I just bought this chassis for parts that "should" be a 1950 Chevy COE. I have a -50 COE project and some parts is different. My truck has vaccuum 2 speed rear end. The chassis has an electric solenoid on the 2 speed rear end. My truck has one wheel cylinder att each rear wheel. The chassis has two cylinders. My truck has the stick shift linked to the floor. The chassis has a stick that has a 45 degree bend without any attachement other than to the tranny. Could it be a GMC? Thanks for any input!
Front bumper looks to be from 1955 or earlier. The valve cover makes the engine look like it's from 1954 or later. There is quite a bit of information on the 1950s trucks at this site https://gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html you might want to download the information packages for trucks from a few different years, and compare the drawings of the frames and axles, etc.
Front bumper is similar to mine. I didnt see the valve cover until now. Probably a full pressure 235. My truck has a -50 engine with two lug nuts on top of the valve cover. Thanks!
Forgot to mention that it has parking brake on the driveshaft. Did the earlier chevy trucks have that?
I looked up at Jim Carter Truck Parts that -51 and newer have two wheel cylinders at each rear wheel. If the engine is original it could be a -54 or -55... Maybe they had a different stick shift than a -50. Wonder if its correct with the parking brake and electric rear axle.?
The electric axle doesn't sound right. the books I looked at show the transmission mounted parking brake was used on most of them, but it's kind of vague. More manuals and parts books are available here http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/
When I googled electric 2speed rear axle I got a lot of hits on Eaton. They seemed to be common on a lot of trucks in that era. It could be upgraded with that axle later.. Maybe they had double wheel cylinders in the -60s too so its a "modern" rear end.
Several type rear ends were available in those year trucks, including Eaton. My '53 Ford F600 has an Eaton rear with electric 2 speed and dual wheel cylinders....factory. I think it was a heavy duty option? I'd guess that chassis is 54-55.
Here are some pics. Apparently it's a DTA co axle. Are they any better than original? Does anybody here have some info or old ads from them?
That's a DANA axle, now MERITOR, I think. 2 speed shifter has no guts. That 6.60 rear gear will get you about 50 MPH.
DTA axle is/was Timken back then. The parts for that style shifter are still around as they still use them.
Thanks! I found a lot more old ads when I googled Timken axle COE truck. But since this one is tagged DTA how new do you think it is? -70s maybe?
I'm learning stuff! According to Wikipedia, its called TDA, Timken Detroit Axle. Timken- Detroit became Rockwell in -53. So this TDA co 2 speed axle could be an original option in -51 or so for this chassis!