The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Looking to get this truck and need some help!

Hello, first off I am new to this site and forum but not new to forums all together. I am hoping to get this truck from my step-dad should he allow it. As far as I can tell it is a '48-53 (thinking '52, b/c of all the ones I can find, a '52 was the only 1 with the same side-view mirrors) Chevrolet Grain Truck. I believe it was his dad's as it has been sitting in the same place on a farm in OK for nearly all my life. It is in VERY good condition as far as body, windows, etc.... go, but not sure about under the hood. I can only assume that is why it has been sitting there for 20+ yrs! I want to try to see if I can get it from him and restore it. I think it would be awesome fixed up. I also thought about making it a car hauler! I wasn't going to go crazy with it, just restore it, maybe drop the front to make it look mean. I really like that idea and I'm sure it's big enough! The wheels on it look pretty cool and appear to be in good shape, so I might just get those polished and chromed. Just ideas right now, but it sounds like fun! I will most likely end up dropping a different engine in it (I was thinking something really big and powerful, a 572 was suggested!) if it is gone (which it most likely is!), and the headliner looks to be falling, but beyond that I don't know/can't tell. Anyways, here's the pics, let me know what you think.

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I can't really help, but I can say: That looks really cool! And your plans sound cool, too! I saw some big Fords (heh the "F" word...) outside of Plains, GA the other day... I stopped because from a distance they looked just like my '61 (dual headlights, wraparound windshield)... anyway, I thought those were really cool, just to have to drive around! They didn't appear to be for sale though, and appear to not be working... so they didn't tempt me for too long, heh!

Anyway, your (future ) truck looks really cool! I dig it!

Thanks! I used to have a 1962 Cadillac Sedan deVille and a 1958 Cadillac Sedan deVille, but had to get rid of them for practicality reasons (they were being used as daily drivers as I didn't have another newer car at the time), so I had to sell them. I slap myself every day, once for each car! Both were in great physical shape but needed mechanical work. I love old cars.

I'd say this truck is a '47 or '48, assuming it is all original.

The presence of the driver side cowl vent and the lack of door vent windows suggests '50 or earlier. The hood side emblem, with no series number under the "CHEVROLET", suggests '47 or '48. This emblem should say "Loadmaster" also (can't tell in pics).

There's another recent post regarding the long arms for the mirrors on the AD big trucks.

Hi Damronjr, I read your mail and then I saw this web page of Charlie Hardin, "cletis" might be able to tell you a bit more.
Good luck
Richard

nice truck,I hope you can get it.I'm new too you should check out the bigbolt forum.
http://community.webshots.com/mypho...mp;albumID=551424330&security=ekZMUw

I just wnat to know how you got the pics. on the page without using a link?

As I'm getting to the end of restoring my '51 1/2 ton the first two things that come to my mind, looking at your truck are:

1- Sounds like fun!
2- Sounds like tons of work and cashola to do right (i.e. 8 hours a day for 6 months or 1,000 hours plus a good 15-20k in parts)

Another couple of thoughts-

Is that an original stakebed? Looks nice!

The body panels all look pretty straight, I wonder if there is rust in the cowls, cab corners, floor board/toe board/kick panel area?

Wow! Does that sucker have a 2=spd rear axel & hydraulic lift for the bed?

I bet its got power brakes, but power steering? I bet its a pain to turn that thing so I'll have to put in power steering along with the bigblock.

Then I think of my first two comments again.

Have fun!

For Toyvo: I just used a link to my pics in photobucket. Goes like this [ img ] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/damronjr/misc/1f40742d.jpg [ /img ] Just get rid of ALL the extra spaces in there.

As far as the truck goes, it does sound like fun and I'm expecting to find little "surprises" and the like, but I don't plan this to be a quick resto, just something fun to mess around with. I have a 2004 Pontiac Vibe right now that I am tinkering with, but I need to quit screwing with my daily driver and love old cars. I saw this truck for the first time in years last time I was home and fell in love! Not sure he will let me get it though, so I have to talk to him when I get back there in a couple of weeks to visit my mom. Power steering will most likely have to be done as you suggested. Like I said, unless I land a well paying job or winning lottery numbers, it will be something that I just do what I can when I can with.

In case no one else tells you, be very careful with the stainless trim around the windshields and side windows, it is getting VERY hard to find in good shape and the repop leaves some to be desired.

PLANO! I am moving back to Allen soon! Nice to see some locals on here!

I love that drivers side rear view mirror. Looks like a great project.
Have Fun
Steve

Gonna be at my Mom's house next week. We'll see what happens, and I'll take more pics if I can.

Well, I went and took lots of pics! Talked to my mom about it and she said he would most likely sell it, but didn't really get a chance to talk to him about it. I figure it's been there for 20+yrsand I have no $$$$ to offer right now anyway, so I will wait until I do before I ask about it. Here's the pics!
Let me know what you think!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v134/damronjr/truck/?sc=2

nice,looks like it's already got a pressurized 235 engine in it.Maybe you can trade some work for the truck.Offer to mow his lawn for the next two years or paint his house or something.that's a good truck

Been forever since I posted, but I talked to my mom the other day about it and she and my step-dad are in talks as far as selling it to us! Might finally be mine after all this time! lol

Sure looks like a solid truck. Hope you get it and good luck on the restoration.

Nice. Its amazing what good shape the door handles and lock are in considering they've probably been outside for 60 years. Cant get stuff like that today.

Could make a great hot rod..but makes a great farm truck ...whatever you do I'm sure it will be a thrill for you to develop..

Keith