The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 49 3/4 ton???

I am thinking about buying this truck to restore but I am not sure what it is. It is supposed to be a 3/4 ton. It has 17" "lock ring" wheels. It says 3800 on the VIN tag where it states the weight rating just above the VIN which starts with 5GRF but the 5 appears to be an upside down 2 just stamped incorrectly but definitely the original VIN plate. It has what appears to be a factory formed metal sideboard box bolted on top of the otherwise stock bed with a strange looking tailgate assembly in front of the stock tailgate that all connects to a big treadplate bumper that goes around and attaches to the rear fenders. The sloping top part of the bedsides have steel plating welded to them in each place where it was drilled to attach the metal box. All of this is the same color as the original paint and shows the same wear and age. Did Chevy offer some sort of grain bed or other option?? Thanks Alot for any info!! Mitchell

I can tell you this, a 3800 series truck is a 1ton not a 3/4ton & thats about all I can tell you...Joe

The VIN tags it as a '49 3600 3/4 ton, Kansas City MO plant. The 17s were an option on the 3/4 ton. The box is most likely an aftermarket item, but may have been fitted to the truck when new, either by the dealer or perhaps a truck outfitter.

How long is the bed? The length of the bed should remove any ambiguity of which size the truck is.

Or measure the wheelbase. 116 inches is a 1/2-ton, 125 is a 3/4-ton and 137 is a 1-ton.

I don't have the truck here but I think the bed is 8' and I will measure the wheelbase. Thanks!!! Mitchell

Bill, Where did you run the VIN? I just ran it and got London, Canada as assembly plant when I use the 5 as first number and if I use 2 as first number I get Terrytown, NY both say 49 3/4 ton. Mitchell

Catalog of Chevy Truck ID Numbers 1946-1972 from Motorbooks International and Cars & Parts Magazine. Here's the breakdown, First digit, assembly plant, 5 Kansas City, MO, second digit is the year, G = 1949, third digit ids the series, R = 3600, fourth digit is the month, F = June.

Bill; I ran it on American Classic truck parts home page but got different info as you can see. Can I still get the catalog you have from Motorbooks International. Do you know if there is a website? Thanks again, Mitchell

Hate to tell ya this Slow, but I'm afraid that it went out of print last year. They are avalable used but unless price is not an object with you, the prices are absolutely rediculus for what you get, ranging from $60-$150. At $19.95 it's a good deal but at $150 it's a rip off of course we're dealing with that old supply and demand thing when the product is limited. So unless you are lucky enough to already have one it looks like they are reserved for the upper crust now.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

any pics of this truck

A day late and dollar short again. It's not worth the money to me but is there another publication that has the same VIN info? This seems more accurate than what I was using. I do not have any pictures of the truck yet but if I buy it I will post a few. I would like to know if any of you have seen this type of bed. Mitchell

No pictures yet but if I buy it I will post a couple. I would like to know if anybody has any info on a bed like this Mitchell