The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 3600 Good or Bad

Hi Everyone

I have posted on here before, several times, I am trying to come to terms with the following .... I bought what I was led to believe was a 1954 3100 1/2 ton, what I actually got in the container in the UK from seller in CA is a 3/4 ton 3600 with issues to sort.
I'm ok with issues if they can be sorted, I now know the seller 'shafted me' as he has with other people ( I have evidence to back this up in case he pops on here saying otherwise ).
Distance is a problem and time zones, to put it all in a nutshell, I have come up against the same thing .... great response in trying to help me but as soon as I mention I have a 3600, IT BECOMES HARD WORK.
SO .... Have I been 'TOTALLY SHAFTED' ?. Once and for all dear folks, can I get the info to have a good nights sleep.
I have contacted JIM CARTER and CLASSIC PARTS etc and they have a few parts for 3600 but have put me in touch with TOM MYERS SALVAGE in OK.
SO .... What cannot I get, what can I convert from 3600 to 3100, it's a 8-lug ( another nasty piece I'm told ) .... god I'm fed up.

If you wanted a 1/2 ton then having received a 3/4 ton is obviously a problem.

Otherwise a 3/4 ton is just as fine a truck, if not better in my mind. Nothing wrong with 8 lugs or having a little more substantial truck. And at least over here parts aren't anything to worry about, anything you need can be either had new from the regular auto parts store, reproduction from Jim Carter and the like, or the few items that aren't available from them can be found used.

Grigg

Sorry you are in that position- I really hate dishonest people-

Anyway, from my limited knowlege here's my take-

The 3100 is more desireable/collectable and thus probably worth more in value. But, I personally like the 3/4 ton better- I like the look of the longer wheel base. I also like the fact that it was easier to put a standard replacement open drive rear end on with newer brakes (I used and S-10 with 3.42), and easy to put a 1/2 ton front axle and new disc brake kit. This gave me 5 or 6 lug wheels (depending on the rear you use). Most other parts are interchangable with the 3100. I have had no trouble finding parts I need- most of the reproduction places have 3/4 ton stuff.

I'm sure others will chime in with varying opinions, but that's mine.

Too bad there are so many scheisters in this world. I bet once you are into this project you will be happy with your 3600.

Best of luck!!!!

Gary - you will not convert the 3/4T truck to a 1/2T short of major work and money, most 3/4T stuff can be found, just takes more looking and ingenuity, and the body is the same so you still have the "look" - learn to live with what you got or pass it on to someone who'll love it - my experience is you Brits like passing vintage vehicles around frequently anyway, never satisfied

Bill

Most everything is available for that truck except brake drums are hard to come by.
Next time or any other Stovebolters looking to have something shipped let us know. There are always one of us in an area that will go look at something for you.

Gary, as a fellow Brit,I can sympathise.

As the guys say the 3600 isn't a bad truck,but the problems here then arise in trying to obtain parts etc.
The bulk of the vendors here in Blighty are aimed more or less at your trucks smaller brother,the 3100.
Even then they lean more towards the bodywork/interior side of things,(which in many cases are the same as the 3600 anyway)rather than the oily bits.

It sounds that your main gripe is the running gear,and as hardcrab mentions there are options.(even over here)

If however you do decide to cut your losses and assuming you haven't been put off owning a Chevy truck,I can put you in touch with a reputable importer here,who I got my truck from and I'm delighted.
It was exactly what I was looking for,and the beauty was,I could look before I parted with any hard earned cash.
I also know he has a small inventory of second hand parts,that may help if you were to keep yours.
Good luck.
Jock.

You have a lot of options, but what is your desired result? Are you planning on customizing, hot rodding or bringing it back to original stock?

As what has been said, 3/4 ton is a great truck for hauling, but IMO the rear gearing is a little low for UK driving. The body parts are the same, the bed is a little longer and the axles are 8 lug.

1) If you were looking to restore a 3100 Chevrolet pick up and that is the only thing you want, then I would fix up the problems and get it running well and sell it and try and recoup your investment. The next time you are looking for a truck, contact us and I am sure many of us would help you in finding one to your satisfaction.

2) Frame swap. Not all is lost, you can purchase another frame for the truck, they range from $100 - $1500 depending on what has been done with them. I have seen frames (chassis) that were removed from restored trucks with rebuilt engines sell for less than $1000, just because the new owner wanted to hot rod the truck. Remember, you will need the 1954/55 truck frame, not the 1947/53 frame. You could also go the S-10 Chevrolet frame swap too, more work, but modern suspension. You may have to shorten the bed (I think there is a tech tip on this)

3) Change out the front axle and the rear axle and replace it with Mustang II front suspension and install a later rear end with higher gears for better (faster) driving, you can still maintain the 6 lug wheels that you desire. You will lose the 3/4 ton rating, but I have an idea that is not a concern.

