The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1953 chevy 3800 questions

I have a 1953 Chevy 3800 1 ton pickup, and when I went to LMCTrucks.com to order a catalog I found out that they have a catalog for the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. Is there really any difference in the trucks? They look the same except the bed is longer and longer frame. What parts are inner changeable with each other? Or is there a place that has parts for the 3800? I am hoping to start this project this winter and now is the time to start learning lol. Any help or answers will be deeply appreciated. I am a rookie to this truck which my uncle bought new in 53 and now was giving to me to restore. Thanks Again

Roger

Welcome to the 'bolt. There's a lot of information and advice to be had here.

Try the links page (above) and the American Classics ad at the top. A lot of the parts are interchangable (particularly the body parts) but some are specific to the 3800. Jim Carter and Classic Parts of America (http://www.classicparts.com/ - what was Chevy Duty) have a lot. There are a lot of others as well. And have fun with it.

But there is one question I have; Where are the pictures at? We all like pictures. Pictures are good.

Sorry pictures are on the gallery site under 1953 Roger Tilley. Once I figure out how to put my pics on here I will keep everyone informed on my project.

Roger;
My 3800 pickup is a '51, and I've found that they're so uncommon that, while no-one seems to know they even existed, parts are almost all interchangeable with 3/4-tonners.
[img]http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/28/29/9/91/99/2918991990096215731ZMFhOU_th.jpg[/img]
As you can see I've updated the wheels and tires to help her haul a load better. The rest is a work in progress . .
click on the pic to see it bigger, or on the blue link below:

My 48 3804 9ft bed registered as a 47 has been hard to get parts and they are spendy. Because of a back injury I can not do most of the work my self. While alot of the 1/2 and 3/4 ton parts work, the 14inch in brake drum system was not. Trying to find the engine/trans mounts was almost impossible. And I'm finding locating a pumpkin for hyway speed has hit a block wall, without spending 4k as I was quoted. I do not have a garage at home which will fit the truck inside to work on so everything is out in the weather. However I still enjoy driving the old rusty truck, and as items get fixed I will like it even better. Enjoy your truck.

I have one too, and I have had no problems with working on it or finding parts.
I found all my brake parts at reasonable prices, higher than for a 1/2 ton, but not too expensive.
Ordered my mounts from chevy duty.

I decided to change to disk brakes and therefore did not buy the original stuff, but I had no problem finding it when I was looking.

Given the choice between a 1 ton or two 1/2 tons I would take the 1 ton any day.

I’m interested in the brakes you changed to, want to let us know what you used?

Chevy Duty and American Classic Truck Parts have some of the nicest people around.
They however did not have my mounts complete or the brake shoes, neither Napa.
Comparing the cost to have Ford work on my other vehicle and what I pay out on the Chevy is really reasonable dollar to dollar. Finding the stuff to replace however has been tuff, time consuming more than anything. Just got back from driving it into the San Fernando Valley, from Ventura County. The two short hops on the freeway seems to have helped with freeing things up some.