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1940 something to 1950 something chevy pu's

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KAWSAM62

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
going to help my wifes parents find a old truck i was told that certain years were the same body style? i need some education from everyone as to what to look for, were there 1 ton 2 ton sizes available, diff engines, were do they usually rot out, and parts availability, any help you can offer id appreciate!
thx scott:yes:
 
#2 ·
KAWSAM62 said:
going to help my wifes parents find a old truck i was told that certain years were the same body style? i need some education from everyone as to what to look for, were there 1 ton 2 ton sizes available, diff engines, were do they usually rot out, and parts availability, any help you can offer id appreciate!
thx scott:yes:
Click to expand...
I think chevrolet and GMC made the same body styly from late 48 thru early 55 difference being in 55 was the new 12 volt system. Yes they did make 1 and 2 ton versions Hot water sixes
 
#3 ·
these trucks are fairly plentiful, as are the parts. some people over price them. i have several friends with them, and one bought a spectacular one for 10k. i think you can pick up a decent runner even in socal for around 5k-6k. i'm sure in other areas you might be able to find decent deals. they made plentiful variations, i recently saw 1 1/2 ton flat bed, in really good shape for 5k. couldn't talk the wife into it, because of length. bought a decent 59 ford short bed for 4k.

i'm a big fan of trucks, and there are still many good deals out there, mid 60's chevy's still haven't jumped up yet.

if your looking at mid 40's to mid 50's chevys, look at the bottom of the rear cab corners, they would accumilate dirt, then start to rust when the moisture built up.

market is soft, and i've seen some great deals even on e-bay. good luck, and don't forget to show us what you found.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953...QQitemZ250212125713QQihZ015QQcategoryZ6251QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
#4 ·
The BASIC body style that you are referring to is 47-FIRST series 55.
Now, let's stop right here for a moment.
In 1955, there were TWO distinctly different styles of Chevy trucks: First and Second series. The First series looked like the 47-54 and the Second series was the same as the 56-57 (58-59 looked the same, but the MAJOR change was dual headlights).

From 47-55, there were several changes that occured and I AM NOT going to point out all of them. But I will give you some of the MOST recognizeable differences.
The 47-50 cab style had a single window in the door.
The 47-51 had a PULL DOWN outside door handle.
The 51 changed from a single window in the door to a window and a wing window. The wing window continued through the series and on into the 70s.
The 52 changed from a pull down outside door handle to a fixed handle with a push button.
The 47-53s all had the 5 horizontal bars in the grill.
The 54 and First series 55 had the WIDE single horizontal grill bar and ONE WIDE verticle bar in the center.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 47-First series 55s were 6volt. Second series went to 12v.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 1/2ton 47-54 pickups had the enclosed driveshaft (differential and driveshaft/torque tube were 1-piece, just like the pass cars).
The First series 55 got the "NEW" 55 style 3sp tranny (like 55-57 pass cars) and an open drive shaft.
These are the most obvious VISUAL differences, there are many more misc differences from 47 to 54.

One last thing, back window.
There were TWO styles of back windows. These windows are NOT year specific.
There was the regular single back window, and then the custom cab back windows. The custom cab got the two, curved windows that wrapped around the rear corners of the cab, between the regular back window and the door opening. I'm not sure of the first year for the custom cab side window style.
 
#7 ·
The 55 Cameo Carrier had a fiber glass side panels on the bed.
Dash was like (not the same) as a 55 shoe box. Most Cameo Carriers were painted in a two tone style.
Bob
 
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#8 ·
All the sheetmetal willl interchange from 1/2 to 1 ton trucks. Once you get to the 1.5 ton truck the sheetmetal is diffferent, althou the cabs are the same. 1.5 ton trucks the fender opening is larger, the grill bars are wider and the hood is kinda pancaked.

Running boards are different to from each model.
Then you also have the COE or Cab Over Engine truck.

They rot at the lower cowl at the toe boards. Check the fit of the doors since these cabs are weak from the factory at the lower hinge then throw rust at it and you have cab misfit problem.
You can darn near build a 47-55 from a resto catalog.

