The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts '51 GMC 3 ton's finally mine

I finally get to claim the 51 GMC 3 ton 470 as mine now It's an old army truck with what appears to be 53502 miles on it. Very solid with one cab corner needing a little work as does the drivers side floor, but no dents and solid otherwise. Wood in bed is shot though. Anyway I'm pretty excited about this old army/farm truck.
Here are a few pics....

Regards,

Troy

Yes, that is a nice old beast. You seem to have the original steel around the bed. I think you are going to have a lot of fun with that. Congratulations!

Thanks alot trucker ! It is indeed all original and straight. It should be within reach of doing. Like you said, it should be fun

Is it a 450, or 470? A 450 is a 3 ton. 470, a 3 1/2 ton.

I guess you got me on that one... I thought it was the 3 ton but I think I mistakenly listed it as the 470. Now I'm not sure :0. The code on the engine block shows a270783i87 and the serial number shows HC453 10746. That's about as much as I can tell right now. So, I don't have an answer. I guess I can do some more research and get back.

Troy

I'm not sure about the "Jimmy's",but aren't the 6-hole,6-bolt "Budd's" on the rare side for a '53? Maybe not for the 3-31/2-tons,but I haven't seen one up-close and personal,since my best-friend's brother had a '53 G.M.C.450 road tractor,also old Army issue.I can't remember if the "Budds were 5-lug'or 6-lug'though. But believe it or not,they were chromed! My guess would be NOT military-issue. Truck also had that "double" hydra-matic,but he didn't have it long enough for me to get a good look at it. I heard it's sitting in a junkyard somewhere here in Eastern Iowa,and I've been looking for it for years,and if and when I find it,I'll post some pic's. Nice find,Red63!

Thanks, Wetwilly... This truck does indeed have the six bolt/lug wheels... I believe the tires are 10x20's. I'd love to get more history on this big ol truck as it could clear up a few questions some of us have. For a fact it was used by the military base, Redstone Arsenal, here in Huntsville. It still has a chrome id tag that states 'RA....' I'm told thats 'regular army'. It still has the original military markings in cab and has plenty of hooks and loops on sides of bed. I'm real inclined to leave pretty much as is. Now comes the fun of getting it back on the road... I think it shoud be fairly easy, at least I hope so

Heres another pic or two after i cleaned it up a little

Thanks again for weighing in.

Troy

It is indeed a 450 series 3 ton. The 450, & 470 series GMC trucks came standard from the Factory with the 6 lug "Motor" Wheels, not Budd brand. Dayton wheels were an option, for 450, & 470 series. 10 stud "Budd" wheels were also an option for the 470 series trucks.

Thank you Spanky for clarification. I look forward to sharing my progress with you and the rest of stovebolt nation

Troy

Wow that truck looks identical to mine even down to the serial. Have you had it out on the road yet?

Hi Red63

I have (2) 1952 454-30's They are 3 ton w/179 inch wheel base, 302CID engine, Clark 5 Speeds and one has an Eaton 2 speed electric shift axle, the other is a Timkin single speed.

Model numbers 450 series equals 3 ton, the "4" in 454 in 179 inch wheel base.

Your 453 is a 3 ton w/270CID (1951) engine and 161 inch wheel base, most likely has a Clark 205V 5 Speed and either and Eaton 2 speed axle or a Timkin single speed axle w/6.80 ratio.

Optional Transmission where Clark 205VO, Clark 207V, Clark 207VO and a Borg Warner 5 Speed. The "O" in the Clark VO is for 5th gear overdrive. "V" is 5th gear direct.

Wheels are Motor Wheel 7.5x20s 6 hole, hub pilot, w/Compression lug nuts and probably with 8.25 tires or 9.00x20 tires.

The Carburetor is probably a Holly 660A or 660A1.

Yours probably has Hydro-Vac brakes.

These trucks also came as tractors for semi trailers.

My curb weight is 8500 lbs, GVW is 19,600 and Combined GVW of 36,500 lbs. It requires a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) this is a Federal Standard now.

They came with Hydro-Vac brakes, Air Package Brakes (Air over Hydraulic) and Straight Air Brakes.

Good Luck and Happy Trucking.

GMCpic, wow thats alot of info there... I am excited about getting to have such a cool rig. I will try and take this one step at a time... You and others have been very helpful and I very much appreciate it

Thanks for taking time to share.

Troy

One more point of interest... My data plate states my vehicle is a hc453, gvw is 19000 lbs and the maximum gross combination weight is 34000 lbs. Does that still mean I need cdl's to operate this vehicle ?

Troy

Not yet, i got gas tank issues... After that is all worked out comes brakes... Then I will go from there... I can't wait though

Troy

You should be able to lic. this rig, at 25,900 gvw, as a single unit, without needing a CDL. Air brakes and towing a trailer, will put you in the CDL range. 26,001 and over needs a class B lic. unless this will be used strictly for farm use.

Joe

In Arizona I got licensed for mine no questions asked. At 19,500 Im below CDL requirement but if I tow anything it could put me above.