Technical Articles

As vehicle owners begin to use their truck (cars as well) they report to local dealers of developing problems. Many things show up in long field use and not during short laboratory tests. An excellent example is the 4 speed shift lever on the 1947-55 Chevrolet and GMC Cab over Engine “COE”. It was found that wear in the lower...

This new Chevrolet Horn design was introduced in 1929. It is attached direct to the 207 six cylinder engine and was so successful there was almost no changes through 1952. As shown in these photos, this 1929-36 Chevrolet Horn was attached to a flat foot that secured it to the center of the intake manifold. The long nose directs the...

The most unique feature of the 1960-1961 Chevy / GMC Truck is the design of their hood. It is not in any way similar to the year before. Whether you like it or not, there is no other vehicle with an appearance like this Chevy and GMC Truck. As some areas of vehicle production were known for saving on tooling...

The revised Chevrolet 235 and 261 high pressure inline six cylinder engine (1955 through 1962) was given a much better cooling system than prior years. This was due to a big change in the water pump and how it attached the front of the engine block. The prior 216 and early 235 design pulled coolant out of the engine block...

With the introduction of the new Cameo in 1955, GM added their most deluxe features as standard equipment.  This “Boulevard Pickup” was to stand out above all others. The following relates to the appearance of the wheel coverings on this special vehicle. 1955 Wheel Cover The wheel covers were not like that on the more standard pickup.  To save tooling...

Examples of the correct seat in the 1964-66 Chevrolet deluxe cab are shown below.  The original brown insert material is almost impossible to locate however our two examples are so close!  The most original seat is # 1.  It wins the show!  However both are excellent examples of how they looked about 55 years ago. Notice in the photos of...

 

The Korean War has ended and copper used in quality chrome plating is now readily available at an acceptable price to commercial buyers. General Motors loses no time introducing a deluxe pickup in both their Chevrolet and GMC lines. Quality chrome plating was required for this project and was now in stock. Other metals have also dropped in price including...

Within 10 to 15 years the delicate factory three position light switch under dash usually broke.  Replacing this switch on a working truck in the 1940’s was usually not an option.  Now almost 80 years later few owners of these early GM trucks even know the light switch existed.  In most cases the little single filament light bulb and socket...

To add better night visibility to all Pickups, Big trucks, Suburban’s, and panel trucks, General Motors offered a 4 inch diameter 1940-1953 Accessory GM Reflector as a dealer installed accessory.  With the single small factory taillight, seeing of these vehicles on the road could be difficult especially if their one bulb burned out.  To help correct this problem GM offered a...

What an unusual and almost forgotten Chevrolet Truck option. Most 1964-66 truck enthusiasts have no idea this option was ever available. Paul Bremer of Seward, Nebraska recently discovered a 1964 Chevy ¾ ton in a back row of a salvage yard with the remnants of an option air filter. This was Paul’s first encounter with this option after over 30...

Early GMC’s carried the same texture of interior paint as the Chevrolet trucks. However, to keep the two companies looking different, GMC used a dark gray wrinkle instead of the dark brown used on Chevrolet Trucks. GMC used the wrinkle style paint through 1940 but Chevrolet stopped this type of texture paint at the end of 1938. This unusual texture...

General Motors made it very simple to replace the two small windows in the rear doors of these years. Simply place the rubber seal (now available from full stocking early GM Truck Dealers) around the pre-cut glass.  Press into the inside window opening. Three special clips secure it in place. It could not be easier! See Photos. Oops, one big...

So unusual in today’s world!  When you did not order a radio in your new 1967-72 GM truck, here is what you received. A simple metal plate that pressed into the two holes that usually secured the tuner knobs.  Certainly a very rare item, as later owners have found at least a used radio to place in the dash.

An interesting fact! Their eleven horizontal grill bars are all the same.  Just a subtle way General Motors saved tooling cost on their smaller trucks.  Now you know a total grill can be created from miscellaneous damaged assembles.

