Jim Carter Truck Parts

  An original drawing of a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban from their sales brochure. Shown with its rated seven passengers. NOTE: The lady driver emphasizes that it does not drive like a truck! (The hotel employee is probably wondering how he will place the suit cases and golf clubs in the space behind the third seat) Suburban Seating With the increased...

During rebuilding of the Advance Design cab, the hobbyist will observe remnants of a tar paper material secured to the underside of the roof. This was partially for insulation but even more as a noise retardant. This reduces the bell sound in the cab when driving or slamming the doors.

Yes, rubber pedal pads from 1947 through 1959 look the same when installed. However, because of the design of the metal pedal below them, they are different on their backside. Some suppliers market them as one item but the attached pictures will show this as not true.

  Over the years we have been asked 'Where can we locate the chassis frame for a Suburban or panel truck?' The answer is not complicated. To save much money General Motors used a modified frame from a pickup. The difference is four right angle brackets riveted to the frame. These provide an attaching point for the large single unit...

The very practical panel truck produced from the early 1920's through 1970 was an excellent cargo vehicle. Merchandise was protected from the weather and equally important from easy theft. Being a freight hauler, its cargo floor is like the pickup truck. Hard yellow pine and cross sills support the weight and merchandise slides on the metal strips.

Beginning in 1950, GM introduced an improvement in the cargo area of the panel truck and Canopy Express. It now followed the example of the Suburban by using a one piece, 5 ply floor. This replaced the planks that were always used in the pickup.

  Since their beginning in 1935, the Chevrolet Suburban was always the “people hauler” of General Motors commercial fleet of trucks. They were designed to carry more weight on rough roads than was the passenger car station wagon. While trucks were carrying freight from the time of their purchase, Suburban’s were reserved for passengers! It became an immediate success with...

  During the mid 1960's many Americans began to request deluxe features on trucks. More disposable income put extra items in reach for many households. GM recognized this area for more income and began adding more extra cost options. The popular standard Suburban could be transformed into a more family vehicle by offering exterior trim and upgrading the interior. It...

A GM mistake on the 1947 Advance Design cab is the lack of a water drain on the top of the cowl. Heavy rains allowed water to run under the hood and down the firewall. No doubt some water damage would occur to the voltage regulator and the cloth covered wiring harness.

  Suburbans ' people haulers on a 1/2 ton truck chassis. Not designed for truck freight, the successful Suburban was created to move people. They quickly gained popularity among the military, as crew haulers for companies, and for small rural school buses. By the 1960's, GM began to expand their Suburban market to attract families. To many this would be...

In 1952 GM made a simple change to the accelerator linkage that made a major reduction in engine noise in the cab. This was definitely an improvement when older engines had developed excessive valve train noise.

When your 1947-1955 GM truck needs rear cab corners and you prefer original US made replacement parts, there is an alternative.

Big Truck Deluxe Cab During the early Advance Design years of 1947-1950 (without wing vents) it is usually considered that a 5 window cab is all deluxe from the factory. The extras included stainless around the windshield and side windows, chrome grille, lower body color wheels with pinstripe, and right sunvisor and armrest. This is true on the 3000 series trucks; 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton. An exception occurs on the 1 1/2 ton and 2 ton trucks. Though the cabs are the same as the smaller trucks, these deluxe cabs consisted of only the two corner windows. The Salesman's Data Book shows no reference to a chrome grille or window stainless. As money was tight and big trucks were all for work duties, it is assumed GM decided that the trim option would not be a good marketing item on the large vehicles. The corner windows were definitely a sellable extra. Visibility from these two additional windows helped much in backing. The lower photo is from an untouched 1947 Chevy 1 1/2 ton. The corner window cabs have no trim! Deluxe Small Truck (above) Deluxe Big Truck (above)

  The seats on this 1962 GMC Suburban are pure factory original. Their shape is designed for only the Suburban body. They allow for access to the rear seat. Horizontal white vinyl in the back rest is characteristic of many GM vehicles during this era. It was an extra touch that added a little more flair to the deluxe models.

With the introduction of GM's new truck body design in mid 1947, a delivered package became available on both Chevrolet and GMC. World War II was in the past, employment was high, and many American truck buyers were willing to pay a little extra for more options on their new vehicle purchase.

