The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Drove it to work today!

Drove the wifes '36 1.5 ton 27 miles on the Mnt. Baker Hwy. to Bellingham, WA. where I work. First time in 54 years the truck visited the town it was working in. Drove great and I was cruz'in at 45 - 50 MPH. It is one of the single biggest rushes in my life. The 235 had all the power I needed to get up any of the 3 hills on the highway. Going home will be a little differant with all the traffic but I can't wait to get in it again, come on 4:30!!

Very cool. Can't wait for the day when i'll feel that comfortable with my truck and do some long drives. Congrats. Mike.

Cool, at 4:30 I'll be thinking about you and that truck!

Thanks folks, keep working on your trucks guys, the drive is more than worth it! Double clutching down a Hwy. in a '36 Low cab with your arm out the window and the front windshield cranked out....Christmas in June. 4 years worth of blood, sweat, and beers.

Hope the dive home was just as fun as the drive in. It makes a typical commute fun.

Tad

I can see the smile from here and the way it should be. Man and his truck! Congrats on a job that is evident it was done good.
Brings back memories of my first ride in the 37....i

Hey Rick, that's what this hobby is all about. Hope you have trouble free motoring.

I drove my '46 6400 to work a few times last week. I only have 6 miles to go, but what a trip! When I get a few bugs tweaked out of it, I may try a longer trip or 2.

I,ve been using "'Tater",as my daily driver since Saturday.My "parts-fetchin'"Rager's battery got weak. "'Tater's" a little slow,but I LOVE the THUMBS-UP,and the STARES!! CONGRATS!!

Got back in the '36 at 4:31 and had a parade of fellow employee's line up to here it run. Warmed it up and took off with about 12 smiles giving me the thumbs up. Went through town at rush hour and everything went great. People staring from thier imports and smiling. Got out on the Hwy. for the 27 mile run home and it became apparent that I had just entered a '36 1.5 ton truck in a NASCAR event. Cars pilled up behind me as I kept it at 45-50 mph. I pulled over 3 times to let the pack around, and started again. I found out it's better to just let them pass when they can because it takes me a long time to get going again. It was actually quite the mental work-out trying not to blow the shifts and remain calm and cool. The truck ran flawlessly and never got above 170 degrees. It's hard to believe how fast paced our world is, and patience for things that don't keep up with it is very thin. I had a chance to go back in time and it was a real eye opener. Bless those old truckers from the past with small cramped cabs and no shocks!!!. Like I said before, one of the best all around experiances in my adult life.

Hy 1936only, I am glad your trip went well and that nobody that was behind you did anything stupid trying to get around you. Driving our trucks can be challenging on so many levels, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, continued good luck.

I'm wondering where you purchased the nice carrier for your spare tire? Can you point me in the right direction - I have a 1946 1.5 ton GMC.

mjl

Micksurfer, I had one come with the truck, it has 2 parts to it. Kinda hard to find I think if it wasn't on your rig. It could be fabricated fairly easy. Maybe one of the guys will chime in or put a Parts Wanted call out in the Forum. Good luck....Rick.

Sweat.

Did you drive hiway 9 or 5?

Super55, Mnt. Baker Highway, 542, 50-55 mph. ends at Mnt. Baker Ski area. Excellent senic drive, you can catch it at the Sunset off ramp at I-5 south or at the Sumas Border. Not looking forward to EVER taking the '36 on I-5. Hwy. 9 would be cool though.

That is some beautiful country up there, got to get back up there soon, myself. Congrats on the drive.

sstock, we drive the '36 all over the mountian area, love it up here.Good people and believe it or not we even have a 250+ car show at Maple Falls every Fall......nice T-Bucket!

1936only, On 542 just east of Y road, do you ever notice the guy with all the rusty gold vehicles on his property? Ever stop in and look? I keep meaning to do that one day just to see all the neat old vehicles he has.

Super55,the guy is totally unapproachable. If you pull up to his driveway he'll unload a barrage of explicitives at you. Don't know his story but he sure has some nice rigs sitting out in the weather. I estimate around 200+ cars and trucks. Strange duck.

Thanks for the warning!

Thanks for that report! I have the same thing with my T.F. 2-ton! The speed limit is 55,on most of the highways I travel. My truck runs 55 all day long,with pedal left! You'd think I was driving 40,the way some of these drivers act! Then they go to pass,get a good look at the truck's side-view,then their attitude changes,(SOMETIMES).:) 45-50,isn't THAT slow,considering the minimum speed limit posted on the Interstates,is usually 45. I don't drive the Interstates with my truck,fearing it may get rear-ended by someone not paying attention. I'm going to enjoy driving/using my truck,whether I get a thumb,or a finger. It would be nice if people would slow down a little,and enjoy the ride. I see it all the time-people running red lights,just to get caught at the next one,and here comes pokey old me,right next to them,further on down the road! I put 70-miles on my truck today,and FORGOT my cam damera! I HATE when that happens! ENJOY YOUR RIDE!!

Remember when 55 was the limit...? Now that I am retired and don't have to be anywhere in a hurry (bladder is as good as ever) I think we should definitely bring it back >_<. 1936only, I drove back from Bellingham up Lakeway to 9. That would be a cool ride. I was looking at your big bolts on photo page. You have some nice vehicles and yard art! I am thinking that Maple Falls show would be pretty nice.

Well folks are trying to get home from work, and of course are not enjoying the drive like you are, because they aren't driving a FUN vehicle like yours.
So yeah their gona get impatient.

Don't get to post much lately but seeing your story sure builds a fire to get this old iron on the road.

Thanks for sharing

Ken

Nice story. Glad you shared it.

Sunday, Fathers day, I had my son come over and the first thing he wants to do is drive the '36. No problem and I toss him the keys, after checking with the owner, my wife. Just to stand back and watch the truck you just spent 4 years rebuilding go down the road with your son smiling so big you can see his teeth 100 feet away was a real gift. I don't get to see or hear it from a spectator's view very often, but you guys have to try that when you can. My wife and son can double clutch like the best of them and the straight stack on the 235 sounded so good......I love Old Trucks!!!

I drove "'Tater" about 70 miles today! AWESOME!! Picked-up two ladder-racks,for my friend,(another Bill),with the '51,and '59 Chevy buses. He's going to cut them down,and use them for luggage/gear racks. I made a short video,of the load. to see it,please check-out my "Photobucket" link. Thanks for watching!!

Here Here to the GREAT SOUNDING STACKS!! Guy pulled up next to me,and asked if I swapped a "Jimmy" 305 in "'Tater"!! His jaw hit his chest,about an inch above his navel,when I told him that it was the stock 261,equipped with Fenton headers!! Have fun!! I get a "KICK" letting an EXPERIENCED driver behind the wheel of my truck,too! We both get a thrill from it! I LOVE the way it sounds!! Thanks for sharing!!