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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics126,778 Posts1,039,291 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | I'm new to the forum but have been lurking for a while. I'm leaving today to pick up my '38 farm truck. 1938 chevy farm truck - photo It needs a lot of work but with some help from the folks here I hope to be up to the undertaking. The truck is in North Dakota near my cousin's farm. We're taking this as a vacation. We'll be there in a week as we will be visiting friends on the way from Florida. It was running when it was parked there. The water pump came apart and went into the radiator. It's been sitting since 1965. Wish me luck! Wayne
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 | It looks like it will give you a reason too look forward to the next day.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 | Good luck on bringing it back.
I think you are correct in needing a lot of help from these folks around here.
-W | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 | Take the 40's truck behind it too! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | Looks like quite a project. Welcome to the Bolt! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 | Looks like a reasonably solid project. Take lots of pics and set up a photobucket or similar account so we can all enjoy your journey! And, welcome! 
1940 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup "KC"
A day without sunshine is like, well, ..... dark!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | Thanks for the encouragements.
It is a complete truck minus the left headlight. I will take lots of photos and post them.
I'm not sure what direction I'll go for the restoration.
First I want to evaluate what works and what doesn't.
Wayne
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | Gee Denny,
I was really hoping to air up the tires, replace the water pump and radiator, install a new battery, flush out the gas tank, bleed the brakes and drive it to the next Saturday night cruise.
Seriously, I am fully aware and capable of restoring this truck to any level I want to. I also know that '38 farm trucks are not worth a lot of money even restored to original. The cost of complete restoration is not a good return of investment. Therefore I don't see that in it's future.
I am still toying with various ideas of what this truck may end up looking like.
I am using this truck to keep me busy and not bored after retiring.
I see this as a great adventure, bringing this truck back from it's final resting place.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Sorry bout that wayne, didn't know your back ground. Good luck with your project.
DG
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | Hey Denny,
I don't mean to come across as a know it all.
I do have some ideas as to what I want to do to this old truck. I will need much advice as how to carry them out. I like that these trucks are all mechanical and somewhat easy to work on.
I look forward to sharing this project and receiving help from this community.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Your a newbe here Wayne so as I said, we don't know your back ground. Out of the roughly 25,000 member that have joined the forum over the years there are a whole bunch that have never done any mechanical work. They've watched the guys build a hot rod from a rust bucket in 20 minuets on TV and really have no idea how much work is involved in a project lke your farm truck. Sounds like you know what your in for though, welcome to the group and don't hesitate to ask from or add to the forum. Good bunch of guys here.
DG
Last edited by Denny Graham; 06/05/2011 2:16 AM.
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 482 | I think it's a great truck. I like it! Should be worth a million bucks! | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 124 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2009 Posts: 124 | Looks like your Farm Truck is a 3/4 or 1 ton. Serial number tag will Have the letters HD for 3/4 or HE for 1 ton. The main difference is the size of the rear brakes and the wheels. I'm guessing your truck is a 1 ton. We have one in our family.
I'll be glad to help any way I can.
Mike | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | 35Mike i'll check it out when I get to ND.
Well we spent this morning having the trailer repaired. I ran over an alligator tail(truck tire tread) and ripped the wiring out of the plug that attaches to the truck.
The mfgr uses an unorthodox wiring diagram which caused us headaches trying to figure it out. I finally spoke with someone at the factory and he helped me sort out which wires go where.
Tomorrow we visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
We should be there on Friday.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 |
Last edited by cletis; 06/13/2011 1:58 AM. Reason: removed off topic content
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,109 | Wave on you way back i live a few miles north of Indy  . good luck and a safe drive back. ron
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | Ron, Sorry, I'm not returning that way. I'm going south and plan to stop at Jim Carters for some parts.
Thanks,
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | Congrats on getting her home, and also on getting the title so easily! Keep us posted on your progress. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 | You are a brave man sir Wayne. I commend you. Keep us informed on its restoration. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | What a very cool truck!! It makes my heart race just thinking about walking up to it in the field for the first time.
Build your truck to fit YOUR needs/wants. To build for profit often ends up in disappointment. Again, what a cool truck!
Terry | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 | Looks even better up on the trailer without the bed. Now the REAL fun begins
1940 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup "KC"
A day without sunshine is like, well, ..... dark!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | Thanks, Yup! now the REAL fun begins.
I'm stopping for new tires in Fargo, ND. It has 7.00-17 on it and I found a local dealer that stocks a 7.50-17 for much less than anyone on the internet wants. It will roll off the trailer much easier.
I scrounged around my cousins junk pile and found a '37 sedan and salvaged 3 hubcaps. Now i have a set.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 | So much easier to get tires for these old trucks in farm country! Easier to deal with as well. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,576 | We got it home today with no incidents. Sure got a lot of looks on the interstates though.
Now the fun starts!!!
I already found a Mercury dime behind the seat.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm Truck-30- Stovebolt Gallery ForumsWhen I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 136 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 136 | Quality vehicle! Sure would look sharp cruising I-10 with a gooseneck full of horses | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 113 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 113 | Congrats on getting it home. now the real fun begins! It looks like a very solid truck.
Everything is different now...
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