No less than five speedometers were used in Chevrolet trucks during the Advance Design years, 1947-1955. If you want your truck just right, be sure you understand the differences. Restoring one you have on a shelf or purchased at a swap meet may not be proper for your year. The following will provide a description of differences. 1947 Red-Orange needle...

During the first year of the Advance Design 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickup, the standard three speed transmission was a carryover from 1946. Its top loader shift lever extended directly from the transmission through the removable floor pan.

  The Chevrolet "Advance Design" gauge cluster looks much the same between 1947 and 1953, however a few differences do exist. For the perfectionist, these changes are important. In 1947-1948 the gauge needles are short (5/8 inches) and painted red. Between 1949-1953 the needles become longer (3/4 inches) and are white to match the change in the new speedometer needle...

  When looking closely at the black 1954 Chevrolet speedometer face, a small 1/8 inch diameter round hole will be noticed at the top and bottom. Owners of 1954 trucks will always be acquainted with the top hole. This emits red light to notify the driver that the high beams are on. Most are not even aware of the existence...

With the US entry into World War II, trucks were quickly modified to be successful for military use. Pre-existing cabs, frames, and mechanical components were altered to be more usable when in everyday work duties or in battle.

During the war years, the US was plagued with a shortage of rubber. The Japanese occupied most of the islands that grew rubber producing plants. The majority of the rubber the U.S. could obtain was sent to the war effort.

On first glance, most people assume that both Chevy and GMC gauge clusters are fully interchangeable and are the same except for perhaps the minor difference with Chevy oil gauges topping out at 30 psi versus GMC gauges maxing out at 60 psi. But that's quite a bit short of what the actual differences were originally! There are actually no...

  One of the numerous differences in the new 1947 Advance Design trucks is the different position of the mounting tabs on the speedometer. Reasons for doing this on both Chevrolet and GMC are as follows: with the introduction of this body style in mid-1947, both 3 and 4 speed transmissions were the floor shift design. However, in 1948 with...

Maybe the rubber was of lesser quality. Maybe the GM truck division was saving money. For some reason Chevrolet and GMC trucks were not designed for rubber brake and clutch pads.

The United States and its allies suffered from major rubber shortages during World War II as the Japanese had control of most Indonesian rubber tree plantations. To survive without this material, much of the world was forced to settle on a limited supply of synthetic rubber of lesser quality.

In designing the panel truck, engineers realized that this vehicle must have a bumper for body protection. This bumper however, created a slight problem! It held the person loading freight further away from the vehicle cargo floor. He was required to lean further forward to reach merchandise. To help solve this problem, GM modified the standard bumper to come closer...

The 1934-36 half ton Chevrolet truck body style always placed their 17' spare in the right fender. Even the Chevrolet car normally used the right side when only one side mount was added. In mid 1936, GMC entered the ½ ton market for the first time. This light truck shared most all sheet metal and chassis components with Chevrolet except...

Gauges in Chevrolet truck dash panels during the mid through late 1930’s are very similar and are spaced, from each other, almost the same. Even their smaller chrome gauge rings interchange. The 1934-35 gauges are in the middle of the dash and there is no glove box. The 1936-39 instruments are centered above the steering column with the glove box on the right side.

A unique feature on GM truck cabs became standard equipment between 1940 and 1946. Before and after this, truck cabs were very basic. As they were made for work, almost no extras were on them. The idea was to keep manufacturing cost very low. There was much competition with other makes trying to also keep their sale price as low as possible.

Replacing major rust-out between the rear fender and door of the 1947-1955 Suburban or panel truck can be easier than you think. The curvature in this area is the same shape as the adjacent door. Therefore, locate a 1947-1955 donor door of limited value due to butchered radio speaker holes or a badly rusted bottom. Remove the outer panel. It...

Due to the abuse given trucks when they once considered only for work, many body components today are damaged beyond repair. During the restoration of your 1947-1955, if you would rather not use a running board splash apron from a parts supplier, there is an alternative. Locate a piece of new flat metal the correct gauge and size of your...

The hood receiver plates through all of the Advance Design years (1947-1955) interchange. It is their attached hood release lever that is different due to the grill change in 1954. Note: The accompanying photos show the extra length of the 1954-1955 lever. To add extra stability to this length, a groove was stamped in the lever to prevent bending.