Owner is Unknown The Great Depression has reached a level not ever expected. About 25% of the country’s work force is without income. The Chevrolet Motor Company introduces a less expensive automobile (The Standard) to try to stop vehicle sales from their gradual downward spiral. The 1935 1/2 ton pickup is kept as basic as possible to still be rated...

A subtle improvement to Chevy and GMC pickup bedsides occurred in 1941.  Prior to this, truck owners that overloaded their pickup bed would sometime cause the sides to bend outward.  Heavy freight such as sand, gravel or a load of lumber placed substantial side pressure on the rear of the bedsides.  The sides were sometimes bent outward and they could...

Owner Howard Jones Wow! They cannot get any rarer than this 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton with Thornton Drive. Of several thousand produced, this appears to be the only one remaining. This 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton has two rear axles turning 8 wheels and tires. The rear axle assembly was produced by the Thornton Tandem Company of Detroit, Michigan. It was...

We recently had a local radiator repair shop clean the rust from an older used 1949-72 Chevrolet/GMC gas tank.  They submerged it in a cleaning acid tank overnight. The price was over $75.00.  WOW!  It was expensive! Several months later we discovered an “old school” method that is a very low cost. Oh well, we live and learn. Thus done as...

Owner: Howard Jones During the recent annual convention of the American Truck Historical Society in Yakama, Washington we noticed that among the 813 registered trucks there was a Chevrolet that may be the only survivor of this design. The vehicle was a 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton with a Thornton dual rear drive. How unusual! This non-General Motors accessory allowed all...

Yes, they are different than 1/2 ton!  Though the “C” shaped brace that attaches to the bumper is like the 1/2 ton, the brace from there to the frame is much different.  A curved single heavy brace connects to the frame rail in place of the pair on the 1/2 ton.  Of course, all are of spring steel to prevent...

The first year of the Chevrolet pickup with a Hydramatic transmission was 1954.  Though it did not find a large percentage of buyers, this truck did open the door for an increasing number of this transmission in the coming years. When sitting in the 1954 Chevrolet truck cab with this new option, some changes are immediately noted. To operate the...

If you like non-original suburbans, you will love this 1947. Seen in a recent advertisement at $115,000. Look at the large quarter panel window!

A nice dealer installed accessory in 1954 was the grille guard. It was easily installed by using the pre-existing bumper bolts. A problem when installed was that it lessened the visibility of the front license plate. Therefore, another change was made during the installation. The license was moved to the center of the front splash apron from the factory position...

During the early years of automotive history, the invention of the dual filament light bulb had not emerged.  Therefore, there was no high and low beam headlight bulb on cars and trucks.  Only one beam existed for night driving. This created a problem with the headlight beam from an on-coming vehicle on the narrow roads in town and country driving. ...

The world famous Chevrolet Cameo and GMC Suburban Carrier are well known by most early truck enthusiasts. They were created due to US citizens having more disposable income after World War II. Demand for houses, appliances, and vehicles were at times more than some factories could produce in a timely manner. In regards to vehicles, General Motors realized that options...

One of the rarest Chevrolet dealer installed truck accessories of the 1950's.  Charles Callis of Union City, Tennessee recently found this original radiator cover that he installs for shows on his 1953 1/2 ton. Note the Chevrolet logo on the lower right side to prove it's the real thing! It is pictured in the 1949 Chevrolet Salesman's Data Book on...

In 1939 US auto and truck manufacturers realized the following year would be the introduction of the revolutionary new, we call them "almost" sealed beam headlight bulbs.  These first "almost" seal beams were very unique by the newer standards 15 years later that most of us are acquainted with.  This early sealed beam assembly was much like the later design...

These photos might be of interest to US owners of 1934-35 Chevrolet trucks. The Australian design is very similar however there are just enough differences to catch the attention of the close observer. Examples: The hood sides and doors are quite different. Check the curved door bottoms. Of course, this also makes the cab different. Probably the most unique feature...

