The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre newbie with big GMC 1962 4x4 *

getting a 1962 4x4 GMC with the 305 V6(seller says 5T) but my research shows that it would be a 2.5T. Price has it that this is more or less a gamble on if it is worth it or I lose a bit as it gets turned to scrap.

Sheet metal is a rusty mess and is going to go away - this is going to be a super short wheelbase yard truck for doing some heavy pulling with no cab or creature comforts.

From what I can tell it has the coleman axle in the front which supposedly has a Rockwell carrier.

Not sure of condition of trans or transfer case just yet but likely will get a later model truck for a donor vehicle and use SBC or an old 235 I-6.

Is there anything to watch for in these that make my plan flat dumb?

Welcome to the 'Bolt, KWB! There are some very knowledgeable 4WD guys and hopefully they will be along to talk to you.

I would imagine that if you can get it for scrap value, it's worth saving the Coleman front axle and the transfer case -- they seem to be pretty hard to find for the Big Bolts.

Check with Mike B, Napcoman, Spanky or Grigg.

Regards,
John

Welcome to the Stovebolt, kwb.

Welcome to the site. Do you know what series the truck is? Sounds like it will be a 4000 or 5000 model. The 305 V-6 will have plenty of power compared to a small block or the inline.

Bill

Not sure - I couldn't find any badging left on this thing. I think it might be the 5000 series. I pick it up tomorrow afternoon.

I would use the 305 if it ran but it looks like it is missing too many parts to try and come up with the missing pieces. Depending on condition of trans and transfer case will also make a difference in how I proceed. If they are not looking salvageable then a later model truck with SBC with Trans and Transfer case will likely become an organ donor. I am going to need to get a crawl ratio somewhere near 100:1 for my purposes.

Basically what I wanted from this thing is the axles, and steering linkage. I will use the chassis but would probably be just as well to start with a couple pieces of new rectangular stock.

My plan is to use this to pull fairly good sized boats out of the water for dry storage. Dependability of drivetrain and brakes is a big factor. Boat/Trailers combo that it will pull are upwards of 50,000# and our ramp is ~17% grade. To make this work I will have to weigh down the chassis to get it up to about 18,000# Trailers are all bumper pull style so it makes for some challenges in the placement of the weight, and what wheelbase I end up going with balancing manuverability against leverage of longer chassis to keep all four corners on the ground.

If the Series emblems on the side of the truck are gone, check the VIN plate.

Do you have any pictures of it?

I have a few but need to get an account to host them.

VIN is V4008PJ10321E
Max GVW is 19,500
Max GCW is 35,000

You have a GMC 4000.

Bill

Welcome to the 'bolt, kwb

That is a tough looking truck

kwb: describe that engine for me. Something about it intrigues me!!