  The differences found on the cab during the beginning of the Advance Design years are subtle, yet on close study soon become quite evident. It probably exists on all vehicles when a body style is first introduced. Lab tests on a vehicle tend to overlook a few problems that later surface when it is in the hands of the...

From 1941 through 1953 the GM pickup bed sides are the same, however, a major design change began in 1954. This new bed side design with very few modifications continued to the end of the true step beds in 1987. The unique feature of only the 1954 through 1955 mid series bed sides is the flowing grooves that fit the...

There is none! Truck cabs during these early years all came the same from the factory. Accessories were dealer installed. You picked the factory installed color and the dealership added requested extras such as heater or inside sunvisor.

Some beginners tend to place 1936-46 cabs in the same category. Don't do this! The 1936-38 and 1939-46 are a totally different design. Very little interchanges. The early style provided excellent building blocks for the new design 1939-46 trucks.

Did you ever wonder why the 1934-46 GM trucks show major rust on their horizontal flat sheet metal? The mystery is solved! These pictures show without a doubt what a wonderful home Chevy and GMC trucks provide for field mice. After the truck has been abandoned at the edge of a pasture, placed in a salvage yard, or just stored...

This early glove box lock assembly has a weak point that makes it difficult to find complete. Its die-cast vertical pointer is held in place by a small steel tension spring. After the truck sets outside abandon several years the spring rusts, breaks, or otherwise looses its tension. This allows the pointer to fall out and the glove box lid will no longer stay closed.

It is quite surprising to realize that for 20 years auto and truck makers did not make a simple needed change to their vehicle front fenders. Somehow major car and truck companies picked 1936 as the year it would be introduced. Did they all get together and make the decision, was it government encouragement, or ____? The addition was side...

It is so unusual to find an unmolested mid 30s truck! When this all original 21,000 mile 1937 GMC appeared at a recent New England truck show, we had to take notice having never seen the correct installation of the small 3/8” bead cab windlace on an early model. Our camera did some recording.

Three times during Chevrolet truck history there were mid-year body changes. This was in 1936, 1947, and 1955. These changes involved very few modifications to the bed and mechanical components, but it was the cabs that received the near total facelifts.

Curved Windshield The large one-piece laminated safety plate glass windshield has an area of approximately 1116 square inches. Electric Windshield Wipers Provide constant wiping action regardless of engine load or accelerator position. Wipers have 13-inch blades and a wiping speed of 110 strokes per minute. Two-speed wipers, including a push-button-operated windshield washer, are standard. Wiper arms and the metal portions...

  The two distinct styles of hoods during this seven year series (1960-1961 and 1962-1966) were each the same for Chevrolet and GMC except for one slight difference. The spot welded insert across the front (5" x 82") is a different stamping for Chevrolet than for GMC. This created a changed appearance with less expense! Because of this different insert...

Yes the cabs are the same between 1/2 ton and 2 ton on the 1955-1959, however one extra does exist on the 1 1/2 and 2 tons. These larger trucks have an additional rocker panel! Their panels are held to and cover the regular rocker under each door with nine sheet metal screws. They even extend from the under door area to along the edge of the cab corner.

To make the base fleetside tailgate just a little different from Chevrolet, GMC kept their letters body color and surrounded them in a contrasting color. On Chevrolet just the letters have the different color. 1967-1972 GMC (above) 1967-1972 Chevrolet (above)

During the Advance Design years the rear bumper braces on the 1/2 ton pickup are the same. Their cross section height is 1.75” and thickness is .35”. These units are designed with a rolling drop angle to lower the bumper to the proper level below the tailgate and rear cross sill.

During the early years of the Advance Design trucks there were many complaints by new owners about the rear bumper. They didn't want it as standard equipment. Farmers and businesses could not get close to a dock with a bumper and they removed them soon after the truck purchase.

  How did this happen? Strange but true. The 1971-1972 right front Chevrolet pickup fender has one of its two 350 emblem holes punched incorrectly. This causes the horizontal emblem to slope down at the rear. The left fender is correct. The person that owns this all original 1972 truck states that all 1971-1972 Chevrolet trucks have this unusual feature...

