The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1955 Chevy 3800..."Tow Mater"...looking for ideas

I've wanted to build a "Tow Mater" since the first Cars movie came out, but never got around to it. Going thru craigslist a few weeks ago, I picked up a 1955 Chevy 3800, cab & chassis dually. Six cylinder, 4 speed, some rust, but workable. Not a barn find, more like a behind the barn find. Even the right blue-green color. Then I came accross a 1977 Chevy C30 with a Holmes wrecker body at a deal I couldn't pass up. Now I guess it's time to build a Mater.

So I'm looking for some build tips...I could put the wrecker bed on the 1955 chassis, since both are 34" frames, redo the brakes, and keep it 6cyl, 4speed. (easiest). Or I could use the 1977 frame and newer suspension/brakes, with a 350/th400 set-up. (more difficult, but more driveable) Or I have access to a 1973 P30 Step Van, 36k miles, 10 lug axles, with a 454 & th400, that I could put both the cab and bed on. (most work, but best suspension/driveline)

Each option has it's own advantages. I don't plan on making the wrecker operational, so a pto isn't an issue. It won't be used to tow or haul, so horsepower/torque won't matter. But it will probably see a few parades, so an automatic would be nice. Since I am new to these older trucks, which way would you go?

Welcome to the site! If it's just for parades and an occasional ride I think I would just leave it and add the wrecker to it. If you want to take it up to hwy. speeds, then you want to upgrade to discs and change the rear gears. If you want a workhorse sounds like the P30. But, it sounds like you are leaning towards the '77.

I've seen some guys who chop the frame of the '55 and fit it directly on a later frame. I believe that the tires will stick out on either chassis. Look at the sticky note at the top of the "Big Bolts" forum on disc brakes. Some of this is mentioned in there. Do some searches and you should be able to come up with it.

Hey Bubble_city,
You have an idea in your mind of what you want, you just have to figure out how to get there. Research all your options and evaluate your skills. There are alot of different ways to create what you want. I have put a 51 GMC on a 1978 C30 frame which is the same as your 77. If you look in my signature below there are links to photos. I have also seen what 641workmaster is talking about by one who cut a portion of the frame out of the old truck to scab onto the newer frame. The original truck frame has a nearly straight topline which is no-where close to the 77 or 78 frame. There would have to be a fairly subtainial cab mount the give the correct placement. The P30 frame is closer to the same topline as your original frame if I remember correctly. The easiest and fastest way to enjoy your truck if you are building it youself is to leave it on the original frame and modify as necessary. Try your best to keep it running and operational with only minor out of commision sessions. Staying motivated on a build is usually difficult for alot of people. If you truck runs now then I would not swap the frame.

Oh, by the way, you need to have some photos for all to review. You can post these on an external photo storage site and link to your post.

My first choice would be to leave the cab on the original frame, and modify as necessary. I'm just not a big fan of four wheel, non-power drum brakes. I remember switching my first car from this to power front disc/rear drum and the drastic improvement it made. But that was a pretty simple, bolt on process, even 30 years ago. If I were to keep the original drums all around, I would still need newer wheels. It appears that the standard GM dually wheels have too much offset for the front, and not large enough diameter for the rear. Has anyone tried railroad wheels? They are used on single wheel one tons to "narrow" the track of the truck to fit the rails, and look to have a similiar offset.

You could always just swap rearends from either of the donors that you have. That would be a farily simple swap. The front suspension from the C30 has been bolted on to the front of several trucks ranging from the early forties up. This requires some modification to the cross member and tie rod which is not that difficult. Look in the gallery at this truck he has swapped the front end of a c30 onto his original frame. http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/turner_ricky_1945.html
This doesn't look to difficult based on his picture. I would like to try it on my next project if I could finish the one I already have.


As far as the railroad wheels I am not familiar with them but I think they would look a little odd. The face of them seems too flat and I am not sure if you could cover them with any wheel covers that would hide the fact that they are rail wheels.