Jim Carter Truck Parts

This large grommet is so hidden, most owners have no idea it exists. It is exclusive to the 1947-55 (Advance Design) Suburban, panel truck and Canopy Express. Because the body is so much wider than a step side pickup the full add pipe must be longer. The body also has an inner as well as outer panel. The inner panel...

When your love for custom cars and hot rods has continued to grow over the years there comes a time when you really want a “one of a kind” vehicle. It must relate to your personality and have that certain flair that will never be seen anywhere else. This creation came after years in the imagination of Cholly Nachman in...

Its 1947! A 14 year old Burt Fulmore thinks of a method of getting to school each day from his home in the small town of Economy to Bass River, Nova Scotia Canada, seven miles away. (This island province in eastern Canada is 450 miles above the US most northern state of Maine). He knows his father’s 1937 panel truck...

Drooping outside door handle? Repairs are available. A small broken spring in the hidden latch assembly is the problem. Probably most were never repaired by prior owners! If requires removing the inner door panel and then the latch assembly. This latch is usually placed in a vise for replacing the small inner spring. Right and left are different. It is...

This is one of the better examples of an Advance Design “Deluxe” pickup. General Motors offered this extra above the standard model. As extra money was limited during these years, most settled for the no frill model. After all, pickup trucks were for work duties. Spending extra income (which most did not have) was not spent by buyers that were...

Bet you didn’t know! The two electric wires extending from the main harness run vertically beside the intake or exhaust manifold to the horn, depending on the year. Here is the way Chevrolet did it on trucks and cars: From 1938 and older trucks and cars the two horn wires run vertically up to the horn between the exhaust manifold...

This data may be of interest to those restoring a 1938 Chevy truck or car grill to look very authentic. After the chrome plating was added at the factory additional appearance steps were necessary. The extended metal on the horizontal bars were given a satin black paint. The two outer verticals were also given this satin black coating on their...

Currently only one factory in the world reproduces the 1937 Chevrolet ½ ton bumper. Basically a very nice chrome reproduction that will satisfy most all restorers. Only one error in its production stands out. Sometimes perfectionist make comments but this is all there is! Either use it as is or straighten and re-chrome or re-chrome an 80 year old original. The enclosed...

What a unique 1951 Chevrolet Suburban for our Feature Truck Series! It is certainly a one of a kind. The owners are Jeff & Brenda Kuhn of Plainfield, Illinois. Their dream is now complete after 4 years in the making. The goal was to restore or find a totally original Suburban and then add special performance features that were usually...

For the perfectionist that wants his 1938 (and 1937) just right, here is an original page from an 80 year old sales booklet. It shows the eleven colors that could be requested when a new Chevrolet truck was ordered. Because of the page’s age, it might be 10% off in color even if it was in the dark among stored...

General Motor’s method of saving tooling cost on commercial vehicles shows up in the production of these tail light assemblies. By the mid 50’s years the increase demand for turn signals, two taillights were required on the panel truck and Suburban’s. GM built them right and left, installed in the body, at the factory for the first time. These were...

This is for those that consider originality very important! We recently received a photo of a “real” truck headliner still in place after over 80 years. Amazing! We just could not trash this photo of one of probably the only example in existence. Most people today were not alive when it came off the assembly line. It appears to have...

A very rare Chevrolet dealer installed accessory would have been a radio. Placing this more luxury item in a work truck was very unusual. Most people had limited incomes and a radio would be a big extra even for the family car. To save tooling money on a new 1940 radio creation for the Chevy truck, General Motors used the...

Many truck owners have chosen to leave their vehicle’s old paint or rusty surface just as they found it setting in a back lot or farm field. Then the mechanicals are restored to new condition for safety and dependability. They now are called a “RAT-ROD”. Enter now a great way to protect the aged metal surface and keep that old...

What an “attitude change” for this ½ ton! It moved from a stock long bed fleetside to a nice custom short stepside ½ ton in about 3 months! The owner and responsible person for the work is John Toon of Sugar Creek, Missouri. As his first major truck transformation, we feel he has created a very different “breed of cat”...

