50% OT -need commercial truck guru

[praisethelowered]

Sorry to waste board space but but my current project is a 54 chevy on a 1985 chevy P-30 step van (UPS truck) chassis.

This big truck thing is a different world. For example. . . I don't even know where to go to buy tires, wash the thing, buy parts, get basic service, etc. I think it is some secret society centered in Fontana that is unavailable to a backyard mechanic like me. I am hoping the power of the HAMB can put me in touch with someone who can answer some basic questions as they come up during this build.

Is anyone on this board a fleet manager or commercial truck guy that can speak my language (rods and customs) but also knows something about the world of commercial trucks? Know anyone who is?

[52Chief]

My husband drives and works on Peterbilts here in Wildomar. I'm not sure if he can help you, but feel free to send me any questions you have.

A lot of truck stops have big truck washes, Napa carries a lot of commercial parts, if you need tires, I can probably get you the number for the tire guy his company uses.

Let me know and I'll pass them on to him. He works a lot, so I may not get back to you quickly, but I will get back to you, if you'd like.

[FKNPOZER]

DUDE! speaking of fontana.
I work for a mack/volvo/gm/izuzu/hino/autocarr dealer.
my parts manager lives out towards L.A and U.P.S is one of my accounts.let me know what you need I think I could help
with info,parts etc.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[52Chief]

Heres a web site that might be of use to you. It's for the American Truck Historical Society. I've never been there, so I don't know jack about it, but old commercial trucks is their thing. ATHS (http://www.aths.org) This is the SoCal chapter socalaths (http://www.socalaths.org)

Theres also a truck show coming up on May 29th at the California Speedway in Fontana, the flier says it has a vedor area.

Hopefully you can find what you need. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[praisethelowered]

thanks, you'll definitely be hearing from me.

The old part I have a handle on. . . a truck cab is a truck cab so I am getting that together o.k. . . .but that antique truck show looks like a pretty weird scene . . and surprise . . it's in Fontana!

It is the part where I am the owner and maintenance crew for an (cough, cough, OT)'85 chevy step van chassis that I am a little lost on.

Here is another general question for the board and then I will let it drop. . . Has anyone ever seen a junkyard for commercial trucks in the LA area?

[sawzall]

dude that truck freakin rocks..

dont know about yards for your stuff, but I have been to a AHTS show. I think it was their eastern regional show held right here in King of Prussia, PA, back in 2001? (maybe)

at any rate.. I'd suggest that you try to get to the fontana show.. the people that I met were very easy to talk to and (more importantly in my case) led me to some other NON truck parts as well..

reguardless man I am diggin that truck.. its beggin to have a roadster ridin around in the back...

OR a lakester..

[desertratrodder]

The P-30 chassis shouldnt have you worried. If I'm not mistaken, thats the same platform for motorhomes too. The parts should be readily available from the dealer, napa, and the like.
I was a fleet manager and we bought our GM stuff from Gene Berg GMC in Van Nuys. Use a truck only dealer because you wont get far in a Chevy car parts dept.
There was Blackies truck wreckers in Sun Valley, dont know if they are still there. Some of the pick yards in Adelanto and Victorville have a big truck section.
Cool Project..

[praisethelowered]

You rule desertratrodder. . . Blackies is still listed on San Fernando.

[201]

If that chassis is ex-UPS, they probably rebuild it twice in the time they ran it.They don't get rid of anything untill they get the last drop out of it.If it's air brakes, super easy to work on.Just bigger tools!