Help me ID this truck... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nicke · 04-09-2016, 07:04 PM

Hey Gents,
So I'm considering purchasing this truck and wanted to get some help on a few items. The seller says its a '53, but I see the doors have the pull down handles and no wing windows. Also, on the door id plate, I see an H, and that, to my knowledge, doesn't align with '53. Can you help me identify what we have here?

-Nick

**joedoh** · 04-09-2016, 07:18 PM

H is right for a 53 1/2 ton, it has tube shocks and it doesnt have the drivers air flap either, looks like someone just put early doors on it.

torchlight · 04-09-2016, 07:26 PM

Hmm. Think you got mismatched cab and doors. That's either a 51, 52, or 53 cab because there is no driver's side cowl vent. But, starting in 51, the doors had vent windows. Your hood has 52 side emblems. But the VIN says 53. "H" means half-ton 3100 and then the next two digits are 53, the year of production.

mr48chev · 04-09-2016, 07:46 PM

I'd have to agree with Joedoh on the year.

According to what I can figure out from the vin the cab started out on a 53 3100 1/2 ton built in Oakland.
The 30 lb oil pressure gauge says it came with a 216 in it.
Not a bad start for a nice truck if he has a clear title and the price is right.

It looks like it did get changed to open drive at some time in it's life and that was probably about the same time the early doors got put on to pass for a 47/48 at rod runs when they required the rigs to be 1948 or earlier to get in. I had a couple of go arounds over my 48 in 1973 an 74 when someone at the gate of a rod trot didn't want to let me in thinking the truck was early 50's rather than 48.

dwcsr · 04-09-2016, 08:14 PM

year looks like a 53, I think you have an Old Navy truck the store not the US Navy

**mongocanfly** · 04-09-2016, 10:22 PM

Looks like a good one to start out with reguardless of year..luckily here where I stays we don't need titles or all that other bs yall have to put up with.

Daze57 · 04-10-2016, 03:33 AM

nice project ------buy it ---build it ----run it !

1project2many · 04-10-2016, 07:04 AM

It looks like it has a truck 12 bolt rear which was used in the 60's and '70s. I also see a spare tire fender on one side but no spare tire mount. I've seen folks start with much less truck. If the price is good then it's probably a good start.

mr48chev · 04-10-2016, 02:14 PM

Doing some more searching the blue and silver door post tag was a 53 and later item where 52 and earlier were black and silver.

The hood emblems are 51/52 though as 53 had the 3100 emblem without the Chevrolet.
53 was also the first year for the side mount spare. That's a love it or hate it item as there is no middle ground on side mount spares. They aren't proper on pre 53 trucks though.

MARTINSR · 04-10-2016, 02:23 PM

All I know is that looks like one damn solid truck! Be damned it's a mixture of years, I could care less, that is a damn solid truck.

Brian

nicke · 04-10-2016, 08:22 PM

Thanks gents. I appreciate the tips!
Yep, the deal is done and we'll be bringing her home this week!

Thanks!
-Nick

MARTINSR · 04-10-2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicke

Thanks gents. I appreciate the tips!
Yep, the deal is done and we'll be bringing her home this week!

Thanks!
-Nick

WHOOO HOOOOO!

Brian

S10Fan · 04-11-2016, 05:52 AM

Yes to what Brian said, very solid truck! I started with a lot less. Many would say I still have a lot less but I've racked up over 13,000 smiling miles on the old girl.

iowaboynca · 04-11-2016, 02:56 PM

Congratz!
When I bought my truck, the PO flat out said it was pieced together from 4 different trucks. And I didn't care...
Have fun and we expect to see a build page!

solidaxel · 04-11-2016, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinsr

whooo hooooo!

Brian

yes !!

ebernst · 04-12-2016, 08:04 PM

@nicke I'm excited to start working on it.

mr48chev · 04-12-2016, 08:30 PM

Congrats, now we get to see a new build thread.

I can't fault the mix and match of parts. I am not sure any two parts on mine came from the same truck and think only the left front fender is off the original truck when I bought it in 1973.

nicke · 04-12-2016, 08:43 PM

Yep! Hey ebernst, why don't you fire up a new build thread and give these guys an idea of what we're going to do to this truck!

