Jim Carter Truck Parts

Our Feature Truck this month is a 1959 Chevrolet ½ ton pickup with an extended bed. It was one of those that was bought much beyond its running condition! The person that kept it from a questionable future is Donnie Gideon in Surprise, Arizona: An Air Force Military, retired. His father said, “Don’t buy something like that. It is too...

The proud owner and restorer is Raymond Muehling of Amarillo, TX. Raymond’s Story:  I purchased this truck in 1991 as a project for the price of $450.00, the restoration took six years and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.  The wife hit a guard rail with it during the process and got thrown out the door and earned the...

The proud owner of this Feature Truck of the Month is Quint Hanson of Deerwood, Minnesota. The following tells the revival of this very rare vehicle and the area businessmen that contributed. The story begins in the late 1990’s with a neighbor asking Quint if he could store an old truck in his shop that was in the process of...

As with so many other items on these early trucks, there were also changes in the ignition switches. Both Chevrolet and GMC shared several switch changes during this seven-year series. In the beginning (1947-1948), a unique three-position ignition cylinder and housing was introduced. This was a first for GM trucks. It related to a country with limited crime and a...

As most of our readers know, for this series, we look for trucks that are the more unusual. For this month, we found a vehicle that is correct for this category!  Here is almost a “one of a kind” early 1947 Chevrolet Suburban. (Yes, there was an early and late body design for this year.) Here is an example as...

We hope this article provides you with interesting data on one of the rarest early Chevrolet ½ ton trucks. They are a part of our country’s history during the 1930’s through the mid 1950’s. These little ½ tons ( with only a seat for the driver), provided a convenient method of selling groceries and related items to residential neighborhoods that...

After 23 years writing monthly articles for our customers, it was decided to do something a little different. We were recently sent these two photos and a nice description of a customer’s better than new Chevrolet 216 six cylinder engine. All was put together for enthusiasts to get up close and see all at its very best. Hope you enjoy...

As with most older GM trucks in our Feature Truck Series, this month’s special was a vehicle bought new for hauling. The ¾-tons were more heavy-duty than a ½-ton, so often these rural trucks were used until their repair needs finally overcame the price of just buying another, often a used truck. In rural areas, these were sometimes parked beside...

On 1955-59 Chevy/GMC, their optional deluxe fresh-air heater had mounting spacers. These fit around the seven attaching threaded studs that secure it to the firewall. Yes, the heater will mount and operate without them, but GM knew they should be in place. There are 5 spacers at 5/8” length and 1 spacer at 1” length. These spacers assured the two...

Passing the reviewing stand in 2016 at the Indianapolis 500 parade. In 1939 our Chevrolet Feature Truck of the Month came new as a 1 ½ ton with flat face cowl. It had a 158” wheel base. The attached 1939 sketch below shows it with all its dimensions. The dual rear wheels at right were included with our truck in...

For the “real” perfectionist After our 44th year, Jim Carter Truck Parts uncovered a big surprise! Facts: Recently, a person came to our lobby offering 10 used ¾ ton hub caps, hoping credit would be offered against a future parts purchase. One of these hubcaps was a real attention getter. We thought it never existed! Because of this, an article...

It’s 1977 and young Greg Bowden is in high school and driving a newly purchased 1955 Chevrolet Step bed pickup. He soon realizes that his first hope, to restore it to new condition, would be out of the question considering his limited income and his college years coming soon. It needed so much plus the body rust continued to get...

On our Feature Truck of the Month for February 2023 we described a method of attaching the larger original ¾ and 1 Ton hubcaps to a modern non-split 8 bolt wheel. Unheard of by Jim Carter Truck Parts until Glen Black of Lacey’s Springs, Alabama. He would not take no for an answer. He found a way to attach the...

During a local truck show in the summer of 2021, several from Jim Carter Truck Parts noticed a very special deluxe 1972 Chevrolet Suburban. It certainly stood out among the nicer vehicles in this well attended show. It is owned by Linda Grout of Chouteau, Oklahoma. You can read more on this Suburban in our feature Truck of the Month...

During the mid-1930’s through the WWII years, spending money was very limited. The “Great Depression” crippled our country’s economy, so only the basics were what much of the population had to work with. A radio added to a car or truck would have been so rare! It cost about a month’s wages for most hourly workers. Now enters American Ingenuity...

About 80 years ago, the World War II was going strong in the South Pacific. For a period of time there was no sign of victory for either the U.S. or Japan. One of the largest effects to the world was the Japanese control of most of the tropical islands that grew natural rubber trees. The quality of this product...

We at Jim Carter Truck Parts are occasionally asked if an original 1937 under seat tank will fit in their 1938. This question is asked because the 1937 tank has been reproduced, however, the 1938 has not. We asked a good customer that has personally restored a show quality 1938 Chevy ½ ton. It is a show quality award winner...

It has been increasingly difficult to find local tire changing shops to inflate older truck tires above a ½ ton rating. Most came from the factory with multi-piece split rim wheels. On these older trucks, one outer edge of the wheel must be removed to add a tire. Whether to replace an old tire for a new, or repair an...

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...

About 15 years ago, Jim Carter Truck Parts, decided to reproduce the “real” GM step plates used in the years of 1947-55.  Though there were hundreds of step plate designs available during the early years, but only one is pure. The 1947-55 Chevrolet/GMC Running Board Safety Treads and was made available by the GM dealers. No lettering exists so they...

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...

Jim Carter Truck Parts viewed so many older salvage yards to find so much of this data by accident! It was just there! There couldn't be an easier place for a tree to grow. If you don't move your truck for a few years, trees will find it. As they grow wider, the truck bends to fit! Here livestock cannot...

  Beginning in 1951, the rear bumper became an option on both Chevrolet and GMC pickups. This required a change in the standard left tail light bracket. The tail light assembly was now unprotected without the bumper. GM created a new bracket design that brought the tail light slightly ahead of the rear edge of the stake pocket. In this...

Jim Carter Truck Parts seat cover kits are produced with an emphasis on originality. The materials are top quality for many years’ service. Seams, ribbing, etc., are based on original seats. We recommend that installation be done by a professional upholstery company. However, if you wish to do it yourself, here are several important steps to follow: 1. Seat springs...

  One of the more asked questions on the 1941-46 GM trucks is regarding horn contact parts. Most have been damaged over the years and new owners are unsure how they were originally assembled. Below, is a diagram from a 1940's GM Master Parts Catalog and gives an excellent view of the parts used in the assembly. Most items are...