VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 '49 3600 PU front end Resto

Hello Again All,
I'm back with another question and in search of your expert advice.
I'm nearing completion of the restoration of my 1949 3600 truck and have not been able to find a source for replacement parts for the steering/front end. I see lots of tie rods ends, etc. for the 1/2 ton models, but feel left out in the cold when it comes to the 3/4 ton. Can someone point me to a supplier (or workaround) because after I have put so much blood sweat & $$$ into it, I want to know it is as safe to drive as possible, especially when it comes to the steering components. (My steering box is good) I'm resisting converting it to a 1/2 ton front end with conventional tie-rod ends for now.
Thanks in advance-

The 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks use the same tie rod, tie rod ends and tie rod end inner working parts. The 1 ton has a more beefy front end.
The kits to replace the tie rod end innards are available from the Filling Station. Also fit older cars, etc. The outer shell of the actual tie rod end usually never has a problem. They fit many years of older cars and trucks up to about 1959.
In the later years there were alos after market tie rods made of the more conventional ball and socket type that were non-repairable.

What Gene just said! I rebuilt the entire front end, every component, on my 1950,3604 a little over a year ago and got everything from the vendors. All steering parts, king pins, wheel cylinder kits, wheel bearings from Chevy Duty, Chevs of the 40's, Jim Carter and of course The Filling Station. Between those four you should find almost everything you need. I got my front brake shoes from the local Autozone, the rears, I couldn't find them anywhere.
Don't know how you could have come close to completing a restoration Lee, without a knee high stack of vendors catalogs, I sure never would have made them. That just seemed like the first of my goals when I decided on restoring mine.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks Gene, Denny,
I don't know enough to redo the front end parts myself and will pass along what you've shared to the guy who's doing the h-a-r-d work and I guess isn't too familiar with these details of the 3/4T.
I've done most of my parts searching online and actually don't have too many hardcopies.
I really appreciate the great tips and directions guys.

I have some front end replacement parts for it. E-mail me with what you want. bwbugay@aol.com

Lee,
Get yourself a Chevy Master Parts Catalog from about 1954 or 1955. It is very easy to use and is formatted in a way that tells you at a glance if parts for your vehicle interchange with other models. Reprints are available and originals appear regularly on ebay. It's the best investment you will ever make and it's fun to look at all the illustrations and extra info provided.
I saw that Bruce (Chevy B) had posted to you. He is a good guy and knows his stuff. Also Obsolete Chevrolet Parts, Nashville, Georgia is an excellent source.

Mike