Looking at some old trucks this winter

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

I could like to have a grain truck with a hoist. Just seems to make more sense than hauling gravity boxes on the road to the elevator. Something smaller and older because I really don't have need to haul more than 300 bushels at any given time and really cannot justify a road tractor. Been looking at the Chevy C60's and even C50's that are around from the mid 1970's. I can afford the price and it is close enough and similar enough to my Chevy PU from 1976 that I could work on it. I also have a need frequently to bring in a small load of sand or gravel...3-4 yards at most. I could save on the delivery. Anything wrong with the older Chevys? Are the old IH or Fords better? Seem to be a LOT of the old IH trucks around. Appreciate opinions.

Dick2 · Apr 3, 2015

Those old Chevy's were fairly reliable; Fords were about the same. They all seemed to slip in the late 70's early 80's. Neighbor bought a new Chevy in 1981; it had all kinds of problems, mainly overheating. Blew a PS hose and set the engine on fire, Etc.

Jeff NWOH · Apr 3, 2015

I had a 1978 C50 we put a 12' stake dump on back when I was doing landscape back in the 90's. Probably wasn't worth the time and money we put into it when it was done, but it was a nice truck. Ran good, drove nice, and had a short wheelbase. It would out turn a pickup.

It was just a 350 with a 4 speed, 18k gvw. I was hauling driveway stone one time from the quarry and they kept loading each time heavier than the last. Final load scaled out at 12.5 tons. Its a wonder that truck didn't break in half.

Friend of mine just texted me a couple days ago and said he saw it out and about somewhere. I think I sold it in 01 or 02.

rustyfarmall · Apr 3, 2015

(quoted from post at 10:11:07 04/03/15) I could like to have a grain truck with a hoist. Just seems to make more sense than hauling gravity boxes on the road to the elevator. Something smaller and older because I really don't have need to haul more than 300 bushels at any given time and really cannot justify a road tractor. Been looking at the Chevy C60's and even C50's that are around from the mid 1970's. I can afford the price and it is close enough and similar enough to my Chevy PU from 1976 that I could work on it. I also have a need frequently to bring in a small load of sand or gravel...3-4 yards at most. I could save on the delivery. Anything wrong with the older Chevys? Are the old IH or Fords better? Seem to be a LOT of the old IH trucks around. Appreciate opinions.

They're all good. Any of them will meet your needs, be relatively easy to work on, and parts should be readily availble. The older IH trucks used ignition systems from different suppliers, and that will ocassionally trip you up, but would not be a deal breaker.

Jeff NWOH · Apr 3, 2015

Pic of a couple pics....

farmboy48 · Apr 3, 2015

I have one of each, mid 60's ford, chev, and ih loadstar. All three with 16' grain box and hoist and about 50k miles. Only problem with any of them has been carburetor issues, needed kits put in them and the occasional brake and clutch cylinder work. Of the 3 I like the Ford with 292 engine the best. Not quite as powerful as the 345 ih or the 327 chev, but best to drive.

Dick ND

fixerupper · Apr 3, 2015

Does your state have inspection laws? I would imagine every state has a federal inspection law by now. It can cost a bunch to get an old truck up to where it will pass inspection if maintenance has been let go for too long. A tractor and wagons don't need to be inspected.

Bruce from Can. · Apr 3, 2015

I have a 1076. GMC five ton with 16 foot rack. Only hang up is the juice breaks. Getting parts can be a pain sometimes , and only single master break.

ericlb · Apr 3, 2015

nothing "wrong" with them, mechanical parts are available, front fenders and grills ect are fix the ones you have practically none out there, and nobody yet is repoping them for the heavier trucks, i found that out on the 57, got all the pickup ones i want but the 2 tons up are different,ford and chevy and ih are all good reliable trucks and easy to understand and work on, i wonder is one of these with a 2 speed axle and with a 5.9 Cummings swapped in wouldn't be just the thing...

Jim in N.M. · Apr 3, 2015

Hi Ericlb, Do you mess with 57 Chevys? My email is open....Jim in N.M.

rusty6 · Apr 3, 2015

As has been stated already, brakes are one of the biggest headaches on the older trucks. They work great when they are working but if they sit too long and wheel cylinders rust and start to leak you have problems. And guess what, Ih does not supply new brake drums for my otherwise mint condition 1971 Loadstar. I'm running with one front drum worn beyond spec. but with new linings. Brakes work great but the drum can't be cut any more.
For short hauls a tractor and grain cart look attractive to me.

Tom OConnor · Apr 3, 2015

Dave,
I might have just what you are looking for as this is going to be my last year of farming. Retireing after this season. 1972 Chevy, bought new with a 13'6" Knapheid metal box/frieght swing doors and Perfection twin cylinder hoist. Holds a good 300 bushel, 350 engine/4speed/2 speed axle and has somewhere around twenty five thousand original miles on it. Give me a call if it is something you might want. 810-655-4859

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

Not sure, but I don't think so. This is something that will live in a narrow triangle between the fields, elevator, gravel pit. Probably never see the interstate. I don't even like to take the old PU on the interstate. These old trucks were not always designed for comfort.

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

Yeah, you are right. That is kinda sorta the thing I am looking for. But I need it in two weeks. I have work for it starting right after the 15th if not sooner. My email is open. If not on classic view, then try modern and if not there than go to my profile thru modern. Shoot me a quick email if you could. I don't mind calling you but it will take me some time to get free of this desk. A quick email would be appreciated.

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

That's a nice truck. I have a 1586 I haul out of the field with. Your gravity wagon is a tad newer than anything I have. I would likely bring the combine up and unload to save time. Great picture, nice to see good older equipment working.

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

That lower one is a nice looking truck! Top one is too. They sure made a lot of Chevy's in that light blue color. You see them all over the internet for sale. Box usually red.

Mike M · Apr 3, 2015

If you have a good HD pick up now you could get a gooseneck dump trailer. No extra insurance cheaper plates and no extra thing to keep running.

Jeff NWOH · Apr 3, 2015

Same truck. Before and after.

Dave H (MI) · Apr 3, 2015

Slick!

RandyB(MI) · Apr 3, 2015

You won't go wrong with a '68 - '72 Chevy/GMC. That one owner one below would be excellent.

notjustair · Apr 3, 2015

My straight truck is a GMC. It is a good old workhorse. It sits sometimes for up to a month and always fires off and runs just the same. I just hauled two full loads of split wood out of the pasture with it tonight.

I tried like everything to find an early to mid 60's Ford. They were a very good truck- good gearing and a strong motor. I always had good luck with the Fords of the 70's and 80's on the full size school buses I ran. I won't own a Ford vehicle, but wouldn't buy anything other than a Ford for a bus (even really liked the Lucas Girling brakes).

Don't get anything that hasn't been out of the shed in longer than 2 months. Sitting kills them. It will then kill you trying to make it reliable.

Frank 41 · Apr 3, 2015

There are still quit a few 2 ton trucks gas guzzlers around. Many have rust problems from hauling some grain in the winter and not getting washed off. I had a Shein bed that rusted badly. Midwest and Knaphide were much better beds. I now have a tandem with a 18' Kann and a 41' Wilson trailer, both aluminum.

01gentdc · Apr 3, 2015

Dave come on down and give me 2 grand for my 58 chevy Viking ,it has all you are looking for ,, you can see it in Louisville cl

Looking at some old trucks this winter

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