g506 vs g508 driving experience

[dfast]

Hi all,

Probably there are people who are experienced driving in both of those trucks, or maybe owning them in one period of time. Can you please share your feelings and experience here. I am sure that is great joy experiencing something like that, driving big old truck with petrol engine which is not common nowadays as all of them having diesels now.
Owning them required proper bigger garage, to restore them needs heavy equipment, tooling and more space comparing to smaller jeeps, but most probably it worth that effort?
I am not saying nothing , but in last time I am more googling these old trucks than before. I found recently one g506 dump truck in my neighborhood, in driving condition, no rust, complete, but having old weaker Perkins diesel under the hood, and probably a lot of modification added during the years. Price is high but looks negotiable. From other hand g508 has one extra axle behind, feels stronger and maybe more comfortable...

What you think guys, here is photo.

[John]

I liked driving the g506 better than the g508. It's faster and more nimble then the 508. I use mine for WW2 reenactment, and the g506 is plenty big enough to haul around as many people as I can cram into it. I think on one event I had twenty five people in the truck in total.

[Joe Gopan]

And I like the heavier feel of the G-508. They both can be zippy if kept on original condition. The GMC has better braking.

[D.R.H.]

I have owned two Chevys, and still have one. I have put a lot of miles behind me in the first one and intend to do the same with the one I own now. I have also had the privilege of driving both 352 and 353 Jimmys, both are a blast to drive, both have tremendous braking power as Ben said, and the Jimmys gives this wonderfully pleasant tone from the tail pipe that is unmatched by the Chevy.
The Chevy sounds great too, stops very well, and closed cabin creature comforts are both just about the same............a little cramped if you are above average height. In my opinion I can't compare them to find a favorite of the two, they're both just great trucks!!
I have a 1st. series 270 engine and 5 speed in my Chevy and really enjoy the extra horsepower I built into the engine. This is just what I wanted in my own truck. Other men have a different preference. I must say that I really appreciate a bone stock truck too.

[forestry4evr]

I have never driven a G508, but can tell you some characteristics of a G506. The ride is relatively smooth considering the springs. Speed is a factor as they are geared real low. When driving down the road at 40 MPH, the inside of the cab is noisy. It handles like an antique 75 year old truck. If you are tall or round, you may not fit in the cab of either the G506 or G508...people were much shorter and skinnier back in the 1940's.

Not sure of the availability of old Chevy engines in Serbia; but any 1937-1962 civilian car or truck 216, 235, or 261 can fit in a G506 with little trouble as most all parts interchange.

If you are into old 4x4 trucks, they are great fun. Good luck!

[Joe Gopan]

These old MV's are a horse of another color, they were made to be simple and rugged with suspension that is not quite up to being driven on modern roads at prevailing speeds. Their lighting systems do not light up the roadway as well as todays and it is easy to over drive (go too fast) for the illumination. Their driver's compartments have lots of small projections and were not designed with safety in mind and even a simple accident, or dropping a wheel over a shoulder can result in injury. There are operating precautions that need to be taken in order to avoid injury as these trucks can bite.