The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1952 1.5 ton GMC (Virginia)

Hi everyone. I’ve been “lurking” on the forums for a while now and used the tech articles to help assess the “new” truck before and after purchase so I figured it was time to introduce myself and start jumping into the discussions. The new to me truck is a ‘52 GMC 353-24 grain truck with a remanufactured 248, SM420 and a 2-speed rear axle. It has a tilt mechanism for the Knapheide bed that runs off the PTO and it came with all the bed sides and grain door with chute. The cab is in surprisingly good shape with no significant rust to speak of and it doesn’t appear to be missing any obvious pieces parts. I was shocked to see the cab corners are solid and don’t appear to have ever been repaired. The engine is currently stuck but everything looks too be in good condition to include plugs, points oil, etc but I think it just sat for too long although I did find a 2001 registration in the glove box. Still working this problem but I’m in no rush. I’d love to drive it in its current configuration but my wife was a bit surprised at the size of the truck when it showed up in the driveway next to her car! As you can see from the picture it has some damage from a collision in the front that did a number on the grill surround and right fender but I think it can all be banged out. It has a nice mixture of rust, bare metal, and red barn paint on the exterior with just a few spots where the original dark red color is peeking through. There’s lots to be done and I’m sure I’ll have a ton of questions but I’m looking forward to digging in and tapping your collective knowledge. Thanks! -Ryan

Welcome to the 'Bolt Ryan! Nice looking GMC "Big Bolt" (as we call them). That grille surround "ouchie" is fixable with time and patience working that old metal back into shape. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more on your new truck.

The best place to post and discuss "Big Bolt" things on your truck is going to be in the Big Bolts forum. Catch you in the forums.

Welcome to the ‘bolt.

I think your truck's name is Elvis.

That grill surround is the Elvis lip curl all the way. I'd leave it alone.

Welcome to the Bolt, Ryan. Consider yourself at home. Ask questions in the forums and we'll do the rest.
...and your Southern Bolter now. Be sure to visit the Southern Bolters Forum. We're always doing something!

Welcome! Gotta love them Big Bolts!
Hope you get the motor unstuck without a lot of problems. Keep us posted on your progress.

Dan, thank you! I appreciate the confirmation on the grill surround being fixable. It’s not my area of expertise but I’ll find some banged up metal to practice on and see how it goes. I suspect I’ll have the grill stripped and repainted first but we’ll see.

Thanks again and as you said I’ll see you around the forums! -Ryan

Ryan,
Welcome to Stovebolt. You've just did your fourth post so no more need for us to approve them. This will make it easy for you to converse with the Stovebolt Collective. And now you can get Private Messages (PMs). I may be sending you one soon.

Bolt On!

Otto, Thanks for naming my truck! I hadn’t even thought about it yet but Elvis works for me. I wouldn’t have made the connection myself. See you around the forums!

Hahaha! Happy to be of service!

Welcome Ryan! Enjoy the sweet ride. I think about what life was like when these babies were common on the road.