The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Where to get parts for 1950 3800 series dually

I have a 1950 3800 series 1-ton dually.
Are some parts for this 3800 going to be the same as the 1/2 and 3/4 ton models?

The VIN is 6HSK 2192.
I suspect brakes would be different, but I'm thinking that engine, tranny (4 speed) and most body parts from cab forward would be same.

What catalog / websites should I consider?
Thanks
Boom

I can't help you there, if you were closer to Canada I would take a look at Gary Leden's yard.
Somewhere in the forum, a few month's ago, they talked about another "stovelbolt heaven" further south in the States, that might be a good start. GMCPaul might also be able to get you a few things, he is a member here, but runs his own website with parts for sale. Google for GMCPaul and you'll get there.
Good hunting

Richard

Many parts will be the same. Of course many will be just for the 3800. I suggest you buy a Shop Manual for that truck from Jim Carter's or any of several vendors. Go to the links page on this site. I have a 50 3600 3/4-ton and bought most of my stuff for it from Chevy Duty (now Classic Truck Parts) but others on here have had good success with other parts sellers. All sheet metal for your truck cab will be same as 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton. All 4-speeds (SM 420) from that era are the same except the tail end has that ball/socket/flange for the torque-tube on 1/2 and 3/4. Your brakes will be specific. Does yours have 18" wheels? Tires may be hard to find in that size. Good Luck!

Boom, I keep saying it over and over that before you go sending out your hard earned cash for parts at the "antique" parts houses give your local guys a chance. I just found out the axle bearings for a 1937 half ton pickup are the same all the way through 1962. You can save a lot of money and a lot of shipping cost and in a lot of cases you can get parts overnight no extra charge. Also I just bought a NEW master cyl for a 1987 F600 truck I'm working on and the best price was 268 whosale at Carquest......until I went to Advance Auto and they can get me a Bendix overnight for $178. I know you understand what I'm saying so Shop Around.

Jim Carter has the best catalog I've seen. I've never seen another that has so many items for 1 ton and larger and the listed items clearly indicate if they would work for your size and make truck.

Good stuff.

Like the ideas. I'm not looking for a frame up restoration here. This was a neighbors truck, they bought it new had it every day to haul hay to horses cattle etc. A bit rough but cosmetics. Was in Sacramento CA area so minimal rust. Even the original seat cushion sans where driver sat :-)

I use it to pull a 4 horse gooseneck trailer and odd ball jobs around my place down in San Diego county.

Primary concern are the brakes. Need to bleed out, new shoes and replace the emergency brake cable/system....although my father being a navy man suggest we simply tie an anchor to logging chain and throw it over when we need to park.

I noted that many parts are interchanagble. I grew using Ford trucks, John Deere, Cat and Peterbilt equipment so i'm lost in the world of GM. Is there a interchange manual or online source that can help as to what parts can be swamped EASILY :-)

Thanks.
Look forward to posting picstures of the progress.

Boom , I have a 51 3800 here, would be mostly the same as yours other than i have wing vents in the doors. I'm curious about your dual wheels. Dual rears were not an option for a 3800 tonner. You would have had to buy a 4100 tonner to get that. Someone here made duals for my truck. Are your tires 17"? You can use parts off any other AD truck for anything above the frame. Tonner frames are thicker, have more and differnt cross members than the 1/2 and 3/4 ton ones. Master cylinders are easy to come by, i get all mine at the local parts stores, along with the wheel cylinders. I have never had to buy any brakes shoes, but if the metal part is good, you can get them relined at most better machine shops. Theres a guy on here named Bruce, that has a lot of NOS brake parts, i just got a pair of rear cables for my 47 2 ton, fit just like they should. Put a post in the wanted section and I'm sure he will see it and let you know that he has some for your truck.

Hi,

Original owners handed over to me all their Calif DMV registrations, Bill of Sale, manuals etc from day 1. There it was in a folder, the dealers paperwork from 1950....1950 Chevy 3800 1 ton dual rear wheels, chassis only etc.

Maybe a dealer option. This was scarmaneto dealer and at the time besides being state capital pretty much an agricultural area at the time.

iowa
I think duals was a factory option for 1950 3800. My Truck Shop Manual (reprint) for 48-51 shows 7.00-18-8 ply rear duals as 1 of 4 tire/wheel combinations for 3800. They really were popular. What was rare was duals on 3600 3/4-tons. The shop manual does not list them but I have seen them.
Boom, Great score on an all original truck. Cool :p

iowa trucks 59, duals on 3800s are certainly not rare but seem the standard, at least in some parts of the country.

I have a 1949 3800 and just bought a 1950 3800. Both and all of the 3800s I have ever seen all have duals. The 18 inch tires seem the standard size.

While Coker Tires does sell the 18" tires about as reasonable as anyone, the truck I just bought was mainly for the nearly new tires on it. The engine developed a noise, hence the sale. Tires at $89 works better for me as they are already mounted and come with spare parts, i.e. a complete truck.

Anyone got a photo of these dual rims they could email me?

Let me know if you need them. I have plenty of photo's. I'm traveling on business through Thursday, can email that evening.

Robert

This is what those wheels look like.
[img]http://www.oldsub.com/images/2006/02/wheel_wanted.jpg[/img]
I want a set for my dually!