What a rare occurrence! At the 2011 America Truck Historical Society Convention in South Bend, Indiana, we at Jim Carter Truck Parts found both a 1936 and a 1937 restored GMC truck with the correct grille — each at different booths. You can go to every truck show for many years and never see even one. Therefore, we just had...

What an unusual idea!  If you have clear coated your bedwood, replace the metal bed strips with dark stained wood. Of course, this is for a pickup not used for hauling, however as the owner said “If you clear coated your bedwood instead of painting it as original, you were not planning to work with it anyway”.

One of our good customers, Scott Phaneuf of Hatfield, MA recently purchased a NOS (New Old Stock) GM tool bag with all the correct tools. It was found in a San Diego dealership back storeroom. Somehow it had not been thrown away over these many years. In earlier years canvas tool bags were with the vehicle when new at no...

The full rear quarter panels for the 1947-55 Chevy/GMC Suburban were made all the same at the metal stamping manufacturer.  To save money these panels were not made different if the Suburban was to have the double doors or the tailgate style opening in the rear. Thus, when the Suburban was provided with a lift and tailgate combination the 4...

On an early Monday morning a customer, Mike Riley of Kansas City stopped by our shop to obtain some older Chevy truck parts needed during the past weekend. As I followed him to his mid-1980’s Chevrolet pickup he brought my attention to his new white paint job. He read about a home garage procedure on the internet and decided to...

Before 1954 on 1/2 tons, the frame rails were given a large arch as they passed over the rear axle housing. With a broken leaf spring or overloading the bed with too much weight, the frame rails will lower many inches before contacting an axle bumper. It was a system that worked for over 20 years on 1/2 tons when...

When finding a 1946 and older Chevy/GMC truck cab, identification may be difficult to some. Here is a quick way to come very close to the correct year. The stamped stiffeners on the firewall tell the story. 1936-38 No Stiffeners  1939-40-Two Vertical Stiffeners 1941-46 Cross Design Stiffeners

A customer recently came to our shop with a big smile about his discovery on the changeover for his 1937 Chevy 1/2 ton. He had changed his engine to either a V8 or a 235 six-cylinder. The closed drive shaft system had to be removed! After researching the local salvage yards, he discovered the perfect replacement. On a 2005 Chevrolet...

Warning:  When installing an updated duel chambered master cylinder under the floor of an older GM truck, a brake line modification may be necessary. It is not acceptable to allow the modified brake line to touch or be very close to the exhaust pipe.  During long trips, the exhaust heat can cause a rise in the brake fluid temperature to...

To keep General Motors truck costs down, Chevrolet and GMC ½ through 2 ton shared many components during the late 1930’s through the 1950’s. However, when it came to the grille, the focal point of the truck, changes had to be very noticeable. The truck designers were limited in creating a new grille as both makes would still have almost...

Attached are some pictures of the correct 1947-1955 GM panel truck seats. The right side was a factory option. This would be special-ordered if the owner was planning on two passengers. Though they have been recovered with cloth instead of factory “leatherette”, they are correct in all other ways. What is interesting is how GM made the optional right side...

Forgotten by most is the gasoline V-12 engine made by the GMC Division of General Motors in the mid 1960’s. This very large one piece engine block was made for GMC’s largest trucks. Examples of these vehicles were water carrying fire trucks and off road vehicles such as quarry trucks, which hauled tons of rock. As can be imagined, the...

Though some things were shared between GMC and Chevrolet trucks, General Motors made sure many items remained very different during the early years.  GMC preferred few things to be similar to Chevrolet. Their customers needed to see an almost stand-alone truck with the higher price of the GMC. One very obvious difference is the change in the taillight and bracket. There is...

What an ingenious way to keep a tail light in view! General Motors realized that with the tail gate in the lowered position the center tail light still had to be seen by the following traffic. At times the gate will stay lowered when longer freight is carried. Therefore, the 5” round light is attached to a swing bracket. This...

Leaving your truck, car, or most all gasoline operated equipment in storage is asking for trouble!  Many of us, as hobbyists, collect more cars and trucks than we will drive at least monthly.  They sit in the back of your garage or are stored across town in a friend’s garage, barn, etc. Three to five years later when it is...

