1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wannabeatrader · 01-03-2010, 04:34 PM

Hey guys... been a lurker for a long time. Recently joined and have accquired a 1953 6400 grain truck. It runs, drives, stops and dumps. Looking for some ideas ...... you guys rock!!!

Lextech · 01-03-2010, 04:48 PM

That's a tuff one. It would make a cool car hauler or tow truck. But, if you don't need a hauler/tow truck, it would not be very practical.

Jeff

blackdiesel · 01-03-2010, 05:04 PM

What would I do with it? I would haul turkey litter in it. but that's just me. OR you could pull the side boards off and haul hay with it. You can never have to many dump trucks on a farm.

63 & 64 Bowties · 01-03-2010, 05:16 PM

Welcome to the forum. Always great to have another 47-59 guy here. I'm not real familiar with the larger trucks, but if it were a half ton I'd swear it was a 54 or 55 1st series with the one piece windshield and wrap around grill. Are you sure it's a 53?

Either way, great lookin' truck. What are your plans? Keeping the original running gear?

BBEEP · 01-03-2010, 05:38 PM

Give it to me!!!

54 jimmy · 01-03-2010, 06:28 PM

great find. looks to be in great shape for a northeast truck. mine was kind of a basket case. my truck was a 1 ton and the title says 54 but is is a 53 because my dash is the 53 and earlier style.

wannabeatrader · 01-03-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Welcome to the forum. Always great to have another 47-59 guy here. I'm not real familiar with the larger trucks, but if it were a half ton I'd swear it was a 54 or 55 1st series with the one piece windshield and wrap around grill. Are you sure it's a 53?

Either way, great lookin' truck. What are your plans? Keeping the original running gear?

Not sure about the year or my plans just yet. I just thought it was a cool truck... you guys gave me the fever, haha. The vin # is W54B002764.
Not sure how to decode. Thanks for all the ideas and comments so far!!!!

OrrieG · 01-03-2010, 08:44 PM

Great truck. I'd shorten the frame and get an old Holmes wrecker bed for it.

chevy49 · 01-03-2010, 09:06 PM

the cab is the same as a 1/2 or 3/4 ton you could start with that and an s-10 frame and go from there. nice find i think it is a 54.

spyderman1977 · 01-03-2010, 10:46 PM

I like the car hauler option. With the tilt bed all you would need would be a good winch and maybe some ramps to help with the angle loading / unloading wise.

I wonder what state laws are for your area with regards to haulers. I have heard that in Texas that if you have a wrecker unit you have to change insurance on it even if its for personal use. That and I think a few other weird laws along with it. I am not sure though about a flat bed truck.......

I would still love to have one like that though....

Nice find,
Paul

63chevyll · 01-03-2010, 11:12 PM

i would let it sit in your yard and let everone who drive by say

" I wonder if hes ever going to do anyting with that truck"

wannabeatrader · 01-03-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

i would let it sit in your yard and let everone who drive by say

" I wonder if hes ever going to do anyting with that truck"

LOL.......haha, their already wondering...

T Hilde · 01-04-2010, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabeatrader

Not sure about the year or my plans just yet. I just thought it was a cool truck... you guys gave me the fever, haha. The vin # is W54B002764.
Not sure how to decode. Thanks for all the ideas and comments so far!!!!

1954 6400, 161 inch wheelbase, Utility 2 ton, made in Baltimore MD

wannabeatrader · 01-04-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Hilde

1954 6400, 161 inch wheelbase, Utility 2 ton, made in Baltimore MD

Thanks for the decode... you guys are awesome

SkullCandy · 01-04-2010, 02:44 PM

I'd put a cummins in it with a NV4500.

blackdiesel · 01-04-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullCandy

I'd put a cummins in it with a NV4500.

I like the way you think, then I would put a different straight axle and rearend under it to get some good brakes on it, them I would haul my firewood with it.

Arkansas50's · 01-04-2010, 04:09 PM

My vote is a car hauler. I have the body off of the same truck, but I'm only using the cab to put on a S10 frame. If you put the body on a late model car hauler or flat bed frame, that would be too cool. I like the COE's done that way too. Good luck.

Arkansas50's · 01-04-2010, 04:12 PM

I see you still have the hood ornament too.

wannabeatrader · 01-04-2010, 04:38 PM

Thanks for all the great ideas and comments

augy49 · 01-04-2010, 06:55 PM

I'm with Syderman and Arkansas50, Having the tilt capability, it's a natural as a hauler.

