The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk help! is it a 48 ? series?

Hello. Sorry for the questions but new to this and can't seem to find the right answers elsewhere...
Bought what I was told was a 48 5 window chevy pick up. I bought with bill of sale only....also no VIN tag....and no motor or tranny.
from looking at the truck the biggest difference from my 51 3100 is the gas tank is under the bed of the truck with the filler tube coming out in the passenger side of the bed. Now some of the things still on the truck the horn is a high/ low and attached to the firewall. The steering wheel has what looks like a pontiac V logo on the center. It has a left & right turn signal switch on the column which my 51 does not....I know somethings could have been added after so kind of at a loss.....the rear leaf springs are mounted different than my 51 also. I have pics but don't know how to post them....
So do I have a 48 and if so what series? Thank you!

Pictures will help but the fuel tank is a huge clue, it is a 1947-48 only item. The other thing you can look at is cab trim, the weatherstripping around the doors will be screwed on in sections. The headliner center rib will be welded in place with a screw on attachment bow to secure the headliner. The truck horns is an accessory for most years of AD trucks. Turn signals were another accessory available as a GM part or aftermarket (common). The Pontiac wheel was probably a PO preference because the steering wheels were one design only from 1947-53. If the springs are outboard of the frame you may have a 3600 instead of a 3100, pictures here would help narrow the series.
Here are some pictures to illustrate, wheel, dual horns, signals
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8130475256/in/set-72157631870734114
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8130448397/in/set-72157631870734114
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129416019/in/set-72157631868452754

Hy rgunnz, welcome, kind of hard to determine what you have with the info you have provided, and no serial number, no engine or transmission either. The gas tank should be under the bed for a 1948 the hood ornament should be a die casting, and the headliner center bow is screwed in place. Could you tell us how many nuts hold your wheels on, also could you count the number of leaves in your springs and let us know what you find.

I have the screw on the top of the cab for the liner. As for the hood ornament...not the original hood. As for the rear leaf springs I counted 8....Thanks for all the help so far... ..the turn signal switch isvthe one provided in the pics......
I uploaded my pics to photobucket but still don't know how to put them on here

Also the wheels are 5 lugs.

What is the length of the bed?

I measured the top of the bed rail and it was approx. 79.2
Is there a way to figure out if it's a 47 or 48 as I was told bybyhe seller?

The serial number would be the 100% sure way the 47-48 share most of the same equipment. Just a question with all of he numbered identification missing (engine, data plate, title) have you researched Kansas regulations to see what your options are for registering/titling of the truck?

Yes I did check with the DMV and KHP before purchase. I was told because of the age of the vehicle they would assign a vin #. I would pay a fee and I would get a form with the #. I would then take that form and the bill of sale to register the vehicle at DMV.

Sounds like a pretty straight forward process, that is a good thing. Depending on the state it can get very complicated. Well the next thing we need is pictures so we can narrow this down to the right year for you.

Allen I have pics on photobucket just don't know how to put on here....

rgun - go to your main album page, right click the address bar and select 'copy', return here and click in the text box, select 'paste' and we'll get the link

Bill

Welcome, I hope you can get the link for the pictures posted so we can help you identify your truck for you.

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48 Chevy truck

A few differences between 47 and 48 were the transmissions (3-speed and 4-speed changed), with the three speed shifter being on the steering column in 48 and the 3-speed shifter on the floor in 47. The parking brake location changed from a hand control at the floor shifter (47) to a foot-pedal the left of the driver, on the floor (3100 trucks).

Thank you for your help...... know that I'm sure its a 48 3100. The question isdhe has lots of rust and rotted out cab corners, kick panels and even the rear of the cab...the steps are gone, no engine, tranny, all the glass is broken except the rear and both corners, no VIN. ..there is inches of rat turds in the cab......rebuild or part out what is good? I would love to rebuild but is it more practical to just move on to another?

From your description I would put this one on the back burner

Just by seeing the gas tank location and the three speed shifter column, it's a 1948. what you to to it depends on your skill, money available and your enthusiasm. This is not a project for someone that has never done one before and has limited money. It will take $5000 to make it worth $5000 and even that is a bit wishful.

If you take on this project, my advice is to start with the cleanup and being very careful dealing with those mouse turds, they may carry the HANTA VIRUS and it can be deadly. This article doesn't talk about wearing a mask, I would.

Cleaning up this truck may make it more sellable and would give you a better understanding of these vehicles. Removing all of the crud that has built up over the years makes it hard for anyone to really evaluate what is there. It looks pretty decent in the pictures, but that can be deceiving. My concern is around the inner cowl area, it looks like it may be pretty rusty. If this area needs to be replaced, that's a lot of work but plausible. Patch panels are relatively cheap and are easily found. I think you have a desirable 1/2 ton truck that would be a good starting point for hot rodding or making a driver.

My guess is that this once had a V8 installed and there have been modifications that I can't see. The rear end looks to be too short for the truck. I would check the front suspension and for modifications to the frame.

If it is really rusted and missing a lot of parts, then maybe this isn't the project you want to start with. But as I said, this is a good candidate for modifying because it is missing the engine and transmission. You can design it as you want.

There are lot's of opinions on what to do with this, it's your decision on if you are ready to tackle a project like this or find a running licensed driver for $3000 - $5000 and starting from there.

Be very careful of the ratt stuff. that can be deadly. You don't want to breath it in or get it on your skin.

If you don't get too attached and it turns out to be too far gone, it may make a good parts truck.