During 2012 National Convention of the American Truck Historical Society, we met some real truck enthusiasts that had traveled to the show from Brazil. One was, Antonio Sergio Hurtago, an owner of an older American truck museum in San Paulo. Jim Carter Truck Parts was given a very interesting current 12 month calendar from this museum. The most surprising page featured a...

For the first time in truck manufacturing General Motors made a heater available at the factory for Task Force trucks in the 1955-59 years. Yes, the dealer could still add a heater if you requested after the new truck purchase. Here, we feature the GMC heater dash panel for these years. In the photo, the deluxe fresh air controls have...

We ask our readers: What is the correct color for the letters and numbers for the 1947-53 Chevrolet truck dash gauges? Were they white? Have they slightly yellowed after 50 years and now have a more cream color? Our company has made the decals both with white and slight yellow hue. We had assumed the originals have slightly yellowed with...

During the April 2012 Portland, Oregon swap meet, we noticed a very unusual feature on a 1972 Chevrolet ¾ ton. Five GM optional clearance lights were set on the front of the cab above the windshield. The surprise was the inverted dimples stamped at the factory. Amber plastic lenses are secured here. See photo. Could this mean you received a...

It’s 1938 and the GMC division of General Motors is entering its third year of small truck production.  Prior to 1936, the GMC line consisted of only larger trucks normally bought by Farms and businesses, for heavy hauling.  The Great Depression was in full swing and GMC needed more sales to add to their financial bottom line.  To help sales...

To correct the concern about seat belts not being readily available, GM added a few extras during these years. On the outer side of bucket and bench seats a sheath and spring operated roller kept the belt clean and out of sight when not being used. It kept this belt always in the same place when needed. On the center...

Though most of the first design Blazers came with a passenger seat, it was still an extra cost factory option. Originally created by GM with encouragement from the US Postal Service, it was felt they would be just right for mail delivery in a 2-wheel drive version. Most, but not all, other 2 wheel drive buyers wanted this right side...

We have received so many requests over the years for the 1940 - 1946 Chevrolet / GMC steering wheels, we decided to make an exact replica. They are now finished and soon to be shipped from the factory. These steering wheels are complete with correct metal internal parts, non-metal exterior with ridges, and even the two proper colors available 65...

The gas tanks are totally different on the more common pickup versus the panel truck/suburban body, though the two frame rails, drive train, and front sheet metal are the same on each 1939-46 ½ ton. On pickups the 18 gallon tank sets comfortably and safely within the seat riser and below the seat cushion. Over a million of these pickups...

Surprise!  The well known GMC grilles from 1949 through early 1955 use the same bars.  This includes the more popular ½ ton through the very large over the road and quarry trucks.  Chrome or painted, the four horizontal stamped metal bars are identical.  Look at the following photos.  The grille bars interchange!

In the days when car and truck owners as well as mechanics did maintenance, GM made these responsibilities much less complicated.  An excellent example was the screen below the engine oil pump. Due to no oil filters and no detergent additive in the motor oil (to keep dirt in suspension), the oil pump screen was necessary.  Tiny dirt particles settled...

An Inner-Line oil filter from Long Island, New York!  Rarely seen today but a popular early aftermarket option.  It secures to the engine block after removing the oil distribution cover.  No oil lines.  No moving the horn forward to make room for the intake manifold mounted oil canister.

Short of cats? When older vehicles are left unattended, mice find a way to get inside. It’s their natural instinct! The damage they do with their families over a few years is a disaster to metal. They don’t seem to leave the nest when their bladder says “it’s time”. This nest was recently found inside a 1941 Chevrolet ½ ton...

Jim Carter Truck Parts found these pictures among some papers stored 16 years ago. The owner of this 1941 panel truck is forgotten, however it is understood why these pictures were taken and placed in storage. Even that long ago, a very original ’41 panel was almost never found. In this case, it was the interior that was the attention...

