The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Trying to identify a 1940 Pickup. 1/2 or 3/4? ?

Hi everyone,

It's been years since I have posted, since I sold my 54 and 57 Stovebolts a few years ago. Now I'm back!

I have a buddy who has a 1940 Chevy Pickup . . . it is totally stock . . . has a straight 6, and the body is amazingly straight. There does not appear to be any rust-through. Looks like original paint and even the original seat! It has been kept indoors for years and everything seems to be together, except for the tailgate is missing.

Anyways, the problem is that it looks a little beefier than a half ton, but I may be totally wrong, here. Is there a way to tell by looking at the suspension? Could we tell by the VIN number?

I'll admit my ignorance when it comes to this year pickup. We would love to get it running properly and drive it with its regular 70-year old patina.

Did they make a 3/4 ton truck in 1940? Or maybe a "heavy duty" version of the 1/2 ton?

This may be a normal 1/2 ton, but I just can't tell. Sorry I can't get any pictures posted for another week or so.

Any help in identifying this would be greatly appreciated!

-Joe

When I was a kid I just counted the number of lug nuts!

There are six . . .

But an "old-timer" told me that both the half and 3/4 ton Chevy Pickups had 6 lug nuts.

Don't the 3/4 ton have 6 Stake Pockets in the bed ?

KC on the vin is 1/2 ton, KD is 3/4 ton for 1939 JC is 1/2 ton JD is 3/4 ton

Rick, do you know if that convention holds true for the '41's also? Reason I ask is that I've acquired a 41 and a 50 3/4 ton (3600 model) from the family and am waiting delivery of both trucks and the paperwork. I don't know what my '41 is.

Thanks,

Bruce

3/4 and 1/2 ton have six bolts. Look at the rear axle. Under the spring, 3/4, over the spring 1/2. 3/4 also had a longer bed.

VetteMemphis, rickmg is right on...KC is the 1940 designation only for 1/2 ton. Each year changed. Sorry, don't have '41 info where I can find it, but somebody will have it! JoeVR, according to my shop manual, 1/2 ton is 113.5" wheelbase and 3/4 is 123.75". I'm pretty sure all 8 lug will be 3/4 ton.

I'm not sure, but I think 1/2 ton for 41 is AK, and 3/4 ton is AL, AM, AN. In 1939 1/2 ton was six lug with 16 inch wheels, the 3/4 ton was 6 lug with 15 inch artillery wheels.

If you have both trucks and a tape measure the 1/2 ton frame will be wider than the 3/4 ton.

I parted out two '40 trucks last week and can send you photos of the trucks before and after. One was a 1/2 ton and the other was a 3/4 ton.

The frames are visibly different. The 1/2 ton frame is actually wider than the 3/4 ton from the cab on back. As was mentioned earlier the rear axle on the 3/4 ton will have duplicate sets of leaf springs, one on top, and the larger longer set below.

Doug

Also the 3/4 ton springs are mounted outside of the frame and the 1/2 ton directly under the frame