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Joined: Feb 2006
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ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Feb 2006
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Earlier this year I bought a 1929 Chevy Fire Truck. Due to other projects, I'm just now finding the time to check it out thoroughly and to work on it. It's in amazingly good condition, but I discovered something that surprises me: The wheelbase of the truck is 152 inches, 21 inches longer than the standard LQ wheelbase. Further, the frame side rails have been cut and extended by roughly that amount, with overlapping U-channel pieced in to extend the length. The torque tube and prop shaft must have been lengthened as well, but I can't see evidence of that. The torque tube does have a grease fitting about halfway down its length, which I'm guessing serves a bushing to support the mid-section of the driveshaft due to it's longer length. My assumption is that the extension was done by the body builder when the chassis was new before mounting the water tank and the center-mounted chain driven firefighting pump. Have any of you seen this before? Can anyone confirm my assumption? Was this a common practice? Or am I missing something?  All the Best, Chip
"It's wise to choose a SIX"
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Joined: May 2002
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ChatMaster - 6,000
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ChatMaster - 6,000
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With the extra channel over the extension section Indicates to me that a professional stretched the chassis at least so it maybe difficult to determine where the drive line was stretched and your assumption that it was done before the pump and body were fitted is most likely the case.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Joined: Feb 2006
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ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
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Has anyone else seen a grease fitting halfway down the torque tube before? Is there probably a bushing in there to support the driveshaft?  The torque tube does have a grease fitting about halfway down its length, which I'm guessing serves a bushing to support the mid-section of the driveshaft due to it's longer length.
"It's wise to choose a SIX"
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 108
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 108 |
yep. My 37 has one. It's a factory-length wheelbase SD (157")
Bryan Toedtli
Hillsboro, OR
1937 Chevrolet Seagrave Firetruck
1938 Master Deluxe Business Coupe
1950 Belair
1964 Malibu
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Joined: Feb 2006
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ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
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Thanks Bryan... Makes sense.
All the Best, Chip
"It's wise to choose a SIX"
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 282 Likes: 2
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 282 Likes: 2 |
Chip,
I recently have seen a two LP's & a LQ that had their frames cut and lengthen about 20". In each of these trucks, they installed a 3 speed over drive directly behind the transmission and before the start of the torque tube. Two of them had muncie overdrives, the '29 had a rocky mountain overdrive.
The frames were cut then the overdrive bolted right in place. Guess cutting the frame might have been easier than shortening the torque tube
Mike Quezada
(559) 250-5427
mike.quezada@M2ProSol.com
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,262 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
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OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,262 Likes: 6 |
Interesting...thanks. Mine has no overdrive, just a PTO to drive the fire pump.
All the Best, Chip
"It's wise to choose a SIX"
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