**special-K** · 01-04-2010, 09:10 PM

Hey WELCOME to the site from 45 minutes south.My good friend lives on Blue Hill Rd. pretty near you.I guess it`s Black Rock where he lives.He was here today working on my truck with me.Another member l`ve just up from the hill from him.I see a member from Hanover in this thread,too.There should be a get together.Do you get to Westminster ever?Some Maryland members are getting together at O`Lorden's Pub on 1/16 at 3:00.

I know what to do with that truck.Sell it to me!

I know what I`d do with it.I`d make a big boy pickup.A bed is easy to fab up and you can mount pickup fenders on there.Use a front bumper and pan or the rear bumper.
I don`t know why anyone would put a lot of work and money into it modernizing axles,brakes,motor,and transmission to haul firewood.It`s perfect as it sits for that.

I like the wrecker idea,too.How about a utility body?Put a hitch on it and haul a trailer.It could be an ultimate hobby mechanic`s truck for junk yardin`,etc.

Some food for thought:

blackdiesel · 01-04-2010, 09:20 PM

You haven't seen the hill I have to go down to deliver to big cedar lodge. A load per day, every day. I haul with my 1 ton dodge now. It's all it wants. I use my exhaust brake and if it wasn't for that I would go though brake pads once a month.

nickp51chevy · 01-04-2010, 09:47 PM

Welcome to the board. I would keep it just as it is if everything works. It's a cool looking truck.

wannabeatrader · 01-04-2010, 10:21 PM

Thanks again for all the ideas and pictures. Yep I'm not too far from Mt Airy (about an hour) Thanks for the invite... probably working that day though. Any good parts suppliers for this 1954 6400?

**special-K** · 01-06-2010, 09:32 PM

My neighbor.I could give you his number.He may have what you need.He has a good bit of Advance Design parts.

01-03-2010, 04:34 PM	#1
wannabeatrader Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glen Rock, Pa. Posts: 13	1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Hey guys... been a lurker for a long time. Recently joined and have accquired a 1953 6400 grain truck. It runs, drives, stops and dumps. Looking for some ideas ...... you guys rock!!! Attached Images

01-03-2010, 04:48 PM	#2
Lextech Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oak Forest, Ill. Posts: 194	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? That's a tuff one. It would make a cool car hauler or tow truck. But, if you don't need a hauler/tow truck, it would not be very practical. Jeff

01-03-2010, 05:04 PM	#3
blackdiesel Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Omaha, Arkansas Posts: 929	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? What would I do with it? I would haul turkey litter in it. but that's just me. OR you could pull the side boards off and haul hay with it. You can never have to many dump trucks on a farm. __________________ '57 Chevy Pickup '56 GMC LCF Cummins '38 Chrysler Royal '57 2wd change http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=speedway

01-03-2010, 05:16 PM	#4
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Welcome to the forum. Always great to have another 47-59 guy here. I'm not real familiar with the larger trucks, but if it were a half ton I'd swear it was a 54 or 55 1st series with the one piece windshield and wrap around grill. Are you sure it's a 53? Either way, great lookin' truck. What are your plans? Keeping the original running gear? __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

01-03-2010, 05:38 PM	#5
BBEEP Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EUGENE, OREGON Posts: 504	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Give it to me!!! __________________ 48 GMC Panel Sold 12-14-15 52 White/Chevrolet School Bus 52 GMC Burb/Envoy Meld 61 Impala Wagon SOLD BARRETT JACKSON SCOTTSDALE 1-18-13 67 c/10 SOLD 2012 71 SS454 77 c/20 Sold 11-11-15 08 TBSS The Wife's car!! 50 GMC School Bus SOLD 11-7-10 29 FD Delivery (Chevy powered) SOLD 11-4-11 53 GMC 630 Firetruck/Ramp Truck** Last edited by BBEEP; 01-04-2010 at 02:48 PM.

01-03-2010, 06:28 PM	#6
54 jimmy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: pittston,PA Posts: 1,184	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? great find. looks to be in great shape for a northeast truck. mine was kind of a basket case. my truck was a 1 ton and the title says 54 but is is a 53 because my dash is the 53 and earlier style. __________________ There is nothing you can't fix with a BFH or a FIRE WRENCH. 1997 chevy k1500 ext cab z71 (daily driver) sold 1996 chevy k1500 reg cab 4x4(daily driver)totaled 2008jeep patriot (wife's daily driver 2008 chevy 1500 ext cab 4x4 sold 2011 chevy 1500 crew cab ltz (daily driver) 1996 chevy 1500 reg cab 4x4 project sold 2006 pontiac grand prix gxp (daily work commuter)

01-03-2010, 08:44 PM	#8
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Great truck. I'd shorten the frame and get an old Holmes wrecker bed for it. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

01-03-2010, 09:06 PM	#9
chevy49 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: coal city indiana Posts: 159	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? the cab is the same as a 1/2 or 3/4 ton you could start with that and an s-10 frame and go from there. nice find i think it is a 54.

