BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 | Hello guys, I am a new member in The Forum and would post a question to you guys concerning a recent purchase of a 1948 GMC COE truck:
1. Does anyone know what donor vehicle could be use to replace the original chasis? I can get my hands on a running 1991 ford F350 with a disel engine, air bags supenssion, I just don't know if these chasis would fit the 48 cab. On the other hand, the truck is original and don't know if i will be destroying the truck by pulling the original power train. Any help would be appreciated. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | I'm of the crowd who thinks it's a shame to butcher original running trucks. Best to hot rod one you pulled out of a pasture. However it is your truck.
The Hi-Po shop is where we discuss modifications from stock. You'll get lots of opinions here. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | You're best to measure and go from there. I know guys have used full size GM and Dodge frames, but I don't know of the modification requirements.
The truck is yours though, and the decision of whether or not to modify it is yours alone. What do you want to do with it? Do you want a "parade truck", or do you want something you can use as a heavy duty hauler, towing and hauling, and doing actual freeway speeds?
I don't think you would be ruining it at all, you would be giving it new life. I can appreciate a restored truck, but they are of no use to me, as I put thousands of miles on a year and go on long trips with my vintage vehicles. If I have to load my vintage truck on a trailer to go to a show 11 hours away, I'm not going.
Everyone else can tell you whether or not you're 'ruining' the truck, but ultimately you own it, and you get to decide how the truck will best suit you. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | What engine/trans. running gear does it have now?
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 | The truck is original, the only thing is missing is the flat bed, I think the engins a 235ci, but it is my undertanding, the truck is been parked since 1975, I have not try to turn the enginge to see if is not locked. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 | Your advise makes me feel a little better, and you are right, my goal is to drive the truck like any other vehicle, I would like to be able to point the truck on any direction and go. Thank you EdPruss | | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 7 | Good morning cletis, thank you for your advice. I understand what you are telling me, I too think is a shame to butcher the original truck, but I would like to be able to travel with this truck, and the original configuration would't allow me to do that, but thank you for your advise. Jesus | | |
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