The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk My first 'bolt... 1950 Chevrolet 3/4 ton

Hi folks!

I'm excited. I finally found the 'right truck at the right price' and hauled her home yesterday. It's a 1950 3/4 ton Chevrolet 5 window Deluxe. It's in pretty solid condition, but it's missing the engine and transmission. Very little rust, but it has some in the typical problem areas: one cab corner, the floorboards near the cowl panels, and the cowl panels themselves.

You can see a photo of the new truck here.

My plans are to keep the truck appearing stock, while increasing creature comfort and driveability. I want this truck to be a daily driver. It's going to be a clone to a truck from my Grandpa's / Uncle's / Dad's service station. You can see a photo of the Sinclair truck here.

I'm going to dig around on here a bit to see if I can find some opinions, but in case anyone would like to share them here:

How 'bad' is the ride on a stock solid front axle? I want to decide ahead of time what the front suspension is going to be before I dig into the truck.

I also want to decide on a power train. I'd like to stick with a 6-cylinder engine, but would prefer something later with insert bearings and full oil pressure.

I want to have a manual transmission, but need to decide on an earlier model versus a later model. I don't really have a preference (at this point) on column or floor shift. Pro's and con's to each? I want to be able to get out on the open road with this truck, highway speeds will be a must.

As for the rear axle, I'm open to suggestion. I understand that an 80's model S-10 rear end will work, and that it has the same dimensions as the stock unit. I would prefer something with the open driveline versus the torque tube. Ideas?

The truck I bought is a 3/4 long bed, and my Grandpa's service station truck was a 1/2 ton short bed. I may be interested in a 1/2 ton frame.

Thank you all for any input you may have!

Damon

Looks like you've got a fairly solid truck there. I'll bet if you buffed out that paint, you'd be surprised how nice it would look.

As to your other questions, I'm sure others will chime in soon. I'm sure most of the later 6 cylinder engines would bolt right in.

Welcome to the forums! I also have a 1950 3600 that I restored and have enjoyed it. The 3/4 ton is significantly different than the 1/2 ton frame/axles wise. While you can mix and match it all together it would be a shame to hack up a nice truck like that. I rebuilt my running gear to stock with the exception of a 54 235 to replace the cracked block 216. It is not a highway truck stock, it maxes out about 50. The front end is old technology and ahould you elect to keep it you have to realize what it is and when it was designed and built. Sounds like you need to decide where you want to go, good luck with the truck as you have questions ask away!

Nice find.

Nice truck. Put in a 1955-62 Chevrolet 235, early borg-warner three speed overdrive and a 1967/72 Eaton 4:10 pumpkin and you will have a nice vehicle to trade for a 1/2 ton, which is what you want.

Why cut down your frame change front and rear axles, cut down your bed and still have to replace the engine and transmission?

Your truck looks good, as stated, put some polish on it and it will look great!

That's a lot of time, money, and work just to trade it off for another truck. I'm gonna hang on to this one and try to find a 1/2 ton frame (and bed) to put this cab and front clip on. I've looked for six months to find this truck, I can't let go of it that easy.

Damon

Nice truck,why not build it to look like the service truck.I would probably go with a painted grille,since it's covered up so much.

Tim

Very nice truck. With that truck looking so good, if it was me I would just paint it to match your granpas instead. There is a few things different on the 3/4's than the 1/2's if you do want to switch the frame over. The fender aprons are longer on the 3/4's along with the bed and i belive the running boards.

Tim,

That's exactly my plan, as stated in my first post. But I'd rather find a 1/2 ton frame to put this cab and front end on, as the service station truck was a 1/2 ton.

Damon

I meant why not have a 3/4 ton version of the service truck.
Good luck with your project.


Tim

Oh, sorry... got my signals crossed.

I dunno, I guess I'm just more of a purist - the service station truck was a half ton, so that's what I want as well. And, as I understand it, the 3/4 ton chassis is a significantly more stiff ride. I plan on driving this truck over the road when it's done, so even a slight improvement in the ride will be most welcome.

I've decided that I'm going to stick with the solid front axle and just install a disc brake conversion kit to improve braking for traveling at highway speeds. However, I'm still up in the air on what engine, transmission, and rearend I'm going to go with. Any input would be great.

Damon

I recommend you look for a '54-'55 235 or 261 engine, a late '50s-'60s SM 319 three speed overdrive and a '55 first series rear end assembly, including springs.

I have that tranny and rear end in my '54 burb behind the stock 248 and I cruise 70-75 at around 2000 rpm.

I also have the stock front axle with power discs. It stops as well as it goes.

Cletis,

Thank you very much for the advice. That's exactly what I was looking for... someone who has a particular set-up that matches the results I'd like to see with my project.

Is your engine full pressure on the oil system? I've read where a guy can do a conversion to full oil pressure on earlier engines by fabricating a few modifications. Is that what you did?