During the 1947-1955 years, pickup's front and rear bumpers are different due to the shape of the body. Unfortunately, the front can be fit on the rear during restorations.

In 1954, GM introduced their new deeper improved stepbed. With this design the optional rear bumper required the license to be moved to the center. This eliminated clearance problems between the bumper and the left side mounted license plate.

  The convenience of reaching cargo is ideal in a step bed pickup. The step between the cab and rear fender provides a place for the loader's feet while reaching into the bed. Thus, this pickup is referred to as a 'step bed.' With the introduction of the fleetside box in the late 1950's, there was no step. Placing cargo...

The following article was released by GM on May 15, 1948. It was sent to all Chevrolet and GMC dealers and was to correct a problem with the location of the 1948 Brake release handle.

  Without the rubber covering over the metal running boards like GM cars, trucks immediately show scratches from the driver's shoes. This is frustrating to the restorer who has placed so much effort in repairing and painting these boards to pristine condition. Fortunately, a solution exists! The original running board safety treads have been reproduced. These treads were a GM...

The rubber quality on Pre-World War II vehicles was fair at best. Its useful life was limited. Thus, GM engineers did not add rubber pedal pads to early trucks. They were aware of the heavy abuse so many commercial vehicles would receive.

  During the 1947-1955 Advance Design years three different stock running boards on pickups and panel trucks were produced. Features such as width, number of ribs, thickness of metal, and length of under-braces are the same. When placed together, a difference in length is obvious. The longest unit was used on the 1 ton pickup and panel trucks with 134...

Since the introduction of hydraulic brakes on trucks in 1936, Chevrolet and GMC had been using the Huck brake system. On light trucks and cars it can easily be identified by the existence of a pair of shoe adjusting holes in each backing plate.

Using a specialized gauge to show wear levels on brake drums is the best way to indicate wear, however there is a visual method.

  One of the most unusual and rare options for the 1947-1955 1/2 tons are 'wide running boards'. The adjacent picture is from the 1949 Chevrolet Salesman's Data Book. The photos below are of used original boards recently found at an Oklahoma swap meet. They consist of 'short' running boards as used on all flatbed ¾ and 1 ton trucks...

In upgrading the Advance Design 1947-1953 cab for 1954, GM engineers created a totally different dash assembly. It required that the radio be much smaller. With better electronic technology and no push buttons, the new 6 volt radio could be placed into the smaller space. They even placed a cardboard sheet above the '54 radio to protect it from settling...

All 1954-1955 Chevrolet/GMC trucks came from the factory with a blank-out plate to cover where the radio would be installed. As this accessory was dealer installed the plate could be removed (probably thrown away) and the new radio added.   This blank-out plate and its two special clips has become very rare in recent years. They are not being reproduced...

  As more restorers become interested in the 1954-1955 Chevrolet truck, the demand for the correct factory accessories has increased demand. Trucks during these early years were used mostly for work and many owners ordered no accessories. Even the heater was often added later. Though locating a restored or restorable factory radio is a difficult task, there is another source...

The common practice of replacing the original differential with a newer high speed assembly usually brings up another question: How do I connect the late model brake cable to the original brake system?

One of the most unusual features of the 1967-1972 series of trucks is the unique placement of the 1969-1972 Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy radio speaker. Unlike the pickup, Suburban, and large trucks; the radio speaker is not under the top of the dash. In fact, the dash does not even have grille slots to allow sound to come from...

Stainless steel bedstrips are always a nice extra when you give your bedwood a clear finish. Not only do the strips look good but they retain this attractive appearance despite long term bad weather conditions.

Push buttons were discontinued at the end of 1953 and did not reappear until 1967 Prior to 1959 radios used mechanical vibrator tubes. They would operate with either positive or negative ground. A low buzzing sound could always be heard from the tube area before the radio warmed up, once the sound began, the speaker made the buzzing difficult to...

During the Advance Design truck era, 1947-1955, most all spare tire assemblies were under the bed. Though not always convenient, this kept the extra tire away from the bed box and out of the way.

In 1940, GM began offering a slightly wider bed on their Chevrolet pickups. This width increased from about 46 3/8" to 48 1/2".