So unusual to place a gas tank under the seat with no fill pipe outside the cab! To engineer this big change for 1937 was expensive and very different from earlier years when it was under the bed. Why was this done? What advantages could this have been over an outside fill spout? Was gasoline theft during the depression years...

Rebuilt Speedometers for Chevy Trucks & GMC Trucks When your older truck needs a rebuilt speedometer, think of Jim Carter Truck Parts! Our company, in combination with a specialized shop, provides a quality product that you will be proud to place in your vehicle. With most new repair parts no longer available, we obtain used speedometers from across the country...

It is very unusual that we are asked to create a 1954-55 GMC gauge panel.  Our customer had lost his due to an un-professional rebuilder and was in a panic.  We finally were able to create this set after an involved hunt in our various storage locations.  What a job!  All needed complete rebuilding and appearance upgrading. We thought this should...

The parking light assembly on the 1941 Chevrolet and GMC Pick-up Trucks was placed on top of the headlight bucket. From 1942 through 1947, GM used a much less expensive park light housing on civilian trucks.

What a rare occurrence! At the 2011 America Truck Historical Society Convention in South Bend, Indiana, we found both a 1936 and a 1937 restored GMC truck with the correct grill --- each at different booths. You can go to every truck show for many years and never see even one. Therefore, we just had to get a few photos...

What a unique invention. When you have a 1947 through 1959 single rear wheel 3/4 or 1 ton GM truck and need more pulling power, this is the answer. American ingenuity at its best! This new steel center hub extension includes eight long bolts to reach the original wheel studs. This holds the factory wheel in place and then provides...

It is very important where to drill the hole for the new radio antenna. The results of making a slight mistake will stay in your mind for many years to come! Radios during these 1947-54 Advance Design years were never installed at the factory. This was done by the authorized GM Dealer. In the box that contained the new radio...

General Motors was coming out of the wire wheel era by 1936. This as well as wood spokes had been a standard with most cars and light trucks since the beginning at the turn of the century. The new stamped steel wheels on Chevrolet 1/2 tons were easier to produce, and was less susceptible to side damage on rough terrain...

Over the many years we have collected a wealth of knowledge working with Chevrolet and GMC trucks from the years 1934 - 1972. We have gathered our Tech Articles, write-ups and how to's and divided them into categories. You will find a list of helpful Articles that will help you get your old truck looking and running like new again.

In the Chevrolet truck assembly plant in Petone, New Zealand near the capital city of Wellington, a bed was not part of the pickup. This was in the 1930's through mid 1940's. The reason was to keep cost lower and to sell more trucks. The two rear fenders were wired flat to the frame for the new owner's future use...

During the early years, most roads were not paved and the quality of tires was far from that of today. Thus, tire repair was very big business. It was necessary for vehicle manufacturers to provide the easiest access to the often needed spare tire. Part of driving a car or truck was knowing how to change a tire. On the...

This little vacuum wiper motor has such a unique appearance! They have become quite rare in recent years. Manufactured by Trico for just this truck, it fits above the windshield frame on the left side of cab. A dealer accessory for the right side. They have sometimes been called a "sweetheart" wiper motor due to their strange appearance.

The 1967-1972 - What's That Noise? Gaining speed after you turn onto the highway, your GM truck (1967-1972), moves toward a cruising speed equal to the surrounding traffic. As your engine reaches about 2,000 rpm you suddenly hear a low hum up front. It does not stop as the truck speed increases. If you lower the windows, play the radio...

During 1972, a unique Chevrolet promotional pickup was introduced for a limited time in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton models. This truck was designated the 'Highlander'. Unfortunately, it did not have side emblems or related name plates that would cause people to remember this special model. On the actual truck the word Highlander was only listed on the glove box...

The debut of the famous 4x4 Chevrolet Blazer was in 1969. It had little competition and stood alone as a combination off-road and daily driver utility vehicle. Chevrolet truck dealers were taken by surprise! Waiting lines soon occurred requesting this new and unique car/truck vehicle. By 1970, production was in full swing. GMC also entered the project this second year...