-Nick

04-09-2016, 07:04 PM	#1
nicke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 503	Help me ID this truck... Hey Gents, So I'm considering purchasing this truck and wanted to get some help on a few items. The seller says its a '53, but I see the doors have the pull down handles and no wing windows. Also, on the door id plate, I see an H, and that, to my knowledge, doesn't align with '53. Can you help me identify what we have here? -Nick __________________ 1965 Impala SS project Page. My Wheels Classic Nation My classic car videos

04-09-2016, 07:18 PM	#2
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,753	Re: Help me ID this truck... H is right for a 53 1/2 ton, it has tube shocks and it doesnt have the drivers air flap either, looks like someone just put early doors on it. __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

04-09-2016, 07:26 PM	#3
torchlight Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pella, IA Posts: 316	Re: Help me ID this truck... Hmm. Think you got mismatched cab and doors. That's either a 51, 52, or 53 cab because there is no driver's side cowl vent. But, starting in 51, the doors had vent windows. Your hood has 52 side emblems. But the VIN says 53. "H" means half-ton 3100 and then the next two digits are 53, the year of production. __________________ Build Thread: "Marvin" (1953 3100)

04-09-2016, 07:46 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,365	Re: Help me ID this truck... I'd have to agree with Joedoh on the year. According to what I can figure out from the vin the cab started out on a 53 3100 1/2 ton built in Oakland. The 30 lb oil pressure gauge says it came with a 216 in it. Not a bad start for a nice truck if he has a clear title and the price is right. It looks like it did get changed to open drive at some time in it's life and that was probably about the same time the early doors got put on to pass for a 47/48 at rod runs when they required the rigs to be 1948 or earlier to get in. I had a couple of go arounds over my 48 in 1973 an 74 when someone at the gate of a rod trot didn't want to let me in thinking the truck was early 50's rather than 48. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. Last edited by mr48chev; 04-09-2016 at 07:51 PM.

04-09-2016, 08:14 PM	#5
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Help me ID this truck... year looks like a 53, I think you have an Old Navy truck the store not the US Navy

04-09-2016, 10:22 PM	#6
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,605	Re: Help me ID this truck... Looks like a good one to start out with reguardless of year..luckily here where I stays we don't need titles or all that other bs yall have to put up with.

04-10-2016, 03:33 AM	#7
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Help me ID this truck... nice project ------buy it ---build it ----run it !

04-10-2016, 07:04 AM	#8
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,158	Re: Help me ID this truck... It looks like it has a truck 12 bolt rear which was used in the 60's and '70s. I also see a spare tire fender on one side but no spare tire mount. I've seen folks start with much less truck. If the price is good then it's probably a good start.

04-10-2016, 02:14 PM	#9
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,365	Re: Help me ID this truck... Doing some more searching the blue and silver door post tag was a 53 and later item where 52 and earlier were black and silver. The hood emblems are 51/52 though as 53 had the 3100 emblem without the Chevrolet. 53 was also the first year for the side mount spare. That's a love it or hate it item as there is no middle ground on side mount spares. They aren't proper on pre 53 trucks though. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

04-10-2016, 02:23 PM	#10
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: Help me ID this truck... All I know is that looks like one damn solid truck! Be damned it's a mixture of years, I could care less, that is a damn solid truck. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

04-10-2016, 08:22 PM	#11
nicke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 503	Re: Help me ID this truck... Thanks gents. I appreciate the tips! Yep, the deal is done and we'll be bringing her home this week! Thanks! -Nick __________________ 1965 Impala SS project Page. My Wheels Classic Nation My classic car videos

04-11-2016, 05:52 AM	#13
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,640	Re: Help me ID this truck... Yes to what Brian said, very solid truck! I started with a lot less. Many would say I still have a lot less but I've racked up over 13,000 smiling miles on the old girl. __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

04-11-2016, 02:56 PM	#14
iowaboynca Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Side of the valley, CA Posts: 878	Re: Help me ID this truck... Congratz! When I bought my truck, the PO flat out said it was pieced together from 4 different trucks. And I didn't care... Have fun and we expect to see a build page! __________________ Build: "1950" GMC -Charlotte Last edited by iowaboynca; 04-11-2016 at 02:58 PM. Reason: added more

04-12-2016, 08:04 PM	#16
ebernst Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Posts: 35	Re: Help me ID this truck... @nicke I'm excited to start working on it.

04-12-2016, 08:30 PM	#17
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,365	Re: Help me ID this truck... Congrats, now we get to see a new build thread. I can't fault the mix and match of parts. I am not sure any two parts on mine came from the same truck and think only the left front fender is off the original truck when I bought it in 1973. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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04-12-2016, 08:43 PM	#18
nicke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 503	Re: Help me ID this truck... Yep! Hey ebernst, why don't you fire up a new build thread and give these guys an idea of what we're going to do to this truck! -Nick __________________ 1965 Impala SS project Page. My Wheels Classic Nation My classic car videos

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