BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 | I'm still amazed that after owning my 55 3/4 dually for 13 years, I never stumbled upon this site! I've been reading up a bit and will have some questions and hopefully some answers for others. The truck has the origional 235, heavy-duty 3 speed, a propeller shaft brake and a (I think) 4.59 rear. I found it in 1993 in Temple City Ca. It had a boom lift bolted to a 1/4" plate steel bed. A body shop used it to tow vehicles. They also added half a fender on each side to cover the back wheels. I do think that the medium duty 3/4 tons could come with 7.00-17 wheels as well. Mine had six 16-6 split rims that I changed out for modern rims.
I'm towing a 2500 lb. boat 3 miles to the ramp these days, and the rather steep hill getting there is pressing the old motor a bit. I'm looking at rebuilding and adding some horsepower to the 235 but if I get enough feedback that a 350 and th350 are the only good way to go, I'll have to consider that too. There are a few pics of the truck at Jim Carters site under Feature Trucks from July 2004.
Thanks,
Kim
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/15/2023 9:39 PM. Reason: added more info to the title
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | welcome to the bolt.......we have a lot of folks from your area........enjoy...
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 | Welcome aboard. I have a hard time believing a 235 with a 4.59 rear gear won't pull a boat. I had a 55 1st panel that would pull stumps. A good rebuild would probably be all you need.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | Welcome to the site. Rebuild the 235. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 | howdy. welcome. glad to have ya here.
-W | | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 96 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 96 | id have to agree that a rebuild is what i'd do. so sense hacking up a good stock truck. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 | Thanks everyone! I've really always thought I'd rebuild rather than replace since I have great respect for my old truck just as it is. I just need to squeeze a few more ponies out of it. Tiny, it pulls the boat fine, it just labors so much on hills. Does anyone know of a first rate machine shop in San Diego? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 | welcome to the bolt
Cliff59 | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 101 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 101 | obs2kl,
You have a beautiful 55!
From one bolthead to another welcome to this site It is where I turn when I am in question!
Roger
Roger
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45469713@N00/?saved=1
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 499 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 499 | I have never been much of a fan of the 55-59 body style, but your dually has a great look. It looks like a truck.
'67 GMC 3/4 292 4spd
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | Kim that truck is fine as a frog's hair. There's a discussion somewhere around here on the virtues of those old bolt sixes and how they can be made to produce all kinda horses. In any event, small blocks are cheap and easy to come by so either way you're okay with that fine truck to start with. By the way, what have you done if anything to the brakes and suspension??? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 25 | Thanks again for the comments, though honestly moving the camera away from the truck makes it look better than extreme close-ups!
Don, your truck and especially your account of the journey home sure "rang a few bells" with me. I couldn't believe how loud it was in the cab and top speed was (and still is) 55 for me too. The brakes and suspension are stock so new lines and all are next on my list. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | looks great, I have never seen one before
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | Yeah, I know what you mean. I look much better from far away too. "Time for my close-up Mr. Demille". | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,374 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,374 | welcome to the 'bolt..  
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 200 | Beautiful truck man-glad you are keeping it stock... | | |
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