During the late 1970's, trucks accelerated their change from a more commercial work vehicle to one desired by the family as their everyday transportation. During 1967-1972, Chevrolet and GMC introduced names such as CST, Cheyenne and Sierra Grande to show buyers that their trucks were no longer just for work. Options that rivaled cars could now be ordered for their...

During a recent trip to Buenos Aires, this Argentina built 1971 Chevrolet ½ ton was seen beside a downtown street. Its unique features causes us to take a strong second look. The more we observed this clean little short bed, the more we saw features that were special to this South American Chevy. The driver was not available so we...

Are you on a hunt for a new 1969-1972 Blazer tailgate? It may not be as difficult as you think. GM saved much money by using a 1967-1972 Chevrolet Fleetside tailgate! The one difference is a narrow strip of stamped sheet metal attached to the top edge. Most used Blazer tailgates, whatever their lower condition, still have this strip. This...

In recent years seeing the unusual Chevrolet Longhorn or similar GMC Custom Camper (1968-1972) has become a very rare occurrence. These oversize pickups, with 8 1/2 ft. bed floors, were built for work and thus there is a very limited survival rate. Most seen today started life as they were advertised carrying a vacation camper. They were usually more taken...

1967-72 Chevy Truck Model I.D. We hope the following information on Axle, Transmission and Model identification will help many of you with your questions. Accuracy was a concern as we compiled this information. Because GM made so many scheduled as well as unscheduled changes, there is much discussion about these changes. The following is used by permission from Pickups and...

These years are the 'last of the breed'! Due to the increasing popularity of the new G-series van, panel truck sales had continued to suffer since the mid 1960's. By 1970, General Motors panel truck production came to a halt. GM did not even wait until the end of the body series in 1972! This 'enclosed body on a pickup...

The first year of the 1967-1972 series of trucks had various characteristics that were unique to just the first year. For the perfectionist doing an exact restoration, 1967 GMC trucks are always a challenge. Because the 1967 GMC trucks sold in smaller numbers finding one with most of its original components is unusual. Even rarer is locating a GMC Super...

The rear license plate bracket for the 1956-1959 panel truck-very rare! For the first time, this body style did not incorporate the tail light into the license light. When GM designed the body to have two tail lights on the corners, it was necessary to design a license plate light that remained independent on the door position. This small bracket...

  GM step beds during 1955-1966 are almost the same. They even use identical tailgates. Thus GM did not find it necessary to change the rear bumper stamping during these 12 years. However, there is one important difference which distinguishes the 1955-1959 from 1960-1966 rear stepbed bumpers. During 1960-1966 GM placed two stamped square holes (not in 1955 through 1959...

Though fleetside pickups are the common style today, they certainly had a unique appearance in the late 1950's. Until then, the stepside body style with outside rear fenders was the norm. With smaller horsepower from available engines, the limited hauling capacity in the stepside box was well matched to the existing power plants. If the customer required a pickup with...

The momentum of four wheel drive popularity definitely began after World War II. The need for this off-road extra during the war forced 4x4 technology to develop at a fast pace. Thus, during the early 1950's, several independent companies began to appear offering a four wheel drive kit for light duty trucks. Major pickup manufacturers were not yet offering this...

On the task force body style, 1955-1959, the GMC hoods began quite different than Chevrolet. Beginning in 1955 a large opening, 5.25" x 25", was used to hold a set of die cast GMC letters attached to a decorative grille. In 1957 this grille was removed in place of a perimeter ring. Why the less attractive ring was added is...

1955 Second Series-66 Chevy Truck Model I.D. We hope the following information on Axle, Transmission and Model identification will help many of you with your questions. Accuracy was a concern as we compiled this information. Because GM made so many scheduled as well as unscheduled changes, there is much discussion about these changes. The following is used by permission from...

