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Hi all,
I just got my GMC Last week. When I bought it I was told it was a 42 1.5 ton or a 2 ton, they wern't exactly sure on the size.
I bought this from the son of the original owner, he sent me the original title the other day.
The title says its a 45 2.5 ton. I know it's atleast a 2 ton,&
it has the long wheelbase, 5 lug 20 inch wheels & a vacuum operated 2 spd rear.
The ID Plate on the cowl says:
Model # CC404
Serial # 7189
HP 89.5
GVW 15,000 LBS
There is another ID Plate on the left side of the cowl
that says 1574-113557.
Can anyone tell me exactly what I have? Im also not sure on the engine size.
Thanks!
Jeff

1st C = 41-46
2nd C = conventional cab
404 is the WB [179" WB] and series

all trucks 1.5T and above are the same basic frame with variations in springs, tires, frame rail gusset plates for the GVW rating .... 15,000 could be a 2 or 2.5T but also a 1.5T, the important part is your rated GVW

Bill

The "40", of 404 = 400 series 2 1/2 ton. The trailing "4", of 404, denotes the wheelbase length. If it has the smaller pickup style bumper it's a '41-'42. If larger channel bumper, a '46-'47. You may also want to join up at, www.oldgmctrucks.com

According to my books, GMC did not offer a CC 400 series for civilian use. The first civilian 400 series is in 1950. It could very well be a 1945 400 series military 2 or 2 1/2 ton. The engine displacement should be the first 3 numbers on the distributor boss. Ie A228, A236 etc. The ID plate could be the military contract number.

It has the big channel bumper on the front, and I measured the wheel base, it is 179. the engine stamping says 248.
I checked out oldgmctrucks.com, I couldnt find too much info on the art deco trucks, mostly advanced design. lots of good info there though.
Another thing that I thought was odd, was the vacuum operated 2spd rear, I thought those were only available on advanced design and newer. It also has brake cables and no drum brake on the back of the transmission.

According to GMC parts books, the 248 was first offered in AD trucks and the same with the vacuum 2 speed. This does not mean that GMC did not use them in trucks built for the military. Much new technology came about during the war, and was offered in civilian equipment after the war. I think it is very possible that it was a truck built for the military to military specs during the war. Even later this was still done. I have a 1955 424 Series which is basically a 2 ton cab and fenders on a 3 ton chassis. This truck was sold to the military only and is not listed in civilian parts book

The truck is 66 years old. A lot of skilled people could have updated it over that many years. I don't think its ever wise to assume one of these trucks is original, given how many years have passed since these things were common on the road.

According to James K. Wagner, in GMC Heavy Duty Trucks, the CC400 series trucks came out in 1941 and were replaced in 1946 by the EC-400 series. He shows the CC400 as being rated at 15,000 pounds. He shows the CC400 as being available in 1941-42 and 1946 with a question mark for 1945.

My master parts book 1939-1950 100 series through 470 doesn't list a CC400, but then again my master parts book that goes through 1962 doesn't list a 424 either, and I own one.

So , it is possible this could be a 42 that was purchased in 45, or a 46 that was purchased in 45?
The date on the title says Dec of 45. I know that some states titled vehicles based on the date of purchase, and not the year of manufacture.

date of sale rather than YOM was the standard until into the mid 50's, if the title says '45 then it's a "1945", but what's in a name?

the 42-45's were all the same continuous production, there wasn't any real change from 41 except a few assembly line "running changes" - truck production didn't resume until mid-45, and the trucks produced then were just 41's rushed to market until they could regroup

Bill

Being titled in Dec., of 1945, i'd say it's safe to say it's a 1946 model. Production of the '46 models would have started in fall of '45. Especially with the channel front bumper, i'd say '46 for sure.

You know.. I was just thinking the same thing. It does make sense to say it's a 46.
I gotta put som pics on here.

I found some info about my truck, I was searching on E Bay for truck stuff, when I came upon a lising for a 1945 sales brochure for trucks released by the War Production Board For Essential Users. It lists all the specifications for all the trucks, there is a page that tells about the CC-400 series trucks. They show the CC 402,403 & 404. Everything that is listed about them, my truck has.It shows the Channel Front Bumper,the 248,six, Dual wipers, the hand operated rear brake cables, and the vacuum operated 2spd rear.
My question is , are these trucks that were built to military specs that were released to civilians, or were they offered for sale to people who were in the military ? Or is this when they started production again?
The item # on E-Bay that tells about this is:330223327336.
I guess I'm safe to say my truck is a 45.

I think the eBay item answers your question. The War Production Board controlled most of our industries during the war and issued rationing stamps etc. At the end of the war when industry shifted from the war effort to civilian production, there was of course a large back order for trucks. Essential industry such as aircraft, agriculture, ship building, etc was given priority in being able to buy new trucks. This is why the CC-400 is not in the master parts book.
It was not available to the general public but only to essential industry. This did not mean that they did not fall into the hands of non essential industry through the black market. My father always talked about the farmer who drove his John Deere to town because he sold his tire ration stamps to a rich lawyer. If I owned this vehicle, I would certainly buy the brochure or possibly at least pirate a copy of it.