The GMC and chevy carried some different parts. Hood, grille is different, fenders had an extra hole under the headlight, all other sheetmetal is the same. Chevy and GMC ran different motors. The 216 babbit bearing used the in 47-55? is not really a good choice for street use, you will want the 235 full pressure that come out in 55. Chevy also had a 235 low pressure used in the bigger trucks, avoid it.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
thx all i new i started in the right place!! sounds like what we will be looking for is a modern day running gear combo with a stock looking outward appearence 47-55 first series chevy pu i would think that there would be v8 turbo 350s conversions with different rear combos for sale out there somewhere to get the benifits of both worlds so to speek
thx scott appreciated the help:yes:
 
#11 ·
Engines: A 53 Chev. Power glide had the full pressure oil system 0-30-60
A 53 Chev 3 speed col. shft. had the dipper system 0-15-30
The old car engines are a fall in on the old P/Ups.
Also If you want to put 15" inch wheels on a 37-38 Chev. Cp. (16" 6 bolt ) Just bolt a 53 Pass. Car brake drum on it, Everything the same. Now you have 15" 5 bolt wheels.
Bob:thumbsup:
 
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#12 ·
KAWSAM62 said:
thx all i new i started in the right place!! sounds like what we will be looking for is a modern day running gear combo with a stock looking outward appearence 47-55 first series chevy pu i would think that there would be v8 turbo 350s conversions with different rear combos for sale out there somewhere to get the benifits of both worlds so to speek
thx scott appreciated the help:yes:
Click to expand...
There are tons of trucks like that out there. Take your time..
 
#14 · (Edited)
Also on 58-59 you could get the steel Fleetside bed, 55-57 only had step side and fiberglass overlay Cameo. Look and expect rust in the rear cab corners, lower door hinge pocket, upper headlight area, cowl if they have the cowl vent, and floor plan. The bed rust at the tailgate hinge and where the fenders bolt to the bed sides.

Go to Jim Carter's Truck site and click on the on line catalog for the model you want. The first 6-8 pages are just information on IDing and general stuff to look for. Sprinklered through the catalog is more part specific information.

If you can find a good shell and engine block, almost everything else is reproduced. And for a beginner, they are one of easiest ones to work on, much easier than autos.

Also lots of good info at http://67-72chevytrucks.com/

I have a 59 4WD Short Fleetside http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5689&d=1170446811
 
#15 ·
Good info posted so far!

1954 they went with the 1-piece windshield; they also switched to full pressure lubrication on the remaining sixes that weren't already so (I guess it doesn't matter if you want to run a modern drivetrain.) I think the 235 took over for the 216 in 51.

I believe the pickup box height increased somwhere during the 47-early 55 run. Some years had the cowl vent door on the outside but then they were eliminated around 51.

Big blocks fit but watch for steering column shaft interference.

I love those old trucks with thick sheet metal.
 
#16 ·
I realize I left out the 2-piece/1-piece windshields, cowl vent doors, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. But as I said originally, I was only going to point out a few differences that were easy to see. Plus, it would take more space than is available here to point out all the 47-55 differences.

The Cameo bed was NOT an overlay, it was a total, completely different bed made mostly of fiberglass. The only thing the Cameo bed shared with the stepside bed is that it was installed on the frame behind the cab.
To the best of my knowledge, the STEEL fleetside bed was introduced in 59. I think the only straight side bed in 58 was the Cameo.

The two-tone colors were only 57-58. The 55-6 Cameos had a "plain" bed and the cab/bed were the same color. Whereas, the 57-58 Cameos had the added chrome trim on the bed and inbetween the two chrome strips along the sides of the bed, they were painted with a contrasting color. All the Chevy Cameos came with the custom cab which had the big, wrap around rear window. But the GMC Cameos came with the standard rear window as well as the big, wrap around rear window.
If the Chevy Cameos had a V8, it was a Chevy small block. But I believe the GMC Cameos with a V8 got either an Olds or Buick engine.
You're going to have to locate a very knowledgeable GMC Cameo person to nail that one down solid.
 
#17 ·
DZAUTO said:
I57-58 Cameos
Click to expand...
I did not realize they made the Cameo in 58, I thought the steel Fleetside replaced it. Also, all of the parts needed to build a Cameo bed, including trim is now reproduced so folks can clone away.

