Hello all. I’m new to the forum and (hopefully) soon new to old Chevys.
As eluded to, I don’t currently own an old GM truck (or any GM truck), but I’m hoping to buy one soon. I’m looking to sell my ‘05 Dodge Dakota daily driver and buy something objectively much worse but subjectively much better than said Dakota.
I’m wanting a Chevy or GMC Advanced Design truck, and I have my eye on (and my heart set on) a ‘48 Chevy 3800 Thriftmaster pickup that’s for sale semi-nearby.
I’m somewhat if a fledgeling when it comes to old vehicles in general, but a couple of years ago I jumped in the deep end and bought a 1966 Jeep CJ5A which quickly got me hooked on old American steel.
My Jeep is somewhat reliable and I have a motorcycle, so my monkey brain has decided that it isn’t completely unreasonable to replace a perfectly reliable yet excessively boring daily driver with a 70-80 year old pickup truck that will be relatively terrible to drive but a boatload of fun.
Anyways I’m joining the forum hoping to learn as much as I can about these trucks. Hopefully I’ll learn something about them before I go look at one so I don’t end up with another rusty hunk like my Jeep.
Welcome! Lots of friendly knowledge here. I can't tell you how much I've learned in the last 1 1/2 years. Please post pics after you get what you want and you'll get help with any of your questions.
Last edited by UtahYork; 05/06/20262:50 AM.
~ John in Utah 1946 1/2Ton w/4-speed manual transmission w/1960 235 engine Here We Go Follow in his DITY Bay
- If you think about it, it has been one year ago today!
As mentioned, lots of good info to be had here. Just read through the various forums and absorb all the knowledge. Hope you are able to get the truck you want. Keep us posted.
I have several older rides, but the most fun for me is the '57 Chevrolet 2 ton farm truck, trucks are in my blood, old stuff is in my blood. If the Jeep and bike will get you where you need to go, jump in with both feet for the AD truck.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
Turns out what I’ve been looking at is a mis-labeled 3600. I’ll probably still look at it and buy it if it’s good, but I’m a tad bummed it’s not a 3800.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Turns out what I’ve been looking at is a mis-labeled 3600. I’ll probably still look at it and buy it if it’s good, but I’m a tad bummed it’s not a 3800.
T.M. - Do you have a picture of the cab data/serial number plate that you could post here? We can help you decode that to see what it indicates, and you can do some checking of your own if your like using the GM Heritage Center 1948 Chevrolet Truck data file.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
The truck I’m looking at looks to have a 7 and a half foot bed (or is it 7 and 1/4?) now that I’m counting the stake pockets on it.
Originally Posted by Gdads51
Originally Posted by T.M.
Turns out what I’ve been looking at is a mis-labeled 3600. I’ll probably still look at it and buy it if it’s good, but I’m a tad bummed it’s not a 3800.
T.M. - Do you have a picture of the cab data/serial number plate that you could post here? We can help you decode that to see what it indicates, and you can do some checking of your own if your like using the GM Heritage Center 1948 Chevrolet Truck data file.
I don’t at the moment, but I write the seller and look into it.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
The one ton 9 foot bed will have four stake pockets.
Don
Last edited by 2-Ton; 05/09/20267:46 PM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
The one ton 9 foot bed will have four stake pockets.
Don
That's why I now believe the truck to be a 3600; I can only count 3 stake pockets in the pictures. However, the picture does cut off just about at the end of the bed, so perhaps it does extend farther and I cannot see it in the photos.
Mine has a stake hole on each end and two between the ends.
Don
Last edited by 2-Ton; 05/09/20268:01 PM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Don ... Looking at the color and hub caps, I can conclusively say based on my extensive research and exhaustive knowledge, that you do not actually have a 1-ton there. Its not a 3.4-ton, either. You, Sir, actually have a 13/16-ton. A rare truck that was marketed to stay at home moms in the late '40's for delivering cosmetics, groceries and feminine hygiene products. Discontinued after a short production run, of course.
Sorry to be the one to break it to you.
:P John
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Are you sure it's not a rare 737kg European export model John?
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Bill ... Well, you raise a good point and one can never be sure without a trained and experienced eye such as yours, obviously. All Don will have to do to determine that is fly you up there for a visual confirmation. I'd go but I'm fresh out of clean socks.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
This thread topic has officially been stolen!
Hope that does not scare you off T.M.
We are just having fun and look forward to reading more of your posts on what you find out.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
I’m just staying quiet for the time being, but I’m still around.