Though Chevrolet and GMC were usually close in their construction during the 1940's, they were far apart in a few areas. GMC in particular advertised some of their major differences as being steps above the competition.

  For the Perfectionist During the first half of the Advance Design years (1947-1955), GM offered a special panel truck as an option. This deluxe model was designed for a company wanting to give a more upscale appearance to their retail customers. During the era of one car families, the lady of the house looked more toward home deliveries for...

Prior to 1941 in GM pickups, the bed wood of choice was oak. The change to yellow pine occurred at this time and it was used until the end of the wood bed floors in 1987. This southern yellow pine is a hard wood and should not be confused with softer white pine.

Chevrolet and GMC cabs are basically the same during 1955-1959, however their dash boards differ. Thus, removable dash items such as guages, glove box doors, and radios will not interchange with Chevrolet. It seems it was a way GM divided the two marques using limited expense.

The demand for in-dash factory air conditioning or GM trucks greatly increased during the 1960’s. (Automobiles had this feature available since the mid 1950’s.) An under dash “box” (Cool-Pack) was available on trucks since 1958, however, this unit was dealer installed and took up much cab room especially for a third passenger.

During the beginning of the Advance Design years (1947-1949) new Chevrolet Suburbans were sold in one color combination; Channel Green (light) on the lower body and Fathom green (dark) on the upper. Unless the customer paid extra for a specific paint such as for school bus use or a commercial paint color for a company, the two tone green was...

There are few GM accessories that are more unusual and rare than this item that was seen at a recent truck show. It was offered by GMC dealers in 1958 and 1959.

When we look for rare Chevrolet truck accessories available during the late 1950's and early 1960's, few are more unusual than the Chevrolet dealer installed "Cool Pack" air conditioning system. Truck cabs were not engineered for factory air as there had been little demand for this expensive accessory. Most people didn't even have air conditioning in their homes, much less in a truck that was usually for work related jobs.

Since the introduction of GMC's first 1/2 ton pickup in 1936, there has always been a sharing of most sheet metal parts with Chevrolet trucks. This was done mostly for economic reasons. However, when possible, each of the two brands tried to make inexpensive changes to be different than the other. Some specific examples of this occurred during the Advance...

The new Task-Force truck design was introduced in mid 1955. For some reason the panel truck carried the same left tail light as the Advance Design used from 1947 through mid 1955. This is strange as the new body was designed to hold a right and left tail light.

When observing un-restored GM trucks of the 1947-1955 era, one will notice the majority of these vehicles were originally dark green. An explanation is simple. Green was their standard color! If you did not specify one of the other approximately eleven non-extra cost colors, your truck would be delivered green. The standard color of trucks had been thought of as...

Purchasing a 1947-1955 optional cigarette lighter assembly from many vendors provides you a reproduction that is far from correct. It appears an overseas manufacturer decided to offer a lighter assembly made with the currently available 12 volt base and joining it to a 1947-1953 headlight knob.

During 1940-46 the Chevrolet GMC trucks came standard with an unusual interior paint. It added a little extra appearance with minimum extra expense. This has been referred to as "Hammered Paint". While drying this paint develops a fish eye appearance. This helped make up just a small amount for no cloth door panels or related extras found on GM cars. After...

In evaluating the available paint colors on 1946 and older GM commercial vehicles, one should keep in mind the general attitude toward pickups and large trucks during that era. Unlike today, customers bought and owned trucks for work! After five o'clock and on weekends most trucks were parked and the family sedan became the driver. This relates not only to...

After seventy years, authentic car and truck restorations are very difficult. With the limited survival of the 1936 GMC (the year of the company's first ½ ton) this truck is especially difficult to restore just right. Some literature has survived but what we see is usually in black and white. The question is the grill housing color of this rare...

Serious early truck restorers often ask 'What is the interior color of the original cab sheet metal parts, versus the exterior color?' The answer for the 1934-46 trucks is simple. The removable panels from the cab interior were always the inside color. If a component was welded in as part of the cab structure, it was sprayed the exterior color...

When observing un-restored GM trucks of the 1930-55 era, one will notice the majority of these vehicles were originally dark green. An explanation is simple. Green was their standard color! If you did not specify one of the other approximately eleven non-extra cost colors, your truck would be delivered green. The standard color of truck had been thought of as...