General Motors realized that after larger work trucks left the factory some owners would want to lengthen or shorten the side frame rails. Replacement beds would sometime require a different wheel base. Therefore, as a warning GM painted or etched letters to tell owners the importance of a good, safe connection after the frame is cut. The attached photo shows...

An unusual gas tank venting system was on 1934 – Early 1936 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton trucks and 1937 to early 1938 1/2 tons. This was necessary because their under seat gas tanks did not have a fill spout. They were filled directly into the top of the tank. (A few late 1936 Chevrolet low cabs 1 1/2 tons did...

  For the many people that have not seen a gas tank baffle, this should be of interest. These are usually flat metal dividers welded inside a fuel tank. They slow the side to side movement of the fuel. Numerous openings between the welded dividers cause a slower movement of fuel. See Photo. Baffle Trivia! 1. All tanks in a...

For those that have not looked under the differential of an early Chevy / GMC truck, the following may be of interest. Protection of the metal rear brake lines are shown in the attached photos from a 1939 Chevrolet ½ ton. They are separated by a brass division block (gray in photos) which is on the right side of the...

Our monthly feature truck is an 80 year old regular driver! Born in late 1936, it found a great home in mid-Missouri about 10 years ago. It was found in Western Kansas where the low humidity slows rust on metal left outside. To keep it looking much like it was found, the remaining Brewster Green paint was untouched and the...

GM always made sure the taillight wires were protected from unexpected damage! Because vinyl covered wires were not yet invented, the cloth covered wires required extra protection. This is certainly true for wires in the wheel well area that are continually hit by road debris. This was done by a 5/16 diameter inch galvanized metal flexible conduit. The length was...

An unusual accessory from a pre-World War II era. When you bought a 1936 Chevrolet 1 ½ ton short or long bed truck, they all came with a round hole in the center of the rear cross sill. This allowed the dealer to easily add a tow ring with threaded attaching rod. This rod was simple inserted in the hole...

This subject came to the surface recently by a customer, Jake LaRose of Maynard, Iowa. He had purchased an outer door skin for his 1936 Chevy ½ ton however the fit was just not quite correct, close but not right! Jake was at a loss! We immediately began to research for an answer to his dilemma. The answer was discovered...

Alternator Warning As some owners now replace their original electric generators with a modern alternator, here is an important warning that must be considered. This is in regards to the in-dash original amp gauge used on most all vehicles. This gauge was made for a lower amperage flow provided by the early factory generator, usually a max of about 35...

 Let's Really Talk Trucks!Our Feature Truck of the Month series often shows the more unusual GM trucks. Most are rarely seen at special interest car and truck shows. This month is no exception! This ground up restored 2 ½ ton 1959 Chevrolet Spartan 100 is one of the very few (if any) in existence fully restored. It even goes further...

If you have a NAPCO 4 wheel drive ½ ton, the following might be of interest. Owners sometimes wonder if their NAPCO 4 x 4 was installed at a franchise NAPCO shop that were in most medium size towns or was it installed on a Chevrolet GMC factory assembly line when GM began offering them in 1957. (NOTE: GM first...

Of the limited number of dealer accessories available for the 1941-46 Chevrolet pickups, one was made more for appearance rather than practicality. This was defined as a “grille guard”. This chromed u-shaped guard was said to protect the grille from accidental damage. (The sheet metal grille was of a thin metal gauge that could be easily damaged by most outside...

The 1947 through early 1955 Advance Design Chevrolet Trucks were great sellers however General Motors realized that a changed body style would soon be in order. The competition was strong and if Chevrolet was to stay “Number One” in truck sales, a new planned body style would be necessary. It all came into existence in mid-1955. The totally new cab...

This month’s feature truck may be the only COE (cab over engine) short wheel base Advance Design Tow truck in existence! Most trucks that are tow vehicles are doomed to extinction once they begin their job of car and truck moving duties. They are worked everyday sun, rain, or snow to justify their expense of huge insurance, a driver, maintenance...

