The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1949 1/2 ton class 5

The Blue Funk, my '51 was hit by a Semi last summer. I've been slowly taking it apart and scouting around for a replacement cab left door/fender/running board, and whatever else I may need. I figured I could have the frame straightened.

There's a '49 pickup I've noticed about 12 miles from my home. I stopped by and gave it a quick once over. It looks good and is pretty much original. There's no engine or transmission in it. It has less rust on it than the Blue Funk when I checked the toe pan and wheel wells.

I got the owner's name and stopped by to talk with him today. He showed me the title after I commented on the vent windows and push button door handles. He told me he'd let it go for $2000. I commented that it his truck was a class 5, according to the Pricing Guide For Chevrolet Trucks, which says it's worth about $1500. He said he'd go ahead and let it go for that price, no less.

So I'm requesting that you guys give me some ins and outs and thises and thats. Such as things I need to consider if I drop the Blue Funk's '57 235 with its '51 4 speed transmission into the '49. And anything else you may want to comment on or question.

I gotta say I'm pretty excited to find one of these old trucks so close to home that appears to be in relatively good condition and is for sale, so nail me to the wall, okay?

Thanks.

It will have HUCK brakes instead of BENDIX brakes, it will have KNEE ACTION SHOCKS instead of tube shocks. Overall they are pretty much the same truck, the body differences are minor. Side vent vs vent window and some trim. I think your front seat out of the 51 is a bit wider and I would make the switch. Between the two trucks you should be able to have a nice ride again.
He should have the flip down handles and no vent wing windows if it truly a 1949. The speedometer should be 80 MPH and have red needle, the gauges should have red needle also. If it has a 90 MPH speedometer and push button door handles it's a 1952/53. Make sure the title matches the body tag number or you might have some problems registering it. If everything checks out, either a 49 or 52, I think you have a decent deal.

Dave, DO IT!

Seriously tho, if you want a second opinion, let me know and I'll go with you to take a look at it. Swapping the newer stuff over to the older truck shouldn't be all that hard.
...I'll even buy some of the leftover parts off ya to help offset the cost. ...seriously.

I went back and checked the truck out more thoroughly. My original statement, "pretty much original" was a gross error in perception.

It had been chopped, or was in the process of. I'm guessing that it had been converted to power steering with an automatic transmission. The crossmember where I believe the original transmission sat had been cut out from the frame by an arc welder. An angle iron had been welded in and then cut out. A piece of chain had been weldede on the frame in the area of the engine, for what I don't know.

Anyway- in its present condition, it's not worth $1500. I could use the cab, left door, and fenders. Separately, I currently have found those for about $950.

So, I'll eventually make the Owner an offer for no more than $1000, but he'll probably just laugh in my face.

I'll keep you posted.