VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 1942 Pickup 6 volt system and rear end gearing

I'm curious what the ramifications are of having an original 6 volt system?

There are 3.55 replacement gears made. Difficult an and expensive. Even with 3.55 gears 60 will seem ike 100
MPH in a passenger car.
It is not a 1942 truck or a war time truck of those models had no chrome unless chrome parts were replated.
6 volt is perfectly adquate if every thing is as it sould be
what is the serail number?

As Gene said, a war production truck would not have had chrome. On the other hand, and also as Gene asked for; the serial number might be a significant clue. It will show if it was actually made in 1942. If made in 1941, the chrome might be ok? The engine, if original to that truck will offer an added clue as will the data plate. The engine serial number will be stamped on a flat boss adjacent to and rear of the distributor. That number is likely what was used to originally title the truck. The data plate would have been secured to the cowl by two unique clutch head screws. Look for it on the passenger side, above the running board and fender. Other clues will be the casting numbers on the engine block, intake manifold, and the rear differential.

Unless the plan is to add power consuming accessories, the 6volt system will be fine. If you choose to go 12 volt add changing out all bulbs to your list. Also, a resistor will be required for the fuel gauge.

Cruising at 60, in these is doable. Some say they enjoy it, but from my experience I get more pleasure otherwise. These old trucks ride and drive differently than a more modern one.

The first trucks that were half way comfortable at 60+ MPH were the 1947 and up Advanced Design trucks. They had a fire wall pad to keep engine noise down to a resonable level and the steering and suspension was improved.

Keeping electrical connections clean and tight is important and more so with 6v.
Tony

I would say the truck could be an early production '42 and still have the chrome features. My Dad's '42 COE has a chrome (actually, Stainless) grille. It was delivered new on the day after Thanksgiving 1941.
That is a really nice truck and it seems to be well restored. For 24 Large, I would think the seller could pony up for a correct coil and a crank hole cover. I believe the windshield frame should be black. How can you not like a red Chevy Pickup of any age. Good luck.
I have a coil if you make the deal and want to change it.

Mike

I like the classic looks of the '41-'46 Art Deco era.

I think there is a possibility also.

I'll try to get the serial number when I see it tomorrow.

The gear change could run several hundred dollars for parts and difficult for the average person to do.
The 4 speed trans. is an antique dataing back to 1927 and requires double clutching wnen shifting = LOW 1st gear is usless.
There were pick-ups made in 1944 and 1945. There is an ealry 1946 (nochrome) and a late 1946 (chrome) The 1944 and 1945 will have a 1942 serial number.
A government vehicle will have an ID plate riveted to the dash.
The oil filter is a much later Fram with an AC sticker onit and has nothing to do with an army truck.
The truck appears to have many good points and some questionable.
Price is not way out of line.

Thanks for the info Gene.

We offer the 3.55:1 ring & pinion gears at the reduced price of $350 W/FREE shipping.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...n-truck-3-55-1-ring-pinion-gears.923013/



Detail instructions on installation of the gears is covered in the following 2 links....


http://www.devestechnet.com/home/DifferentialOverhaul


https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/axles/355%20gear%20swap/



.

That looks like something I could do.

We do not have anything to do with the way the HAMB is run.....We only posted an ad there.

If you are really serious about upgrading the gearing of the truck { that you have not even purchased yet }....
Send us a PM here & we can fix you up.

Well, I must have misunderstood you.

I looked at the truck today, was a bit disappointed in it.

The US military used newly assembled trucks as well as those in factory and dealer inventories. So finding a photo of a truck in military garb with chrome grills though not common was not that rare. Those vehicles would have been used in the USA or away from the action.

After the war got underway in 1942 army milatary vehicles were all olivedrab from head to toe.

I see.

I had 3.55 gear in the 49 pickup that we sold this spring, the only thing I noticed was I would tend to downshift for some
corners. Was better on the highway if you wanted to drive 60 or 65. It was also still 6 volt.

I'm guessing that was a synchro trans, right?

It had the 4 speed but yes it was a synchro trans, but our 28 does not have synchro's but I do down shift it, but there is a bit of a learning curve.

I don't think my VCC fever is going to go away.

I'm back with a couple questions.

Alan,

The green 41 Chev looks like a pretty decent truck for $8500. A plus is that it has a 235 or 261 engine. Also has the 3-speed transmission, which makes it more driver-friendly. Looks like it has 15" wheels/tires, which I'm guessing are smaller in overall diameter than the stock 6.00-16 wheels/tires that were original equipment. The smaller wheels and tires will cause the engine to run at higher RPM than the stock wheels at a given speed.

With the stock 6.00-16 tires the stock 4.11 rear end, at 60 mph, the engine will be turning at about 3,000 rpm, which a 235 or 261 motor in good condition will do all day long, with some reserve power left for passing. With the same wheels and tires and a 3.55 rear end, 3,000 RPM will give you about 70 mph. With the stock steering, suspension, and brakes, I'd be a little reluctant to drive the truck at much over 70 mph on a regular basis.

If you buy the truck, I suggest you drive it for a few hundred miles before you spring for the 3.55 gears, just to be sure that the truck is what you want.

I have a 1940 Chev 1/2 ton pickup with a 261 engine and a 3.55 rear end and 6.00-16 radial tires. My primary interest is driving the truck on long road trips, and last fall I drove it from Reno, NV to Brunswick, Maine and back--a total of 6600 miles, nearly all of it at 65 to 70 mph. I found the 261/3.55 combination to be very satisfactory. That type of road trip is not for everybody. If you want your smooth, quiet, solid tracking, air-conditioned comfort, you'd be sorely disappointed. If you plan to do a lot of highway travel, I recommend the 3.55 gear swap. On the other hand, if you expect most of your driving to be cruising around town, save your money and stay with the stock 4.11 rear end.

If you decide to do the swap, the gears will cost $350. However, while the rear end is apart, it would be wise to replace both pinion bearings, both differential side bearings, and both axle bearings and seals. Those parts will probably be around $400. I'd guess a good shop would probably charge around 12 hours of labor at $100/hour, so you'd be looking at about $2,000 to have the job done.

Good luck with your truck purchase,

Mark