01-03-2010, 10:46 PM	#10
spyderman1977 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, Tx Posts: 56	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? I like the car hauler option. With the tilt bed all you would need would be a good winch and maybe some ramps to help with the angle loading / unloading wise. I wonder what state laws are for your area with regards to haulers. I have heard that in Texas that if you have a wrecker unit you have to change insurance on it even if its for personal use. That and I think a few other weird laws along with it. I am not sure though about a flat bed truck....... I would still love to have one like that though.... Nice find, Paul __________________ 2 Chevy Monzas and 5 Buick Skyhawks 1 53 Chevy Truck....1 69 Chevy C/10.....1 72 Chevy C/10....1 69 Chevy C/20 1 83 Chevy El Camino SS 1 98 Chevy Tahoe 2dr 4x4 ....1 02 Jeep Liberty Limited In loving memory...Dad: David Nelson (5/24/38-2/14/2007) and Mom: Betty Nelson (3/6/51-1/5/2010)

01-03-2010, 11:12 PM	#11
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? i would let it sit in your yard and let everone who drive by say " I wonder if hes ever going to do anyting with that truck"

01-04-2010, 02:44 PM	#15
SkullCandy Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? I'd put a cummins in it with a NV4500. __________________ 1990 Dodge Ram D250 Cummins

01-04-2010, 04:09 PM	#17
Arkansas50's Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 71	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? My vote is a car hauler. I have the body off of the same truck, but I'm only using the cab to put on a S10 frame. If you put the body on a late model car hauler or flat bed frame, that would be too cool. I like the COE's done that way too. Good luck. __________________ 1950 Chevy 3600 1951 Chevy 3100 1954 Chevy 3100 1954 Chevy 6400

01-04-2010, 04:12 PM	#18
Arkansas50's Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 71	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? I see you still have the hood ornament too. __________________ 1950 Chevy 3600 1951 Chevy 3100 1954 Chevy 3100 1954 Chevy 6400 Last edited by Arkansas50's; 01-04-2010 at 04:13 PM.

01-04-2010, 04:38 PM	#19
wannabeatrader Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glen Rock, Pa. Posts: 13	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Thanks for all the great ideas and comments

01-04-2010, 06:55 PM	#20
augy49 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 46	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? I'm with Syderman and Arkansas50, Having the tilt capability, it's a natural as a hauler.



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01-04-2010, 09:10 PM	#21
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Hey WELCOME to the site from 45 minutes south.My good friend lives on Blue Hill Rd. pretty near you.I guess it`s Black Rock where he lives.He was here today working on my truck with me.Another member l`ve just up from the hill from him.I see a member from Hanover in this thread,too.There should be a get together.Do you get to Westminster ever?Some Maryland members are getting together at O`Lorden's Pub on 1/16 at 3:00. I know what to do with that truck.Sell it to me! I know what I`d do with it.I`d make a big boy pickup.A bed is easy to fab up and you can mount pickup fenders on there.Use a front bumper and pan or the rear bumper. I don`t know why anyone would put a lot of work and money into it modernizing axles,brakes,motor,and transmission to haul firewood.It`s perfect as it sits for that. I like the wrecker idea,too.How about a utility body?Put a hitch on it and haul a trailer.It could be an ultimate hobby mechanic`s truck for junk yardin`,etc. Some food for thought: __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-04-2010, 09:20 PM	#22
blackdiesel Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Omaha, Arkansas Posts: 929	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? You haven't seen the hill I have to go down to deliver to big cedar lodge. A load per day, every day. I haul with my 1 ton dodge now. It's all it wants. I use my exhaust brake and if it wasn't for that I would go though brake pads once a month. __________________ '57 Chevy Pickup '56 GMC LCF Cummins '38 Chrysler Royal '57 2wd change http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=speedway

01-04-2010, 09:47 PM	#23
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Welcome to the board. I would keep it just as it is if everything works. It's a cool looking truck. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

01-04-2010, 10:21 PM	#24
wannabeatrader Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glen Rock, Pa. Posts: 13	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? Thanks again for all the ideas and pictures. Yep I'm not too far from Mt Airy (about an hour) Thanks for the invite... probably working that day though. Any good parts suppliers for this 1954 6400? Last edited by wannabeatrader; 01-04-2010 at 10:23 PM. Reason: spelling

01-06-2010, 09:32 PM	#25
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 1953 6400 Grain Truck...What Would You Guys Do? My neighbor.I could give you his number.He may have what you need.He has a good bit of Advance Design parts. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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