I’m currently learning as much as I can about engines. The truck I’m looking at has a 235/261 valve cover, so I’m trying to learn how to figure out what engine it has in it when I go to look at the truck in person.
From my understanding it could be a swap or it could just have a 235 head swapped onto it. I’m not sure if the valve cover alone can be swapped.
The best way to identify is by the casting number .Look up chev 235 casting numbers and there are a few sites that list them along with the year of engine from there you can match up with what is in the truck you are looking at.
The seller sent me a picture of the data plate and it is a 1948 Chevy 3600.
The seller says the truck has a 235 in it which he believes is a babbit-bearing motor but he isn’t sure. My next research project is to learn how to figure out if a 235 is babbit or insert bearing’d.
I’m hoping to look at the truck in person sometime in the next few weeks.
T.M. - The give away on what the engine is or isn't boils down to finding and posting the block casting number and date codes, plus the stamped serial number on the machined pad just to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block.
Once you have that information you (and the collective if help is needed) can decode the info to determine what the engine is. Here is a great informative web page from our own "tclederman" - Engine Casting Codes & Serial Numbers that you can use as a guide to finding the info on the engine. This particular page is showing a low pressure '51 235, but your potential "low pressure 235" would have the info in the same spots.
Gather the info and post and we can continue the how-to decode sharing into the next level - figuring out just what it is. BTW - Posting pictures is best so we can also see what you can.
If it turns out to not be a low pressure 235 (perhaps a later full pressure engine???) this info can still help you locate what's needed to gather the data. Looking forward to seeing more on this.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
T.M. - The give away on what the engine is or isn't boils down to finding and posting the block casting number and date codes, plus the stamped serial number on the machined pad just to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block.
Once you have that information you (and the collective if help is needed) can decode the info to determine what the enginei is. Here is a great informative web page from our own "tclederman" - Engine Casting Codes & Serial Numbers that you can use as a guide to finding the info on the engine. This particular page is showing a low pressure '51 235, but your potential "low pressure 235" would have the info in the same spots.
Gather the info and post and we can continue the how-to decode sharing into the next level - figuring out just what it is. BTW - Posting pictures is best so we can also see what you can.
If it turns out to not be a low pressure 235 (perhaps a later full pressure engine???) this info can still help you locate what's needed to gather the data. Looking forward to seeing more on this.
Thanks for the info and link. This is exactly what I’m looking for: a handy guide to the casting numbers and where to find them on the block.
I’m getting way too excited about this truck now. I’m really going to have to keep my head on straight when I inspect it otherwise I might end up starry-eyed and driving home in another rusted-out hunk of junk like my ‘66 Jeep!
The body is pretty solid. A little rust in the cab corners, cab back wall, and floors around the cowling but I didn’t see anything concerning. It cold-started right up faster than my ‘05 Dakota and seemed alright when I drove it around the gravel lot it is in. The brakes are pretty mushy though; that’ll need to be fixed right away.
I managed to not take down any engine numbers, but from other visual clues I figured out it is an insert-bearing 235 which is nice. Everything else (transmission, rear axle, brakes) looks to be stock to my untrained eye.
Now I just have to hope I can sell my Dodge Dakota Right-N’-Quick so I’ll have the funds and space for that truck before someone else grabs it.
Good luck. After all this work, it's only right ...
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
I just now realized that the whole post I had written up never did post...
As the thread title change implies, I finally brought the truck home. I'm a bit short on time and will try to get a thread going in the "project journals" section, but for now here are a few long-awaited shots of my new-to-me 1948 Chevy 3600 pickup:
Love that truck! The camper alone is worth the price. Seat cover already done, lots of good points there. ( I’m not being rude about the camper, I love those!) Congratulations on your start on the AD journey. 😉
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 “Bud” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996
I'm a bit short on time and will try to get a thread going in the "project journals"...
T.M. - Just a note that your next thread to post to begin your trucks story should be in the DITY Gallery forum. Starting a "Project Journal" involves getting an invitation to do that from the "Project Journal" Forum Moderator as there are specific requirements and expectations to get approved by him before you can begin a "Project Journal".
I look forward to seeing and following your project in the DITY Gallery.
PS - Have you thought about a "name" for your truck?
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Now that you have your truck, Welcome to the ’Bolt!
I'm the moderator for the Project Journal forum and as Dan pointed out, is now by invitation only. The uniqueness of the build, good writing skills plus continued updates merits this special recognition.
