72 1/2 ton chevy

Military Trucks 1/2 ton thru 2 ton, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
Post Reply
Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Sun Feb 05, 2023 11:05 am

My stepdaughter just inherited a half ton chevy 4/2 step side pick up truck. Small block V-8. 3 speed automatic transmission.
After retrieving it from the old garage it has been sitting in for the last 30 years, it has been deposited in front of my shop and I am suppose to get it running. :P
I am not sure what I have ?? Looks like a stock civilian step side.
It was supposed to have been purchased as surplus from a local Air Force base, 30+ years ago.
I am told it is a 1972-year model.
It has a "Military Property" brass tag on the glove box door.
Truck-Cargo-Pick up- 4X2
Make & Model Chevrolet CE10704
Ser. # CCE 142F5833
Curb weight 3800 lbs.
Contract # GS-005-11702
Fed. Stock# ACVC II 1203
Reg. # CA3659
So far, due to the weather, I have not done much more than walk around it and have one look under the hood.
For it's age, it is in good shape.
I have searched using the tag info and turned up nothing.
Any ideas ??
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB


Frank USMC
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1619
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 5:01 am
Location: Newport, North Carolina

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Frank USMC » Sun Feb 05, 2023 12:03 pm

I remember those 1/2 ton step side Chevy trucks back in the 1970s on Fort Jackson South Carolina. On the army base they were used as admin trucks, just short haul stuff, to seeing soldiers in the back picking up trash on the base. The ones I saw, were a green color with a white top, but they all looked like they were used hard as in the paint was faded, and not taken care of because they were work trucks.
Nice find, I knew another collector back in the late 1980s who had one in Columbia SC, he restored his.
Thinking the US goverment bought a lot of them for all the military bases.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET
Last edited by Frank USMC on Mon Feb 06, 2023 3:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Mon Feb 06, 2023 4:43 am

What you say goes along with what little intel I have been told, Frank.
Made one small goof. The glove box tag says, " US property". Not "Military Property".
But I am told the truck was used around the Air Force Base it was purchased from for daily maintenace & utility projects.
The paint scheme is lower body & the hood are black. The top half is flat red. Not sure if the red is faded or maybe red primer ??
Once the weather straightens up and I get caught up from winter, I will get a lot closer to it. See if something surfaces, Like a different paint color.
The color it is now does not look military. 8)
At the moment, just gathering intel.
Thanks for the input.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Wed Feb 08, 2023 6:56 am

Quick update-
Weather finally yielded and I got a closer look.
Whole lot of Bubba.
Once I got under the hood and moved some of the "treasures" out of the bed, there was O.D. paint inside the engine compartment & bed.
The red & black on the outside is over O.D. But the green is a lighter shade than an MB or GPW.
Engine is a small block V-8. Ignition is point type which would be correct for 1972 and the carb. is an older 4 bbl. Also correct for 72.
I have been told these trucks were originally 6 cyl. ???
It has a nice set of 6" chrome stacks mounted behind the cab at each front bed corner. Would put a tear in any Mack semi driver's eye. I first thought they were for looks. They are functional. Can't wait to hear this when I get the engine started. :D
Inside of the cab is pretty much unmolested. All most. There is a CB radio. 10-4 good buddy. A small, round fan mounted on the dash, aimed at the driver's side. Bubba A.C. ?? And a small sun roof. 8)
My stepdaughters first baby shoes had the laces tied together and are hanging on the rear-view mirror. Mom & daughter are fighting over who will get those. :lol:
Does anyone know. Did these trucks have a military designation like G-xxx. All I have found so far is what is on the tag I listed above.
Stay tuned.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Frank USMC
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1619
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 5:01 am
Location: Newport, North Carolina

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Frank USMC » Wed Feb 08, 2023 7:17 am

They were an "Off the shelf" vehicle so not G number. Just a little base vehicle to big up trash in or haul something to the next shop to be fixed.
Like you thinking it came with a 6 cylinder motor.
This truck should be stock as stock could be...if that year, the truck did not come with an AM radio, it would not have one. Lowest bidder for a utility work truck
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Wed Feb 08, 2023 12:18 pm

Thanks again for the intel, Frank.
I am starting to think it is mostly a " get it running " project for my stepdaughter because it was Dad's truck.
No in dash radio.
The radio is a Smokie and the Bandit type CB radio, mounted under the dash.
Makes sense it being a no frills work truck for on base use, it is going to be bare bones basic.
A motorized wheel barrel. 8)
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Sat Feb 11, 2023 5:15 am

Got in the cab yesterday, digging around when I noticed the odometer.
22205 miles. :D
And the truck looks like this is correct.
Not exactly wore out.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

SS Tim
G-Civilian
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:48 am
Location: Edwards CA

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by SS Tim » Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:27 pm

Its been awhile since I've decoded a truck for someone, but this looks pretty basic.
The military Chevy shortbeds typically were 6cyl 3 speed column shift.
But yours clearly was built with a V8, likely a 307-2bbl (the base V8).
Trans is not coded to the VIN or Model Number so detective work is required at your end. Rear axle code Might Confirm but the is overlap between 3.07 and 3.73 usage.

Here is a typical Govt data plate normally found screwed to the glovebox door.
Curiously is the factory option sticker, SPID, stuck on the inside of the glovebox door?

VIN confirms it to be
C Chevrolet
C 4x2 2wd
E V8 unspecified
1 1/2 Ton
4 Pickup unspecified
2 1972 MY
F Flint Assembly Plant
5833 Sequence Number (partial?)

Model number confirms it to be
C Chevrolet
E V8 unspecified
1 1/2 Ton
07 115" WB
04 Stepside bed

PM if you wish to dig deeper
Thanks
Tim
Attachments
00505_3l8W6LH2JeE_600x450.jpg
USAFplatesacto67.jpg

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6878
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: 72 1/2 ton chevy

Post by Wolfman » Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:08 am

Thanks for the intel, Tim.
What you listed is a lot closer to what I have sitting in front of my shop.
Not sure of the engine displacement but it is a V-8 with a 4 bbl. carb. & automatic transmission, which looks original. No sign the steering column has been changed or that there was ever a clutch linkage.
I have not had the glove box door open so don't know if there is a "SPID" sticker. The truck cab & bed is piled full of ?? stuff.
A general clean up is the first thing on the list.
The weather is finally starting to warm up so I will be getting a closer look.
The lower section of the doors have been painted red primer. I will get a closer look to see if there is any sign of U.S. Air Force.
Other outer body parts have been painted red & black. Not original. Plenty of O.D. left.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB


Post Reply

Return to “Trucks 1/2 ton thru 2 ton”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 46 guests