CCKW open cab on G-506

[bobc]

I know it was never done at the factory but it makes a very impressive truck, a few years ago I was going to cut down a CCKWX winch model but was talked out of it by well meaning members here, so recently I drug home a nice Chevy, with original bed and very clean front end, plus I have saved a very clean 45 open cab on a badly butchered CCKW, I would like to talk to someone else that has done this swap, the only picture I could find was from a "wings over wine country" meet back in 07, if anyone knows who did this truck or who owns it now I would really like to get a hold of them, while I'm doing the cab swaps I'm remotoring it with 270 and five speed, this has been discussed a bunch so it shouldn't be a problem, any help would be appreciated. Thanks Bob.

[Ben Dover]

Use the Open Cab rear Chassus crossmember and the floorboard will have to be modified due to height and location of the Transmission. It will take a lot of sheet metal work.

[Chris T.]

That's most likely Jim Bertao's G506 with a CCKW airborne cab. He sold it to mfrance a few years back.

[Nick Bombini]

Here is Jim's old truck.

http://mvccnews.net/archives/2010/04191 ... 89_jpg.htm

I believe mfrance resold it a few years back to another collector in his area, but I can't remember who.

--Nick

[bobc]

Thanks guys, I'll see who has it.

[bobc]

Any idea on who actually built this truck? I'm planning on using the entire drive train from the CCKW all the back to the transfer case, if the frame rails are the same I want to use all the cross members so the engine and trans should sit in the same place so I won't have to modify the cab floor, hopefully monday I can set the two truck side by side and do some measuring, but any hints would be nice!

[shoeshop]

a guy that lives 8miles from my place had a gmc cckw open cab 4x4, if I remember correctly the dutch army did some test on cutting down a cckw, frame rails are not the same, cckw engine is longer, gearbox is also mounted to the frame, a 4speed from chevy only bolts to the engine no support from the frame.

[Ben Dover]

Stan Poole may have had one of these conversions in the 70's when he lived in NJ. There are pics in the early MVCC pubs.

[Nick Bombini]

To my knowledge, Jim Bertao restored/built the truck.

He uses this site under the username JimB.

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=6868

--Nick

[Sgt. Hancock]

Hi Nick, I thought that was the truck that came from Kevin Kronlund. That is what I told 'Bobc' over the phone last night. I guess I am in error.
Also, The open cab CCKW doors are in route and I am expecting to receive them by the end of the day on 9 Aug. 2011.

[bobc]

Thanks for all the leads, I'll try anything! Here's a couple pictures of the donor vehicles, both cabs are perfect, no rust in the usual places, the only rust in the chevy is in the wiper motor cover panel above the windshield, which I don't understand, none of the other trucks that have been through here have had that, I'm thinking I will find mice nest up there when I remove it!

[Nick Bombini]

No problem Bob and good luck with your project. While not being factory correct, I've always thought the open cab chevy was a very good looking. The best bet would be to try and contact Jim about the details of the truck. Don't qoute me on this because I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure his truck had the factory engine, transmission, and transfer case. I do know that the open cab used is from an airborne CCKW. If you look at the photo in the link I previously posted, you can see the strip with bolts below the windshield that allowed the section above the cowl to be removed for airborne dis-assembly.

Dave, I bought my CCKW from Kevin Kronlund. Is that the one you are thinking of? Sounds great on the doors. I'll keep you posted as to when I'm heading down there.

--Nick

[bobc]

Here's a shot of the data plates and upper panel, it looks like they may have varnished the data plates, most of the chevy plates I've seen have been junk, these are very nice, if you look up above you can still see the cardboard headliner!

[Ben Dover]

Good shot of the elusive Mirror and Bracket.

[Sgt. Hancock]

Bob, I like your photos. I think it will turn out really well. Lets keep in touch buddy.
Nick I was referring to the open cab Chevy that was at Tower Park last year. That is the one the I thought came from Kronlund around 6-7 years ago.
Our MVCC club meeting is on 14 Aug. this month. If you can swing it, we could go to it and then you can come to "Alpha Co." at look at Pintelhook11overs' Chevy under restoration, Al's Chevy under restoration, and our L.O.M.V. which is awaiting restoration.
We could also go for a putt-putt in my Command Car too.