The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts New guy needs some education

Hello,

I was just recently given a 1946 (?) 1.5 or 2 ton. My question is how do I verify the year and how can I differentiate between a 1 1/2 ton and a 2 ton?
I could'n find an ID plate on the drivers side cowl (passenger side hood is rusted shut) or anything around the drivers door jamb.
It does have 10 lug nuts on the rear, 5 on the front, 7.50-20 tires on the front and is a conventional cab. (not a COE)
Also where is a good source for parts for the items that aren't shared with the pickups, like transmission, rear, brakes.

Thanks.

Hy oakandiron, welcome, if your trucks front axle has an eight sided cap in the center of the wheel, it is a 1 1/2 ton max., if it has a flat cover held in place by bolts, then it is a 2 ton. Have a look around the site, use the search feature, and look through the Tech Tips, there is lots of info on larger truck topics, hope that helps.

You need to get the passenger side hood open, thats where the ID plate is, on the passenger side of the firewall.

Congratulations! Sounds exciting. What kind of truck? ie: Stakebed, wrecker, etc.

If I recall correctly from my Salesman's Fact book, the GVW is determined by the suspension and the tire size. My '41 firetruck also is missing the id tag, but it seems most likely that it should be a 2-ton (a 500 gallon water tank is flippin' heavy!), and I've got 7.50x20s all around, and extra helper springs in the back suspension.

I'm pretty sure the id tag was on the passenger side cowl, just under the hood. It mounted with two rivets or bolts, I think, though I can't remember if it was vertical or horizontal. If there are two holes there, then that's where it was.

As for parts, Jim Carter and Chevs of the '40s will still have a fair number of things, like brake cylinders and even wheel bearings. I haven't done brake shoes yet, but those and the tranny are probably best found at a truck repair shop.

Send photos! Hope this helps,

-Michael

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

3B, thanks for the tip on the front axle cap, I'll be sure and check that out the next time I go down there.

andy46, thanks for the location on the cowl tag. I'll have to let some WD40 soak on the hood hinge and latch for a few days so I can gain access to it. Is there an onlione site where I can decipher the info thats on it?

Mikestem, thanks, it's a farm truck that had a wooden flatbed, (no sides) which is now rotted and collapsed. I never thought about Chevy's of the 40's, I figured they just had strictly car stuff.

I would like to spend some time on it this weekend, but it will be busy and the weatherman is forecasting more snow, and it's dark by the time I get home from work on weekdays, so....?? Something looks like it's stuck, as there's a pile of dirt that has built up under it when they drug it out with the tractor. Whatever it is I need to free it up so it's easier to get up on the rollback and bring it home. I'm guessing the brake shoes are stuck to the drums???

They let us off work early today, so the first thing I did, since I had a few hours of daylight to spare, was run down and check the truck out a bit further.
Once I managed to get the right hood open I had a bit of difficulty deciphering the vin. A few digits weren't stamped too clearly and my eyes aren't what they used to be. But after a bit of head scratching and a bit of common sense, it looks like I have a 1946 1.5 ton. I also discovered that I have quite a bit of metal fabrication to do, to fix all the rust and dents.
This thing is such a simple beast compared to the other stuff I've been working on lately, I'm looking forward to getting started.