The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun What exactly do I have?

Quick question. I have a 1953 GMC 1 ton dually truck with a John Bean fire body and pump. I know the 1 ton GMC's non-dually trucks were known as a 250. Is my truck considered a 250 as well or something else?

What is the serial number on your cab? What makes you call it a 1-ton? A '53 GMC 1-ton is a 250. Not every GMC with duals is a 1-ton.

If its a '53 GMC serial number the first three numbers will be the model number and wheelbase. I would expect 253 if your truck is a 1-ton. In most cases there will be no letters in front of those numbers. If there is one letter it has special meaning. If there are two the truck probably is not a '53.

I would expect your serial number to look like 25324 followed by a letter indicating which plant it was built at if it is a 1-ton.

If those first two numbers are not 25 the truck is not a 1-ton.

Thanks, I will take a look. The truck has the 18" wheels but has the standard fender, hood and grill size found on the smaller trucks. So I would assume then that if it is a 1 ton then it would it be considered a GMC 250 dually.

It sounds like a 1-ton. All GMC 1-tons in that time were 250's, so it appears you have a 250. As far as I know that 18 inch wheels were only used on 1-ton trucks.

A firetruck on a 1-ton truck seems unusual to me. Can you post some pictures somewhere?

I tried to paste some photo's here. No luck. I sent 3 photos
to the [email protected] hopefully they will find you. If not, let me know and I will try something else.

Doug.

I got them. It sure looks like a 1-ton to me.

Explain this...

Well a 1-ton GMC is a 250. A 280 is a 1-1/4 ton. A 300 is a 1-1/2 ton. A 350 is a 2-ton.

GMC models continue with 400, 450 and so on to 900 series trucks. After the 250 models all of them have duals on the rear far as I know.

Well, yeah. That makes sense, I thought you meant something like, they had trucks smaller than 1-Tons with dual wheels.
While we are on the topic, could you explain some of these model numbers on this picture?
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/59tld06.htm
I would think what I have is the "3809" being maybe the lighter 1-Ton? And then a 3859 being a heavier 1-Ton?

Well actually '55 to '59 or some part of that period, it was possible to buy a 3/4-ton with duals from GMC. I don't know if Chevy had a similar model or not.

The second pair of numbers in a Chevy model number usually indicate body type and maybe wheelbase. I'm much more knowledgable about GMC numbers than Chevy, and in both cases its the '47 to '54 trucks that I've spent most my time with.

Perhaps someone else will come along and explain those model numbers?

55-59 the highest GVW 3/4T had optional duals, the lowest GVW 1T's had singles, 1.5T and up all had duals only .... the 38xx is the only thing refering to "weight" [1T series], the xx09 and xx59 identifies the body or model

Bill

So Bill, Which is my truck, I know its a 38, with duals, but which WheelBase is it?
http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/...ev%20One%20Ton/SatDec12021424PST2009.jpg
I have a feeling its the 135" WheelBase Model...

all 3800's are 135" [F + G on that chart, measure it] .... your vin should start with 3G, and the GVW tag could have an 8800# rating, altho' 6200 is the "base" model .... also should have 2 stage rear springs

Bill

The Chart says 9600 for the Max GVW.
I will when I get a chance.