Need a little help on a 54 I might buy

[bufmatmuslepants]

Its a 54 dually flatbed with 18" wheels, a 270 straight 6 with an sm420. It says GMC 350 on the fender badge. GWR of 16000, GCWR of 26000. Ive been trying to find any info on this truck, as well as come up with a price to offer to the guy, neither of us has thrown out a number yet. He said the motor was frozen and he yanked it around the yard with this tacoma until it freed up then got it running, but now it needs clutch work. He pulled it out of a field in PA and never got around to working on it. He said the clutch is fine but it doesnt engage or disengage anymore, I cant remember which.

Is it a 3800? Is it a 2 ton? 1 1/2 ton? what rear gear would be in it? I know it would have a full floater rear and be geared between 4-5:1, and not go over 43 or 46 mph.

My plans would be to do something to make it at least cruise at 60 highway, and upgrade the brakes accordingly. Probably swap in a basic sbc and new rear gears or a new rear end.

How much should I offer? I dont think id go over $1000?

[bufmatmuslepants]

Actually Im not even sure it has 18" wheels, Im reading Stovebolt right now and maybe its a 4400? No idea

[Hogger54]

I have some info on Chevy's, just not sure if it's the same as GMC.
The P in the serial number says a Chevy is a 1 1/2 ton 4400 with a 161" wheel base.
That's about all I have on it since the stuff I printed out is for my 3600. I'll try digging and see if I can find the link for the other info.

[67GMCkid]

try here,



http://www.oldgmctrucks.com

[arturo7]

The SM420 has an insanely low first gear. You can pretty tall on the rear without a problem.

[mr48chev]

16,000 Gross tonnage should mean that it is a two ton as my 1-1/2 ton is rated for 14,000 gross.
If it runs and drives down the road and the brakes work it should be worth 1000 just to haul stuff with.

As a comparison here are the links to a couple of local ones that are on Craigslist right now.
48GMD doesn't run an missing a few pieces.
http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/4039824290.html

Nice looking 52 GMC that you could probably put to work today. They still use trucks like this daily around this area and you see a number of them hauling everything from crops out of the field to lumber to brush to the dump.
http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/4039290970.html

[bufmatmuslepants]

He says it runs, yet the clutch wont disengage or wont engage I cant remember, either way Id need a trailer to get it home. It does have new oak bedsides.

Stovebolt's vin decoder says it was made in 1953 in St Louis, MO, but I see the 161" wheelbase on the Old GMC site.

Im thinking $500...

[RINC]

Drool !

i know no info to help you but I could surely spend your money to get it bought an going.

You are welcome. I know my post here is a big help

[67GMCkid]

I bet it brings over $500 across the scales at the scrap yard

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 67GMCkid

I bet it brings over $500 across the scales at the scrap yard

oh the humanity
true, but ouch