (which I believe is original equipment) has rounded corners on the front and square on the back. It also was assembled using clutch head bolts on the bed's frame.

Bill -- It is probably unclear but I was referring to the rails on the sides that border the outside of the bed. My '49 1.5 ton had curved side rails around the outside of the bed. Are yours curved? The GMCs and the Chevys had the same factory beds as far as I am aware.

John - No, that book didn't accidentally make its way to join the Stovebolt Library here. But once again, a BIG "Thank You" for sending the others that I have added to our resources and can share with fellow Bolters.

If it might be of any help, below are some screen grabs from the GM Heritage 1948 Truck PDF and more from a 1948 Chevrolet dealers hand out that might be of use.

HT482, as clean and straight as that truck is as far as the body and bed goes, you gotta know that what is under the hood probably is as clean as what we can see on the outside. Mighty good score on that one. My guess is--gas her up and go!

What I was trying to say Peggy is shown in Gdads51's picture. The bed corner near the cab is rounded while the bed corner at the back of the truck is square.

Bill, that was actually John making the comment. Now that we are sharing a computer, we are having to remember to log in as our self. I'll leave it up to him to respond ... as himself. LOL

I'm me again. Bill -- we're talking about two different parts of the bed. At this point, I've probably confused everyone so I will bow out. Forget I was here.

JM

Got the truck and vin, 48 3800 from Norwood, turns 77 in May.

Haven't had time to really look at it yet, drove about 5 miles, 2nd gear sounds bad, 4th gear feels too high, and she gets hot. Will try to poke around more this weekend, but it looks like transmission will be my starting point. Looks like she was originally painted blue, bed is not stock, but does have round corners, "G" is embossed in a few places on the bed skirt, I don't recognize the manufacturer from it though but someone might. Came with an antique plate from WV that expired in 6/48, which couldn't have been from this truck. Already converted to 12v. Wheels look original.

Good truck all around. I'm happy so far.