The 1931-1932 Chevrolet cars were equipped with chrome plated oval taillights. Their attractive design added to the overall appearance of the new passenger car. This was to help attract potential customers that were experiencing some of the worst years of the Great Depression. Surprise! We find that GM reused parts of these car lights again on the 1934-1939 Chevrolet Trucks...

For many years we have heard rumors about the 1934 Chevrolet Master Car Grill. Some have said they came with alternate chrome and black vertical grill bars. Others say they did not. A large piece to this debate was seen at the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America 2016 Convention in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Here, we saw two 1934 Chevy Masters...

With the headlight ring and reflectors now being reproduced by Jim Carter Truck Parts for the 1937-1939 Chevrolet truck, we are occasionally asked, “Will these parts also fit that year of Chevy passenger car?” Sorry they will not on US made trucks! The passenger cars have a slightly smaller 7 inch lens and reflector while the same year of truck...

The early Chevrolet side mount bracket on the 1936 & older ½ ton and passenger car are almost identical. However, there is a part that is so different that this article needed to be posted. The securing fastener that holds the tire clamp in place on top is totally different on the two vehicles. The passenger car uses a chrome...

Almost all of the headlights during at least the mid to late 1930’s had double filament bulbs. They were 32cp (candle power) on either the low or high beam setting. This made replacing the burned out bulb a “no brainer”. You just pushed the bulb in the receiving socket and gave it a slight turn. This locked the bulb in...

When your truck has a side mount spare tire in the left front fender, this rear view mirror accessory adds much to seeing what is behind you. In this case, the securing leather strap is too long. Thus, it is wrapped around itself rather than cutting it short.

What a one of a kind early 1947 Chevy ½ ton! Joe Haney of Independence, Missouri decided to use his skills to create an older Chevy pickup that would be nothing like anyone had ever seen. At the same time he would keep the project to a level that would be within his budget. Fortunately, Joe’s mechanical talents and love...

You think you have seen most of the characteristics of the 216 inline six cylinder of the early Chevrolet years then up pops something that you have never seen. What was the reason for an identical engine number stamped on the same block, on the same side, about 9 “apart? While visiting Jerry’s Early Chevy Repair Shop in Independence, Missouri (816-833-4414) we...

  In mid-1955 General Motors introduced their long awaited new trucks, often referred to as the Second Series. The first half of the year 1955 (the first series)) GM continued to market the 1954 body style. They remained with the 6 volt system. Though Chevrolet trucks made a complete change-over from a 6 to 12 volt electrical system, GMC did...

Prior to the pre WWII era, the quality of rubber was not advanced as would be later years. Real quality rubber was yet to be introduced. One big example is the hood lace on the GM trucks up to about 1941. The hood on 1941 (and some larger trucks built during the war years) continued to be in protected by...

A big mistake! We can think of no better example of mistakes in currently producing older Chevy / GMC truck parts than this offering of a reproduction shift knuckle that is described “for the 1947-53 GM ½ and ¾ ton”. NOT only are they currently advertised for the wrong year, but they continue to be sold in this way after...

After Jim Carter’s Truck Parts over 40 years in business, a walk-in customer told us why so many car and truck horns have miscellaneous dents. They are on their surface sheet metal in no particular place. To our customer, it was easy to understand. He told us: “If the horn fails to operate the vehicle owner hit it with a...

Ever hear of an older vehicle being bought on its way to the metal crusher? Our feature truck this month was one of those saved from the recycler to later become one of the most attractive panel trucks in the country! The savior of this 1953 GMC panel truck is Max and Margaret Davis of Columbia, Tennessee. They are the...

With the introduction of Halogen headlights, night driving is a little safer due to more illumination. However, this improvement comes with a negative for those still using a generator for their electrical charging system. To get the extra lighting from Halogen bulbs, the available amperage should be about 60. This will come from an alternator systems which has a charging...

