Rear Cargo Bed 1939 Chevrolet WA...
 

I must be off my rocker for getting into a new project, but here I go... I just managed to purchase another 39 (1.5) ton truck with an open cab, which maybe gives me two options for a recreation...

Attachment 114049 Attachment 114050


Option A first photo, My questions are, what is the wheelbase of that truck...Could it be 158"? like my new rig... Sure looks longer than the second photo... What are the bed dimensions??

Attachment 114046


or option B, second photo... This time I don't have a cab, the right rear fenders are correct, but the truck is not the right wheelbase! Grrrr.... :fry: A real pickle!

Attachment 114047


Lastly, are the bed dimensions on B truck the same as the bed of the third photo? Thank you.

Attachment 114048

Chevrolet 1939 specifications
 

Nice find Philippe, I hope the fire truck enthusiasts will not frown upon you turning this into a "desert truck" :)

When determining the details of the Indian Pattern Chevrolet 1311X3, I found the GM resource linked below very useful to look up wheelbases and other specifications. I have added a direct link to the 1939 model specification for your convenience.

Rear Cargo Bed 1939 Chevrolet WA...
 

Hello Hanno,

Fire enthusiasts had 30 years to do something about this beast... As far as I am concerned, I saved it from the scrap pile and made a lady very happy for getting it out of the side of her house...:)

Thank you very much for re-posting the old topic... I wish that is was a shorter wheelbase or a 1 ton, I would definitely do the Indian pattern 1311x3; but it is 158-1/2" (1.5 ton) truck similar to the radio/survey truck posted here... Somehow, I will have to figure out the size of the rear box...Wish I could find photos without the rear carvas...

I don't even have the dimensions on the cargo bed from the IWM truck... It would be good to have for reference...

Hello Philippe, I looked up the specifications for 1940 model Chev trucks: the WA is a 133" w.b. 1-1/2 Ton Truck with Single or Dual Wheels. If you want to make a LRDG WA, shorten your fire truck's wheelbase. It would be my guess someone has take the cargo box dimensions off the IWM's preserved example? I'd guess (again) you are in touch with the LRDG reenacting community in the UK.

Attachment 114141


The WB is a 158-1/2"w.b. 1-1/2 Ton Truck with Single or Dual Wheels. This was one of the chassis with cowl and windshield supplied to India, where they fitted a cab plus cargo body.
If you retain the wheelbase, the Indian Pattern WB is certainly an option and Davistine Liddle may help with body dimensions off his Chevrolet. This forum contains multiple pictures of this so-called "Bombay Chev".

Attachment 114142

Rear Cargo Bed 1939 Chevrolet WA...
 

Hello Hanno,

I will email Davistine for some information, in the meantime, I found another photo of a truck that looks interesting... No idea on the wheelbase of this one, almost looks like a 1 ton-but sure wish I had more photos...

As for shortening the wheelbase, I'll have to think about it, since it brings the project to a new complicated dimension...

Model 1941 Chevrolet Commercial 1/2-Ton Chassis
 

Great picture of a captured Chevrolet with Model 1940 front end.

I think that is the ambulance version of the Indian Pattern Chevrolet 1311X3 on a 1941 Chevrolet Commercial 1/2-Ton Chassis with 113-1/2” w.b. - see Indian Pattern bodies for another picture.

Your fire truck chassis is too heavy and too long to turn it into this type of truck.

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/at...0&d=1587287689

Rear Cargo Bed 1939 Chevrolet WA...
 

Hello Hanno,

You're absolutely right, that is why I think I will go with a variation of the "Bombay Chev" that would seem to be as long as my truck @ 158.5"...

Philippe, you’re making great progress with getting all that fire fighting equipment off the chassis.

Is the drivetrain in good condition?

Rear Cargo Bed 1939 Chevrolet WA...
 

Hello Hanno,

Yes, the truck runs perfectly, with a lot of new parts including NOS driveshaft...I am done as far as I can go... Will be listing for sale soon.

Hi Philippe,

Great result, it really looks the part!

Yes, nice job. I like the patch of sand you found to photograph it on !

David