4) before you do anything else, start networking with other bolter's that are in the UK, they may be able to help you procure parts or locate the better vendors or just be a good source for building and enjoying these trucks.

GOOD LUCK!

I am somewhat of a newbie but I ran into this when I picked up a 62 long wheelbase and wanted the shorter one.

Coldn't you just
1. Cut 9-1/4 out of the frame (after the cab)
2. Shorten the box sides (drill out the spot welds on the front support and move toward the rear). You will lose the front stake pocket.
3. Don't change the wheels, you won't see the 8 lug under the hubcaps anyway.
4. You will have to shorten the driveshaft or find one from another truck.

at least that is the lower cost option.

Certailnly a pain but the hotrodders I know whould think nothing of it, Heck they section body panels, chop the top, put different front ends under them - you name it.... I'd do it.

I agree with GMONIZ,It all depends on what you want to do with your truck. As a 3600 owner myself, I initially thought of shortening it but I'm glad I didn't. I haven't had any issues with parts, much of which is interchangeable with the 3100.

Interesting discussion. Thought I would add my 2 cents.

I love my 1953 3600. Very strong - probably overbuilt but who cares? I cannot imagine why anyone would want to cut it down. If you want a 3100 size, why not buy a 3100. Nor have I found any parts issues. Between what's out there on this great site, what's on the bay, and what's in the junkyards, I have always (so far) found what I needed easy and cheap.

I am now mounting a side spare without worrying about a "dimpled" fender. Try that with a 3100. I have replaced all the wheels and tires, and now run "old school" 16 inch rims with 215/85s - diameter is over 30" - and old school 8-lug hubcaps that fit very nice on my clips. Yes, they do clear the rear hubs. Also changed the gears to 4.10. I needed help with that, but not an insurmountable task.

Net result is that I picked up about 12 highway mph at same engine speed. Now she cruises nicely. Four speed, double-clutch, living the dream.

Harry

Gary Hiya well I gave you a few Ideas these old trucks are built too last get them running right and they will last us a life time , the 3600 more so they are built like a brick outhouse , If I was you I would make some +500 badges and mount them under the 3100 that are on the Hood /Bonnet. I would enjoy it make it yours and a one of a kind too you

So, you bought and paid to have a 3100 shipped to you and the guy sent a 3600? Like, I buy a Corvette and the guy sends me a Nova so how do I turn the Nova into the Corvette I really wanted? And some guys are saying, what the heck, the Nova's a pretty good car so just be happy with it? Have you spoken to the guy?

there is the possibility the fella didn't really know what he had and was only going by the badge on the hood. Then there is also the possibility he was a common thief. Either way you got what you got, it is still pretty cool.

Custardtart - In the end, were you looking to build a truck or a short bed hotrod? If you were going for a truck, IMO, it came a long way to be with you and I'd take it as fate and run with it.

I'm building a truck. Mines a '51 3100 and I love it, but at times when I'm looking at photos or daydreaming about showing up to help a friend move or something I kinda wish it was a 3600 with a side mount spare and a skinny tire NAPCO conversion.

Apples to oranges. The 3600 is a much, much closer relation to a 3100 than a Nova is to a Corvette. I realize that the short bed is more desirable to some, but honestly, if you couldn't tell a 3600 from a 3100 by looking at it without the badging, even just by looking at pictures, does it really matter which one you got so long as you got one?

...a 3/4 ton is to a 1/2 ton as a Nova is to a Corvette. Sounds like a question on the GRE...
Gary,
Yes you can still do all kinds of good things with a 3/4 ton even though most of the aftermarket stuff is for the 1/2 ton. Yes, the body parts are the same. You can paint it, restore it, put a bunch of new parts on it. You can get wheels for it. You can put a hydrovac on it and have yourself power brakes. You can put a power steering kit on it. You can do things to the suspension. Change the trans, put an entirely different rear end in it. You can put any number of power plants and transmissions in it. You can install airconditioning, an air horn and colored neon lights. And, you will be able to carry more weight in it. Yay! Great day in the UK!
(I'd be feelin' pretty ripped off.)

I didn't have time to read all these responses but here is mine.
I have only bought one item that was difficult to install on my 3600, that was the rear sway bar. I don't believe anyone makes that product. I was able, using a bit of engineering, manage to fit it in. The point is, you can make it all work. The path I took may be different to what you have planned. I installed a new IFS from Heidts, www.heidts.com, a 700-R4 automatic transmission, www.phoenixtrans.com and a 1980 Camaro rear-end. With all that I was able to have 5 lug wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes and a stable ride, all of which is needed around here to stay alive on the road.
Good luck, keep checking here for information. It may be worthless but it's free.