The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1951 GMC water tanker, help identifying

Hi I just bought a 1951 GMC tanker truck. The owner doesn't know a lot about the truck other than he bought it from the sheriff dept. he says he's used it before for wetting down horse arenas. I'm not sure if it is a 1 1/2 ton or 2 ton. I haven't brought it home yet but he didn't think it had the identification plate. on the title it has a vin # of HC45311417. I used the vin buster and it only came back with chassis and cab, everything else was unknown. The p.o. wants the tank, I want to turn it into a flatbed farm truck. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

51 GMC

Hy radioisotope, your truck left the factory with a 161" wheelbase and a 270 c.i.d. engine. You might also try visiting the Old GMC truck site, hope that helps.

A 450 series is larger than a 2 ton. The cab is the same as a pickup but the front clip is larger than a pickup and also larger than a 2 ton which is a 300 series. It will be a good flat bed, and it left the factory as a cab and chassis. The tank would have been mounted by a tank manufacturer.

the vin buster is for Chevys, doesn't work for GMC's .... 450 series - '51 conventional cab model 453, basically a 1.5T but could have a higher GVW

Bill

Thanks for all the great info guys! So its a 1.5 ton not a 3 ton like I was thinking? How would I know whaat the gvw is? I hope I don't have to have a CDL to drive it?!!

Nope, not a 1 1/2 ton. A 1 1/2 ton GMC is a 300 series. 2 ton 350 series, 2 1/2 ton 400 series, 3 ton 450 series, & 3 1/2 ton 470 series. You have a 450 series 3 ton. GMC rated gvw on that truck is 19500 lbs. Look for the ID plate in the driver door jamb, & the "GMC Parts Identification" plate on the back of the glove box lid. It will be on both these plates.

Thanks guys I've been getting all kinds of info tonight. I also checked out the oldgmctruck forum, which helped.

Nice truck!! another "tanker" was posted on "here",a couple of months back,but the difference was the "Dayton" wheels. That truck was also equipped with an automatic transmission. someone on that thread said that "it was common",to find "auto's",in "tank wagons",of that era. Is your truck equipped with an automatic transmission?

That's a beautiful truck! Can you send us an email at "editor@stovebolt.com" we'd like to get that truck (and nice photo, too -- it would look nice in the Big Bolt and GMC calendars) and your story in our Gallery (see the links at the top of the page).

And by the way, those double hooded arrow turn indicators are worth a few bucks, so don't let anything happen to them

Regards,
John

Thanks, If I remember correctly it is a manual but I could be wrong. I'm going to pick it up next weekend so I'll find out more then. Automatic in a 51 truck, never heard of such a thing. Well I guess I learn something new everyday.

Thank you! I would be happy to send a pic. I thought those indicators seemed rare, at least I have seen them before.

Hi

I looked at the picture of your truck, and in my most humble opinion it "IS" a 450 series which makes it a 3 ton. The wheels on it are Motor Wheel six lug, hub pilot w/compression lugs and depending on tire size (8.25X20 or 9.00X20) either 7 or 7.5 X 20, 2 piece rims, w/outside locking ring (Not Widow makers).

The engine (if Gas) is a 270 with dome pistons and hemi-head. And either a Holly 660A1, 2 barrel or a Stromberg WW 2 barrel.

It could have Hydro-Vac brakes, Air Pack brakes (air over hydraulic) or straight Air Brakes.

I have been eye balling a 1952 GMC tanker myself and a 51 GMC 400 series tow truck, I already own (2)1952, 454-30 GMC's (302CID).

Is the ID plate still on the inside of the glove box door?

Your going to have lots of fun and a few headaches, in the end worth everyone.

More pictures please...:>)

Okay, we've got Chris' truck in the Gallery and hope to hear from him as he makes his trek to get it mid-month! Check here for the details! Thanks guys for the additional info in helping ID the truck. Very cool.

Peggy