I'm not familiar with that transmission, so I'll have to do some digging on it. Is that a floor or column shift?

Does the '55 first series rear end differ from earlier models in any significant way?

The hunt for particular parts begins!!

Damon

My engine is a GMC engine. No mods necessary on it.

Here is everything you need to know about the SM319 tranny.

The '55 first rear end uses an open drive line, which you'll need for the OD tranny. The springs will mount to the perches of an earlier AD truck.

Thank you, Cletis.

I'll go read up on the transmission right now.

What is the big difference between the stock '50 half ton rear springs and the '55 first series rear springs that you recommend to use with the '55 fs rear end?

Damon

The mounting holes are forward of center on the earlier springs. The torque tube rear end is mounted with pivots.

ALF, interesting concept and similar to my own, great looking truck. I started my project based on a photo of my grandfathers lumber yard with a 41 1/2T in front. I too ended up with a 3/4 ton but it had already been upgraded with a modern front suspension and drivetrain. Yours is original so you have a lot of work to do. I wouldn't be too much of a purist on the 3/4 vs 1/2 issue. After you upgrade the drivetrain, like already suggested, I might be tempted to polish out the current paint, add your two tone and graphics (can't tell what color the original fenders were but blue and cream would look killer) and enjoy. I also wanted to look original without being a slave to originality.

As for a daily driver, others can chime in but I'm regretting going that route. It's noisy, squeaky, and bumpy and I'm not enjoying it. I'm on the phone a lot and carrying on a conversation is almost impossible as I bounce and jiggle around. I've got auto trans, A/C, power steering and brakes, power windows and locks so plenty of creature comforts, but still, I see a second car in my near future.

Great find, have fun.

Thanks, Farmer!

More good advice from someone who has the experience. There will be a lot to consider before I roll up my sleeves and actually get to work on the truck. I wanna do this right the first time, so I don't run into the issues you're having with your truck. Sounds neat by the way, do you have photos?

My family's service station truck was a dark green and white, just like the Sinclair signs from the era.

Damon

Just to add a little more food for thought-

I have the same truck- '50 3600, only it's the 3 window.

The PO had already put a '62 235 full pressure in, so that was done.

I still wanted saftey and speed upgrades like yourself. I put a 1/2 ton '53 axle on the front so I could use a disc brake conversion kit- there were no kits for 3/4 ton a couple of years ago- don't know if there are now or not.

Then I put a 3.42 rear off an S-10 on the back. I kept the original 4 speed. It's easy cruise at 65 mph and still has reasonable acceleration.

Then, of course, I needed new wheels and tires to fit. Went with radials.

With new shocks all around it doesn't drive too bad- drives like a 60 year old truck should, just a faster top end and it stops better. Keep the tire pressures up to ease slow speed steering.

And seat belts- don't forget the seat belts.

I like it and try to drive him (Ernest) anytime the weather is nice (like today).

There are many other alternatives to consider as well.

Hope this helps-

Yes, it certainly helps, hardcrab!

The four speed you kept in the truck was the original tranny? Or that's what was in it when you got it?

I think I've pretty well decided on a 250 mated to a later 5-speed... but I can always change my mind.

Is the S-10 rear end you have the same width as the original axle?

What wheels did you go with? I'd like to find wheels that appear to be stock. But I don't think stock wheels will work with the disc brake conversion kit... if I understand correctly.

Thanks again for posting your set-up, I really appreciate it.

Damon

Yep, original 4 speed transmission that came in the truck. - You have the really low 1st gear if you ever pull a load, and 4th gives a good cruising speed. I hear they're bullet proof. Much smarter folks than me on here can give you specifics.

The S-10 4x4 rear is very close to the original width- there are many references on here regarding which rears will work. I like the 3.42 ratio.

I had steel wheels made by rallyamerica.com, painted them to match the truck, and put chrome hubcaps on- they are just a bit wider than original but I like the look. They were not too $$$ best as I remember, I got the fronts and rears offset just a bit different so the tires fit just right in the fenders. That's one advantage to having them made- you can get just what you want.

This forum is full of good advice and some really knowledgable folks willing to help with ideas- really an invaluable resource. I've gotten my moneys worth many times over.

Well, I now have a 1/2 ton chassis. It also has a bed on it, but that's a bit rough. I think it's usable though. You can see a photo of the 1/2 ton truck here. The 1/2 ton truck also has a 235 in it, mated to (I believe) a 3-speed tranny.

I'm still debating on power train options. I'd really LIKE to decide on what I'm going to use so I can start the part search and get to work.

Thanks again to everyone for their ideas, it's a huge help!!

Damon

If you have a question for a member you should ask it buy PM.

If you have a question on modifying your truck from stock it should be asked in the HiPo shop forum.