When sending in your early GM truck pressure plate for rebuilding it is important to check the center of the spring diaphragm. It is amazing how many have been damaged beyond repair. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? The sealed throw-out bearing is pressed against the center of the spring diaphragm each time the driver presses down on the clutch pedal. All...

This special Advance Design pickup has come a long way from its early life on a Mid-Missouri farm. Owned and restored by Dale Jacobs of Dallas, Texas, this 1949 GMC ¾ ton has been down to the frame and came out just a little nicer than new. It’s the old story. It looked very nice and ran just as well...

Referred to by General Motors as the “Advance Design” trucks, these mid 1947 through early 1955 Chevrolet GMC trucks have become GM’s most long lasting popular pickups and big trucks this company ever built. They continue to appear at early car and truck shows, in television advertisements, and just driving down the road. The 1947 through 1955 Chevrolet GMC Advance...

What a Deal! When the term “Only One in the World” is used in the automotive world, this special 1959 Chevrolet ½ ton Fleetside short bed should be near the top of the list. There is none like this one! The owner and creator is Sam Caudle of Independence, Missouri. Using GM as the original designer, Sam became a subcontractor...

Most are badly rusted and are not usable! A small metal plate was once used to secure the red taillight lens and clear back up light lens against the long gasket that fits inside the taillight housing. A machine screw pulls this plate against the two plastic lenses behind the reflector to stop inside water leaks. When the metal plate...

This is a copy from the 1937 Accessory Pamphlet showing heater items available. Interesting! NOTE: Rectangular glass and two suction cups holds heat wires to prevent fogging of windshield from driver’s breath in winter.Early steering column with cage over blades to blow warmer heater air to windshield.Extra cost will actually move heater air to driver’s side of windshield.

From the front cover of a dealer sales brochure that was given to potential buyers by the dealers during the tough years of the “Great Depression”. Notice they are appealing to the farm buyer where most of our population lived. This little ½ ton can even carry a cow!

A hidden lens retaining bracket was originally on all 1941 Chevrolet / GMC trucks. It holds the glass frosted lens firmly against the front of the park light housing. After it’s over 80 plus years, the lens gasket has deteriorated, water has entered the housing, and this stamped steel bracket is rusted beyond use. Thus, so many 1941 truck owners...

What a useful dealer installed GM accessory! This takes advantage of the lost space above the gas tank, behind the seat back cushion. The attached page came in the box with the parts. It greatly helps in installation for the dealer’s mechanic or a customer buying it across the counter. It was quite practical to keep stored items off the...

What a rare aftermarket accessory! In Jim Carter Truck Parts 40 years of experience, we have never seen a pair of ½ ton rear spring overloads like these. Normally, we see overload springs as a GM dealer accessory which is a short version of the main multi leaf rear original springs. These particular half circle overloads would have been less...

The pure sealed beam headlight bulb, as most know them, were not introduced until about 1954. Prior to this, a similar design was used on new cars and trucks beginning in 1940. It looked like a modern sealed beam but it was not. Unless you look close, these appear to be the later modern sealed beam. Actually there is a...

Wow! Here’s what you can do with a 2 ton 80 year old truck that has become almost beyond repair! Glenn Garrison of Germanton, North Carolina decided to build a roll back truck that was one of a kind. He wanted something no one else would have and yet could do car hauling duties as well as others. When he saw...

There comes a time with some 6 volt vehicles that an emergency jump start is necessary. Maybe the battery has been drained due to a light or ignition switch being left on. Or maybe it was stored over a winter without the battery trickle charger being attached. Whatever, the reason, you feel helpless without another readily available 6 volt battery...

The famous 1947-55 Advance Design Trucks were so popular in the US that GM just could not let them go. Overseas factories used this basic US tooling for their version of the Advance Design trucks. This continued for many years after they had been discontinued on US assembly lines. Look at some of these trucks in other countries using GM’s...

General Motors wisdom had it correct. They waited about 2 years after the end of WWII before introducing a new truck body design in mid-year 1947. With the returning military from overseas the truck sales (and all other cars & trucks) with pre-war older designs were selling faster than the factories could produce them. GM continued with the same trucks...

