49-56 GMC 1/2 ton

[kslseed]

Hello, I am new to this forum and need some help with several unclear issues. I have searched around a little, but can not come up with answers.

I have to GMC pickup trucks that I will be starting to restore this summer, one at the time.

Questions: Does anyone know the year of production, the electrical system 12 or 6 vdc, engine size?

one is a Model 9424, serial # 3942407811, engine XL692301, trim 394, body 258, paint 341.

The other is Model 9434, serial # 8943404993, engine X256774, trim 394, body 361, paint 831.

Both have standard transmissions, how hard is it to rebuild thus? Parts are available for the drive train?

Hope for your answers, with kind regards,

Joerg K.

[tiggerstoy]

welcome!....i'm sure your answers will come soon, i'm not sure myself, but good luck, and we all love pics

[Atomsplitter]

Joerg,

You should check out a site called stovebolt.com as they are more into keeping there trucks original and they have alot of very detailed infromation on stock vehicles. There's a VIN decoder somewhere buried in that site but it does not work for Canadian made trucks that are this old (my '48 didn't show up either, it said my truck was from Indiana for some reason). You can pay GM to research their archives and they can tell you where/when they were made, what options they had and where they were sold from, etc.

As the previous post stated we like pictures because sometimes these original old trucks can be an imalgamation of various years cobbled together to make a complete truck. There are subtle differences that someone with a keen eye can spot and tell the difference between years/models.

Good Luck
Ron

[55dude]

check out www.oldgmctruck.com also!

[kslseed]

Hello Guys,

Thank you for the replies. 55dude, the oldgmctruck.com does not work, could be my internet too at the moment, seems the easter bunny is eating on it.

Will try to get some pic's of soon, but thus old sweeties are not to pretty right now.

The 49er cranks over, but does not fire, the other was sold to me as a 56 1/2 ton does not turn over, need to check the engine when I have time, but probably want be doing much until fall/winter 08/09. Just trying to get info to build a plan of attack.

Cheers, happy easter eggs.

Joerg K.

[ezekiel]

Hey Joerg!

The reason why that link doesn't work is because it's incorrect.

Try this link: http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/

Did you buy your trucks locally?
Zeke

It's a small world. I used to live on a farm 11 miles south of Burdett.

[kslseed]

Hi Zeke,

Thanks for the correct link, I got a little further, but still not completely to what I wanted.

I need to investigate a little more about the serial #'s, I read thus from the driver door pillar, but noticed that it should be on the cowl, firewall just behind the air filter.? Will have a look today.

Yes, the 49' is from Coaldale, bought him a little while ago and the 56 (which maybe a 58????) is right out of Grassy Lake, where he probably had run for his whole life. He was sitting in a backyard, making me angry and nervous every time I drove by, then one day a just stopped, talked to the owners wife and bought him for $450.

Most important thing I need to know if the younger truck may be a 12 V system, how to find out? Checked some light bulbs, but no ID. Have to take the starter out, cause he does not turn over, maybe then I will find out.

Happy Easter,

Joerg

[northerngmc]

Welcome, I think you will find this group very helpful.

www.stovebolt.com is also a great site for 47-59 trucks.

I think this is what you are looking for, decoding GMC Canadian vins. At least for the 56.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/canadavin.jpg

[kslseed]

Thanks to all for the help.

Some pictures are behind this link: http://klempnauer.ab.ca/old-trucks.htm

Both old trucks have 8 lug bolts. So one is a 3/4 ton from 53 the other is a 1 ton from 48.

Await your replies.

Cheers,

Joerg

[northerngmc]

Looks like you have a project!

What are your plans.

I will post the pics here for all to see.

[kslseed]

Thanks northerngmc,

I did not know if this was allowed/possible in this forum and did not want to step in any sh...

Well, you asked for my plans!?!??

The 48 is in the best shape from both old trucks and the 79 demands finishing hopefully this spring/summer.

We have $35 K plus into this nightmare. My son wanted this done so badly and with him being a auto mechanic I thought it would give him some practice and it did, cleaned my pockets on the way.

So, the old babies, First, we fix the 48 up by dismantling it completely and then re-assemble with going over each part, sandblasting, replacing, fixing painting and so on. This is what we did with the 79, but now I will paint it myself, can not afford a $15 K paint job.

Once done, the truck is for sale or not, I don't know.

Then it is time for the 53, I am looking for a carbon copy, but 54 to match my own aged.

The 54 will/should be done plain stock, nothing more, but nothing less.

The 53 will be beefed-up, my son wants me to but a Toyota 1JZ or 2JZ with a big single turbo and a 5 or 6 speed transmission.

I know it is nuts, but so are we.

Will see what happens.

Cheers,

Joerg

[solidaxel]

Gotta Love them old G M C!!

[kslseed]

Hi fellows,

I did bring both starter to the fixer man, got the one for the 48 back yesterday and installed it, my son cranked her over, bit a choke and she runs, sweet sound of yesterday.

Can't wait for the 53 starter to be done, but my fixer man only had one kicker in store, so maybe next week.

The spark plugs on the 53 look okay, no rust or such, engine turns over free, even after sitting for 12 years or more. Let's hope for the best next week. Gone drain the oil out unitl i have the starter and fill with new, then again after it (hopefully) runs.

Cheers, it's fun with thus old ladies.

Joerg

[Cole_lol]

That old gmc truck website has message board with a guys that know alot of info about these trucks post your questions there and what not they were able to tell me my truck was from two diffrent years