The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun What is truly unique on a 1-ton?

It is...
All the '47-59 1-Ton+ I've seen had them.
I've NEVER seen a truck smaller than 1-Ton with one...

I disagree. I once owned a '47 3/4-ton that had one, and I have two '54 1-ton's that do not.

A good thing to do on this kind of question is to check the source:

>1948 Brakes (sorry my source doesn't seem to have '47).

>1954 Brakes

>1959 Brakes

I was surprised to note that '59 has the hand lever on 3/4-ton trucks while both the '48 does not, and the '54 does not even on the 1-ton.

Not all of them. I have a 1952 GMC 1 ton with a pedal e-brake.

Is that a Canadian built GMC with a Chevy motor? It would be interesting to know if those kinds of details were the same across both GMC and Chevy and across the border.

If you're talking about the E-brake lever being floor mount, next to the floor shifter, my 3/4 ton has one. It does the driveline shoe brake, like the bigger boys do as well.

I'm just nosing around the 1-ton board to see what lies are being told about us littler guys!

My 41 1 ton has larger front and rear fenders, longer bed, 17" wheels, larger brakes than the 1/2 & 3/4 ton "little brothers".

Stick a 1 ton in a row of 1/2 & 3/4 ton at the shows and you "dominate" the scene.

It rides higher too, great for "female leg inspections" at traffic lights.

I have enjoyed 2 1/2 ton Pick ups but the 1 ton sets you apart from the rest of them.

Except for sheet metal (fenders) parts are easy to find.

With a 1 ton you are at the top of the heap, no pick up larger or longer was factory built at the time.

I would love to have a 1 Ton Suburban, but since they were custom and built out of wood (41 to 46) they are all "long gone".

I think there is a distinct difference between pre- and post-war trucks and your description of your '41 may typify that difference. Post-war a 1-ton is a big pickup. Pre-war its a lighter truck. I'm not sure exactly when the change occurred, but I've noticed a difference in the designations about the same time as WWII that seems to fit.

Now someone is going to point out that a 4100 and a 3800 share the same frame, making an AD 1-ton very similar to the shortest 1-1/2 trucks, but the 1-ton shares much more with the 3/4-ton including all the sheet metal forward of the bed and the same Eaton rear-end housing.

So if the early 1-ton Suburban was custom built and made of wood what would stop you from building one based on pictures? If I had any passion for them I'm sure I would be thinking about it.

Hi,
i would be interested in the box and chassis off your one ton, my e-mail is [email protected]
I live in Vancouver
Thanks

Hi Palidin,

Its not clear to me who your message is directed to, but the moderators and onwers discourage advertising and parts wanted in the forums except for the Swap Meet.

If you want to make an offer to a specific person please use the PM capability of the board to contact them directly.

So, are the one tons more rare? Mine is a 47 early. I like the size. I wish I could make it go a little faster without destroying the originality of it. I like the patience it gives me though. The old four speed is pretty tight.

I believe fewer were made and that because they have been less interesting to collectors in past years, fewer have been saved from the crusher over the years.

So yes, they are more rare than the smaller trucks. In my experience they don't seem to be more rare than the bigger trucks.

This is all opinion for which I have no documentation or sources...

I'd say they are less common, but if by "rare" you mean "expensive" then I haven't seen that yet.
Just my opinion

Grigg

LOL! It wouldn't hurt my feelings if mine were the first!