  The 1967 Chevrolet is sometimes referred to as the first that really attracted the buyer that did not need a truck just for work. It was a one of the first GM trucks that related to the country’s growing interest in pickups as a daily driver or a substitute as a first or second family vehicle. The cab and...

These years is what Jim Carter Truck Parts is so well known for in supplying Chevrolet truck parts to mid 1936 1937 1938. Our catalog is close to being a parts manual with the many items and detailed description of each. Remember our advanced website at https://oldchevytrucks.com/. It is a major source of data for 1936 1937 1938 Chevrolet truck...

This was the final years of our country’s Great Depression however most Americans were not aware of this at the time as about 25% unemployment continued. GMC truck dealers as all other vehicle dealers were struggling financially or by then were out of business!  General Motors had to do something “fast” for their dealers or even to save themselves. Thus...

Our company, Jim Carter Truck Parts, is one of the main suppliers in the world for classic 1934 1935 1936 High Cab Chevy truck parts. Many refer to these as High Cab because of the older taller design as compared to the mid 1936 cab and newer.  The rarity of these sheet metal over wood frame cab Chevy ½ ton...

Max and Margaret own a Chevrolet / GMC truck restoration business in Columbia, TN. It is know by Possum Holler Garage. Their Latest project is a ground-up restoration on a 1953 Chevrolet Deluxe 1/2 Ton Panel Truck. This will be one of their premier projects for 2016 and will be for a local restaurant, Larry's Country Diner. The custom colors...

Before the introduction of the sealed light headlight bulbs on automobiles and trucks the next best way of adding the most light was the use of reflectors behind bulbs. In this way most of the light was not lost. It was “reflected” to get the most light to shine in one direction. (This method is still used today on many...

A redesigned dash was placed in the 1954 GMC. It was totally changed from the 1947-53 dash which had been in place six years. Due to this new design there was a place to install the radio but not its speaker! The next best location for the speaker was in the headliner between the driver and passenger. The GM engineering...

One of the lowest mile over 50 year old trucks in existence! A great example of what an older truck was like when it first came off the assembly line. It is owned by Gerald Cooper of Manassas, Virginia. He has almost 50 early vehicles in his collection but this ½ ton is a special vehicle to him. It is...

LOOK WHAT JUST BECAME AVAILABLE FROM JIM CARTER TRUCK PARTS! I have not seen new since the late 1930’s. These one year only emblems. Attached to the hood sides of the 1937 GMC ½ through 1 ½ ton. Anodized silver aluminum with black background. Just like GM made them. The final touch to draw attention by anyone that admires older...

Now available after 80 years from Jim Carter Truck Parts! Quality hood side emblems for the 1936 GMC 1/2 and 1 ½ ton truck. Having a beautiful restored early GMC truck with poor or no side emblems does not have to be anymore! Anodized silver aluminum with black background. Dimensions 2” x 21”. Quality is equal or better than when...

Finally we have just received another large delivery of 1939-1946 Chevrolet / GMC metal gas tanks. The demand picked up faster than we expected so we had been without for about six months until our order for our tanks, was manufactured and shipped. The manufacturer makes over 100 gas tank designs so we had to get in line! Ours are the best...

During the early years of Chevrolet truck production the complete door panels were painted sheet metal with no upholstery. The inside window handle needed to be out away from the door panel. This would guarantee that over the years wear in the riser mechanism would not allow the handle to rub on the panel surface as the door window handle...

  When the 1954 Chevrolet deluxe pickup was introduced (about two months into the production year) they came with a different design arm rest not used before. It wasn’t even found on the assembly line produced standard 1954-55 pickups! Because the door panels and painted interiors of this new deluxe cab had four color choices, GM realized they could not...

For the First Time – Two in a Row! While the Feature Truck article for January 2016 was being developed, we noticed an additional very special vehicle in Greg Fanning’s collection. His photos showed another eye-catcher, one of the rarest of the 1947-55 Advanced Design truck series. This is the now almost extinct “Canopy Express”. We doubt if even 100...

