Looking at old grain trucks... Need help.

crash325 · Feb 4, 2014

If I lived close & had the $$$ I would buy both. Love old trucks, specially ones that still work

Going up with 2 spd pull the lever then momentarly let off on the gas.
Going down move lever then depress clutch.

If I am wrong some one will say so. Maybe tomorrow I'll go read the directions in my old dump. Maybe try to take a picture of it.

Diamondpilot · Feb 4, 2014

Stimw said:
I have driven may miles with 2 speed rear ends (5 & 2) in Semi's and dump trucks. I LOVE driving them!!
Once you get them figured out it's like playing a piano or some other instrument, it comes naturally.
One good thing about the Chevy's, you can probably still order most parts from NAPA!! (if you get an older parts person)

You are right. I maintain a 76 Ford F 700 and a 78 GMC C60. Both have split rears and are a blast.

Without the split rear that GM couldn't move under load. 2 barrel 350 putting out 160 HP on a good day. But throw it in low and put 8 tons in the bed and chains on the rear and it pushes a 10' snow plow pretty effortlessly.

Parts are cheap. Napa here sucks but Orileys has it all.

Chris

motownbrowne · Feb 4, 2014

I know the 2 speed rear end seems tempting, but if the thing is never going to leave a 15 mile radius, and you live in a flat area, I'd go with the single speed. One less thing to break. It'll pull the same load, but you will have fewer gears, so if you could have used 3.5 on the two speed, you'll be stuck in 3 with the single. Not really a big deal, just fewer options and less to go wrong.

Farmerjonathan · Feb 4, 2014

I'd buy them both. Haul the tractor over evening before, start the day hauling. Both trucks won't cost in a year's time what one month payment on a farm truck would. In the heat of the moment or during the job, if something happens to one, you have a spare. Come winter time you can fill one with firewood and keep it under a roof. They will only appreciate in value if you keep them under a roof. You will want half sides for manure, take the originals off and put them away in a hay mow or in a machine shed, they will be the originals and add value 20-30 years from now. Build new half sides (like for dirt). I am envious. (they also should run on little gas, my 48 Ford was a gas sipper).

Marveltone · Feb 4, 2014

Farmerjonathan said:
I'd buy them both. Haul the tractor over evening before, start the day hauling. Both trucks won't cost in a year's time what one month payment on a farm truck would. In the heat of the moment or during the job, if something happens to one, you have a spare. Come winter time you can fill one with firewood and keep it under a roof. They will only appreciate in value if you keep them under a roof. You will want half sides for manure, take the originals off and put them away in a hay mow or in a machine shed, they will be the originals and add value 20-30 years from now. Build new half sides (like for dirt). I am envious. (they also should run on little gas, my 48 Ford was a gas sipper).

Half sides are already in my plans! :thumbsup: You say they're not too thirsty? Sounds like a bonus I hadn't anticipated, as I had already convinced myself they'd be gas hogs.

Joe

930ck · Feb 4, 2014

Have a 52 chevy with 2 speed but the switch is mounted on the dash , when loaded run in low, when empty run in high, not really the set up for split-shifting. Would prefer the one with 2 speed but either would work as long as loads aren't to heavy, brakes on those old trucks can be troublesome , my master cylinder has been rebuilt but still leaks , always top it off before I use it.

Green Power · Feb 4, 2014

So which truck are you thinking you will get?

Marveltone · Feb 4, 2014

Not sure yet. I probably won't get to look at them again for a couple weeks. My friend is gone every other weekend. Right now, I'm just gathering information and weighing all the options. Either will do what I need. Just have to decide which will fit better.

Joe

Stimw · Feb 5, 2014

I also like the Buy Both idea.
They should only be 6 cylinders since Chevy's first V-8 was the 265 cu in in 1955.
BUT because of the Chevy interchangeability there are thousands of upgrade options!! Newer parts everywhere!