The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Looking at 6400

I used to hang out here when I had a '53 3500, but now I'm looking at this

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1957_Task+Force+57+Chevrolet_6400_172144345_267

and I'm hoping for some help understanding what it can do. I want to use it as part of vineyard/wine production operation - so it will be a bit of a show truck, but will still have to haul. There's a box on a back for use with a chipper that I'd review.

I'd like to know what the truck is capable of in terms of weight on the bed and weight of a trailer in addition to anything else anyone might care to share.

Peter

I saw that same truck in another ad a few months ago. I don't remember if I called him or emailed.
And I don't remember all the things that turned me away on it.
Here are some of the things I think they are, 1) A dump body, and that usually means something welded to the frame, or extra holes drilled in it and for the controls too. 2)Not correct interior at all, never seen a white steering wheel, less its a fire truck deal. 3)If it was a fire truck the sheet metal is full of holes, and likely not properly filled. 4)Paint may have not been quality paint, meaning at some point would need new paint. 5) The extra holes in the dash 6)The guys too cheap to even get a new pedal pad, so the metal is wearing out. 6) Who knows what the seat looks like and if its a factory type?
Anyway yeah I'm fussy, but when it comes to spending big $ and not wanting to spend that kinda cash on a project, with bondo in holes etc non factory this and that. It just kinda turns me off. As far as weight it could be either a 1.5 ton or 2 ton, need the series designation numbers of the whole s/n or vin as all call it. 6400S is 6G57 and its a 1.5 ton, and 6400 is 6B57 and is a 2 ton. They both have a 156.5 wheel base. GVW for the 1.5 ton with HD springs is 15000 lbs, and for the 2 ton is 18000 with HD and Aux springs, will go 19500 with taskmaster V8 engine.

I am less concerned about the unoriginal stuff.

It was a firetruck that in theory had a frame off restoration by somebody in San Diego, but the current owner knows nothing about the truck or the restoration.

I would put 6.0 vortec and an NV 4500 or 5600 in it for my purposes.

Welcomw to the Stovebolt

Series 6M57 (6400H) could have a GVW as high as 21,000 pounds!

The GCW (truck and trailer) for a regular 6B57 (6400) is 32,000 pounds.

Mike B

Thanks.

What are the limiting factors in GVW for this truck? Axles?

What axles would have been under the front and rear ends?

What should I look for when looking at truck?

Unoriginal? Thats why he's still sitting on it at that price. I wish everybody didn't want original, then I wouldn't have such a hard time finding one. When ever there is a good original it is gone.

Looks like a good excuse for a day trip down to see it in person. It's hard to see detail in pics anyway but needing to turn my moniter sideways makes it worse... If the restoration is a quality job, that is a big cost saving. I feel 12k is still rather high and with the mods you mentioned could put it close to 20k by the time it's done. As a business expense and deductable (advertising), it may be justifiable, but I don't expect you'd ever get anywhere near that on a resale.

Peter,

The 1957 6400 will have a 4500 pound front axle and a 15000 pound rear for a total rating of 19,500 pounds. The rear is made by GM and could be a 2-speed with a vacuum shift actuator.

Make sure the brake system is all new for that kind of money (new rubber and steel lines etc.), the lines fail from the inside out. The cost to do the system yourself is about $800-1,000.

Look for bondo in the rear cab corners and look at the bottom of the doors for rust repair. The rest is just common sense stuff...does everything work as it should...

Good luck with getting the truck!

Mike B

Thanks for the great info. If my math is correct, and assuming the truck itself weighs less than 9,500 pounds. So the bed should be able to carry 4 to 5 tons?

I look for body repairs in all the right places and the brakes and I assume that it was restored frame off there should be a lot more as well.

Welcome to the "Bolt", Peter Young,and BigDreamer! Frame-up resto,huh? From the pic's I see,this is doubtful. The chrome/paint on the hood/fender emblems SHOULD be "cherry",for that kind of money! I see faded paint,as well as pitting. White steering-wheel?? I DUNNO!! "Cowboy-style" seat cover?? There to protect new/re-uphoulstered seat,or,covering worn/broken seat? For that money,truck should be as good as NEW!! Check for NEW wiring harness,brakes,(as Mike B. mentioned),NEW tires,oil leaks,(engine,trans,rear-end,P.T.O. housing,as well as pump/hydraulics. For $12,000.00,SHOULD be BONE-DRY,with FRESH PAINT!! If frame-up resto,check for new S.S. fasteners,throughout the truck. I've got $8,000.00 invested in mine,(so-far),and I'll easily have $12,000 (total),by the time I'm finished,and that's without a profit-margin.Just be careful! A lot of money!!

It looks like a nice truck to me but the price dose seem high.
The pedal pads are cheap and readily availible so that is no big deal. I do however have to agree with Truckolet that if you expect a premium price for something that seems to be a silly detail to overlook. As far as the steering wheel goes I have seen them in black gray and white. From what I can see of the seat (picture from the passenger side) it looks to be correct.

Hi Peter...

As an owner of a '57 Chevy 6400 truck I can't think of a better style of vehicle to showcase a business with. I've used mine (its a former firetruck) to haul anything from farm produce to very heavy loads of scrap metal. Its never let me down. I have hauled up to 5 and 1/2 ton loads on it without any problems. Truck was grossing 21,000 lbs (yeah, it was a bit overloaded). Before doing this I carefully went thru the brakes and checked out the steering. The tires are newer style 10R22.5 on original tubeless steel buds that came with the truck. The 12 ft dump bed is mounted with oak boards on top of the truck frame and fastened with u-bolts, no welding on the frame. Engine and drive train is a 283 V8, 4 spd trans(sm420), and 15,000 lb vacuum 2 spd rear end, ALL original to the year 1957. 4500 lb front axle too. My truck looks very similar to the one you're viewing including the color.

Late 50's Chevy 'Task Force' trucks have a timeless classic look that sets them apart from many other types of old trucks IMO. I get stopped and asked questions all the time about mine. The one you're looking at looks very nice and I think its worth a look. Old heavy trucks like this one are often a hard sell, most folks want pickup size trucks. If I were after the truck I would have $8000 cash in hand to see if that would shake it a loose. If you feel compelled to pay more then have a check for the diff. Cash has a way of talking. Good luck on your search! Check out my '57 in my webshots album. JAMES

I would be interested in that truck if these conditions were met.
1 A color I'd rather have, and has to be per paint code.
2 Factory flat bed or bare undrilled or welded or cut frame.
3 The correct gray and charcoal gray interior
4 No extra holes drilled or patched on the sheet metal, dash included, and factory holes in doors for mirrors.
5 For top dollar, has to have decent tires and be dependable with good brake system.

...Now THAT's A BIG DREAM!! But... Don't give-up on it! there was a 1957? G.M.C. 650,L.C.F,on "E-Bay",just a few months back. The body looked immaculate,But it was set-up on a newer frame,with a Diesel/automatic/hi-way rear up-grades. Also was advertised with 6 new tires,and all new brake components! If I had the $12,000,I would've bought it in a heart-beat!! Even though it's not origional,it's a fantastic over-haul. Truck out-performs its stock counterpart,and LOOKS GOOD doing it!

And I'd like one that an old lady used to haul her apples to town once a weeks if the weather was good.......anything more or less just doesn't cut the mustard.