Just a quick note and story for you Jim and a big “thank you” to Jim Carter Truck Parts for all the support while doing my rebuild, couldn’t have done it without you guys…..Greg Fanning, Province of British Columbia, Canada. Well, I guess I should begin this dialogue by saying what an honor it is to have been asked to...

Seeing a small tanker vehicle like our feature truck this month brings back memories from another era in our country’s history. It was a time of smaller family farms that dotted the country by the millions. Usually one medium size tractor was adequate for the planting and harvesting of the numerous crops these farms produced. Suppliers of petroleum products in...

Here is an example of pure American Ingenuity! Put two things together: A 1952 Chevrolet 2 ton and an ambitious top quality retired carpenter that wants to travel. These qualifications fit Richard Howe of Trinidad California. (About 300 miles north of San Francisco, California) He built another similar house and truck combination several years ago on a Cab over Engine...

Our feature truck article is a little different this month. One of the country’s leading truck restoration shops was ask to pick a favorite of those completed in their many years of rebuilding, General Motors Trucks. They chose this truck as their all-time favorite. This very special pickup is a 1953 GMC ¾ ton. The restoration company is Possum Holler...

What a unique find! We have never owned a 1937 Chevy truck grille with all of its clips in place. It was necessary to get photos before this assembly got away. These clips (4 on each of the four sides) are actually an extension of the large stamped metal housing. Obviously, GM did not plan on the inside grille being...

When we saw this beautiful restored 1946 GMC ½ ton EC101, we were really impressed. It just had to be our September 2015 Feature Truck of the Month! After all, we had not had a 1946 GMC in this section since 2001. The proud owner and restorer is Larry Dessenberger of Parsons, Kansas. Why did Larry pick this year GMC...

WOW! What an unusual totally restored truck. When we were first shown the photos of this step side pickup, we saw this was special. No one we knew could recall anything quite like this. The pickup is a 1957 GMC Napco ½ ton (Factory 4 wheel drive) with 125 inch wheel base. Not only is this an almost 60 years...

Getting more outside air in the early truck and car cabs was usually done by a swing out windshield frame (in addition to a top cowl vent). With no insulation on the inner firewall, engine heat was always radiating into the cab interior. During the final 10 years of this hinged swing out on Chevy and GMC, the windshield opened by...

We just had to make an exception! Normally our monthly feature is to help show our readers what the new truck was when they first left the dealers showroom. However, this unrestored 1936 Chevrolet low cab ½ ton changed our direction. In our 35 years in business we have never seen an 80 year old work truck so unaltered. Yes...

We found this nice view of a 1947-53 Chevrolet/GMC panel truck interior. It shows a rear view of the very rare optional passenger seat in its raised position. It was necessary to give this right seat an ability to tip up and forward so access to stored freight would be more accessible from the passenger door opening. Very ingenious by...

On the unique low cab Chevrolet trucks (made about 6 months) there was only a 1/2 and 1 1/2 ton produced. For 1/2 tons(116" wheelbase) a 16 gallon gas tank was positioned between the frame rails just behind the rear axle. The mechanical fuel pump on the right side of the engine pulled gasoline about eight feet distance to the...

From 1936 and older the GM truck cabs used plywood for their floors! The floor and toe board set between the metal perimeter edges of the sides, rear, and firewall which held the two pieces in their proper position. Millions of these older trucks, and probably many real early Chevy cars came with these wood floors. A recent surprise was...

What a surprise! We have been in the old GM truck collector and parts business for over 40 years and just discovered this hidden feature. In the single wheel well of the 1934-36 ½ tons there are 4 clips to help secure the wheel well spare tire. These clips each have sharp points to secure the rubber tire from moving...

Yes, it’s special only for this these three years. It lowers the license plate below the horizontal license bracket and attaches to the stake pocket. (This is not like the later 1937-38 bracket that raises the license above the horizontal). We suspect that the license plate on the low side caught the mud from the tire after each rain OR...

