The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Difference between 3100 and 3200 in 1957

Hello -

Been looking at a few different '57 trucks. My understanding is that a 3100 is a 1/2 ton.

What is a 3200? 1/2 ton long bed? If not, what is the exact difference between a 3100 and a 3200?

Is one less desirable than another? I'm looking for a truck to make a resto-rod, i.e. original body, interior, suspension, upgraded drivetrain and maybe brakes.


Thanks...

Chris

yes, the 3100 is the short 1/2T and the 3200 is the long 1/2T. only difference is the bed and frame length .... seems most prefer the short step sides, especially for rodding/modding

Bill

Chris, seems like 1/2 ton 3100 series are the most popular, and probably were built in the greatest numbers, as they were the basic truck. And, they are short wheelbase, and easier to park, fit in the garage, etc.... Whatever you go with, they are beautiful trucks!

A note about the '57 3200, there are two different versions of the 3200 for that year. The early '57 used the 90" bed, same as the '55/'56. The late version has the 96" bed, which carried on to the last Stepsides in '87. IIRC, the late version has an extension bolted to the frame to make up for the extra length. Same changes go for the 3600, which used the same chassis and bed as the 3200.

I have a 3600 which is long box 3/4 ton. I wanted a shorty but the condition this truck was in was very solid and a runner,And for the same price a as a shorter in terrible shape up here. My son convinced me to just buy this one. I have loads of fun driving this one around in the summer and tinkering in the winter.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricktrav/7265435266/

@rickyt, I would like to see your truck but the link is blocked at the flickr end so we can't. Help!

Les

"The early '57 used the 90" bed, same as the '55/'56. The late version has the 96" bed,"

Actually, that is 89 inches and 98 inches respectively.

I always prefered the shortbeds untill I drove a long bed. The longbeds are easier to keep straight while driving , and can haul a bunch more than a short bed. My 1/2 ton longbed 59 gmc currently weighs about 4400 lbs unloaded. The California DMV claims it should weigh around 4100. I had a 59 gmc 1/2 shortbed. The DMV claimed that one to weigh 3350 lbs. Some of the extra weight could be from extra equipment, larger tires, different transmissions, and engines. The longbed has a pontiac v8 where the shortbed had an inline 6. Anyway if you make an apples to apples comparison of a shortbed and longbed with the same equipment... you can expect the longbed to be at least 300 lbs heavier.

Hi try this one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricktrav/7265435266/

Your Flickr photos are set to "PRIVATE," no one can see them.

try this

http://flickr.com/gp/ricktrav/J76c3i

@rickyt, there you go! My pictures are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/our__lives/sets/72157604045422587/

Later,

Les

very cool