47-55.1 '54 6100

[kclark]

I am going to look at a Craigslist post tomorrow morning for a 1954 6100. I don't have a lot of info on the truck yet. I know there is a 6100 and 6100s with a 1/2 ton and 1000 GVWR difference between the 2. It shows in the listing as a one ton but it is either a 1 1/2 or a 2 Ton truck. The lister is posting it for a friend of his so he has been going in between the 2 of us and I will meet him tomorrow as well. I do know it has the original straight 6 235ci. It appears to be in great shape although it looks like it needs new tires. From what I was told, it was originally used by, I assume, a school district to tow school buses. It has been converted to a dump truck. I am looking for something that can easily handle pulling my 10,000 GVWR trailer with tractor. I know this will do the trick although its no speed daemon. It also doesn't have a hitch on the back but I have that figured out if I make the deal. As I am new and doing some research about these old trucks, is there anything that I definitely need to look for or have a heads up on? I know that it should be a 6 volt system and I have a 1929 Studebaker so I know about those. I would probably/eventually convert it to a 12 volt system. It is a 4 speed with 2 gear transmission.

[mongocanfly]

Welcome....
6100 is a 2 ton...should also be 12v system
Looks like a really clean truck....look for rust in all the usual places...cab corners, kick panels, beltline,floorboards
Just don't get in any hurry trying to pull a 10k load...make sure you have working trailer brakes and I'd highly recommend you upgrade the truck braking system

[kclark]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Welcome....
6100 is a 2 ton...should also be 12v system
Looks like a really clean truck....look for rust in all the usual places...cab corners, kick panels, beltline,floorboards
Just don't get in any hurry trying to pull a 10k load...make sure you have working trailer brakes and I'd highly recommend you upgrade the truck braking system

I was reading that there was the 6100S(pecial) that was 1 1/2 Ton and then the regular 6100 that was the 2 Ton. What I had read was that 1954 was the last year for 6 volt systems. It does appear to be clean and I'll find out tomorrow.
I don't plan on pulling 10k, maybe 7500-8000, but no more than 10k as that's my trailers GVWR. Don't want to get a ticket going over the 10k and with the truck I need to make sure that I don't go over the 26k limit. If the truck is a true 6100 2 Ton then it's limit is 16k GVWR and with the trailers 10k I'm maxed out.

I know what you said differs and I am not trying to argue, I am just one to make sure and then double check my sureness.

[mongocanfly]

Yeah i have a 55.1 with 12v system...i mistakenly thought the 54 had 12v as well
I think the 4000 series trucks were 1-1/2t and the 6000 series was 2t
I saw the 6100s listed but have never seen one

[whitedog76]

Here's some more info on 6100 trucks.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54109.htm

Looks like the 6100's were "2 ton trucks" and the the 6100S is a slightly lighter version with a 1 1/2 ton rating.

It also looks like they came with 261's not 235's. Which is better for your needs. Of course neither one is going to get you anywhere fast.

After 64 years of service, it's hard to tell what had actually been done to the truck over the years and what it is actually equipped with. You'll just have to dig in to it.

[kclark]

Well I went to go look. The truck wouldn't turn over. It needs a new fuel pump and the carburater needs rebuilt most likely. Needs brakes all the way around and most likely new master. Floor was soaking wet and believe it is due to some of the window seals missing. Needs tires all the way around as hardly any tread left and dry rot which I got a quote of $1600 for tires. The seller had it listed at $7800 and I offered $5000 as I figured to get it where it would be minimum road ready would cost $3,000. That is assuming that once the truck starts and is driven everything else works properly.

[mr48chev]

Scroll Down this page to the 6100 section. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

You still want to check the serial number on the door post against the codes To see exactly what it is. Unless you intend to put it to work hauling it doesn't matter too much if it is a 1-1/2 or 2 ton as you will never hit the assigned tonnage anyhow.

What does matter is that the vin on the title matches either the stamped number on the door post or the number stamped on the machined pad next to the distributor. With out a vin on the truck that matches the title the seller doesn't have much more than a nice looking pile of parts. If it isn't correct due to an engine change it is up to the seller to get it corrected before it is sold.

That bed setup looks close to the same as what is on my 1 ton dualie in that the bed sticks back a couple of feet past the end of the frame rails making it a challenge to figure out a hitch that reaches back far enough. When I tow my boat I wish I had shortened the bed two feet when I replaced the wood on it. That would let me run a regular hitch rather than my setup I have.

At any rate, that is a nice looking truck that should do what you want to do as long as you don't get carried away with putting a load on or behind it.

[kclark]

Well,
The seller and I are real close to a deal. I am trying to get some ducks in a row for when we do agree. The floor is a little wet from all the rain that we have had lately. Where is the best place to buy the front door vent window weatherstripping and the window felt weatherstrip as I know these are either missing or in bad shape. I checked with Steele Rubber Products down the street from me (about 30 miles away) but there prices seem high to me.

I also need the rubber gasket for the cowl vent but not sure what the correct name is for it.

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Scroll Down this page to the 6100 section. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

You still want to check the serial number on the door post against the codes To see exactly what it is. Unless you intend to put it to work hauling it doesn't matter too much if it is a 1-1/2 or 2 ton as you will never hit the assigned tonnage anyhow.

I did look at the door tag but I forgot to take a picture of it but it did say 16,000 so that would mean it is a 6100 2 Ton and NOT 6100S 1 1/2 Ton.

[mongocanfly]

Mr48 bring up some good points about a hitch....it's a long way from the frame to the end of the bed for a frame mounted hitch.....and NEVER mount a hitch on a dump bed(if it has one)...i know the truck has the gearing for pulling but your gonna be lacking in the power dept big time for moving a load like you described.....I pull loads at that weight all the time...and im doing it with a 6.0/nv4500/4.10 gears...and I wouldn't have it any other way...the hills will kill ya...

[kclark]

I will be picking up the truck tomorrow morning and I have been in contact with a local company that makes dump beds and the like and they will be putting the hitch on by extending the frame.

What is the easiest way to hookup a wiring harness with electric brakes?

[mongocanfly]

use a centrifugal force brake controller

[kclark]

Still have to look at all of the brakes but have one side of the duallies off. Pretty much decided to go ahead and convert 6v to 12v. I may be ruffling some feathers, but thinking of a 1 wire alternator. Those that do have one, what brand and part number are you running that you're happy with.

[mongocanfly]

You ain't gonna ruffle feathers...it's yours...do as you wish...extremely very few non modded trucks out there

[kclark]

I also need to figure out what's going on with the turn signals. Every light works except those. I think it has something to do with turn signal at the column. It seems to want to rotate some when you move the turn signal lever.

I also need to ask if anyone has a photo of their hi-lo gear knob as it is attached to the stick shift. and is it a push/pull type or a turn left/right type. Looking at the manual, I thought there was a turn left/right knob on the dash as stated in the manual but there is not one there as there is one attached to the gear shift, but doesn't have a knob part, just the cable.