Shortly after WWII the Chevrolet Truck Division introduced a heavier truck with a maximum gross weight of 16,000 pounds and was rated as a 2 ton. Up to this time their top rated truck had been 1 ½ tons with a gross weight of 14,000 pounds. With this increase, a major change occurred in the front bumper. No longer was...

One of the more common reasons for slow engine turnover using an original six volt system is under size battery cables. Most of today's auto parts stores only stock the smaller diameter 12 volt design. Unknowing owners mistakenly replace their original worn cables with shiny new ones that are as much as half the diameter as needed. In Addition the...

Even the smallest vacuum leak on an internal combustion engine can prevent it operating to the level of its capability. No matter how well you rebuild the carburetor, adjust the timing, or clean the gas tank, the engine will continue to operate below what it should even with a small vacuum leak. On older engines a quick, easy way to...

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Mosley & Family Is it a truck, a car or a tractor? Neither. It’s an American Doodlebug! Once found in farming areas all over the USA, they are now a rarity. The few remaining are now owned by serious automotive history buffs that want something much different and are interested in this segment of our country’s...

With the beginning of the Advance Design trucks in 1947, GM introduces the first major gas tank location change since 1936! It was taken out of the cab on ½ tons and placed under the bed. To save costs, GM designed one gas tank to fit a ½ ton pickup, panel truck, Suburban, and Canopy Express (not the same on...

Where did they all go? Sold in high volume to small businesses for local neighborhood deliveries, these little panel trucks served their purpose well. Merchandise stayed out of the weather and theft exposure was greatly reduced. It has been over 75 years since the last of the series came off the assembly line but here are 10 important factors are...

Six volt horn without a factory relay doesn’t sound? If you use the original 6 volt system, you “cannot” use the gray plastic incased brush and contact that also slips into the steering wheel hub on the 1947-52 First series Chevrolet/GMC Trucks. It is continually advertised for the 6 or 12 volt system. This is made only for the 12...

After featuring a truck of the month on our website for 15 years from over the world, we decided to do something a little different. For March we are featuring one of our own trucks! Sometimes, it’s fun to “blow your own horn”. It was 25 years ago and our growing GM truck parts business had been progressing nicely for...

When you purchase the base Re-circular heater in the 1940’s and 1950’s most did not come with defroster outlets. This standard heater usually forced air to the floor (not on the windshield) to keep your feet warm and gradually warm the cab interior. It worked fairly well and to the driver it was so much better that a generation before...

On the ½ ton only of this one year of pickup, the hydraulic line coming from the master cylinder to the tee connection block on the right frame rail and the two rear axle cross lines, have a larger diameter than the lines in the remainder of the system. This can create some confusion when replacing the total system. Enclosed...

It is often said that when a person does a complete ground-up restoration on a vehicle that otherwise would be sold to the metal crusher by the pound, the owner has saved it for future generations. Our feature truck for February is certainly one of these vehicles that was close to having been gone forever. Don Ranville of Lee’s Summit...

It was over 4 years ago when Vernon Buskirk of Webster, Wisconsin saw an ad on Craig’s list for a restorable 1953 Chevrolet ½ ton. He had been considering a truck like this for rebuilding and when he saw the photos it looked just right! The all-day project included pulling a flatbed trailer 400 miles and bringing the little ½...

Imagine having 53 year old Chevrolet ½ ton driven only 20,000 miles. Almost unheard of! The proud owner is Nelson Good of Stanley, Virginia. The pickup is a 1962 Chevy 4x4. It’s very unique features are a 261 cubic inch inline six cylinder (the last year for this large six), a 3 speed on the column, and deluxe cab! What...

It was show time at the 2014 American Truck Historical Society national convention. This year it was held in Springfield, Missouri. The Ozark 4-State Chapter was the host. Over 713 large and small trucks from across the US and Canada were registered and on display! So many more were in the parking lot outside of the gates. Of all these...