I don't know if it was mentioned but a significant difference between the 216 and 235 engines is the 235's have replacable bearing, the older engines were babbit type where you filed down the main or rod caps and smoothed out the pits to resize them. I did this a couple of times with the original OrrieG as a kid in the 50's. Hot ticket is to find a GMC 6-304 (not sure of displacement) and put in aluminum pistons. Also look for one with original overdrive unit if you can find one or get used to crusing show. SBC conversion is a piece of cake, lots of room under the hood to work with. If you stick with the stock suspension they will always ride like a truck. There are lots of front end conversions using camaro/firebird, Mustang II or custom setups like Fat Man. Other cool thing is Chevy was consistent with their frame and spring widths through the 70's so lots of later stuff will bolt right up like rearends, etc.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
i have notice a couple trucks for sale advertizing pontiac front ends, 4 link rear end (just and example )on the 47-55s how was this normally done ? complete frame r&r or do they graft the assys in to the existing frame? just trying to understand so i can avoid buying someones mistakes and end up with a truck with a grafted front end and cant get the alignment right or some other problem:noway: or worse cant put the boards in the bed cause the rear end is to high?
thx scott
lots of good info thx all:thumbsup:
 
#19 ·
KAWSAM62 said:
i have notice a couple trucks for sale advertizing pontiac front ends, 4 link rear end (just and example )on the 47-55s how was this normally done ? complete frame r&r or do they graft the assys in to the existing frame? just trying to understand so i can avoid buying someones mistakes and end up with a truck with a grafted front end and cant get the alignment right or some other problem:noway: or worse cant put the boards in the bed cause the rear end is to high?
thx scott
lots of good info thx all:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Go to the 67-72 web site in one of my previous posts. There are a number of trucks there that have had the camaro/firebird front clips grafted on and 4-links done in the back. Most of them are very detailed, step by step threads. I remember one going thru the steps on how to keep every square and lined up (requires temporay bracing tacked to the frame). It's like anything else takes lots of prep, patience and attention. You need to have excellent welding skills, I'm pretty good but would still practice alot before I would tackle a front clip graft.
 
#20 ·
DZAUTO said:
The BASIC body style that you are referring to is 47-FIRST series 55.
Now, let's stop right here for a moment.
In 1955, there were TWO distinctly different styles of Chevy trucks: First and Second series. The First series looked like the 47-54 and the Second series was the same as the 56-57 (58-59 looked the same, but the MAJOR change was dual headlights).

From 47-55, there were several changes that occured and I AM NOT going to point out all of them. But I will give you some of the MOST recognizeable differences.
The 47-50 cab style had a single window in the door.
The 47-51 had a PULL DOWN outside door handle.
The 51 changed from a single window in the door to a window and a wing window. The wing window continued through the series and on into the 70s.
The 52 changed from a pull down outside door handle to a fixed handle with a push button.
The 47-53s all had the 5 horizontal bars in the grill.
The 54 and First series 55 had the WIDE single horizontal grill bar and ONE WIDE verticle bar in the center.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 47-First series 55s were 6volt. Second series went to 12v.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 1/2ton 47-54 pickups had the enclosed driveshaft (differential and driveshaft/torque tube were 1-piece, just like the pass cars).
The First series 55 got the "NEW" 55 style 3sp tranny (like 55-57 pass cars) and an open drive shaft.
These are the most obvious VISUAL differences, there are many more misc differences from 47 to 54.

One last thing, back window.
There were TWO styles of back windows. These windows are NOT year specific.
There was the regular single back window, and then the custom cab back windows. The custom cab got the two, curved windows that wrapped around the rear corners of the cab, between the regular back window and the door opening. I'm not sure of the first year for the custom cab side window style.
Click to expand...
This is good info, I had a 53 "5 window" cab and of course wish I still had it. Not very driveable on today's roads stock in my opinion. The steering is a bear and they are geared for low speeds. But, even the 235 (I think that was the displacement) with dual exhaust headers and easily obtainable intake and carb upgrades, was adequate and fun for the truck. A lot of owners put in a front end conversion to get better steering and braking - if I remember right, there was a mustang front end or Pacer front end that would fit. I never did those mods so I just fought it! A 12 volt upgrade is easy and a must in my opinion. Those old Chevy trucks have beautiful lines in my opinion!!!
 
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