  During the 1955-1959 Chevrolet Task-Force truck years, the panel body style remained very popular. To help sales continue to grow, a two tone paint scheme was offered. This option was used for the business customer that planned on having their logo applied to the panel. A wide band on the sides and back was painted Bombay Ivory*. This two...

  If you ever wondered about the color of the primer used by GM before the initial paint, these photos give the answer. This 1957 Chevy 1/2 ton had been polished through the paint in most areas. Of course, our question is: Why didn't they stop polishing when the primer first appeared.

The following article used by permission of the writer: Robert Hensel, Technical Advisor Coordinator for the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America.  Bob passed away several years ago but his GM truck certainly lives on! I do not know of any book that gives the engine colors for all Chevrolets. I have found it here and there in many Chevrolet letters...

Its the annual convention of the American Truck Historical Society. This year, 2010, it is in Pleasanton, California. Over 700 trucks of all sizes and makes gather at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. In a far grassy corner is a sub group of local early GMC owners. Most seem to be acquainted and use this show as a reason to renew old friendships. There are few "trailer queen" trucks in this group, just dependable daily drivers. Most owners know how to repair the occasional problems that are a part of driving a 50 year old truck.

Finding a forgotten 60 year old stored vehicle to restore is very unlikely in today's world. They have been already found and junked or are in the hands of a new owner. The most unusual exception is our feature truck of the month.

As luck would have it, I found this rare 1967 Chevrolet C30 pickup on eBay just 80 miles from home. I saw a reference to GM having built pickups with a nine foot stepside bed in an old dealer brochure. Surprised, I punched "9 foot box" into an eBay search, and this truck popped up. When I went to look at it, I knew I had to have it. I told the seller to pull it off eBay, as it was MINE!

I am glad that you have shown an interest in my pickup. It was purchased from a local theater in 1964 they used it to carry a billboard in the back. After purchase it was used to carry feed and seed on the farm. After purchase of a newer pickup my Dad's employee used it to carry fuel and supplies to a bull dozer until the engine was beginning to fail.

Now, this is just like they used to be! A 1938 Chevy 1/2 ton rebuilt, beginning with the bare frame and made to look as it was on the dealer showroom over 70 years ago.

This is my original 1952 Chevy truck with only 83.783 miles on it. The truck was sold in Rush City, Minnesota at Schneider Chevrolet, which is no longer in business. It was kept in the area by Leroy Lindstrom. I bought it at a garage sale in 2007, just the way it sits, for $2500.00. I had to redo the box wood and put on a new muffler but every thing else is original. It still has the 6 volt system, six cylinder, and three on the tree.

Hello to all! Here is our 1967 C10 with a 1993 step side bed. This is owner built with a 305 tune port 700R4 trans from a 1988 Trans Am. It has a tilt column, Dolphin gauges, billet gauge panel and glove box, classic under dash AC, hidden hitch, front and rear roll pans, Ansen wheels, and lots more.

I was volunteering for my church, working the graveyard security shift, at a fireworks tent. The 11pm-7am shift was an opportunity to visit with a couple of men from our church, share a few stories etc. We got to talking and I told my new friend I had been searching a long time for a specific, Chevy, truck...

During the 1940's and 1950's a few body companies created their own design of truck not offered by the chassis manufacturer. In this case the Campbell Co. made their own "station wagon" body to fill a need of a small number of buyers. its all wood construction and 3 or 4 side doors made a very attractive package. It was similar to the GM all metal Suburban with 2 doors.

Regular readers of this section know we tend to give credit to trucks that are the more unusual. This month is no exception.

Charlie has owned this truck for over 30 years, since he was 12 years old. He bought it with paper route money. His parents said "What are you gonna do with that truck" he said "gonna drive it". And he did just that after scraping out the oil pan and replacing the fuel tank.

What a traffic stopping combination! When this pair hits the road, even the non-truck enthusiasts take note. The proud owners are Bill and Ken Wedelaar in Midland Park, New Jersey. Bill and Ken have a local auto electric shop and the restoration of these trucks has been their hobby when time became available.

Now that our 1939 has had it's restoration completed we thought we would send you some photos of the finished product.