Article courtesy of Rob English (rob@oldgmctrucks.com) The issue of multiple piece rims and safety comes up frequently. There seems to be a quick rush to judgment about any rim that has more than one piece, and while certain types of multiple piece rims have indeed been outlawed and are no longer made, many others are not only still in service...

Ever wonder why GM pickup rear bumpers became an option for so many years? Jim Carter Truck Parts wanted to know also. Here are the facts:Beginning in 1951 these bumpers became an extra cost option and remained this way for so many years on most pickup models. The reason relates to pickups being mostly for work. Though protecting the bed...

Purchasing a 1947-1953 optional cigarette lighter assembly from some vendors provides reproduction that is far from original in appearance. A manufacturer recently offered the optional lighter assembly but used a knob from the headlight of a 1947-1953. There is no similarity to the real lighter! Don't be embarrassed at a show where your vehicle is being judged. Reproduction (above) Image...

  Prices of more valuable metals such as copper and nickel reached their height during mid 1951 through 1953. Though U.S. shortages were much less than in WWII, there were price increases in the market that affected the financial bottom line of auto and truck manufacturers. America almost demanded chrome on cars even if it raised prices. Decorative shiny trim...

The 1955 year put Chevrolet on top! All stops were removed in announcing and continual advertising of the totally redesigned passenger car and their first V-8 engine. Television, radio, news papers and dealers regularly told the public that Chevrolets best year had arrived. It was not good timing to also begin an equal advertising campaign for the totally new truck...

  As per GM, accessories during the 1930's through mid 1960's were the extra cost items sold and installed by the approved dealer. The truck was prepared for these during production so the dealership could later add them with less effort. As much as possible GM would punch holes, attach removable plates, press in dimples, etc. to help the dealership...

This was one of the most unique years for Chevrolet trucks. The Korean War and some resulting material shortages were now history. The economy was growing and the average worker brought home more wages than ever before. Sales of luxury options on automobiles were showing definite increases. To capitalize on this trend for transportation improvements, GM was fast working on...

Tech Tip from Ron Hansen Wakefield, Massachusetts � Alignment Solution for Installing a Late Model Rear End in a 1947-1954 Pick Up On the original rear end, the spring centerbolt is offset to the front of the spring by 2"to 3". If you install a modern rear end (with an open driveshaft) and retain the original springs, the wheels will...

GM trucks titled prior to the mid-1950's were usually registered using the stamped engine number not the body digits pressed in the door ID plate. This practice has created many problems in later years as states became stricter in titling. Unfortunately, many older vehicles outlast their engine and owners rarely rebuild the originals. To save time and certainly expense, a...

On 1937-55 1/2 and 3/4 ton rear bumpers there exists an unused center square bumper bolt hole that sometimes brings up questions from restorers. "Why does this hole exist and what is it purpose?" The answer relates to the attitude toward trucks during those years. They were for work and keeping their production cost low was a priority. The bumpers...

Of the many differences between the Chevrolet and GMC 1/2 ton during the early years (1937-54), the GMC offering of a long bed pickup box was one of the more noticeable. Only GMC provided this option. On Chevrolet, to obtain this extra bed length, the buyer must order a 3/4 ton. This had a lower differential gearing, not wanted by...

When you would like to restore your truck and no workshop is available, there is a solution. Most all the repairs can occur in a temporary shop and at a very low cost. Jim Valano of Marion, Indiana is a true example of 'American Ingenuity.' He purchased a 'canvas storage tent' and assembled it at a convenient location. He even...

Prior to the mid-1930's, the two truck divisions of General Motors, Chevrolet and GMC, were mostly independent companies. If you wanted a 1-1/2 ton and smaller truck, Chevrolet (since 1918) could provide the model just right for your needs. If you needed a 2-ton and larger, GMC was the division to contact. They had been a large truck specialist even...

Even before the 1920's, light commercial hauling using panel trucks had found a loyal growing customer base. With increasing numbers of small businesses and the population gradually moving to the cities, the panel truck found a place in our society. By the 1930's, most all truck manufacturers had designed a panel body to fit on their existing pickup truck chassis...