The DITY forum is the place to start your story. This is where we look for possible submitters. If your posts are interesting and regular, you just may be invited to participate in the Project Journal forum.
A good Journal starts by giving us when and where you bought your truck, history if you know it, how you transported it to your home/shop, your first impressions and any other facts you think might be interesting to other ‘bolters. Tell us about your truck, such as the engine, drive train, condition and your first thoughts. Include your vision about where you want this project to go.
Then start updates on what you have accomplished or setbacks you encountered, but keep the technical details in the applicable forums. In my Journal, I link the post that performed the details so I don’t completely bore those readers that are not interested in the details. In your Journal, tell us any success’s, total fails and your emotions you experienced when these happened.
There were over 50 journals that were started and just went flat that the decision was made to restrict the submissions to ‘bolters that would keep up regular updates. New submissions will be picked mostly from the DITY gallery forum so please keep up your updates in this forum. I will keep an eye on your thread. If your journal is interesting and you keep the thread with regular updates, you will get the invite.
Good luck with your build, I’ll be following!
Last edited by Phak1; 07/07/20262:02 PM. Reason: Typo’s
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Love that truck! The camper alone is worth the price. Seat cover already done, lots of good points there. ( I’m not being rude about the camper, I love those!) Congratulations on your start on the AD journey. 😉
Thanks. I like the camper shell too. It’s in pretty rough shape but it’s all there from what I can tell. Eventually I want to rebuild it, which’ll probably require me to completely tear it down and build it up again with all new wood, sheet metal, and hardware.
The PO told me he believed the camper may have been produced by a company and is not a homebuilt unit. I’ll have to look into the history of it sometime.
T.M. - Just a note that your next thread to post to begin your trucks story should be in the DITY Gallery forum. Starting a "Project Journal" involves getting an invitation to do that from the "Project Journal" Forum Moderator as there are specific requirements and expectations to get approved by him before you can begin a "Project Journal".
I look forward to seeing and following your project in the DITY Gallery.
Originally Posted by Phak1
Now that you have your truck, Welcome to the ’Bolt!
I'm the moderator for the Project Journal forum and as Dan pointed out, is now by invitation only. The uniqueness of the build, good writing skills plus continued updates merits this special recognition.
The DITY forum is the place to start a journal. This is where we look for possible submitters. If your posts are interesting and regular, you just may be invited to participate in the Project Journal forum.
A good Journal starts by giving us when and where you bought your truck, history if you know it, how you transported it to your home/shop, your first impressions and any other facts you think might be interesting to other ‘bolters. Tell us about your truck, such as the engine, drive train, condition and your first thoughts. Include your vision about where you want this project to go.
Then start weekly updates on what you have accomplished or setbacks you encountered, but keep the technical details in the applicable forums. In my Journal, I link the post that performed the details so I don’t completely bore those readers that are not interested in the details. In your Journal, tell us any success’s, total fails and your emotions you experienced when these happened.
There were over 50 journals that were started and just went flat that the decision was made to restrict the submissions to ‘bolters that would keep up regular updates. New submissions will be picked mostly from the DITY gallery forum so please keep up your updates in this forum. I will keep an eye on your thread. If your journal is interesting and you keep the thread with regular updates, you will get the invite.
Good luck with your build, I’ll be following!
I was not aware of the DITY forum, or that the Project Journals forum was invite only. I guess the Stovebolt forum is a bit more complex than my Jeep-filled “home forum” of ECJ5. I’ll have to spend some more time searching around and getting to know the forum. Thanks for the info.
Having a high-standard for the project journals seems like a cool idea and one that’ll make for some good reads. I’ll have to check them out at some point.
I probably won’t get enough done to warrant a weekly-updated thread, so I’ll stick to the DITY forum.
Just to clarify the requirements of the Project Journal forum, we know that as much as we love this hobby, life often throws us curveballs. Between demanding careers, family commitments, medical issues and the occasional bout of burnout, we completely understand that your project may sometimes have to take a back seat.
Please remember that while weekly updates are highly encouraged, they are absolutely not a requirement. We want this space to be enjoyable for you and your fellow ‘Bolters, not another item on your to-do list.
To keep things organized, we have a simple policy: as long as your Journal does not go without an update for mare than a year your journal will remain active in the Project Journal Forum. We love seeing progress in the forum whenever ‘Bolters have the time and energy to share it. We don't want contributors to feel any pressure to post, if they’re currently in a busy season of life.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
BTW - Posting pictures is best so we can also see what you can. 
