The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Help ID Chassis?

I acquired a 1950 Chevy truck chassis with tilt flat bed.

Wheel base (center of front hub to center of rear hub) measures 137 +"

Frame side member is wider than the 3/4 ton frames.

Has 17" 8 lug wheels and tires.

No cab or data plate. But the PO sent me a picture of a part of a data plate and it said 6700 pounds max.

Is this a one ton frame or 3/4 ton frame?

Second: Can a 1941-46 3/4-1 ton Chevy cab be fitted to this chassis without too much hassle? (my concerns are: wheel and fender alignment and radiator surround for hood and fender mount etc, front cross member and frame width at cab)

Your help is appreciated.

Tom [email protected]

Should definitely be a one tone chassis judging from the wheelbase.

That's what the books are telling me too -however, the PO was sure it was a 3/4 ton. I like the idea of a one ton worker truck with a tilt flat bed. Now I need to finish it!..and see if a 1941 cab and front clip assembly will fit with slight modifications (crossing my fingers!)
thanks for your note. tmm

Tom - That sounds like a 1 ton frame AD. 137" wheel base is 1 ton.
The frame over the rear axle should be straight with no hump in it. That is another attribute of the 1 ton. The 3/4 ton frame has a slight hump over the rear axle. The rear axle in both is mounted under the leaf springs. The data plate is incorrect. The data plate for 1 ton will read 7700 GVW for single rear wheel axle and 8800 GVW for dual rear wheel axle.
P.S. Did you ever finish the AD Suburban you were working on?
Whitman

BOTH the data plates for my 50-3800 and 52-3800 SINGLE WHEEL REAR 9 1/2 ft Factory pickup 1 tons are 8800 GVW.
NOT DUAL
There is no mention of duals in his post,just 8 lug.
regards,
steve sr.

Thanks to all. Yes, there is no hump over the rear axle - it is straight. No dual rear wheels. Will double check the data plate again from the PO./

Suburban: Still acquiring parts. Need patch panel work in those usual places.

Can't decide whether to put the 216 back into the Suburban or a 261 that I have.

Regarding the 1 ton: I was "thinking" the 261 would be best for the 1 ton...but I don't plan on driving it on the highway or fast...

So I may end up puttting the 216 back into the 1 ton and using the 261 in the Suburban for towing a camper in time...ya know for mountain passes, 70 MPH, etc. etc.

Thoughts?

Tom

Well, to add mud to the muddy water I also have a runner GMC 302. Considering power and economy between the 261 and a 302 any insights regarding these motors for a traveling, towing, and camping Suburban (although will need to change to a GMC front cross member...not difficult)

Install a 302 or the 261 and stay with all Chevy with the Suburban?

So many motors, so little time...so little money...and too many projects (and I wouldn't have it any other way).

Hi Tom - some issues you'll run into with the GMC 302 into the AD Chevy.
(1) front crossmember - yes ,as you said, you'll have to install the GMC cross member into the Chevy.
(2) I believe the 302 block is about 2" longer than the 261.
So, you'll have to move the radiator forward, considerably. Not a difficult task if you have fabricating skills.
(3) In this hobby, I don't think that economy is as major an issue as it is for the everyday driver that you put on 15K+ miles a year.
Therefore I'd think about which engine (H.P./ torque) would be best suited for your needs, as opposed to the cost of gas.
Good luck,
Whitman