The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What are the usefull mods on a 1954 3600

Hi Im just wondering what are the most usefull modifications on a 1954 3600, Its all original includung 8 lug 15" split rims vaccum wipers 6 volt electrics All original ignition and electrics.
I intend too spuce it up a bit too make it more comfortable,but It will be a working truck, Hence why I bought one with a utility bed. I know people say if you do this and this, You can make it a daily driver, My train of thought on this is back in 1954, Mosy people didnt buy these trucks as a second car they where the daily driver, and their work vehicle. That being said I would like too make it as stone axe reliable as I can. I'm not looking for great speed, Just too keep it on the road as long as I can. Engine sounds fine at 91k with no smoke rattles Many thanks Ryan

If you just expect to work it in town at city speeds it will do as is with no mods. Just be sure everything is in proper working order.

Inspect and replace all the brake components as needed, lines too.
Then drive it till you need to fix something, and go from there. It was a new truck once, and people weren't afraid to drive them anywhere back then, no need for you to be afraid to drive it either.

I drove my 52 1 ton around town for a couple years without doing hardly anything to it, can't think of anything that left me stranded other than running out of gas once...

On your eventual list of improvements as needed consider a dual circuit brake system, one piece wheels and tubeless radial tires, and a later 235 or even a 261 if you want.

Grigg

Grigg Thanks thats pretty much what I was thinking. Its nice too get conformation though :o)

A 54 3600 235 is already going to have a full-pressure oiling system with insert rod bearings so no need to upgrade there unless you want more HP. I agree with the complete brake rebuild as well as the dual circuit upgrade. Maybe a power booster too. Too bad nobody has come forward with an easy disc brake upgrade for this series truck. Kingpins, tie-rod ends, wheel bearings should all be in good shape. Parts are still available.
By utility bed do you mean a flat/stake bed? There was a dual rear wheel option for 3/4-tons starting in 54. Look here.
Lots of guys think it's almost a necessity to swap to a 12 volt system with alternator but I disagree. It may make sense for your use of the truck though. I would also recommend you insure that all lights, gauges, wipers, heater/defroster etc. work well.
Personally I love 3/4-tons. Good luck!

Hi Frank and thanks By utility Bed I got a very old one from powers St louis with the cuboards/ Lockers all down the sides for tool storage But still with a usable Pickup bed space in the middle, Its mounted on a seperate set of spings So as not too overload the trucks main set in a rather ingenious Way, Dont really want more HP just want too get her going Safe and drivable and Enjoy what I think are beautifull Trucks

My choices would be: Go through the brakes (At this time,check the brake lines,all of 'em,to make sure none are trapping mud etc. and rusting through),change over to a dual reservoir master cylinder with booster,new Spicer u-joints if needed,pack the wheel bearings,do the roller bearing conversion if one's available,complete lube job including empty and re-fill steering box and grease speedometer cable,alternator with 12V. conversion,Halogen headlights,HEI ignition distributor (extra module in glove box,locking gas cap,new hoses (including vacuum)and belts. Naturally,if you find anything marginal,go ahead and replace or repair it now,before it fails and incurs some REAL damage and expense,and the usual replace burnt out bulbs and sketchy switches,and give it the biggest,baddest new battery you have room for,and new cables,at least 00 size with proper ends. Of course,new tires are a given-I'd run a set of 235/85R-16's,on a new set of wheels so you can run 'em tubeless,but that's just my choice (The taller tires will help both your road speed and your mileage). Oh-yeah,an electric wipers conversion would be a good idea;if not that,at least plumb in a couple of big vacuum tanks and rebuild the wiper motor.....that's about it,assuming everything else checks out good. Doing these things will make it reliable as sunrise and a pleasure to drive.
Speed

I agree with going over everything & put it all in tip-top shape. I would convert to 12 volts w/alt. & electronic ign. Once you start driving it you are going to want to gear it up for the highway. Going alomg at 50 mph with the engine screaming is not "comfortable" in todays traffic. If you can find a 4.11 third member it would be great but they are hard to find. A t-5 5 speed o-drive would work good behind the stock 235.

12 volts is nice, but if you don't want an alternator a generator works well, that's all I ever had on mine. Probably will run an alternator next time, but won't be concerned with original looks either.

Depends on the use, driving around town is just fine with original gears/speed. It's when you want to take road trips that the faster gears would be nice.

For tires, also check into some 8R19.5 tires on obviously 19.5" wheels. That's what I ran on my 1 ton and really liked them, smooth ride, taller so faster too, and still tall and skinny looking which looks right. When I put the truck back together it'll get them again, already have the wheels and a couple tires on hand.

Grigg

Thanks all for you Thoughts , Speed I did think about putting in a Vaccum Reserve like you said. Though if I Did I would possibly run it of a Vaccum / Fuel pump, and keep the tap in the manifold for the Advance, Maybe also Tie in power brakes too the Vaccum Cylinder too, Im not too worried about what it looks like under the hood. I think this goes back too my Bike racing days of having possibly the tattiest Looking bike on the track , but the Engine was allways top notch and unbeatable lol. I have a set of 15" snow tyres that the local shop will mount on my split rims So may as well get the use out of them,I will buy a set of 16inch steels and have some tyres put on for the summer months. I will be mostly town based So speed isnt a great problem. I like the sign says in the movie mad max, speed is just a question of money how fast can you afford too go ( I can afford to Go 50 lol)I am at present Going through all the brakes and replacing or reapairing what I need too. I think like a lot of you sugestI will upgrade when something lets me down, But in the meantime just Enjoy what I have Thank you all for the sugestions
Ryan

Keeping it original is the simplest thing to do; I am doing the same thing to a 49 3/4 ton. Keep up or go over the brakes peridocally. The wheel cylinders tend to gunk up over the years. I am running a 216 engine and at times do some heavy work with it. It is a good engine; just not the best for freeway speeds. I just replaced every seal, bearing and bushing from the back of the transmission to the axle flanges. The garage floor is a lot cleaner now.

JrBusch I have heard that they can drop a bit of oil being an old british Bike fan im quite used too that If my bike ever didnt leak oil it was time too check the level :o)

Scarebird is working on a kit to put disc brakes using the stock
hubs. Jim