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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 | Was just wondering if anyone had or has seen an original truck like ours so I can see how it looked? Been looking but maybe I missed it. Thanks! 53- 3 ton
1st Gen. Dodge Cummins 4x4 OVRTRQD Buick GNX #276
"If it died... we can fix it" | "If your not outraged, you're not paying attention." | "Do you know a large group of baboons is called a Congress? That explains a lot." ~author unwn
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | You asked for 3 tons, but here's the 1952 GMC, 470 series, 3 1/2 ton COE, I still have. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2355137850052570246RTKpmB . I like your truck. Looks to have lots of potential. There's a NOS fender on ebay, for a "400" series conventional truck like yours. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 |
1st Gen. Dodge Cummins 4x4 OVRTRQD Buick GNX #276
"If it died... we can fix it" | "If your not outraged, you're not paying attention." | "Do you know a large group of baboons is called a Congress? That explains a lot." ~author unwn
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 | It seems the COE's were a bit more popular in those years?
1st Gen. Dodge Cummins 4x4 OVRTRQD Buick GNX #276
"If it died... we can fix it" | "If your not outraged, you're not paying attention." | "Do you know a large group of baboons is called a Congress? That explains a lot." ~author unwn
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 88 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 88 | Here are some pictures of my 53 450 : 1953 GMC 450 | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 | Those are some great pics! Alot of firetrucks that year.
1st Gen. Dodge Cummins 4x4 OVRTRQD Buick GNX #276
"If it died... we can fix it" | "If your not outraged, you're not paying attention." | "Do you know a large group of baboons is called a Congress? That explains a lot." ~author unwn
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 | Why are some people using semis to haul trucks that will fit on a 20 foot long flatbed? Even if you were hauling two, you could still use something like a Chevy or Dodge 4500 or 5500 with a 35-40 foot lng flatbed and find easier parking if it is a long trip. Just my $0.02 though. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | What happens when the load you are hauling weighs more than the truck that is towing the load? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | I have owned semis for almost 48 years and have driven a semi almost 4 million miles in my life. I feel much more comfortable in a semi than an overloaded pickup and trailer. And I kind of like 1650 ft. lbs. of torque. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 | Hey, first off I must say thanks, this topic made me get off my lazy tail and upload some of my pics to the web. Here is the 450 COE Spanky mentioned. I'm still working on it too, but I'm having fun making her work for a living. Good luck and keep us posted. Scott http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2247603950106941429dkaxFI
1947, 1950, & 1952 Chevrolet 1/2 ton
1952 GMC 450 series Cab Over Engine
1946 Chevrolet 2 Ton
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | Scott,
Looks great! Nice to see a truck earning its keep.
Don | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | Not many Bobcats get to ride in style like that. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 | What happens when the load you are hauling weighs more than the truck that is towing the load? Well, I think that is one of those questions that is gonna get a thousand different answers, but here is mine. If you have it properly loaded, tied down, and distributed with the correct equipment, then yes. If you are thinking of hauling a big bolt on the bumper of a toyota pickup, then you are probably going to mess up your truck and possibly mess up the whole highway when you do a wheelie and have no steering right before you go in the ditch. So lets say you are going to haul a big bolt 200 miles round trip that is a cab an chassis with a flatbed and weighs 5,000-6,000 pounds, then you can easily go with a flatbed gooseneck trailer and a 3/4 ton Diesel pickup, but I prefer atleast a 1-ton pickup for vehicle trailering, especcially over long distances. Hope this helps, but it would be easier to determine if you gave us some pics and info on your project and tow equipment. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Nice truck, had a '53 fire truck too, 302, milled the head .060", put in a Brownie, 70 on FWY.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | WOW !, Look'in good Scott. Keep up the good work. What are your future plans for it? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 | Thanks guys. The COE is a work in progress. I basically have the truck where I want it, mechanically. Right now I'm working on the little stuff, wiper motors, etc. I have a retired body man in my church that REALLY wants to paint it. I just hate the idea of taking it all apart to do the metal work. On the plus side, that would give me a good excuse to rewire the truck. The fear of a smoke check is the one thing that is always in the back of my mind.
So Spanky, I guess that is what my future plans are, to update the things I can, especially safety items (electric wipers, maybe some bear claw door latches) while keeping drive train and the way the truck looks as original looking as possible. Thanks,
Scott
1947, 1950, & 1952 Chevrolet 1/2 ton
1952 GMC 450 series Cab Over Engine
1946 Chevrolet 2 Ton
| | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 91 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2011 Posts: 91 | i loaded my 41 big bolt onto a car hauler trailer with the winch on my jeep. it had been sitting for 40 years, nothing wanted to turn/work. then, i hauled it home with a honda. got some funny looks, but i made it. got a couple of pics if you'd like to see em. | | |
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~m