The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Newbie, part 2 - back from rescue

Hi all, just back from pickin up my 1947 Chevy tank. Boy, this thing weighs a bit. Poor trailer almost didn't handle it but at a constant 40mph, we got it home.

After using the winch to get it off the trailer, I fired it up and parked it in my driveway.

Anyway, here's some pics of it and various things. I think I got a good deal because it's got most of its stuff with it.

Seems that ThriftMaster is on the right side of the hood but in a "goody box", were two LoadMaster emblems too.

55000 original miles, runs good. Brakes don't seem to work or the lights but hey, it's a start.

Still don't know what exactly it is. it's got super huge leaf springs under it and them funky friction / knee shocks (whatever they're called)

Somewhere in one of these pics is the tag from inside the drivers door with the serial number & such. can anyone tell me what exactly I have?

Thanks.


New pics

Welcome to the 'bolt... what you have there is a "neighbor irritator"...

what are you plans for it? looks to be fairly solid....

It's a 47 because of the "trigger" on the shifter to get reverse and it's a 1 ton dually (3800) because of the small radius front fenders and 8 hole wheels. Welcome to the Stovebolt Page with your good looking project! Good luck with it,
Scott

Welcome and it's nice to see a surburban bring her home. Enjoy.

neat truck!

Welcome to the 'bolt.

My advice is to get it running safe and legal before making big plans and tearing it into a thousand pieces.

Then you can drive it, use it and figure out what you really want to do with it.

my .02 cents.

Glad to see ya...

-W

Good advice Woogeroo. Sometimes i wish i had done just that. But its all worth it in the end. There are planty here that are willing to give you all the advice you need. I once read, "a wise man is one who can listen to advice".
Enjoy your truck mate.
Brendon

Click on the American Classic's logo at the top of the page and then click on their "VIN Decoder," input the VIN that's shown on your picture and viola, it's a 3808 or 09 built in Detroit in November 1947. You'll also get some other information as to the engine it came with, GVW, transmission, rear end, etc. And other than a couple of bumps and bruises, it looks very much like mine with a couple of exceptions (outside gas tank for one). Enjoy.

Jim's post is one of the reasons that I never use the American Classic's VIN cruncher; it is wrong more than it is right.

If you use either the tech articles on VINs and Models or the OTN VIN Cruncher you will discover that your 3800 was actually assembled in St. Louis.

Kelly,
that looks like a nice project. Most of us find it really rewarding to get the motor running and do a general assessment of the whole rig. They are such neat machines and fun to work on.

Ooops, I forgot to warn you that it can have some errors in it. Thanks Jeff, for the reminder. Though the only issue that I've found with it has been the city of assembly. For mine, it said is was made in Canada (not that I have anything against Canadians, mind you) but it was actually made in Kansas City. Everything else seemed to be accurate.

Sure wish my 1 ton looked that good, heck you've even got most of the paint still. LOL They are quite a load, I had to take the outside duals off to get mine on the trailer. I agree with what has been said about getting it running and usable to see what you've got. I hope everything isn't stuck like mine is.

Thanks folks. I really don't know what the plan for it is just yet but originally I got the thing to do a hot rod... but the more I look at it, the more I want to just get rid of the PTO dump thingy and use it as a tow rig for now.... like a little big-rig. It'd weigh a whole lot less without it and I have no plans for it. Anyone needing anything from it in that arena? (sorry, if this is advertising, I'll go to the right forum)

For now, it runs and most things seem to work except the brakes & headlights. It's a 6 volt system as far as I can tell. With a little starting fluid, it fires up and idles pretty smooth for a 60 year old truck. My neighbors don't like it. (probably because it don't have a muffler and you get kinda high standing next to it when it's running - maybe a carb tune up first...)

All the glass is good except for the passenger window. It's cracked but still in the frame and rolls up/down.

Will see what happens.

Kelly

Nice project Kelly. Have you given it a name? Like everyone said get it driving first then decide what to do. Other wise you'll end up with a 1 ton yard ornament, and momma won't be happy.
Good luck and welcome to the bolt.